In 1997-1998 the Lady Bulldog basketball team accomplished their goal of winning the Massachusetts State basketball championship, with a final record of 24-2. After defeating rivals the Bishop Stang Spartans, the Fairhaven Blue Devils and the Rockland High Bulldogs, ORR moved forward to defeat Westwood in the South Sectional Championship. Capturing the Eastern Mass Championship with a win over Swamscott, the Lady Bulldogs would face the western champs, Lee High School Wildcats. The Wildcats never had a chance against the powerful offensive attack by our own Lady Bulldogs. The 19 point victory would secure the state championship for the ORR team. Leading the way with the motto “Deserve to Win”, the 15 member team, coached by Robert Hohne, included Marissa Rand, Tiffany Lopes (capt.), Eryka Vickers, Kate O’Shaughnessy (capt.), Becky Okolita, Carla Ferreira, Sheila Ferreira, Rhea DaSilva, Bernadette Clark, Monyca Vickers, Jill Almeida, Jill LaBrecque, Margaret Liljedahl, Sarah Bourque and Camille Chu.
THE COMPLETE STORY
ARCHIVAL MEDIA
Historical photographs, action images, team photographs and later-life images will be assembled here as verified source material becomes available.
INDUCTION CEREMONY
Vimeo labels this segment “1997-98 Girls Basketball Team”; matched to the verified ORRAHOF team record.
SOURCES & HISTORICAL NOTES
The 2017 plaque biography and roster were checked word for word against the original physical plaque photograph IMG_1945.JPEG. The transcription now preserves the plaque’s Margaret Liljedahl spelling and comma after Jill LaBrecque. The printed opponent spelling “Swamscott” is retained in the plaque transcription; the expanded history uses Swampscott.
The approved 1998 varsity basketball team photograph is also documented in Katherine O’Shaughnessy’s Hall archive. The gallery includes the approved championship team photograph. The ceremony link follows the 2017 recording’s labeled team segment.
