Andrea Peterson of Neumann-Goretti poses with senior players Christina Aborowa (33) and Sianni Martin (3) and Ciani Cryor (5) and AJ Timbers (21). (Photo: Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports)
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COACH PROFILE:
Name: Andrea Peterson
School: Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia
Details: Took over the team when the former coach Letty Santarelli resigned for personal reasons just before the start of the season. Led team to 31-0 record and a state AA title. She’s a former player for St. John’s and Drexel and holds an undergraduate and master’s degree from Drexel. She coached AAU basketball, then spent a season as an assistant at Stetson before becoming an assistant at Neumann-Goretti. She, along with her mother, run a child-care business in Norwood.
Toughest game: Was the Dunmore game (a 64-61 win the a AA quarterfinal). They hit everything they threw up and shot 40 percent in the first half. One of their players had 21 points in the first half. We had to defend and make a few changes to what we were doing.
Super power: I think I would like to be Super Man so I could save everything.
Biggest basketball influence: I grew up playing with my two brothers. Joseph and Christopher. I always followed those two around. My parents were an inspiration too. They got me into whatever I wanted to get into. I was really passionate about basketball.
High point: Winning the state championship. Seeing the players’ excitement and knowing that we took care of unfinished business after going 29-1 and losing in the state championship last year. Our players fought so much controversy this season and put it aside. They bought into our motto of family first.
Sneakers or dress shoes: I have 25 to 30 pairs of basketball sneakers and basketball sneakers that I wear around. I love buying sneakers.
Favorite musician: I am a big fan of Usher.
Favorite teacher: Mr. (Barry) Kirsch. He was my math teacher and my coach in high school (she was an All-Catholic League player at Archbishop Carroll in Wayne, Pa.). He was probably toughest on me in class. All I wanted to do was playing basketball. He was one of the biggest influences in school.
Hidden talent: My kids at Goretti tell me I can dance when I want to. I was a two-time All-Delaware County softball player.
Biggest things I’ve overcome: Coming back from a serious knee injury and at the time not knowing if I would get my senior year back (as a medical redshirt). Another thing is I come from a big family with seven kids, and 13 nieces and nephews and on Mother’s Day in 1994, one of my brothers died in a fatal car accident (the daycare center, Christopher’s Footprints, is named for him). I also had a nephew who passed away as a baby coming home from the hospital.
First car: A 2002 PT Cruiser. It was brand new. I got it my sophomore year of high school.
My players know: It’s all about me helping these kids with the knowledge I have for basketball. This is why I do what I do. It’s all about knowing that I can have a kid thanking me for making them better. I take big pride in getting to know the kids on and off the court. I take great pride in what makes them tick.