By Steve Svetovich
Dunmore resident Bridget Walsh, Scranton Prep graduate, wrapped up her DeSales University basketball career in the “Sweet 16” tournament with her team losing to Ithaca, 76-75, in Brunswick, Maine, Friday, March 8.
Daughter of Michael and Cathy Walsh, Dunmore, Bridget played four years of Division III basketball for DeSales.
She dropped in 19 points, including 7-for-7 from the free throw line, in the nail biting loss to Ithaca.
DeSales advanced to the “Sweet 16” with its 22nd consecutive win over Middleburg.
The DeSales senior was a big part of the team in her junior season when she appeared in 27 games, including 18 starts, averaging 6.6 points per game. Bridget, a center-forward, averaged about nine points and nine rebounds and three blocks per game this season.
She became the school’s all-time shot blocker with 182, beating the previous mark of 155. Bridget broke she single season DeSales record for blocked shots with 80, beating the previous mark of 55.
Bridget is currently applying to different graduate schools where she would like to receive an assistantship in sports management or sports information. She would also like to be a graduate assistant women’s basketball coach. “That is a dream of mine,” she said. “I want to coach women’s college basketball.”
Bridget has a 3.3 grade point average at DeSales. She is editor-in-chief of “The Mintrel,” the campus newspaper. She was sports editor for the past two years.
“I want to stay involved in college athletics,” she said. “I have been in love with college athletics ever since I got here. I would love to help student-athletes in the future. I want to get involved in sports information or management on the college level.”
The DeSales senior is a member of Character U, a program at the school that helps transition freshmen from high school to college life.
“It’s nice to see the kids grow,” she said.
The talented center-forward talked about the success of the team. “We played a lot of basketball this summer in preparation for the season,” she said. “We stressed defense and averaged a lot of points per game. A lot of our points came from the result of our defensive pressure. It was huge with our transition game. Our defense was a big part of our success.
“Our defense and connection on the court was the biggest reason for our success. We had three seniors leading the way and a great freshman class which was crucial coming in.”
DeSales, coached by Fred Richter, finished the season 27-3.
“We learned so much from coach Richter,” said Bridget. “He taught us not only about basketball, but to be a better person and a success in life. He teaches us what we need to do to run our lives after college and basketball.”
The senior stalwart said she owes a lot of her success to her parents.
“My parents taught me to make the most of opportunities and not take anything for granted. My parents both worked hard in life to help provide me with opportunities. They taught me to be the best version of myself.”
Bridget played four years of basketball at Scranton Prep and was first team All Conference as a senior.
She is a sports communications major with a minor in journalism and sports management at DeSales University.
