Certainly not Phillies manager Rob Thomson or president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who conceded that when discussing the deal struck Saturday before the Phillies opposed the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.

“His journey has been so remarkable from the first time I saw him,” Thomson said. “He was throwing 98, 99 (mph.), all over the place. Couldn’t throw strikes; struggled to throw strikes. To where he is now, I wouldn’t be able to even envision that. His command is outstanding. His fastball is starting to get more velocity. And his secondary pitches are really, really good. Especially that changeup. So, I mean, he’s gone from really the superpower guy with no command to still a power guy with command and stuff. And it’s really remarkable.”

Amazing for sure, and likely a smart deal. Sanchez’s rise is insurance should the Phillies be unable to reach more than a one-year agreement with Ranger Suarez, who could be on pace to win a Cy Young Award. And the same goes for their ties to Taijuan Walker, who has two years and $36 million left on his deal and lately has been getting booed into the dugout.

The Phillies now have their top three starters locked up long term in Zack Wheeler, who threw Saturday, Aaron Nola and Sanchez, who pitches Sunday.

With the market for lefthanders only going up, the Phillies believe that the 27-year-old Sanchez, a 6-foot-6 flamethrower, gives them enough value on several fronts to do the deal now instead of allowing him to go to arbitration for the next two years.

Dombrowski said Sanchez’s representation made the overture before the road trip to London. He said he doesn’t normally get into contract extensions during the season because “it can be a distraction for the player,” but he was open to it in this case providing “it happened quickly, one way or the other.

“It started right before London,” Dombrowski said. “And then when we got to London it was all encompassing.”

Dombrowski declined to comment on the possibility of extending Suarez other than to say, “We love Ranger, of course, and hope he’s part of the organization for a long, long time.”

At the same time Dombrowski said the intelligence he gathered from Thomson, other coaches, the strength staff and just about everybody he spoke to in the organization suggested Sanchez was anything but a one-year wonder.

“He’s really been phenomenal,” Dombrowski said. “He has worked hard, worked with the staff, followed the leaders. You can see his growth. And he’s just continued to grow. … Everybody felt his growth would only continue to grow. You don’t want to have anybody, Cristopher or anyone, sign a long-term contract and rest on his laurels. Well, that’s not him. He just wants to get better and be one of the best pitchers in MLB and we feel very much that he’ll be able to accomplish that.”

Though the money figures for Sanchez weren’t immediately available, rest assured he didn’t settle for chump change. The deal buys out his arbitration years, giving the Phillies more control. He wouldn’t have been eligible for arbitration until 2026.

The Sanchez story Thomson spoke of began when Matt Klentak obtained the pitcher from Tampa for backup infielder Curtis Mead in 2019. Sanchez is just 10-10 with a 3.73 ERA in 229.1 innings pitched for the Phillies. This season, thought, he’s 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 77 innings with a fastball 2.2 mph faster than last year’s version. That makes the changeup filthier.

Thomson doesn’t know what Sanchez’s ceiling is but suspects it’s higher than what the lefty has shown this season.

“I didn’t see him getting to this point, so I don’t know where it’s going to end up,” Thomson said. “But if you grade his stuff out it’s as good as anybody we’ve got as far as fastball velocity, fastball command. The changeup is the best on the team. You can rival that with any of our pitchers’ best pitches and it’s probably as good as anybody else’s.”

Through an interpreter, Sanchez offered little insight into his meteoric rise to the top other than to say he’s a big fan of Wheeler, his favorite pitcher, and he loves having a future with the Phillies.

“Basically, it’s follow the leader,” Sanchez’s interpreter said. “We have the horses of the team. Wheeler, Ranger. He just followed the path … to be in this position.”

Thomson said when he congratulated Sanchez the pitcher told him “you’re going to have me for a long time.” Thomson responded: “I’m not sure (how long) I said I’m going to be here.”

For the first time since 2021, Delco advanced to the third and final day of the Phillies’ college showcase at FDR Park in South Philadelphia. Delco won three out of its four games, earning the top seed from its bracket after a 3-0 performance in Tuesday’s pool-play round.

