All-Delco Girls Basketball: Support at home and in Haverford has Caroline Dotsey focused on the Maine line
HAVERFORD — Growing up, Caroline Dotsey had a pretty good role model pair in her mom and dad, both of whom were excellent athletes in their heyday.
Dotsey never knew as a youngster that someday she would become one of the greatest basketball players to come through Haverford High. She would start all four years, score more than 1,300 points and win a Central League championship. And after her high school career was over, she would play basketball at a Division I college.
She had two excellent examples to learn from. Dotsey’s father Dan is in the Cabrini Athletics Hall of Fame for his exploits on the tennis court. The Archbishop Carroll product also played basketball for the college’s JV team.
Sue Dotsey, Caroline’s mother, was an all-conference soccer and lacrosse player at Old Dominion. Caroline dabbled in soccer and returned to lacrosse after a few years away this spring. She tried playing ultimate, but throwing frisbees around didn’t meet her competitive needs.
With plenty of guidance and love from her parents, Caroline Dotsey created her own path on the basketball court.
“My dad has been with me all the way through with basketball. He’s out in the driveway with us every night… getting my sister (Rian) and I where we are today,” Caroline said. “The dedication he’s had to work with us, he’d come home from work and stay outside with us later than he had to. It’s amazing to have a dad that pushes you so much and is always so supportive. My dad and my mom, too.”
Dotsey is the Daily Times Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She is the first Haverford High girls player to win the award since Margaret Elderton in 2003 and 2004.
Joining Dotsey on the All-Delco team, which is selected after consultation with area coaches, are Archbishop Carroll sisters Brooke and Taylor Wilson, Cardinal O’Hara’s Joanie Quinn and Molly Rullo, and Garnet Valley’s Haylie Adamski.
Dotsey went from being a good post-up player her freshman season – she was the team’s best player even then – to becoming a special all-around player by her senior year. She improved her outside shooting, driving ability and defense. No matter where she was on the floor, Dotsey was a threat to score. With her showing the way, the Fords won their first 27 games of 2022-23 before falling to Perkiomen Valley in the District 1 Class 6A final. This year’s Fords team was the first to play for a district title. Dotsey was the second-leading scorer in Delco at 16.9 points per game. She was the top vote-getter on the All-Central League team and a finalist for Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year.
“Everyone this year was amazing and gave it their all each and every day in practice, all the way through,” Dotsey said. “I think that’s the big thing and is important for everyone to know. To be successful throughout an entire season you have to continuously put in the work, above and beyond what anyone else is doing. I think another big thing is togetherness, on and off the court. Having relationships with your teammates that don’t just revolve around basketball is super important.”
Dotsey enjoyed playing for Haverford coach Lauren Pellicane, who is considered by her peers one of the best high school coaches in the area.
“These four years Coach Pellicane has allowed me to grow and I learned so much playing for her,” Dotsey said. “She has given me a ton of opportunities and it has been so amazing.”
Dotsey also credits her AAU coach Bill McDonough for helping her become the player she is today. Dotsey played under McDonough’s guide for the Lady Runnin’ Rebels organization.
“Bill is an amazing coach,” Dotsey said. “He let me develop my game and is always pushing me to my limits. He really pushed me to expand my game. Not just being a post player, but being able to pick up some guard skills and extend my range. And the program is really so amazing.”
Dotsey’s next stop is the University of the Maine. Her commitment last summer “all happened pretty fast,” she said. She couldn’t be happier with the decision.
“It’s the culture,” she said. “They really build a family-oriented program. I know that’s common among a lot of teams, but seeing the dynamic between the coaches and the players and everyone that was interacting with the team on my visit had such a great relationship with them. I remember going to a grocery store on my visit with some of the players and a bunch of people came up to them…like they were little local celebrities. And I thought that was the coolest thing ever. So, to have that kind of community and to see how their arena gets jam-packed for games and the outpouring of support was really cool. I can’t wait to get there.”
