Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 52

PG North: Thursday, June 8. 1989 Macon invited to prestigious basketball camp TALK OF THE TOWNNORTH 20 1 S'lV J4i Rocket man camp will help open a few more eyes." Chris Wallace, director of the Nike Camp and editor of the annual Blue Ribbon Yearbook, said he feels Macon will fit in nicely with some of the nation's premier schoolboy players. "Will is going to see what's demanded of him when he gets into the college ranks," Wallace said. "We feel we've got the most promising kid in Western Pennsylvania and, hopefully, he'll get the most out of it. We've got the Will Macons of virtually every other section of the country coming, too, so he'll face some great competition." Halfway through his freshman season, Macon broke into the Commodores' starting lineup, averaging 'in double figures in both scoring and rebounding.

He hasn't disappointed anyone since. This past season, he led Perry (19-6) to the City League Class AAA championship, averaging 16.1 points and 12 rebounds per game. Both Macon and Franklin, however, agree that Macon's defensive game has left considerable room for improvement. "At the level he's played at, he hasn't really been asked to play a lot of defense, so it's something he'll have a chance to focus on at this camp, going up against the top high school basketball players in the country," Franklin said. "I'd also like to see him work on improving his shooting range." Added Macon, "I'd like to work on little things like moving my feet quicker and ball-handling.

I know I've got a lot of work to do on my defensive game, so that's something else I'll practice. But I'd like to show some of the things I'm good at to the coaches watching, so I can get myself exposed." Playing against tougher, older competition won't be anything new for Macon. He's faced it at Perry the last couple of seasons, in middle school, and even at home. "The prestige of that camp is the biggest thing," Franklin said. "Will has always competed against older kids.

At Knoxville Middle School, he was playing with and against kids older than him and we felt he was the best player of his age in the City at the time. Heck, even at home, he's got two big brothers to compete with." Macon shrugged at the prospect of being one of the younger players at the Nike Camp, saying, "I'm used to the older competition. It doesn't really matter because I'm just looking at it as a learning experience and a chance to get myself exposed." By Dejan Kovacevic Will Macon has been leaping for loose basketballs longer than he can remember, but he's about to make his biggest leap into national college attention by attending one of the nation's most prestigious basketball camps next month. Macon, a sophomore at Perry High, will be among two dozen underclassmen from a field of 120 attending the invitation-only Nike ABCD Camp at Princeton University, July 8-15. Just by being invited, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound Perry standout is in some pretty impressive company.

Some of the top collegiate players who attended past Nike Camps include Alonzo Mourning, Billy Owens, R. Reid, Danny Manning, Kenny Anderson, Brian Shorter and Jerome Lane. Likewise, the list of NCAA Division I coaches attending the Nike Camp will be a veritable Who's Who of top collegiate coaches, a fact not lost on Macon. "I've gotten a lot of letters and stuff from coaches who have heard about me, but this will be my first chance to show the top coaches in the country what I can do," Macon said. "I didn't think I'd get invited this year, though.

I was going to work hard to make it there before my Shaler's Merigliano 7-1 with White Sox farm club ciation (PIAA) needs football officials and any man or woman can take a step toward becoming a certified official by enrolling In a class at Community College-Allegheny County on the North Side. The class will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from June 20-Aug. 1. For Information, call CCAC at 237-2732. Diamond news: The Crafton-ln-gram-Thornburg Baseball Association will conduct four double-elimination baseball tournaments beginning July 8.

The age divisions are 9-and-under, 10-and-under, 11-and-under and 14-and-under. Teams Interested in entering any or all of the tournaments should contact Joe Doherty at 921-6764. Keystone Game tryouts: Tryouts for the scholastic (grades 10-12) boys and girls volleyball teams will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at North Allegheny High School. Tryouts for the Open men's and women's volleyball teams will be June 18 at 10 a.m.

at Slippery Rock University. For more information, call Larry Myers at 239-5682 Details on tryouts for the scholastic girls soccer team can be obtained by calling Ray Wagner at 221-7925. lea tima: The North Hills High School Hockey Club is looking for players for the upcoming season. Students in grades 7-12 are invited to the summer practice sessions on these dates: June 13. 27, July 1 1, 25, Aug.