“It was too little, too late today,” Delco head coach Mike Snow said. “It was back and forth the whole game. The crew we had, I expected a little cleaner play on defense. We gave up some unearned runs over both days. But it didn’t stop us yesterday. We were able to win. But when you think that we lost only one game — and it was by one run — out of four games over two days, that’s not bad. It was a good run.”

The quarterfinal clash was up for grabs the entire way.

Trailing by one run early, Delco rallied in the bottom of the fourth inning. Abigail Krasowski from Radnor tied the game with a single and Kayla Frye of Springfield followed with a run-scoring hit, pushing Delco ahead 3-2.

Delaware South quickly answered back with two runs in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a pair of Delco errors to retake the lead.

Undeterred, Delco continued to show its mettle. In the bottom of the fifth, Janie Lofland from Conestoga led off with a walk and Interboro’s Mare Nagle advanced her with a perfectly executed bunt single.

Zoey Rogers from Garnet Valley then hit an RBI groundout to tie the game again, and Nagle scored the go-ahead run due to an error by Delaware South’s second baseman, giving Delco a 5-4 lead.

Delaware South responded in the top of the sixth inning, scoring two runs to seize a 6-5 lead. A clutch single by Ava Calciano drove in what proved to be the winning run.

Nagle smacked a one-out double in the bottom of the seventh, and Krasowski drew a two-out walk, putting the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base.

Nicole Semerjian from Marple Newtown faced an extended at-bat, but ultimately struck out on a full count, sealing the win for Delaware South.

Delaware South lost to Lehigh Valley, 2-1, in the championship game. The irony is that Delco dealt Lehigh its only loss of the tournament, claiming a 5-3 victory Tuesday evening.

Outstanding performances

One player who made a significant impact for Delco was Krasowski, who will be a sophomore in the fall.

Despite playing for a Radnor squad that managed only two wins in the spring, Krasowski proved that she belonged with the top young talent in the area.

Her performance certainly impressed Snow and assistant coaches Todd Odgers, of Springfield; Bob Newman of Haverford; and Charlotte Bosco of Conestoga.

In the quarterfinal against Delaware South, Krasowski contributed a pair of hits and two RBIs.

Her standout moment in the tournament came Tuesday in the pool-play round against the Philadelphia Catholic League, smashing a bases-loaded triple to break the game wide open in the late stages.

“Abby swung a super hot bat both days. I was surprised by it because she didn’t hit against us (Marple Newtown) during the high school season. Todd, Bob and Charlotte knew what she could do, though. They saw her hit,” Snow said. “When it comes down to putting a team together, we’re all putting our input in, we’re talking about what happened during the season and we are looking at the tryout. We consider many different factors. We know these kids in different ways and we try to use all of the information that is available to make the right decisions and put together the best group. It was awesome to see her play so well.”

Rogers, Lofland and Nagle also shined at the plate for Delco in the four games.

Rogers went 4-for-4 in the win over the Catholic League and delivered the game-winning RBI triple in a 5-4 decision over Delaware North. Lofland went 4-for-4 in the victory over Lehigh and provided the game-tying, two-run double against Delaware North, as Delco rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh.

Delco received solid pitching from Kiera Norton, Conestoga; Allison Daly, Haverford; and Layla Murphy, Sun Valley. Grace Corner of Marple Newtown excelled behind the plate at catcher.

“We had a talented group of juniors — rising seniors — who are moving on, a bunch of kids who played multiple years for us,” Snow said. “Mare played three years for us. Zoey and Janie played two years. Grace played three years. Layla was with us for two years. We have a lot of juniors who are moving on, but I think this freshman class learned a lot along with the sophomores. I think we’ll be able to put a team together that’s pretty similar in the future.

“Delaware South and Lehigh, a team we beat, played in the championship. That’s a little tough. The initial thought when we started was that we want to win this thing and we think we can win this thing. It was very possible. We had all the pieces, but it just didn’t go our way.”

