Titans spend a week in Central America

NEW WILMINGTON -- Playing basketball in another country can have its advantages, especially if you return home with a winning effort.
Such was the case for Larry Ondako and his Westminster College basketball team. The Titans recently completed a week-long tour of the Central American country of Belize, returning home with a 3-1 record.
Spearheading the winning ledger of the locals were a pair of juniors in Craig Hannon (New Castle Union) and forward Nick Adams (Huntsburg, Ohio/Cardinal).
On June 23, Westminster defeated a split squad of professional and amateurs players from the University of Belize in the capital city of Belmopan, 78-72.
Pacing the Titans victory were Hannon, Adams and Bobby Glass (New Castle, Neshannock) with 11 points each while Hannon came away with a team-high eight rebounds.
The Titans returned to Belize City for their remaining three games. On June 26, the Titans came away with another impressive victory, recording a 118-79 triumph over the Universidad de Quintana Roo (Mexico).
Hannon leads way
Hannon poured through 27 points including 12 points on four straight three-pointers that started the second half and gave the Titans a 21-point lead.
The Titans picked up their third win on June 27, defeating the University of Belize, 111-88. Westminster scored on 23 from three-point range while Adams hit for 21 points to lead the win.
The Titans had a day off before returning on June 29 to lose their lone contest on the southern swing to the University of Belize, 86-80.
Westminster had a cold night from the three-point range, missing on 28 three-point attempts in the first half. The Titans trailed by as many as 27 points, but did whittle their opponent's lead to three with three minutes remaining.
Beneficial trip
To Ondako, the trip was very beneficial for his Titans. The fourth year Titan coach said the team camaraderie was excellent and the trip was actually the unofficial start of the 2006-07 basketball campaign.
Glass and senior forward Dom Joseph (New Castle High) had to sit our last season but attained valuable game experience. Glass did not play last year after transferring from Grove City while Joseph was out with a heart condition.
"It was just a great trip to go down there and see a different place." Ondako said. "Basketball-wise we were able to get two players [Glass and Joseph] some game experience, and they are going to help us during the season."
Between games, the Titans toured ancient Mayan ruins, went snorkeling on the island of Ambergris Caye and watched several semi-pro basketball games.,
Former Westminster College basketball standout Kevin Siroki (class of 1992) helped organize the trip. He is the head coach of the University of Belize and an assistant for the Belize National Team.
B & amp;I Day has makeover
As far back as I can remember, the annual Greenville Business and Industry Day has always hosted a golf pro, or two, at its yearly function. That will all change this year when the 57th annual golf day takes place at Greenville Country Club on Aug. 9.
In past years, B & amp;I Day has rolled out the red carpet to many golf professionals, like Arnold Palmer (several times), Gary Player, Curtis Strange, Dave Marr and many more.
This year, however, the touring pros of the PGA will be replaced by a group of five local pros who will compete in a Skins Game which will follow lunch.
Local pros competing in the skins game are: John Kerins of Tam O'Shanter; Dan McMillen, Greenville Country Cub; Bob Collins, Oak Tree Country Club; Dennis Dolci, Sharon Country Club; and Tom Roskos, assistant pro at Sharon Country Club.
One thing that hasn't changed is the golf scramble that is schedule in the morning hours with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start. Following the Skins Game in the afternoon hours, Roskos, the long-drive champion for Pinnacle/Cobra Long Drive Team, will offer a clinic.
The golf day now combines the former B & amp;I Day and Greenville Chamber of Commerce as well as the Greenville Area Economic Development Corp. All-day tickets which include the scramble, golf exhibition, lunch and dinner cost $100. Lunch or dinner tickets are available for $15 and $25, respectively.