RAY SWANSON | Keystoner PIAA studies public schools' complaints

The problem is getting to be as old as dirt, and in this corner it looks as if it will remain that way.
We're talking about the ever increasing warfare between the PIAA's (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) scholastic basketball teams, which include private and public schools.
The main complaint stems from the fact that the private schools have a distinct advantage over the public schools in recruiting. Private schools often accept students form a larger geographic area than the public schools they compete against.
And to bear out the public schools' displeasure, they have the goods to back up their lament. Private schools in the past two seasons have captured 13 of 16 PIAA basketball championships. The disparity has brought numerous complaints to PIAA executive director Brad Cashman's office each year.
Two schools in area
In our immediate area, we have but two private schools in George Jr. Republic in Grove City and Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage. Both teams have had tremendous basketball programs through the years. George Junior is now playing in the Quad-A ranks. Kennedy is a Class A entry.
The complaints have brought about some success, as the PIAA is addressing the matter of public and private schools competing together in the playoffs.
The discrepancy, for some strange reason, seems to take place more in the basketball program and does not have that much clout in other sports.
There was a time when teams like Mercer, for instance, had to battle George Jr. each year for a right to make the playoffs. It didn't seem like a fair situation, especially to the teams of Mercer.
Several possibilities
But there are apparently several possibilities to consider, however, and Cashman has discussed the issues with the PIAA board.
UHold separate tournaments for public and private schools, then have the champions meet (New York and New Jersey currently employ this system)
UNo. 2 -- Use a multiplier for private school enrollments that could cause a school to rise in classification
UNo. 3 -- Leave the system as it is.
Cashman prefers No. 3. He sees it as a basketball problem only, but that still doesn't sit well with public schools. When the Philadelphia-area teams enter PIAA play in 2004, you can look for more complaints. There's plenty of hoop talent in The City of Brotherly Love.
On the mend
Bill Juranovich, a one-time baseball and softball standout of the Shenango Valley, is recuperating from recent surgery. Bill, a member of the board of directors of the Mercer County Hall of Fame, is one of the old-time standouts who played for many of the top teams in the valley for a number of years. Hurry up and get well, partner.
And, while on the subject of the Mercer County Hall of Fame, president, Don Bennett, has been hobbling around with a cane. He will undergo knee surgery in June. Best of luck, coach.
Palmer gets post
Brad Palmer can get things done. Perhaps that's one of the reasons he was recently named athletic director at West Middlesex High. Brad has an extensive background in athletics, and the Big Reds will be in good hands under his guidance. Best of luck in your new position, Brad.
He, too, is a member of the board of directors of the Mercer County Hall of Fame.