1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Practice times are 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Ice Connection, Route 8 North, and there is a $3 charge per session. For more details, call Rodger Fletcher at 367-4698, or Sam O'Brien at 366-9082.

Basketball camp: The second annual North Hills Instructional Basketball Camp will be held for boys and girls entering grades 3-8. High school coaches Ed Floyd and Tom Maloney will conduct the camp. The camp for girls is June 12-16. For boys, dates are June 26-30 and July 10-14 at the North Hills Junior High gymnasium. The camps will be in session each day from 8:30 a.m.

to noon, and the cost for each week is $20. Applications are available at all North Hills elementary schools. For more details, call Tom Maloney at 367-1173. Smorgasports: Mercyhurst College football coach Ken Brasington has announced his recruiting list of 62 players, two of them area players. They are: North Allegheny's R.C.

Freodman, a 6-foot, 170-pound punter, and North Hills' Jeff Marlino, a 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back. They join 80 players returning from last year's 6-3 squad The Pittsburgh Northstars Gymnastics team will perform tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Hampton High School. Tickets are $3.50 for adults and $1.50 for children and students The Sewick-ley Valley YMCA will run a Floor Hockey League this summer. The program is for boys and girls in the 1st through 6th grades.

The first practice is Sunday, June 25. Children in grades 1-3 will compete as a league separate from children in grades 4-6. All teams will practice one evening during the week and games will be played on Sundays from 4-6 p.m. The YMCA will provide all necessary equipment. For more information, call Dave Noyes at 741-9622.

Compiled by Steve Stempler Bast aton avar: The 1989 Slippery Rock baseball season proved to be the best ever for the Rockets, who finished third at the NCAA Division II Tournament at Montgomery, last week. The Rockets, ranked 10th entering the tournament, used two two-run singles by Hampton High School graduate Jason Hubar to help them to victories. The senior right fielder's good start led the Rockets to victories in their first two games, 11-4 over Armstrong State (Ga.) and 14-7 over Lewis As Huber's hitting tailed off, though, so did Slippery Rock. He had one other hit In the tournament and finished 3-for-17 (.167) and the Rockets lost their next two games, both to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, 6-1 and 7-6. One more victory would have put Slippery Rock In the championship game.

At the championships, Huber also scored four runs and played error-free ball, collecting 11 putouts. The Rockets' best season ended at 42-17. Captain crunch: Carnegie Mel-Ion's 6-foot-3, 240-pound Russell Hann, a Fox Chapel High School graduate, has been named a tri-captain for the upcoming football season. Hann was named along with Michael Beresford and David Skinner. New addition: Waynesburg College basketball coach Rudy Marisa has announced that North Hills High School graduate Garth Scott will join the Yellow Jackets this season.

Scott, a junior, played the past two years at Penn State-New Kensington. Making waves: Kiski Prep swimmer Steve Ball will compete at James Madison University next year. Ball, of Fox Chapel, was first in the 100-yard butterfly at the Interstate Prep School League Championships this season. That league includes Shady Side Academy, Western Reserve, University School, and Linsly. Ball was a co-captain at Kiski Prep, which won its 10th consecutive ISPL title.

Baseball camp: Two five-day baseball camps will be conducted by Point Park College baseball coach Mark Jackson June 19-23 and June 26-30. Each session meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a cost of $75 per week. Jackson will be assisted by some of his coaches and players, who have put together the winningest collegiate baseball record (242-48-1) the past six seasons.

For moredetails, call 392-3845. Marathon Softball: The Easter Seal Society of Allegheny County will sponsor its annual Softball marathon at the Schenley Oval July 14-16. The marathon offers teams 1V4 hours of play, prizes and a chance to support services for physically disabled infants, children and adults. Men's and women's teams are invited to participate. To register, or for more information, call the Easter Seal Society at 281-7244.

