IBL BASKETBALL Wildcats to open season April 9

The new team is expected to have several local players on the roster.
BOARDMAN -- Things started out promising enough for Sergio McClain.
He was a high school standout in Peoria, Ill., leading his team to four state championships and a USA Today national title. He went to the University of Illinois, helping the Illini win two Big Ten titles and advance to the Elite Eight his senior year, in 2001.
He wasn't quite an NBA prospect, but he was close. The Asheville Altitude selected him in the sixth round of the National Basketball Development League and, if nothing else, he figured to make a living in the game.
Then, as they say, life happened.
He tore his Achilles tendon, got cut by the Altitude -- to make room for former Ohio State point guard Scoonie Penn, no less -- and began to think about other things.
Oh, and two other things happened.
"I became a dad and got fat," he said, smiling.
Jumping from job to job
He jumped from job to job, city to city, coaching a little, playing a little, trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life.
And then he realized something.
"I had this feeling that I wasn't done playing," he said.
Which is how, at age 25, McClain found himself strolling into the offices at Creekside Fitness Center Monday, talking about his future role on the Mahoning Valley Wildcats of the International Basketball League.
"I want to bring some good basketball here to Youngstown," McClain said. "I want to play the type of basketball that will bring people to games."
McClain, a 6-foot-4 forward who is back to his playing weight of 235, is the type of player who will help the Wildcats win games, coach and general manager Rob Spon said.
Alas, he's not necessarily the type of player who will sell tickets -- at least initially.
"We knew we needed some local guys," Spon said. "We have local talent and it's good local talent."
McFadden is key
The key guy may be Rick McFadden, the former Struthers standout and former Ohio State backup quarterback and soon-to-be former University of Akron basketball player. McFadden, who graduates this spring, has given a verbal commitment to play for the Wildcats, who hope to have their 15-player roster finalized by April 2.
The first game is against Akron April 9 at Struthers Fieldhouse.
"The fact is, a lot of people still don't know we're here," Spon, who was joined by co-owners Frank Petrakos and Craig Mangie at Monday's press conference, said. "But once we got Ricky McFadden, the people in Struthers said, 'We're there. We're buying tickets.' "
Other area prospects
The Wildcats held tryouts last month. About 25 tried out and 10 made the team. Other recruits mentioned include Chris Hatch (South Range, Westminster), A.H. Davis (Boardman, Thiel), Greg Foster (Ursuline), Rob Robinson (YSU), Mark Metzka (Springfield, Slippery Rock), T.J. Anderson (YSU), Chad Allen (LaBrae, Harlem Globetrotters), John Reimold (Kennedy Catholic, Bowling Green) and Fess Irvin (played at LSU with Shaquille O'Neal).
Some of them are playing for fun. Some are playing for exposure. None are playing for money. The minimum salary is $30 per game.
"Guys aren't going to get rich playing in this league," said Spon. "It's an opportunity league. You'll see some guys who will get tryouts at NBA camps.
"It's a great opportunity to put up numbers. That's what you need to do to get looked at."
McClain would welcome another chance, but he's also looking to get involved with camps and coaching. He thinks he can bring a lot of experience and knowledge to younger players -- and to the Wildcats.
"I've been around a lot of coaches, so I feel like I'm a coach on the floor," said McClain. "I think we've got a good core of players and most of the players know the game. That's what we need."