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PA, Warriors, Blue Devils to play in 12th annual Marseco Memorial
Coaches from Old Forge, Wyoming Area, Pittston Area, Northwest and Mid Valley get together to discuss the 12th Annual Anthony “Badger” Marseco Memorial Boys’ and Girls’ Tip Off Tournament. Pictured from left to right, sitting, Old Forge girls’ varsity coach Tom Gatto, Northwest boys’ varsity coach Jerry Blazick, Pittston Area boys’ varsity coach Alan Kiesinger, and Old Forge boys’ varsity coach Al Semenza; standing, Mid Valley girls’ varsity coach Bob Doughton, Wyoming Area girls’ varsity coach Ryan Kennedy, Wyoming Area boys’ varsity coach Alex Brogna, and Pittston Area girls’ coach Kathy Healey.
The 12th annual Anthony “Badger” Marseco Memorial Boys’ and Girls’ Tip-Off Tournament tips off the 2011-12 high school basketball season for all six local varsity hoop teams on Friday and Saturday at Old Forge High School.
The Pittston Area girls will be the first team to tip off on Friday night at 6:15 p.m. The Lady Patriots match-up against last year’s tournament winner, Mid Valley. The Spartanettes reached the PIAA Class 2A Eastern Final last year before falling to Dunmore at the Scranton CYC. Mid Valley went 25-5 last season with all five losses coming to Dunmore.
Pittston Area returns its leading-scorer in junior Mia Hopkins, and senior sharp-shooter Grace O’Neill. Hopkins averaged 18.9 points per game, and is 283 points shy of 1,000 for her career. O’Neill scored just under 10 points per game last season, and has 77 three-pointers in the past two seasons.
Wyoming Area and host Old Forge will face off in Friday’s nightcap at 8 p.m. The game is a rematch of last season’s opening round thriller which saw the Blue Devils rally for a 49-46 win over the Lady Warriors.
Both teams could be in for a rebuilding season as Ryan Kennedy takes the over reins of the Wyoming Area program, and Old Forge needs to replace four starters from last season’s 13-13 squad.
Kennedy, an assistant the past few seasons, will have his transition eased by the return two-year point guard Serra Degnan to the Lady Warriors lineup. The junior was WA’s second-leading scorer with just under eight points per game.
The Blue Devils lone returning starting is sophomore Lauren Carey. Carey averaged just under six points a game as a freshman. Senior center Morgan Malia also returns. Malia saw quality minutes off the bench last season.
The winners of Friday’s semifinals will meet on Sunday at 5 p.m. for the tournament championship. The consolation game will be held Sunday at 1 p.m.
The boys’ side of the tournament tips off on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. when Northwest takes on Pittston Area. Wyoming Area and Old Forge will meet in the 17h annual “Badger Game” at 8 p.m.
The Patriots and the Blue Devils met in last season’s championship tilt with Old Forge winning its sixth title. Pittston Area had won the previous two crowns, and has won the championship three times in the tournament’s 11-year history. Seton Catholic won the first two tournaments, and the Warriors have yet to win the crown.
Pittston Area returns five of its top six players from a year ago, including leading scorers Steve Stravinski and Steve Sklanka. Both averaged 10-plus points as juniors. The Patriots also return 6’4 senior forward Chris Kovaleski, and 6’0 junior guards Jordan Houseman and Shaun McDermott.
Northwest also returns a stable of experienced players from last year’s squad which won the consolation game over Wyoming Area, 43-41.
The Warriors also feature a new coach in Alex Brogna. Brogna served as an assistant at Wyoming Area the past few seasons, and previously was the head coach at Pittston Area.
Brogna welcomes back 10 players with varsity experience, but Wyoming Area will be in rebuilding mode as only senior Lou Vullo averaged at least five points per game last season. The Warriors won just three games a year ago.
The defending champion Blue Devils are also in rebuilding mode after losing all five starters from last season’s 17-win team. Seniors Dave Argust, J Argonish and Colin Carey give Old Forge three returning players with varsity experience.
The boys’ championship game will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. with the consolation game taking place Sunday at 3 p.m.
All-Time Badger Boys’ Records
Old Forge…16-6, six titles
Pittston Area…12-10, 3
Seton Catholic…6-8, 2
Wyoming Area…8-14
Northwest…2-4
Lake-Lehman…0-2
All-Time Badger Girls’ Records
Mid Valley…2-0, one title
Seton Catholic…9-5, 3
Old Forge…13-9, 4
Pittston Area…10-12, 2
Wyoming Area…10-12,1
Lakeland…0-6