Megan Tole is a little
big shot in basketball

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Megan Tole knows size doesn’t matter.
At 5 feet 1, the Archbishop Ryan High School point guard is one of the smaller girls on the basketball court. But she’s also among the strongest.
"I don’t really care about my height," said Tole. "I always try my hardest. I know I’m really small, but I try to play like I’m the same size as everyone else."
The soon-to-be junior just led her Ragdolls teammates to a 12-0 season in the Boyle summer basketball league. The squad maneuvered past such local teams as Nazareth Academy and St. Hubert on the way to claiming the league championship with an Aug. 2 defeat of St. Basil, 31-17.
"These games are a lot of fun," said Tole. "The game is just a game. It’s just summer league, so I’m not trying to take it really serious or anything. I’m just playing for fun."
That’s just fine with Ryan coach John Farrington.
"They have enough pressure during the regular season," Farrington said. "So summer league allows them to relax and enjoy basketball."
With that summer championship providing momentum, the Ragdolls are hopeful of a successful run during the Catholic League season this winter.
Last year the squad earned a spot in the semifinals but lost to Archbishop Carroll, 49-32, ending the season with a 19-9 record. Tole had an exceptional season on the court, scoring 127 points in 28 games. The 16-year-old athlete also snared 62 rebounds, had 60 assists and made 51 steals. She also was named third-team All-Catholic.
"Megan is an exceptional point guard," said Farrington. "She was already a bit of a leader last year as a sophomore. She was just kind of thrown out there, and by the end of the season she was one of our most valuable players."
This year, Tole hopes to improve her skills even more and exert her influence as an upperclassman.
"I was always the little, younger girl, so now I’m happy to step up as one of the older ones," she said. "I can take the lead."
Farrington thinks she already has.
"She’s really a leader," he said. "There’s not that many kids I think are really legitimate point guards, and she’s a born point guard. She knows where people are supposed to go. She makes good decisions. She’s tough."
Before her thoughts turn to basketball, Tole will prep for the fall season and her role on Ryan’s soccer team. The striker scored 20 goals last season for the Ragdolls and was named first-team All-Catholic.
"The best thing about soccer is scoring. It’s such a great feeling," she said with a smile. "But I really like playing two sports, especially for varsity teams. One is in the fall and one’s in the winter, so they don’t clash too much. Plus, I think it gives me an advantage. It keeps me in shape and keeps me active."
Last season, Ryan won the Catholic League Northern Division soccer title and earned a spot in the finals, where they lost to Little Flower in double overtime.
"Megan had a great season last year," said Ryan soccer coach Ryan Haney. "She is a very gifted player. She is one of our leading goal scorers, and definitely one of the leaders on our team."
With two years remaining at Archbishop Ryan, the versatile athlete should be entertaining to watch, both on the basketball court and the soccer field.
"I love playing sports . . . I always have," said Tole. "It’s a part of who I am." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com