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Second Hope Classic features 4 games
By Greg Gulas
STRUTHERS
The second annual Hope Foundation High School Basketball Classic will take place on Saturday with four games on tap at Struthers Fieldhouse.
Seven local teams and one of Colorado’s top girls team — Denver East — comprise this year’s field with some the area’s top local talent on display.
The showcase, which earmarks funds raised for chronically and terminally ill children, begins at 3 p.m. with two girls games followed by two boys games.
Boardman will take on West Branch in the opener at 3 p.m., followed by Struthers against Denver East, the 2010-Colorado 5A state champion.
Boys action gets under way at 6 p.m. when Cardinal Mooney meets LaBrae. The final game pits Warren Harding against backyard rival Niles.
“We’ve put together an excellent field and all four games are shaping up to be very competitive contests,” said Anthony Spano, Hope Foundation founder and executive director. “With seven local teams set and the eighth team in the field featuring a head coach with local ties, it should be a fun-filled evening for both players and fans alike.”
The opening game will feature the rejuvenated Spartans under head coach Jeff Hammerton and West Branch, a team that has gone 44-6 the last two seasons under head coach Walt DeShields.
The Warriors feature guard Melinda Trimmer, an early commit to Youngstown State University who was last year’s Northeastern Buckeye Conference “Player of the Year” as a sophomore.
“We’re honored to be a part of this year’s field and going up against a team that we believe is one of the top Division II teams in the state in West Branch,” Boardman coach Jeff Hammerton said. “Struthers Fieldhouse has a tremendous history of having hosted some of the area’s top basketball teams and games over the years,
“Since we’re moving to the All-American Conference, this will be an exciting game for our girls,” Hammerton said.
John Grandy’s Wildcats were 19-5 a season ago, posting a 76-26 mark the past five seasons. They feature forwards Ashleigh Ryan and Brittaney Zupko, and point guard McKenna Shives.
“For us, the cause is much greater than the game and we are honored to be asked back for a second time,” Grandy said. “This game and its meaning is a good life lesson for our players.
“Also, not too many local teams get the opportunity to play a team from as far away as Colorado so that is equally exciting.”
Denver East is coached by Dwight Berry, a 1988 East graduate.
The Angels, winners of 56 consecutive Denver Public School League contests dating to 2006, will make a three-game Midwest swing by playing Boardman on Thursday and Ursuline on Friday night.
“It’s a tremendous feeling to be coming home and an even greater feeling to be a part of such a worthwhile cause,” Berry said. “If it wasn’t for former YSU assistant coach Floyd Kerr, I probably would not have gone on to college and be where I am today.”
The opening boys game will feature LaBrae’s Peyton Aldridge, a two-time,first-team all-state selection and Davidson University commit. Last season, Aldridge led the Vikings to the Division III state semifinals.
Mooney features Joe Cunningham and Andrew Armstrong and will be looking for players from this year’s Division IV state runner-up football team to get into basketball shape.
“We played Ursuline last year and escaped with a two-point win, which ended up being a preview of the district championship,” Vikings coach Chad Kiser said. “We’ll need to play well against Cardinal Mooney if we expect to win. Any team coached by Brian Danilov is always tough to go up against.”
Danilov said it will take a few games before his team really comes together.
“We have a nice club, but the successful run by our football team has us just a bit behind schedule,” Danilov said. “The game with LaBrae will give us an idea of where we are right now and exactly how far we still need to go in order to become a cohesive unit.”
Niles returns James Tate, Chris Parry and Justin Lopes.
“We were looking for an opportunity like this, having played Warren Harding at the beginning of last season so a great cause and a great opponent could only mean a great game,” Red Dragons coach Ron Price said.
The Raiders, coached by Andrew Vlajkovich, defeated Niles, 65-61 last season and feature Anthony Bell.
Further information may be obtained by calling 330-406-1048, or by visiting the Hope Foundation website at www.hopemv.org.