The Pottstown Rumble, established in 1991, is returning to the Pottstown area for its 33rd annual tournament. From June 21 to June 23, more than 6,000 players and more than 10,000 spectators will travel to multiple locations across Pottstown for the event.

“We’re very excited and proud to be hosting this event in Pottstown once again,” said Ken Kass, tournament director. “We sold out in under four minutes this year, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands of players to Pottstown from all across the nation.”

The anticipated economic impact for the weekend is more than $2 million.

“We are lucky and proud to support such an amazing event that brings in amazing economic impact to Pottstown and the surrounding areas,” said Jon Scheuren, director of sports at Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board.

Here is a breakdown of events by day.

FRIDAY

• Women’s Pro Division

• Men’s Triples

• Women’s Triples

• Master Doubles

• Junior Doubles

SATURDAY

• Women’s Pro Division Playoffs and Championship

• Men’s 2 on 2 Competition

• Women’s 2 on 2 Competition

SUNDAY

• Men’s Pro Playoffs and Championship

• Quad Doubles

• Coed Doubles

There is a $10 spectator fee for those observing the main field only. There are no fees associated with the other four satellite fields. Spectators can enjoy food and vendors, a center-court beer tent, and more.

About Pottstown Rumble

After more than 30 years, The Rumble has become one of the largest and certainly the toughest volleyball events in the country according to the organizers. Pottstown becomes the battleground for volleyball players testing their skills, their mettle and their toughness.

Rumble players abide by “Old School Rules”, meaning they play “side-out” scoring, no let-serves, and blocks do not count as hits. They also play on the original large court size.

Early on, Pottstown Rumble was billed as “A volleyball tournament run by the players, for the players.” This moniker is still true and might answer as to why so many players love The Rumble and respect the organizers.

Large cash prizes are available for first-place winners.

For more information about Pottstown Rumble, visit pottstownrumble.com or valleyforge.org/sports.

“We are thrilled to celebrate an amazing group of student-athletes who are going off to great places,” said EA Athletic Director Todd Fairlie. “This is an amazing class that has had a lot of success, and we are confident that they will continue to do great things.”

The 44 student-athletes include:

• Alex Barrist, baseball, Lafayette College
• Chase Bearley, swimming, Lehigh University.
• Joe Bogle, lacrosse, Villanova University.
• Peyton Davis, gymnastics, University of Michigan.
• Kiley Gallagher, field Hockey, Lafayette College.
• Jack Guido, lacrosse, Mercer University.
• Taylor Hammond, water polo, Virginia Military Institute.
• Kamora Helton, tennis, Providence College.
• Jack Hurda, baseball, University of Maryland.
• Dylan Jaszcz, lacrosse, Penn State University.
• Natalie Magnotta, soccer, Penn State University.
• Lainey McGonagle, lacrosse, University of Pittsburgh.
• Grace McHugh, lacrosse, Syracuse University.
• Paige McMeekin, field hockey, Bucknell University.
• Lucas Montayne, lacrosse, Marquette University.
• Jenna Morley, lacrosse, University of Colorado.
• Hannah Neilly, swimming, Holy Cross University.
• Bella Notaro, field hockey, Bucknell University.
• Sydney Richter, lacrosse, Georgetown University.
• Hunter Stetson, golf, North Carolina State.
• Michael Woolery, track and field, Penn State University.
• Isabel Andrews, field hockey, Dartmouth College.
• Tyler Beaulieu, baseball, Cornell University.
• Bella Bin, squash, Brown University.
• Rick Chen, squash, Yale University.
• Avery Elliott, track & field, University of Pennsylvania.
• Saige Forbes, track & field, Harvard University.
• Shaw Huston, field hockey, Hamilton College.
• Zeke Kane, football, Amherst College.
• AJ Koukou, football, Villanova University.
• Grace Murphy, rowing, Yale University.
• Ryan Sewell, soccer, Hobart College.
• Calvin Szoradi, football, Middlebury College.
• I’jaaz Abdul-Malik, football, Monmouth University.
• Michael Cadden, football, Bucknell University.
• Eric Demyun, football, F & M University.
• Conor Gaul, football, Carnegie Mellon University.
• Gabe Ketchum, football, Washington & Lee University.
• John Malone, lacrosse, Vassar College.
• Ronak Nagar, squash, Bowdoin College.
• Chris Purnell, football, Lock Haven University.
• Na’rome Rayborn, football, F & M University.
• Winston Tang, squash, U.S. Naval Academy.
• Kevin McCarthy, basketball, U.S. Military Academy

