RallyNorth.net

Like the rest of us, Tricia Fleming still can't get over the events of Super Bowl XLII.

"I felt like I was playing or coaching," she said. "It's awful."

But as devastated as she was, the Greater Lawrence Tech girls basketball coach used the Patriots' loss as a teaching tool for her team.

The words "hope" and "faith" are scripted in black ink on Tiffany Aguirre's left arm.

It's a fitting tattoo. After all, the sophomore is trying to instill both tenets in her teammates.

"She wants to be a leader," Greater Lawrence coach Tricia Fleming said. "She still is, in my opinion, isn't even where she could be."

After a bumpy start to the season, the Greater Lawrence girls took a step in the right direction yesterday afternoon.

After a 52-29 Commonwealth Conference win over Whittier, 10th-year coach Tricia Fleming, whose last two squads went 22-4 and 17-7, respectively, believes the Reggies can do much more.

2006-07 record: 17-7, lost in Division 4 North semifinals

Returning starters (2): Tatiana Perez, 5-8, Sr., forward; Tiffany Aguirre, 5-1, Soph., guard

Returning lettermen: Natalie Garcia, 5-5, Sr., guard; Talia Perez, 5-5, Sr., forward; Angie Gonzalez, 5-4, Jr., guard; Aisha Hernandez, 5-3, Jr., guard