By Steve Svetovich

Holy Cross senior Alison Ross is the sixth annual female recipient of the William J. Gerrity Team Award.

Daughter of Joe and Mari Ross, Alison was cited by the Lackawanna League for her achievements and leadership during the 2023-24 basketball season.

Ryan Nealon, a four-year starter for the Abington Heights basketball team, is the male recipient of the William J. Gerrity Award. His brother Jack was the first male recipient of the award in 2019.

Alison is also a four-year standout on the Holy Cross softball team. She was a four-year member of the Lady Crusaders basketball team and part of a district championship this year under now retired coach Barry Fitzgerald.

The honor, which was presented from 1958 to 2001 and started again in the 2018-19 season, is named in memory of the late William Gerrity, highly respected longtime Scranton School District educator, administrator, coach, football and basketball official, public servant and mentor in Northeast PA who dedicated his life to high school athletics, youth programs, Special Olympics and sports officials.

Alison was a starting guard at Holy Cross scoring 65 points and hitting on 14 3-pointers in her senior year before suffering an injury, which limited her playing time. While sidelined, she was a source of encouragement and support to her teammates as the Lady Crusaders made a run to the District 2 Class 1A championship and second round of the PIAA playoffs.

To qualify for the William J. Gerrity Award, scholar-athletes must have an academic standing in the top 50 percent of their class, display a positive attitude on and off the court, help teammates become better athletes and people, contribute to the cohesiveness of the team and perform community service.

“I was so surprised,” Alison, 18, said. “This is such an honor. Only one girl and one boy in the league gets this, so that makes it even more special. It means a lot to me to be a good teammate and a leader as a senior. I am really honored.”

The senior scholar-athlete has an impressive 3.9 academic average. Her favorite academic subject is science. Alison will major in pre-pharmacy at Wilkes University in the fall. She hopes to play softball there.

She credits Holy Cross retired basketball coach Barry Fitzgerald for much of her success.

“Coach Fitzgerald always meant a lot to me,” she said. “I knew him from when he coached my sister Amanda. He’s always been there for me. He encouraged me through my injuries and taught me to be a leader for the team. I am honored to have played for him.”

The team-oriented senior said it was a thrill to be a part of a district championship team in her final year under coach Fitzgerald despite the team’s losing regular season record. “It was unexpected, so it was just a great feeling to win the title,” she said. “We were ready as the playoffs started. It was great to see the team come together and get another banner for the school.”

A four-year member of the basketball team, she suffered multiple concussions limiting her time on the court this past year. Still, Alison relished her leadership role as a senior and cheered her team on from the sidelines.

Healthy for her fourth softball season, Alison has helped lead her team to a 5-2 record at press time. She batted .486 with a .548 on base percentage, 13 runs scored, and seven stolen bases last season. She was named second-team all-state as a second baseman.

She is currently second on the team with five runs scored and has a 1.000 fielding percentage at press time.

Alison played shortstop in her team’s 6-0 win over Dunmore, Saturday, April 20. She went 2-for-4, with two runs and an RBI in the win.

“We have a good softball team this year,” she said. “We have a lot of freshmen and a nice group of returning players.”

Her dad is the softball coach at Holy Cross. “It’s really great playing for my dad,” she said. “He’s always been a coach for me. He’s been a coach to me ever since I learned how to play the game. He taught me so much and has always been a big support to me.

“Playing for my dad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The hard-working senior also plays third base for the Lady Crusaders. She has not made an error this season.

“It takes a lot of dedication to be a good defensive infielder,” she said. “It takes a lot of hard work and practice. You need to grind it out.”

The senior stalwart is a member of the National Honor Society at Holy Cross. She is also a member of the Foreign Languages Club and TRU Club.

She enjoys listening to music in her spare time and recently saw Drake in concert. She would love to see him again.

Her mom has also been a strong support. “My mom always tells me to be a bigger and better person. Always be strong and keep your head up no matter what happens.”

Humble in nature, Alison talked about her future goals. “I want to get to college, graduate and eventually have a successful career in pharmacy. I might play softball in college, I am looking forward to college and becoming a pharmacist.”

Alison’s dad and uncles Paul and Frank were outstanding baseball players at Scranton Central. Her late grandfather Paul Ross was a fast-pitch standout softball performer who pitched for three state championship teams and is a member of the Northeastern Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame. He later got into coaching.

Alison reflected on her Holy Cross years as she nears graduation.

“It’s been a great experience,” she said. “The atmosphere is so great. Everyone welcomes you here. The teachers, staff, coaches and students are so supportive. It’s been like that right from the start through my senior year.”