In the championship final, senior Tague Davis struck out six batters in four innings and allowed just one earned run. Andrew Pellicciotta dominated on offense, reaching base in all five of his at-bats including a home run and four RBIs. Sophomore Brady Abate scored two runs and was on base in all four of his plate appearances.

The celebration began with a prayer from Rev. William Gabriel, O.S.A. who spoke of the moment right before the championship final when senior leaders got in touch with him to have a Mass before the game. The players joined together to pray, connect, and thank God for each other.

At the celebration, Hilliard said, “When I think about this group, one word comes to mind: ‘special.’ Not just the talent and the performances on the field this year, but the kind of human beings they are off the field. They embody everything that this school stands for. Their selflessness and the way they get along and care about each other and the school, they are the perfect embodiment of what Malvern Prep is all about.”

The team will go down as one of the best in the history of Malvern Prep, finishing with a 34-3 record, setting a record for the most wins in a season. Nine players have been named All-Inter-Ac, the most by one school for one Inter-Ac team ever.

Season highlights included Davis and DJ Peterson eclipsing the 100 career strikeout mark for their careers. Seven Malvern starters hit .330 or better, led by Jonathan Holt’s .412 batting average. Pellicciotta led the team in hits (34), Davis led the team in RBIs (37) and Chase Ecker led the team with 29 stolen bases. Jack Ploszay led the pitching staff with a 0.72 ERA with Will Oschell, Davis, Peterson and Jack Herbein all had ERAs under 1.50.

Malvern Prep athletic director Jim Stewart Jr. said, “Being able to celebrate back-to-back state championships is truly remarkable. This win demonstrates the commitment of the players and coaching staff – we are so proud of all the team has accomplished this season.”

EAST MARLBOROUGH >> It’s always tough to beat a good team three times, and Downingtown East showed they are definitely a good team on Friday. Squared off against archrival Downingtown West in the quarterfinal round of the PIAA 6A softball state tournament, the Cougars rode the strength of two big home runs, and the reliable arm of ace Rachael Schumann, to secure a program-first appearance in the state semifinals with a 4-2 win over the Whippets at Unionville High School.

Up next for the Cougars (22-4) is another familiar foe in Council Rock South. East previously met the Hawks (21-3) in the quarterfinal round of the District 1 tourney, with the Cougars coming out on top 11-6. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. June 10 at Spring-Ford High School.

“This is uncharted territory for us,” said East coach Peggy O’Dwyer. “Downingtown East has never gotten this far. We came in knowing that we were right there with them in both previous games. We knew we were a good team, too, and we could win this one if we just came out and played our game. And we did just that.”

With the game postponed from Thursday to Friday, the Cougars had plenty of time to get in the right mental state.

“We had such an incredible motivational speech from our A.D. on the bus ride here,” said East pitcher Rachael Schumann, a Seton Hall recruit. “It was pretty much the Rocky Balboa story. We all knew we had to just put it all on the line. We’ve been so excited all week to get another shot at them, and we made it count.”

The Cougars pounded out nine hits on the afternoon, but none bigger than a pair of hits from Lily Waterer and Jade Jenkins.

Waterer got the Cougars on the board first with a solo home run in the second inning to give East a 1-0 lead.

“What a load off my shoulders,” said Schumann. “Just that little cushion allowed me to relax a little and just throw my game.”