Titanic struggle: Westminster junior Chria Daltorio of Mars shot a team-best 75-80155 at the NAIA golf championships at Bay City, last month, but it wasn't enough as Westminster failed to make the cut for the final round and bowed out with a score of 640, 20 strokes off the 17th-place score of 620 needed to advance. Seneca Valley graduate Tim Gross, a freshman, shot an 80-81161. The Titans finished 20th. Football rata needed: The Pennsylvania Intersholastic Athletic Asso By David Assad Baseball is a pretty simple game from a pitching standpoint. Pitchers who stay ahead in the count are the ones most likely to be ahead in the game.

Frank Merigliano, a Shaler High School graduate, understands this concept. Merigliano is 7-1 in nine starting assignments for South Bend, of the Class A Midwest League. The Chicago White Sox affiliate leads the Northern Division with a 35-16 record, 5 games ahead of the second place Kenosha, Wis. Twins. Merigliano kept the White Sox comfortably in first place by pitching a four-hitter Sunday over Kenosha.

The White Sox defeated the Twins as Merigliano pitched nine innings, striking out five and walking two. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound righthander has fanned 72 batters in 68 innings. He has walked 27 and has given up 44 hits. His earned run average is an excellent 1.97. "The White Sox have a pitching plan," said Merigliano, who said the Chicago organization keeps records of the count to every batter he faces during each game.

Merigliano said the first and third pitches are the most important. It is mandatory these pitches be thrown for strikes, according to Merigliano. "We're supposed to be ahead l-and-2 it Will Macon Perry soph considered one of the top high school players in nation. senior year, but this is really nice." Perry coach Chuck Franklin added, "This is the first player I've had going to the Nike Camp, but this is also the first player I've had with Will's athletic ability at such a young age. I think he's a shoo-in Division I player.

I see him as a big guard or small forward at that level and this Minor league baseball Nam, tchooi Bill Jerich, Knoch Nam, school Club, MIMiM Augusta Pirates (A) Club, Hlll.lion Shawn Holman. Sswlckloy Toledo Tigers (AAA) -Bill Hershman, N. Hills Savannah Cards (A) Dan Kite. Shaler Winter Haven Red Sox (A) Frank Merigliano, Shaler S. Bend White Sox (A) '-released May 18.

"with every batter," said Merigliano. "That's part of the plan, getting two out of three pitches for strikes. "Statistics show batters who are behind in the count only hit about .160, while if the pitcher is behind 2-1 or 3-1, a hitter's average goes up to about .350. That's quite a difference." Merigliano's current status is in stark contrast to his three-year career at Pitt, where he had a losing record and an ERA of about 7.00 during his junior season. "I never had a pitching coach at Pitt like I do here," said Merigliano.

"Having a pitching coach has changed things drastically for me." Merigliano began his professional career last summer as the White Sox's 16th draft pick in the June 1988 free agent Major League draft. "The scout who signed me didn't know what my stats were," said Merigliano. "I didn't even see a scout "I'm sure Don can turn around, and the fact that Baldwin's hired him shows a major commitment to football. The other schools won't lay down and let Don Yannessa come in and establish himself, but in the long run, a coach like him can build a great program coaching separates great programs from good programs. "As for Don's money, well, I'd like to be making it.

But Don will earn it. He'll also be the AD, so he'll be working beyond the regular day quite often. Anyway, you can't put a price tag on what a successful football program can do for a district. That $60,000 will be money well spent." Tim Nunes, Butler "Don will do fine at Baldwin. He has a history of being a winner, and I'm sure he'll get the right attitude in there right away.

"And, hey, Don's making a lot of money I hope all the coaches make that kind of money eventually. But Baldwin wanted a quality coach and they were willing to pay the Rackets will be available on loan for those needing equipment. For more information or registra- Quad-A football coaches have a new rival Pittsburgh Federation League stats, standings EAST DIVISION Jeff Bachner, Reed's (2); Tim Ganch, 20lhl i rn. ward (2); David Hall, Mt. Lebanon (2).

oL'ni. Vi, a a a Run batted in Tim Gralewski, Bellevuel jJJJuJJ" i i i 1): Germanowski. Bellevue (9); Wilhel Corso. Bellevue (9); Tim Ganch, 20th Ward 8). unZZ a s(B Jimsaitta.

