'Knowing' Not Enough to Stop Grady

In the original G.I. Joe cartoon series that ran in the mid 1980s, each episode ended with a Public Service Announcement, all of which ended with the same tagline:

“ … And knowing is half the battle.”

While area high school girls' lacrosse players weren't even born when those cartoons ran, and probably have never heard of the slogan, players and coaches are quite familiar with West Deptford High School senior lacrosse player Jenna Grady, who crossed the 100-goal plateau in her junior year.

However, knowing that they need to stop Grady and actually doing so have been two entirely different scenarios.

Grady proved just that, and continued her outstanding senior campaign on Thursday, scoring four early goals to help West Deptford cruise to a 14-6 win over Gloucester Catholic.

Grady now has 35 goals in a season where she has been asked to carry even more of a load on her shoulders.

“This year the coaches came out and told me I was going to be more of a (passer),” Grady said. “At first I was hoping to get 50 goals, but then I changed my thinking to try and get 20 assists, and I already reached that goal. I figure I am a more well-rounded player now.”

With the expectation that opposing defense would be locking in on Grady this season, West Deptford head coach Julie Catrambone asked her leading scorer to defer more to her teammates, who in turn, would be open due to the extra attention Grady was drawing. Grady has done that to the tune of 28 assists, by Catrambone’s count, all while continuing to pile up the goals.

“She does a very good job of controlling the attack, which then allows other girls to score and distribute,” said Catrambone. “She distributes really well and has just been a great leader all over the field. By her scoring easily at will, it then allowed everyone to relax and challenge a little bit.”

Grady dominated the early minutes, helping West Deptford grab a quick 4-1 lead that grew to 9-2 by the half.

“I think it’s important to get the other team back ion their heels,” Grady said. “When you run down on them and score, they think, ‘OK, we have to change it up now,’ and then they get a little scared. I think it’s important to score quick, that’s why our coach told us to challenge as soon as we get in the game.”

The win improved the Eagles to 6-9, twice the number of wins the program earned a year ago. Although the team was hoping for even more to this point, the accomplishment cannot be overlooked.

“I think each year our program is going to grow and we are going to get more wins and more wins, but it’s been tough because we had some tough losses, some real close games," Grady said. “The six wins, we are not happy with it, but we’re proud that we improved this year.”

That win total will have a chance to jump again on Monday, when West Deptford (No. 12 seed) travels to face Camden Catholic (No. 5 seed) in the opening round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 playoffs. If the regular season meeting between the two teams is any indication, it should be much closer than the seeding suggests. The Eagles lost to Camden Catholic 9-8 in the season opener, with the deciding goal coming in the last 18 seconds.

Catrambone is hoping the team can use the momentum from Thursday’s performance and pull of a memorable playoff win.

“Absolutely, I am pleased (with the season),” said Catrambone. “I think we did have a little lull where we were losing and should not have been, but we are approaching our playoff game as our new season.”