Apr 10, 2015 3 min read

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

WPIAL basketball coaches and players finally got their wish. After years of lobbying for an undergraduate all-star game, one has been added to this month’s Roundball Classic All-star basketball games.

The first Roundball Undergraduate Showcase Challenge will be held Saturday afternoon at Chartiers Valley with the first of two triple-headers and then April 17 at Geneva College (5:30, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.).

Saturday’s games in Bridgeville are set for 2, 3 and 4 p.m. with 40-45 undergrads on six teams, which include some of the top underclassmen in Western Pennsylvania. Sixty will make the trip to Geneva College.

WPIAL Class A champion Monessen landed four players in the showcase: junior Lavalle Rush, junior Dwight Moore, sophomore Jade Altomore and sophomore Justice Rice. One of the most promising sophomores in the entire WPIAL, California sophomore forward Kass Taylor, will also make the trip. Observer-Reporter first team all-district selection John Arnold, a 6-7 center for Charleroi, will join the group.

This is a great addition to the classic and allows underclassmen to receive some looks from college scouts, who will surely start attending the event if some of the WPIAL’s top unsigned talent will be playing. This will be a great test run for the event, but I know local coaches are excited.

One player to look out for is Taylor. I was told that he has already gained 15-20 pounds since the season ended, which will make his 6-4 frame tough to stop in WPIAL Class A. With him at California for two more seasons, the Trojans are not going anywhere anytime soon.

• A little late on this one, but Charleroi girls basketball coach Joe Grodz resigned March 30 after three seasons. He led the Cougars to the WPIAL playoffs in all three seasons and has one of the highest winning percentages in school history.

Charleroi went 12-10 last season and snuck into the playoffs in Section 4-AA. Whoever inherits this program will be able to win right away. The Cougars return their two leading scorers, who happen to be freshmen – Sierra Short and Kaitlyn Riley.

Wash High will be the favorite to win the section again and I think Beth-Center has a bright future with Kinlee Whited running the point, but watch out for Charleroi. The right coach could compete for a section title immediately.

• Will the rain ever stop? I can count on one hand the number of softball and baseball games played by local teams this week. Even today (Friday), which turned out to be warm and sunny, was a wash because of this week’s brutal weather. With critical section games postponed, teams will be playing 4-5 section games next week. The slightest mishap can cost a team a section title. It seems unfair, but that’s the rub.

I’ve heard some people suggest baseball and softball be switched to a fall sport with soccer moved to the spring. I don’t think that’s the answer. Many football players play baseball and with some schools fighting with low numbers, you could see the elimination of programs or creation of co-ops if that comes about.