Tag Archives: Athlete of the Month

Co-Athlete of Month: Tommi Jane Golden

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Athlete of the Month - Tommi GoldenBy Steve Svetovich

Dunmore Lady Bucks catcher Tommi Jane Golden is a positive force with her teammates.

Always energized and full of life, the senior catcher is hitting well over .300 and doing a superb job behind the plate in her fourth year on the team.

Daughter of Tom and Deanna Golden, it is easy to generate a laugh and positive reaction with the scholar-athlete with has a 94 academic average. Her grandfather is Dunmore Funeral Director Thomas Golden.

She had a 4-for-4 game, including a double, two runs and RBI in Dunmore’s 14-10 win over Old Forge Thursday, April 25.

Tommi Jane, 18, has been playing softball since age five. She played in travel softball leagues from the seventh grade through last summer. She played four years with the Northeast Diamonds and last summer with the Impact Panthers.

She is coached by the veteran Ryan Ferguson at Dunmore.

“He gets us ready for what it takes to be a good player on the field,” she said.

Tommi said she learned a lot from her parents.

“They teach me to be respectful to others and do well in school. They help me keep focused with academics. They stay on me with that.”

Tommi Jane plays soccer and is a football cheerleader at Dunmore. She is co-captain of the football cheerleaders and was co-captain of the junior varsity squad.

Status-FastPitch-Game-Leather-SoftballShe talked about what it takes to be a good catcher in high school softball.

“You need to be a leader and know where the players are on the field. You need to help with framing. You need to know where the ball goes off the bat.”

Tommi Jane said she will begin studies at East Stroudsburg University next fall. She hopes to become an athletic trainer and play on the softball team.

“I want to try out for the softball team and do well in school.”

She said her best academic subject is history and would love to see Arianna Grande in concert.

Tommi Jane also talked about the recent resignation of Dunmore legendary football coach Jack Henzes.

“It’s really sad,” she said. “It’s the end of an era. He coached my dad. We all love him. We were all hoping he could coach my younger brother Bo someday.”

Tommi Jane is savoring her final couple months at Dunmore High School as she prepares for college.

“Dunmore has been a lot of fun. I love the community. We get a lot of support. I am really going to miss it. Everyone in this school has been around me since I was little. I know everyone here. We are all friends.”

Athlete of the Month: Gianna Delfino

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Athlete Gianna DelfinoBy Steve Svetovich

Dunmore Lady Bucks senior Gianna Delfino was one of the major spark plugs in her team’s run to the state title game, a 49-43 loss.

The senior forward averaged in double figures for coach Ben O’Brien’s Lady Bucks.

Daughter of Joe and Melissa Delfino, Gianna was a member of the Dunmore Lady Bucks basketball team for four years.

She was named defensive player of the year in her sophomore year.

The scholar-athlete has a 96 academic average and will study Occupational Therapy in the fall at Misericordia University.

Gianna was named to the Lynett Tournament first team this season. The Dunmore Lady Bucks, undefeated until the state title game loss, won the tournament.

Her reaction to the state title game loss? “Well, I’m really proud of our team. It’s very easy to be upset about the loss, but we have to put everything in perspective. We really accomplished a lot. It was just a great year for us. We have a lot to be proud of.”

Gianna keeps very busy when she is not playing basketball. She is a member of the Art Club, Earth Club, Service Club, TACT, SADD, Health Careers Club, Spanish Club and French Club. She is also a four year member of the Dunmore cross country team.

And she loves music. Lady Gaga is her favorite.

Athlete Gianna Delfino action shotGianna has been playing basketball since age five. She started in Dunmore Biddy Basketball Leagues and played in travel leagues with the NEPA Flames and J.B. Hoops.

She was a member of two district championships, including this season, and four Lynett Tournament title teams at Dunmore.

“Going to Dunmore has been the best experience ever,” she said. “I love Dunmore, the people, the community, the school programs, the teachers, the students. I learned so much about how to be a good person and living to your potential.

“The basketball practices prepared us so well. We tolerated it well and it pushed us to succeed.”

Well spoken and articulate, Gianna talked about her desire to become an occupational therapist. “I shadowed a therapist recently. I really want to be in a profession where you can make a difference in people’s lives. I want to help them get better and achieve their potential. As an occupational therapist, I think you really get to know your patient.

“You get to help people day to day and help them live their best possible life.”

Gianna is not surprised the Dunmore Lady Bucks reached the state title game this season. “Our coach had us prepared for every game. He worked us so hard. Our team is very passionate about the game.”

Gianna, 18, said she is prepared for her future at Misericordia University. “I learned so much here at Dunmore from the teachers, coaches, everybody. I look forward to the rest of my senior year and then to my college years studying occupational therapy.”

Athlete of the Month: Kieran Burrier

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Athlete of the Month - Kieran BurrierBy Steve Svetovich

Kieran Burrier is a floor leader for the Holy Cross Crusaders basketball team.

And he is showing the way to his teammates as a junior and three-year member of the team.

Son of Shawn and Danielle Burrier, Kieran’s brother Braden played high school basketball and football at Scranton Prep, graduating in 2017.

Kieran recently scored 24 points in a 59-48 loss to Holy Redeemer.

He is averaging in double figures for the Crusaders under veteran basketball coach Al Callejas.

But scoring is not important to him. “I like to find the open man and get him a good shot,” he said.

He talked about what makes a good guard in high school basketball.

“You need to have good vision on the court. I like to drive to the basket and pass off to get one of the guys an open shot. You need to be able to hit the open guy. Of course, you need to be able to hit a shot yourself.”

Kieran is an outstanding student at Holy Cross. He has a 97 academic average. “I try to balance my time well between basketball and academics. It is all about good time management.”

Kieran said he has learned a lot from his parents.

“Basically, they taught me to respect others. And that goes a long way.”

basketballThe talented student-athlete said coach Callejas has taught him plenty.

“He taught me to become a leader on the floor. He taught me to listen more and also to respect everyone. Respect is big with him.”

Personable and hard working, Kieran talked about the team goals. 

“First, we want to win the Lynett Tournament and then the league title. After that, we want to make a good run at states. We came close last year.”

And his future goals?

“I want to play college basketball and eventually become a pharmacist. I am looking to attend Wilkes or the University of Scranton.”

Kieran enjoys listening to music in his spare time and would like to see Post Malone in concert.

For now, Kieran is enjoying his experience at Holy Cross. “It’s an amazing school. It’s a little place, but we are all family here.

“I am really enjoying my time here.”