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United Way Classic slated
By Greg Gulas
POLAND
The second annual United Way Holiday High School Basketball Classic will take place Saturday at Poland High School with four games.
The opener at 3 p.m. will be a girls game between Lowellville and Poland.
Seven local schools will take part.
“The purpose of our basketball classic is to raise money for our neighbors in need during the holiday season,” said Bob Hannon, United Way president. “We are very fortunate to have Poland High School as a partner as their facilities are perfect for an event like this.
“We are also very appreciative of all the teams that are competing,” Hannon said. “With the quality of programs we have taking part this year, fans will certainly be treated to some outstanding basketball.”
The eight teams participating combined to post a 188-48 overall mark last season. New Castle, which will play Poland’s boys team in the 7:30 p.m. game, has gone 56-2 the past two years under head coach Ralph Blundo.
The Red Hurricanes (2-0) are coming off back-to-back WPIAL titles and feature Ohio State football recruit Malik Hooker.
“I have known Bob [Hannon] a long time and respect what he has accomplished in his role as head of the local United Way,” Blundo said. “We’re excited to play Poland because they play a style similar to a lot of teams on our schedule.
“You will see two teams with different styles when we take the court so it really is a good match-up for both of us,” Blundo said. “We have a lot of respect for Poland and their success and view them as an opponent that will get us ready for what we hope will be a deep run in the playoffs.”
Last weekend, Hooker scored his 1,000th career point against Pittsburgh Perry Traditional Academy in an 88-34 win.
Poland under coach Ken Grisdale has been one of the most successful programs in the state over the past decade.
The Bulldogs (2-0) are coming off a 21-win season and a share of the All-American Conference crown. They feature three returning starters and all-conference selections in Jake Wolfe, Kyle Dixon and George Chammas.
“We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to play New Castle,” Grisdale said. “They are one of the top basketball programs in Pennsylvania and it will be interesting to see how we match up with them.”
Lowellville’s girls team is coming off a 23-win season while claiming its fifth consecutive district title. The Rockets have won 69 of their past 70 Inter Tri-County League contests. Poland won 16 games a season ago.
“Our players and staff are honored to play against an excellent program and for such a great cause,” first-year Lowellville coach Wendell Wagnon said.
Poland coach Nick Blanch said, Lowellville is an excellent program and it should be an exciting game,”
The 4:30 p.m. contest features Erie Strong Vincent against Mercer County power, West Middlesex.
Under coach Chad Mild, Big Red won 25 games and the district and regional titles last year, falling one win shy of a state title game berth.
“We will be very young and inexperienced compared to last year, but I like our talent and expect us to improve as the season moves on,” Mild said.
The 6 p.m. contest will pit Springfield against Girard. They combined for 33 wins a season ago.
Eric Fender’s Tigers return four starters as do the Indians under second-year mentor Craig Hannon.
“We were fortunate to beat them last year and this is just another opportunity for us to play against a very good team,” Hannon said.