Nazareth Academy grad
is a drama queen

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Gina Morano’s basketball career has always been filled with drama.
And now her drama career is filled with basketball.
That’s because Morano recently earned a spot in the upcoming film, Our Lady of Victory — a basketball drama depicting the 1972 Mighty Macs championship basketball team.
About 35 years ago, history was made when the Immaculata University Mighty Macs won the first National Women’s Collegiate Basketball Championship. Now executive producer and former Philadelphia 76ers president Pat Croce is attempting to recreate that memorable moment on the big screen.
And he’s inviting local athletes to join in the fun.
"A co-worker of mine was listening to the radio and heard something about the movie on WMMR," said Morano. "He told me they were looking for people to be the basketball players, and convinced me to give it a try. So I went to the Immaculata Web site to make sure it was legit . . . I thought he was yanking my chain."
The movie definitely was no joke. And the more Morano read about the plot, the more she realized she was perfect for the part.
The three-guard was a regular on the basketball court during her time at Nazareth Academy. After graduation, she moved on to play four years at Gwynedd Mercy College and had an extremely successful run with the Griffins.
During her initial year with the squad, Morano helped the Griffins advance to the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship, but the team lost to Alvernia College, 57-48.
The following season, however, the team returned with a vengeance and defeated College Misericordia, 56-53, to win the championship title.
So having an opportunity to play the role of a champion in a film wasn’t that much of a stretch for Morano. She quickly decided to attend the open tryouts at Immaculata in hopes of scoring a part.
"I was really nervous at the tryouts," Morano said of the sessions held last month. "The creators of the film wanted to make it look authentic by having real basketball players. It was more like a basketball tryout than a movie audition.
"It was so awkward," she continued. "They call you out by your assigned number and everyone was staring at you."
More than 130 athletes showed up, hoping for a part in the film. And after two tryouts, Morano was given the role of a point guard for Mississippi State — a team the Mighty Macs face in the semifinals.
"It’s pretty cool playing competitive basketball your whole life, and then getting to be in a movie about other girls who had a similar experience," said Morano.
Yet despite the exciting atmosphere, the modest athlete isn’t feeling the movie-star status just yet.
"Who knows how much of my shot will actually make the movie . . . you might just see my arm in it," she said with a laugh. "But it’s definitely going to be an experience, to say the least. All those cameras and getting your makeup and hair done is going to be really exciting."
And, of course, the 1972 uniforms should be quite an experience as well.
"I must admit I’m a little nervous about the uniforms," said Morano. "The movie is set in the seventies and I know we have to wear high-top Converse sneakers, which I think is a riot."
Despite the retro clothes and sneakers, the various athletes chosen to be part of the picture were told exactly how serious and meaningful this film is intended to be.
"Pat Croce explained the importance of accurately portraying a female sports player in 1972," said Morano. "They also talked about how there are so many male sports movies out there, but there have not been a lot of authentic girls’ basketball movies. This is a very important film, and I’m excited to be a part of it."
As a female athlete, Morano knows how challenging the role can be. And while she no longer plays competitive basketball, she’s still a regular on the court.
"I help coach at Conwell Egan High School and I play when I can," she said. "But I really miss playing with Gwynedd. You can always pick up games, but you’ll never get that atmosphere and competitiveness again."
These days, when she’s not on the courts, the Northeast Philly resident can be found working in Gwynedd Mercy’s admissions department and also earning a master’s degree in special education.
"I work full time, so I can only take one or two courses a semester," she said. "But I really like the program. I wanted to work in special education because I’ve always been drawn to children. And if I’m going to be working and working hard for the next fifty years, I want to do something that I’m passionate about."
Even with the demands of working, school and coaching, Morano decided that the chance to make an appearance in a movie was impossible to pass up.
"This is the first time I’m doing anything like this," she said. "It’s something different that not too many people can say they did. I think it’s one of those things that don’t come your way every day, so how could I say no?" ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com