With East still clinging to a 1-0 lead in the top half of the sixth, Jenkins gave her team all the insurance it would need, ripping a three-run homer well beyond the fence in right.

“Honestly, I was just trying to get a base hit to knock in a run or two,” said Jenkins. “I wasn’t sure what she was going to bring me, because I’d hit her pretty well the last two games. My only approach was just hit the ball. Winning states has been our goal all year, and all of a sudden it feels totally doable. Amazing to know we’re just two wins away.”

Schumann picked up the win in the circle, changing speeds and moving the ball well to keep the Whippets off balance all day. Schumann allowed two runs on four hits, striking out five, while walking three.

“We really worked on changing speeds and playing to strengths,” said Waterer, who calls the games at catcher. “Playing them multiple times really helped. We hadn’t called a whole lot of changeups in the previous games, so we tried it today, and it worked well. We’re all really excited for Monday.”

For West (24-1), the season comes to close, following its only loss of the year. The Whippets won the Ches-Mont National division title, and the District 1 Class 6 A title.

“This was a season for the record books,” said West coach Joey Germani. “I am so proud of every member of this team that represented our school with class, and dedication to this program. The seniors really understood what it takes to lead the underclassmen and show them what West softball is all about. We’ve made so many lasting memories, and they will all be missed. But we have some amazing young talent, and we’ll be ready to come beck next year to defend our title and go even further.”

Downingtown East 4 Downingtown West 2Downingtown East  0 1 0  0 0 3 0—4Downingtown West 0 0 0  0 0 1 1—2WP—Schumann  LP—CarterHR—Waterer, Jenkins, O’Laughlin  2B—McWilliams

DOWNINGTOWN>>Survive and advance. That’s always the goal in a state tournament. Chambersburg put a scare into Downingtown West with a seventh inning rally in the opening round of the PIAA, Class 6A softball tournament, but the Whippets staved off the late charge and  improved to 25-0 on the season with a 4-3 victory.

More importantly, the Whippets advance to Thursday’s quarterfinal round, where they will square off against a familiar foe in Downingtown East, a 4-1 winner over Williamsport Monday.

“Always great to get the first one,” said West coach Joey Germani. “We have some things to clean up at the plate, but we played great defense and battled hard the whole way.”

Chambersburg came to the plate in the seventh trailing 4-1, but showed no interest in calling it quits, pushing across two runs to cut the lead to one. But the Whippets got out of it, when centerfielder Lizzie Kern hauled in a deep fly ball for the final out.

The Trojans actually got the first run of the game in the first without a base hit, plating a run on a double steal after the first two batters reached on a walk, and a hit by pitch, with the lead runner advancing to third on a fielder’s choice.

“It was a little shaky start for us, but once we settled in, we were fine,” said West pitcher Addy Carter. “Our defense was great today, especially the outfield. They made some amazing plays out there.”

The Whippets answered right back, notching a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning on a single from Lily O’Laughlin, a triple from Kern (2-for-3, triple, run scored, RBI), and a sacrifice fly from Ava Kaczmarski.

Chambersburg didn’t get their first base hit of the game until the fifth inning when Saleen Null and Brooke Leedy connected for back-to-back singles.

Still clinging to the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, the Whippets got the insurances runs they would need. Jordan Toth got things going with a lead-off double, and Casey McWilliams followed with a walk. Chambersburg Kori Leedy induced two weak pops to get one out away from escaping unharmed, but O’Laughlin came through with a double. Though she was caught trying to stretch it into a triple, both runners scored.

“When I come to the plate, I try to keep my approach the same, no matter what the situation is,” said O’Laughlin. “For us as a team, it’s important to be able to string together hits. If you get a bunch of hits, but all in different innings, it’s not going to work. But we’ve been able to get hits in bunches all season.”

Carter earned the win in the circle, allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out 4 and walking two.

“It’s great to move on,” said Carter. “A state title has been the goal all season, and now we’re just three wins away. I love that were going to be playing Downingtown East. They are a really competitive team, and I just love getting to compete.”

