Wednesday, January 21, 2015
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
The fourth annual Lariccia’s “See Them Rise High School Basketball Showcase” will take place this weekend at the Covelli Centre.
Five boys games and one girls contest featuring teams from Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania are set.
A Special Olympics preview between the Mahoning County Indians and Mahoning Public Warriors is first, tipping off Saturday at 3:15 p.m.
“We feel that we have great match-ups with representation once again from both Ohio and Pennsylvania,” said Mark Metzka, event coordinator. “We are thankful to the Covelli Centre and their staff for providing local student-athletes an opportunity to play in such a wonderful venue for basketball.”
A girls contest will begin Saturday at 5 p.m. when Ron Moschella’s Columbiana Clippers (13-1) meet the Mohawk Warriors (11-3).
“When I was coaching at Boardman High, we played Mohawk and I remember how physical and fundamentally sound they were,” Moschella said. “They also played excellent defense and I doubt anything has changed.”
The Clippers feature Bailie Mook (21.3 points, 5.5 assists), Emily Witmer (17.1 points, 8.2 rebounds) and Lauren Schleuter (6.4 points, 9.5 rebounds).
Mohawk has won eight of its last nine outings behind Samantha Carr (15.3 points) and Aliya Gage (12.7 points).
Columbiana-Mohawk will be followed by Warren JFK (6-4) versus Girard (10-2). Saturday’s nightcap has Canfield (10-3) playing Laurel (12-3).
Four Warren JFK seniors to keep an eye on are forwards James Burney (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Zach Usher (13 points, 10.2 rebounds), and guards Preston Caparanis (4 steals, 2 assists) and Isaac Carrino (12.4 points, 5.4 rebounds).
“Preston [Caparanis] and Isaac [Carrino] are our engines while James [Burney] and Zach [Usher] our pillars, our legs,” Warren JFK head coach John Richards said.
Girard has won four in a row.
“We survived in overtime against them last year,” Girard head coach Craig Hannon said. “They have nice size, excellent guard play and are a well-rounded unit.”
Girard also is a senior-oriented team with seven dotting their roster, including guards Dylan O’Hara (18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3 assists) and DeOnte Brown (9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds).
Canfield has won four straight and get floor leadership from Mason Mangapora (14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds), Mike Yourstowsky (15.7 points, 5.1 rebounds) and Jake Cummings (11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds).
“We played in the showcase last year and needed two overtimes in order to beat West Middlesex,” Canfield coach Todd Muckleroy said.
Laurel is one of the tourney’s hottest teams, with an eight-game win streak.
“The Covelli Centre is one of the area’s premier places to play and it’s also great exposure for our kids,” Laurel coach Kenny Locke said.
Sunday’s action kicks-off at 4 p.m. with East (2-9) taking on Struthers (8-5). Lisbon (8-3) and Neshannock (10-4) will follow.
The final game has Poland (8-2) against West Middlesex (12-2).
East features Malik Marrow (12.6 points, 3 assists), Darnell Howell (8.7 points, 5.5 rebounds) and Ceandre Backus 7.1 points, 5.1 assists).
Struthers relies on Ray’Quan Phifer (27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists), Austin Yemma (13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Andrew Carbon (12.2 points, 5.9 assists).
Lisbon has a five-game win streak and is coached by Chris Huckshold. The Blue Devils are averaging 69 points. Four starters — Austin Rutecki (17 points), Josh Craig (15.5 points), Josh Liberati (13 points) and Avery Andric (12.2 points) — combine for 57.7 points.
Neshannock features Ethan Moose (20.6 points, 9.1 rebounds), Jake Rylot (12.3 points) and Jim Medure (6 points, 7.5 rebounds).
“Last year we played Canfield and lost by a point,” West Middlesex coach Chad Mild said. “We know the tough task that lies ahead with the Poland Bulldogs.
Poland seniors Kyle Dixon (10.5 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Danny Black (12 points, 6.4 rebounds) are players to watch.
“Playing in the Covelli Centre is just like playing in the Canton Civic Center,” Poland head coach Ken Grisdale said. “It’s big, cavernous and has NBA lines at both places that can be very distracting.”
The showcase will honor former Badger High and West Virginia University hoop standout Dale Blaney after Saturday’s Warren JFK-Girard game.
The John Kovach Award, named in honor of the late Vindicator sportswriter, also will be presented.