WEST DIVISION N. Pgh. (8); Mark Schmidt, N. Pgh. (7); Jetll Pt.

Bachner. Reed's (7); David Hall. Mt. Lebanon! (7 Ken Snyder, Reed 7); Glen Holland. plate." Although he throws right-handed, Merigliano says he has had more success striking out left-handed batters.

"I seem to pump the fastball by them better than I do right-handers," said Merigliano, who has struck out at least 10 hitters in a game four times this season, although he has not reached that figure during his past three games. "I've had a tender shoulder lately and my splitter split-finger fastball isn't as good," said Merigliano. "I'm not throwing it for strikes as consistently. The hitters have been laying off it." Nevertheless Merigliano has learned to mix up his fastball and changeup to keep the Midwest competition off stride. Last summer, he was only 1-4 with Utica, N.Y., of the Class A New York-Penn League as a relief pitcher.

However, his ERA was 1.60 and he had seven saves. He struck out 53 batters in 45 innings and walked only 19. Merigliano says his goal is to move up to the White Sox Southern League Class AA affiliate in Birmingham, next year. In the meantime, he is content in South Bend this summer, racking up the victories. Yannessa Don.

It's what someone in his position should get. It's in line with his years in education and with the responsibilities he'll have. In the better school districts, a teacher can make over $50,000 with supplemental income. So I feel Don's salary is in order." Bernie Storer, Bethel Park "I'm sure Don had a tough time leaving Aliquippa I'd have a tough time leaving a program like that. I'm sure he looks at this as a challenge and I'm sure he'll do a good job.

"As for the money, it's refreshing to see a coach get paid well, and it's refreshing to see a school district understand what it takes to run a Quad-A football program and pay someone accordingly. It's just a step below small college football and probably takes more time to run. "I don't think coaching salaries in general will increase because of Don. It'll be rare when someone with Don's reputation and record comes along and can command that kind of money. "Don's not exactly walking into a terrible situation, either.

Baldwin's been bad in the past no winning record since 1980 but this year's team has a lot of kids coming back. From the talk I've heard, this could be Baldwin's best team in 20 years." Model 31 8 with 50" AS LOW AS A.P.R. 9.75 60 months 20 down MJ North Pittsburgh 6 3 12 Reed's (6); Marty Kenny. Bellevue (6); Joe Null 20th Ward 5 4 0 10 Bellevue (6); John Collins, N. Pgh.

(6); Jettj rtvmi iu Huoinsak, west Mirtnn(6). Hooinson 4 Runt Tim Gralewski. Bellevue (11); Matt I STATISTICS Germanowski, Bellevue(10); Joe Null, Bellevuel Ludinn hiitara ('OK Jim Saitta, N. Pgh. (10); Willie Corso, Bellevue (8); Mike Bell, Reed's (7); Frank I Rotello, N.

Pgh. (); Steve Vogt, 20th Ward (7), -'f' sean McDonougn, Bellevue (7): John Collins, TomHorew, St. John 13 7 N. Pgh. (6); David Westwood, N.

Pgh. (6); Jofil ueisaroo, zuin ward (6); Dave Reilly, zotni players from the North 2B 38 MR RBI Avg 93 22 19 ER 9 7 2 1 BB 21 1 .237 ERA 1.85 7.07 1.53 1.97 IP 30 28 9 44 SO 12 13 16 72 34 14 174 68 19 11 9 5 3 18 15 15 27 during my first two years at Pitt because we were so terrible. They just heard about me through the grapevine. They watched me when we played in Florida, and when we played Seton Hall. I have a strong arm and they figured they could teach me how to pitch.

"I'm not polished as a pitcher by any means, but I've learned a lot since last year." As a first-year player in 1988, Merigliano was invited to the White Sox Instructional League Camp last fall in Sarasota, Fla. He turned down the invitation in order to return to Pitt for the fall semester. He has about 18 credits to complete to graduate. For now, Merigliano is treating the study of the art of pitching like a lull-time job. "I'm constantly working on my mechanics," he said.

