Winning is institutional

FRAMINGHAM -- The Learning Center for Deaf Children has one of the longest winning streaks among girls' high school basketball teams in the state heading into 2007.

The Galloping Ghosts are 10-0 this season, extending their winning streak to 28 games.

Winning is a tradition, and anyone who enters the athletic center on the school's Framingham campus can detect that immediately.

A huge display case filled with trophies and autographed basketballs guards the entrance, intimidating opposing players.

In all, there are more than three dozen trophies, including one won by the 1999 team at the National Deaf School Championship.

After this year, the Galloping Ghosts could add more hardware.

The girls are chasing two league titles.

The team plays in the Girls Independent League, against small private institutions that have a similar number of students, said head coach and co athletic director Brad Crowell.

The Ghosts also play in a league specifically formed for schools for the deaf, the Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association . They won the Division 1 championship against the Maryland School for the Deaf last year, Crowell said. The school will be hosting the ESDAA championship from Feb. 21 to 23.

When players use sign language, it can be an advantage or a disadvantage, Crowell said.

"I can call a play as the point guard goes across half-court" without having to worry that the other team knows the strategy, Crowell said.

On the other hand, he said, "I really do not have the luxury of directing play when the clock is running. I get their attention at the stoppage of play, like a foul shot. They are pretty good about knowing when to look toward the bench."

The school is small, with only 35 students at the high school level, and many of the players have known one another for years.

Crowell said he believes one reason his school has a strong athletic program is that "we have had the opportunity to spend so many years together. I have known some of my players from the time I taught them [physical education] in preschool some 10 years ago."

Crowell also feels that the players share a common bond.

"I think the opportunity to be in an environment where they feel connected has helped our team become a team," he said. "But I think the whole group of girls is pretty special." He said he has tried to arrange more games against local private schools with respected basketball programs but has had little success.

Basketball has been on the rise at the school in the past few years.

"We have been getting better every year," Crowell said. "We're a young team that's getting better. We went from fifth place at the ESDAA to third to winning the championship last year."

Junior point guard Danielle Sprague of Grafton is the leader on the floor. She is averaging 10 points and 5 assists per game.

Desiree West of Winchester, a junior power forward, is the school's leading rebounder, averaging 15 a game and contributing 10 points as well.

Shaquanna McDonough, a sophomore from Pembroke, is the leading scorer. She is hitting more than 50 percent of her shots from the floor, averaging 20 points a game. She is also one of the top rebounders, averaging 13 a game. The multi talented McDonough is also a star on the school's undefeated soccer team and was invited to play for the national deaf soccer team, Crowell said.

What makes Crowell proud is his team's composure on the court. "We had a poster we carried to our two championship games. It's one of our favorite expressions: 'Play with p oise.' I am particularly proud of not only winning the Eastern Schools for the Deaf tournament, but also winning the sportsmanship award. That award usually is given to a team that doesn't play well but has a good attitude. We try to do both."