Fontbonne hoops star scores 1,000th career point

Katie Marquardt reaches milestone in win vs. Monsignor McClancy H.S.

February 23, 2018 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Fontbonne coach Stephen Oliver holding a basketball marking Katie Marquardt’s 1000 career point. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta

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It was a big week for the Bonnies.

Not only did Fontbonne Hall Academy’s Varsity basketball team come away with a victory against Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School on Feb. 7, but one of its players, Katie Marquardt, scored her 1,000th career point during the game.

The Bonnies, coached by Chadwick’s Restaurant co-owner Stephen Oliver, defeated the squad from McClancy by a narrow margin, 52-49.

The moment after Marquardt scored her 1,000th career point, the game stopped, balloons flew and a banner was unfurled commemorating her milestone achievement.

In December 2017, Marquardt received a full four-year athletic scholarship to Molloy College’s NCAA Division II basketball program. She also was accepted into the Long Island school’s nursing program. She is the first athlete from Frontbonne to receive such an honor.

Athletic grants up to full tuition are given to full-time students based on athletic ability. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative index of 2.0, file the required financial aid application annually and continue to participate in basketball.

Oliver, who also co-owns Pipin’s Pub in Bay Ridge, has coached the Bonnies for 11 years, two years as junior varsity (JV) coach and nine years as varsity coach.

Marquardt’s 1000-point achievement is extra special for Oliver. “Katie is a four-year varsity player and over that period she earned 1000 points, he said. It’s the first-time this has ever happened in this school.”

“McClancy is a well-coached team and played a very good game,” Oliver said. “We were actually fighting for first place that particular night. We are now in first place in the A Division in Brooklyn-Queens.”

Fontbonne’s final game before the playoffs took place on Friday, Feb. 16 against St. Edmund Preparatory High School at St. Edmund’s on Ocean Avenue, with Fontbonne winning 73 to 49.

Fontbonne found itself in a similar situation last year, but lost the championship to McClancy. This year, especially with Marquardt’s own personal accomplishment, the Bonnies are hoping for better results.

“I’m proud of the team,” Oliver said. “I’m proud of the senior leadership from all three seniors. It’s a great group. They have great chemistry and really get along well. There’s a lot of support within the team and we’re having a great year. We’re 12 and one overall.”

Marquardt admitted that she was nervous knowing that she would likely reach her milestone score during the game with McClancy. “I was scared because I couldn’t hit a shot in the first half. I got very nervous and tried to calm down. I just wanted to hit it. I was so close.”

During halftime, awards and flowers were presented to the graduating seniors on the team. During the second half, Marquardt was on fire and began to score. She needed six points to reach 1000, which she scored on three baskets in rapid succession. With her whole family watching she made the lefty layup milestone shot.

Marquardt told the Bay Ridge Eagle that she couldn’t have done it without the support of her coach and her family. She’s looking forward to attending Molloy in the fall.

“I’m excited and know that it will be a different level of basketball. I’ll be the new person on the court and have to establish myself.”

Oliver called Marquardt a true point guard.

“There are not many out there. To use the word point guard, there’s a lot of value in that. She’s a straight shooter and in transition she just makes so many great decisions. It’s hard to find a true point guard and Katie is it.”