Minutes after the legendary head coach of the Gloucester Catholic High School girls’ basketball program earned her 700th career win, Lisa Gedaka shared the milestone with those who helped her get there.
“For me, 700 (wins) isn’t just me, it’s every coach, every player, and every assistant that I’ve been able to sit next to on the bench, so it isn’t just my award,” Gedaka said. “ … This is their recognition as much as it is mine.
“I hope I’ve represented the sport with being a great role model for the young women I’ve coached and that I pushed them to be the best player that they can be. I always wanted them to know that I’m there for them not just on the basketball court, but in life. So that really is what it’s all about for me.”
The Rams earned their coach the victory on Thursday with a 73-21 triumph at Pitman in a Tri-County Conference game. Gedaka is the winningest girls’ basketball coach in South Jersey history and the eighth coach in state history to win 700 games.
The excitement surrounding Gedaka’s achievement had been building for weeks but really started to heat up as the fourth quarter of Thursday’s game wound down.
“We were so happy for her, and we know it means a lot for us. We were running, jumping, and screaming,” senior Alyssa Elliott said. “We brought a banner, flowers and a cake for her. We were ecstatic.”
Gedaka, a 1984 graduate of Gloucester Catholic when she was known as Lisa Angelotti, is regarded as one of the best players in South Jersey. She registered a then-program record 2,035 points and helped power the Rams to three straight state titles.
She went on to star at Villanova University where she ranks fourth on the Wildcats’ all-time scoring list with 1,622 points, third in rebounding (854) and had her jersey retired in a 2002 ceremony.
Gedaka returned to coach at her alma mater, where she is now in her 35th season with a 700-215 career record.
“I still remember my very first game at Gloucester Catholic against Edgewood, which doesn’t exist anymore (now is Winslow),” said Gedaka, a full-time nurse.
“But as a crazy 23-year-old that was way out of control and passionate about the game. I was only about five years older than some of the seniors in Gloucester Catholic (on her first team). So, for them to give me this opportunity to coach at such a young age, to me it just seems crazy but I’m just thankful for everything.”
Her family and career crossed paths when she coached her kids and even saw her daughter Mary attend Villanova, following in her mom’s footsteps.
“To coach for 35 years, it takes a village. Mine is my family, assistant coaches, all the players, anybody that has helped me,” Gedaka said. “You can’t do this alone.”
As 700 wins started to approach, players like Julianna DiFebbo didn’t let the pressure of her coach’s achievement distract her from the task at hand.
“As a team, I feel that we were mentally and physically ready for this game,” DiFebbo said.
“Personally, I felt no pressure. I knew our goal was to come out strong, play as a team, and most importantly have fun.”
Gedaka’s players are a large part of her love for the game and while the wins are nice, it’s the work that goes into earning those Ws that fuels her passion as a coach.
“My favorite time is not the games, it’s the practices when you can really get into the gym and teach them how to play the game, be passion about it and work hard,” Gedaka said.
“The players are everything, seeing my players that have graduated and come back, and the relationships that I have with them. That’s what I’m most proud of.”
Elliott’s relationship with Gedaka started when the senior was a kid was and has blossomed into her high school career. “She’s been in my life for a very long time. I went to one of her camps when I was in fifth or sixth grade,” Elliott recalled.
“She’s taught me so much about leadership, the mental part of basketball, the physical part of basketball. She’s been a really good role model and an unbelievable coach in my life.”
DiFebbo is grateful for the opportunity to play for Gedaka after she transferred to Gloucester Catholic from West Deptford before last season.
“Having (Gedaka) as my coach has helped me grow as a player and a person. She always has our backs on and off the court,” said DiFebbo. “She helped me find my love for the game and I couldn’t thank her enough.”
Lindsay April is a freelance stringer for the Courier-Post. She can be reached at cpvarsity@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Gloucester Catholic’s Lisa Gedaka earns 700th win
