Notre Dame HS for Girls Basketball

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The Panthers picked up their first win of the season and their first win in almost two years as Notre Dame defeated Rickover Naval Academy 43-22 at the St. Ferdinand Activity Center Tuesday night.

Estrella Hernandez led all scorers with 12 points and Dominica Townsend added eight points off the bench to pace the Panthers. Jesenia Arce, Jackie Velez and Na'Kenge Sowell all scored six points each.

The last time Notre Dame won a game was during the IHSA state playoffs back on February 11, 2008 against Juarez High School.

The Panthers hit the road for their first away game of the year Tuesday, December 1st at St. Francis deSales.

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The Notre Dame bench will have a familiar look to it this season. Henry Henderson, who served as an assistant coach during the 2006-07 season and head coach of the Panthers in the 2007-08 season, has agreed to return to the program as varsity basketball head coach. "I'm excited to be back. I really missed the players," said Henderson. "I really enjoyed my time at Notre Dame and I'm looking forward to getting the season started." Henderson left the program last season to take a job as varsity assistant on the Gordon Tech boys basketball staff. "I really missed the girls' game," Henderson said. "The GCAC (Girls Catholic Athletic Conference) is a great conference to coach in. It's been like a second home to me during my career." Henderson led Notre Dame to a 14-15 record and an appearance in the GCAC Blue tournament championship game during his season as head coach. The Panthers also made the GCAC Blue final the year before when Henderson was the assistant to former head coach Tony Powe. "I think this group of seniors at Notre Dame will realize that they have some unfinished business to take care of and will want to finish their careers with a GCAC title," said Henderson. "That will be our goal from day one." Joining Henderson at Notre Dame will be his former assistant and JV head coach Kelli LaBelle. LaBelle led the JV team to its' first wins in three years during her tenure, including a GCAC playoff win. LaBelle, a former standout player at St. Ignatius, returns to her mother's alma mater, where her mom Andrea, played on the school's only regional champion back in 1981. "The players are really excited to have Coach K back," according to Henderson. "Having Kelli back is a huge plus for our program." The new look Panthers will open the season at their new home against old foe Josephinum on Wednesday, October 18th.

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