Downingtown West 4  Chambersburg 3Chambersburg           1 0 0  0 0 0  2—3Downingtown West   2 0 0  0 2 0  X—4WP—Carter LP—Leedy3B—Kern, Ahlborn 2B—Hendricks, Toth, O’Laughlin, B. Paetow

Representing Japan, Saso, 22, shot a 2-under 68 Sunday and was exceptional down the stretch, making four birdies and just one bogey to post a 3-under 32 coming in and claim the title with a 4-under 276.

Saso won the tournament in 2021 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif., while representing the Philippines, the country of her mother, before switching her national allegiances to Japan, the country of her father, a few months later.

“It feels great,” an emotional Saso told NBC’s Tom Abbott at the prize ceremony. “I think winning in 2021 I represented the Philippines. I feel like I was able to give back to my mom. This year I was able to represent Japan, and I think I was able to give back to my dad. I’m very happy that I was able to do it. It’s just a wonderful feeling that I was able to give back to my parents in the same way.”

Saso made back-to-back birdies on the 163-yard, par-3 12th, and the 518-yard, par-4 13th, as well as the 453-yard, par-4 15th and the 232-yard, par-4 16th.

After driving 283 yards into the right rough on the 13th, Saso’s third shot from the fairway found the green just under three feet from the hole for an easy birdie.

Another strong approach all but secured the win on the 15th, as Saso hit her second shot within six feet of the hole before draining the birdie and taking a two-shot lead at 4-under.

Before her strong showing on the back nine, Saso double bogeyed the 164-yard, par-3 sixth with a four-putt. She went on to make five consecutive pars before closing out strong.

“I think just following my routine makes me focus more on what I have to do, so I think that helps a little bit to make myself focus, stay focused,” Saso said.

The win is Saso’s first win since her last U.S Women’s Open victory in 2021 and earned her a $2.4 million winner’s check.

“Since 2021 I haven’t won after that,” Saso said when asked about her emotions following the win. “I think it just makes it special because after a long wait, and I wasn’t expecting to win the U.S. Women’s Open, every time I — last time, too, I wasn’t expecting it, and this time, too, I wasn’t expecting it. I think that’s why it made me a bit emotional.

“Winning just makes you look back in all the things that your family and your team and my sponsors, they supported me throughout good or bad.”

While Saso was exceptional on the back nine, the three co-leaders after 54 holes faltered on Sunday.

Minjee Lee from Australia, the 2022 champion, birdied the 419-yard, par-4 first before the round started to slip away.

Lee posted a 2-over 37 on the front nine going out, before bogeying the 435-yard, par-4 10th and finding even more problems at the troublesome 12th; the same hole that effectively ended Nelly Korda’s tournament chances when she shot a 10 there on the first day.

Lee’s tee shot hit the low end of the green before rolling down the slope and into the creek. Her next shot from the drop zone landed on the green 19 feet from the hole and then she two-putted for a double bogey.

After beginning the day at 5-under, Lee closed out the round with an 8-over 78 and a final round score of 3-over 283 to finish tied for ninth.

“ I think I did a lot of good things but obviously didn’t play very well today and I’m disappointed that I didn’t do better,” Lee said. “Yeah, I feel like — obviously I’m going to acknowledge my disappointment and then come back stronger, take the positives out of the week, you know. It’s a lot of pressure on the last day, so wasn’t my best performance but I’m sure there will be many better performances ahead.”

Andrea Lee, who also entered the day tied for first at 5-under, shot a 5-over 75 to finish the tournament tied for third at even par 280. Lee made just one birdie on the 12th, five bogeys and one double bogey.

Andrea Lee finished tied for third with Ally Ewing at even par 280.

“It was tough out there,” Andrea Lee said. “Obviously didn’t have my best right from the start. I was pretty nervous, but yeah, just didn’t have great shots out there. I had a couple of drives that really cost me, especially the double on (hole) 4.

“But I tried to fight my way back, especially on the back nine with a birdie on 12. I felt like I was still in it. I really grinded out there. I tried to come back, but yeah, it was tough. I just didn’t have my best today.”

Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai, the third and final player who entered Sunday tied for first, finished in a three-way tie for sixth at 2-over 282 after shooting a 7-over 77 in the final round. Meechai had just one birdie on the 232-yard, par-4 16th, but made five bogeys and one double bogey.

“I played pretty bad today, but I feel like I can play better,” Meechai said. “It’s the U.S. Open; the pins were so hard today. I’m just so excited today. Sometimes you can play bad golf on one day, but I’m kind of proud of myself that I can handle this week pretty good.

“I finished top 10, which means next year I can get in and play next year, which I’ll try to come back stronger and play better.”

Japan’s Hinako Shibuno finished in second place with a 1-under 279 after shooting a 2-over 72 on Sunday. Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol placed fifth with a 1-over 281 after scoring a 1-under 69 Sunday.

Asterisk Talley, Catherine Park and Megan Schofill all finished tied for the low amateur with a 12-over 292.

“Being back at Merion Mercy is a dream come true,” said Lee, who was a player on that 1995 state championship squad. “I have always wanted to be a coach, and it is such an honor to be able to come back and coach at the place where it all started for me.

“I love that I get to be in a space where I have had great support and coaching and I know that Coach D (the late Joe D’Antonio, who coached the 1995 Merion Mercy squad) is smiling down on me right now. All I want to do is make sure that these girls have a great experience like I did. Have fun playing basketball and learn some life lessons along the way.”

Lee’s favorite memory of that 1995 championship season was cutting down the net at the old Hersheypark Arena after the PIAA Class AA state final, a 58-43 win against District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle.

The Golden Bears, who won the District 1 2A title that year, had an exciting road to the state title. Merion Mercy beat District 3 champion Columbia 49-47 in the quarterfinals and defeated Pine Grove 64-57 in overtime in the semifinals.

“I had a crazy season, missing so many games and being able to come back when it all was special,” said Lee. “Seeing the sea of Merion Mercy students and parents cheering us on was epic to me. Then having a parade for us down the streets of Narberth just took it to another level.”

Last month, the 1995 Merion Mercy basketball squad was inducted into the school’s new Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Merion Mercy Academy in 1995, Lee went on to play basketball for Villanova University, where she was a four-year letter winner for the Wildcats and a captain her senior year. She is Villanova’s all-time assists leader and ranks ninth all-time in steals. Lee received All-Philadelphia Big Five Honors as a freshman (Rookie of the Year) in 1996, and later in her Villanova career received Second Team accolades.

Lee then served as an assistant coach to the legendary Harry Perretta for 21 years at Villanova. During that time, she was responsible for the administration of the program, served as the student-athlete academic services liaison, and assisted in the recruitment of student-athletes, including recent Villanova standout Maddy Siegrist.

“At Villanova, I gained confidence and a clearer understanding of how I want to be as a head coach,” said Lee. “I want to be firm, yet fair but have a ton of fun. And now I know that I can do all those things. I love that I got to be mentored by Harry Perretta and Joe Mullaney —  an offensive genius in Harry, and Joe, who taught me how to coach defenses. I feel like I had the best of both sides of the game which is also what has given me the confidence that I have now. I know basketball because of them and it makes it easier to be who I am today.”

Perretta said, “Shanette is a hard worker but she is also willing to learn; she really listens and talks to a lot of different (basketball) people. Put that together with her great work ethic, and that makes a really good coach.”

Perretta had watched Lee as a player at Merion Mercy Academy in the mid-1990s.

“I was particularly impressed with her intelligent style of play,” said Perretta. “She brought that student of the game philosophy with her to Villanova, which is why she was such a good point guard for us.”

For the past three years, Lee has served as head basketball coach at the Agnes Irwin School, where she also was an assistant for the Athletic Department and a physical education teacher in the Lower School. Lee led the Owls to the Commonwealth Cup championship, beating Germantown Friends in the final.

Lee also currently coaches for the Philly Rise girls’ basketball club, an AAU program.