Shipley’s Camden, Ross reflect on their memorable careers at Shipley

Bryn Mawr >> As the 2018-19 high school girls’ basketball campaign tips off, Shipley seniors and 1,000-point scorers Anna Camden and Lauren Ross reflected on their memorable careers with the Gators.
“While we were preparing signs for Lauren who was going for her 1,000th career point [Nov. 30], I wrote, ‘It’s been quite a journey and I wouldn’t want to share it with anyone else,’” said Camden, following her team’s 73-32 win over Lawrenceville (N.J.) in the final game of the opening night of the 3rd annual Inter-Ac/FSL challenge Nov. 30.
Lawrenceville is not an Inter-Ac school but since there was one more Friends’ Schools League team than Inter-Ac squad, one FSL team had to play a non-Inter-Ac school. Shipley agreed to play Lawrencevile, which is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Prep League.
Following Shipley’s win over Lawrenceville, Ross had a moment to share with her family after becoming the latest player to join the 1,000-point club. With nerves running high, Ross did what she does best, slashing to the basket and hitting a lay-up with 7:16 remaining in the first quarter to score the game’s first points and raise her career total to 1,000 and 1,001.
“Having my name in this gym forever is something I dreamed of since I first stepped in the gym four years ago,” said Ross. “Scoring 1,000 career points is not accomplished by everyone in their career so I was more nervous about that moment than I was scoring the one point I needed.”
“It was amazing to see Lauren score her 1,000th career point,” said Camden. “I know she was nervous and I remember from my experience there is nothing like it and I am so glad that her family, friends and teammates were there for her tonight during this special moment.”
“Lauren is one of the most competitive kids I have ever coached,” said Shipley coach Sean Costello. “She is always up for the big games and it is only fitting she joins the 1,000-point club. She has done so much for our program and we are very lucky to have her at Shipley. She has scored so many huge baskets for us over the years. It is a well-deserved honor for her.”
Tabbed the dynamic duo since arriving on campus, Camden and Ross will leave an indelible mark when their high school careers come to an end which will hopefully be in late February.
The duo has accomplished just about everything one could dream. They have led the Gators to back-to-back PAISAA (Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association) titles and one trip to the PAISAA finals. Both players have joined the 1,000-career point club and both have earned Division One Scholarships (Camden – Penn State; Ross – St. Joseph’s University).
Despite having accomplished just about everything except a Friends’ Schools League title which has seemed to elude them, Camden and Ross have certainly left an indelible mark on a storied program.
“It has been an amazing journey,” Camden said. “We have certainly had our ups and downs and not winning an FSL title has been frustrating but our last four years have been eventful and hopefully we can achieve our goal of winning an FSL crown.”
Ross added, “Playing with Anna and the rest of the team is always fun. We know when to focus and concentrate but we have fun. Playing basketball is always fun.”
With a relatively young team, Camden and Ross are set to take the leadership reins of the squad and continue to build off of last year’s finish which culminated in a PAISAA title.
Costello said, “Lauren and Anna have developed in to great high school basketball players. They have turned in to even better people and leaders throughout their time at Shipley. They are a true extension of our coaching staff and great role models for our younger kids. The two of them and their senior classmates are extremely selfless and love to teach their teammates the culture of our program.”