Panthers hoping to attract tourneys

The new summer basketball team will begin play soon.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley Panthers is a new summer basketball program under the auspices of Mid-America Youth Basketball, which hopes to bring tournaments to the area.

Mike Golterman, who has been associated with MAYB for seven years, has formed the Panthers, which he calls an “elite” team of several soon-to-be-freshmen boys from the area. The team begins play shortly and will compete in several tournaments around the country against AAU and other MAYB teams.

The ultimate goal, Golterman said, is to create a program for boys and girls in grades 5-12.

“The goal is to work with them in the eighth grade and freshman years,” Golterman said, “and then when they are sophomores get them to exposure camps,” which are attended by many college coaches.

The MAYB also conducts many tournaments throughout the country, and Golterman’s goal is to have at least one in the Valley in the summer of 2009.

“We can bring in 100 to 150 teams of all age groups,” he said. “It takes a lot of gyms, workers and officials, but it also benefits area businesses, like hotels and restaurants, because all those teams bring players, coaches and families.”

Teams also can qualify for a national tournament, which attracts nearly 1,000 teams.

Golterman said the MAYB program focuses on teaching youths not only how to play the game the right way but to conduct themselves off the court as well.

The Panthers have attracted several sponsors, including Charlie Staples BBQ, Luciano’s restaurant, Artist at Work, Tri-State Supply and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

There will be a fund-raising event at Luciano’s on April 25 at 7 p.m., with Ray Holmes of the area juvenile department and former Youngstown State player Joe Ethen serving as guest speakers.

Tickets cost $20 and may be purchased by calling Golterman at (330) 599-2560.

Members of the Panthers Elite team this season are Travis White of East Liverpool, Will Mahone of Austintown, Dane Hammond of Boardman, Louis Lee of Youngstown, Devin Johnson of Campbell, Jalen Lowe of Brookfield, Dan Chepke of Austintown, Will Yobi of Canfield and Brandon Pluchinsky of North Lima.

The team has committed to playing in tournaments in Cleveland and at Youngstown State. The team practices at Ursuline High School and Youngstown Christian School.

Golterman said the program is looking for coaches for all age groups for next summer and additional sponsors.