Bishop England girls' basketball enter season ranked No.1

The resume is more impressive each passing year. The roster has just about every player back from last year’s memorable team. And then there’s Runey: Paul Runey, the basketball coach. Welcome to the world of Bishop England girls’ basketball. The Bishops begin the 2015-16 season with the No. 1 ranking in Class AA, according to the initial state coaches’ association poll, and rightfully so. The Bishops clinched their second consecutive state title last March with a 50-39 decision over Pendleton to cap a 23-4 season. The victory also gave the Bishops three state titles in four years, a feat only two other Class AA teams have accomplished in the history of the High School League. So, with all five starters and 11 roster players back for more after posting a 101-9 record the past four seasons, the Bishops have reloaded. Runey, who enters the campaign with 613 career victories, know this team has its work cut out for it. The Bishops play Class A power Carvers Bay in the season-opener and then will find some tough competition in the Carolina Christmas Classic, which will be contested at many venues in the Lowcountry, including Bishop England. “That field is loaded,” Runey said. “There are more than 100 teams. We could go 0-3. Last year, we were 1-2 in the tournament.” But strong competition makes a team better. Having talent also helps quite a bit. The team will have a different look this season. The team in past years has been top-heavy in backcourt players. This season it’s just the opposite. “We have our top three guards back, but we’re not quite as deep,” Runey said. “Three-fourths of the team are 4s and 5s, occasionally a No. 3. The main thing is that we expect our taller players to handle the ball. Everyone will be expected to dribble and make the passes. It’s just not going to be a case of our front-court players going down there and getting a rebound.” JoJo Tompkins directs the team from the point-guard position. She’s a three-year starter and the one player the Bishops can’t afford to lose. Rhetta Moore and Hannah Corbett are just as valuable. Last March, Moore entered the state championship game as the Bishops’ leading scorer, but it was her classmate, Corbett, who took scoring honors against Pendleton with 17 points, thanks to a 2 of 4 effort from 3-point land. Caroline McQueeney, added 10 points. Anna Marie Penninger collected eight points and nine rebounds to give the Bishops the title. That’s pretty much the Bishops’ starting five this winter. The Bishops’ continued success could qualify them for dynasty status in a few years – just like the tennis and volleyball teams. “I don’t know how much the girls worry about that,” Runey said. “They know they’ve had success, know they have a target on their collective backs. I remind them of that at practice. But I don’t shove it down their throats. I ask them where they want to be in March, and what will it take to get there.” And if the past is prologue, the Bishops will be on top of the Class AA mountain when March rolls around.