"I'm learning to work the corners on both sides of the Baldwin around North Hills' Jack McCurry money to get one. I'wish I was getting it. I don't know what the other guys are making, but I'm sure no one else is making that. "I don't think Don will be facing that big a jump in competition Aliquippa has been as good as most Quad-A teams in recent years. Don will be coaching a different type of kid at Baldwin, sure, but a good coach can instill the attitude he wants in any type of kid." Jim Rankin, North Allegheny "Don will do great.

He's proven he can turn a poor program around Aliquippa was 19-60-2 in the seven years prior to Yannessa's hiring and I'm sure he can do it again. Plus Don will do a lot for the whole community and school district. "The kids will be different, but that shouldn't be a problem for Don. The biggest key when you switch jobs is having the patience to make the kids, the school and the community understand what your program is about. People tend to cling to tradition even if it's a bad tradition.

"I think the money's great for tion, call Karen Badzgon, Health-sports, Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, 781-5799, ext. 7596. 0100 IUU Bun. noon-5 p.m. Dmu ward (6); Jonn Kuzemchak, St.

John (6). Jim Saitta. N.Poh 30 14 .467 Stolen boi-Jim Saitta, N. Pgh. Dennv Little.

West Mifflin 13 6 .462 sean Mcuonougn. Bellevue (5). FROM PAGE 17 have gone downhill ever since he left. The kids just don't want to come out. But if Don can turn the attitude around, and I'm sure he will, I think the potential for a successful program is there." Paul Kmec, Mt.

Lebanon "I'm surprised Don left Aliquippa, but I think he'll do very well at Baldwin. He's already proven himself a successful high school coach over a long period of time. "I don't buy that the kids there will be that different high school kids are high school kids anywhere you coach, it's consistent from place to place. Don's biggest adjustment will be adapting to the talent he has and the talent he'll be competing against. "As for his salary, well, Don's certainly getting good money, but he's in an administrative position and he has a big job ahead of him.

He's not getting paid $60,000 just to coach football." Jack McCurry, North Hills "I talked with Don about the league before he even applied. He's done his homework, but Quad-A football isn't Class AAA football it'll be an adjustment for Don because there are more good coaches and good teams. "I'm sure Don can turn Baldwin Joe DelSardo. 20th Ward 27 12 .444 Wine Brian Lucas, Reed's (2-0): Bob! Tim Ganch, 20th Ward 20 8 .400 Portogallo. Reed's (2-0); Jay Stoner, Bellevuel Ray Rentier, Mt.

Lebanon 15 6 .400 (2-0); Drew Kortyna, Bellevue (2-0); Sieve! RUH Tim Hoffman. St. John's (2-0); A.J. Lutz. 20th Wardl ftralawski RaIIauiia rS- Matt rnrmannuicki Bellevue (4); Ron Dziezgowski.

20th Ward (4); Strikeoute Sam Ireland, 20th Ward (18)1 John Collins. Pnh. Glnn Holland Roort Bob Portogallo, Reed's (16): Andv BednarJ (3); Brian Priddy. Reed's (3); Dave Sellas, S. Reed's (16); Marty Kenny.

Bellevue (16); Javl Pgh. (3); Jeff Unger, S. Pgh. (3); Dave Reilly, Stoner, Bellevue (14); Brian Hamilton, Mil Lebanon (13); A.J. Lutz.

20th Ward (11): Johnl Martv Kennv Bellavim (3V Jna N- P9n- 10): Drew Kortyna, BellevuJ Null. Bellevue (2). 1 Home run. Lou Muraco, 20th Ward (3); compile by Bob Schw0rin) Need it? Find it fast with Press Post-Gazette classifieds Wheelchair tennis program opens in Fox Chapel So Little Time! Deck tV-iAx MO A 10-week program for wheelchair tennis players, from beginner to advanced levels, will be available this summer, courtesy of the Health-sports Program at Harmarville Rehabilitation Center. The Wheelchair Tennis Program will be held every Wednesday, beginning June 14, at the Shadyside Academy tennis courts in Fox Chapel.

The classes are open to any physically challenged individual over the age of 10. Beginner-intermediate sessions will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.; advanced intermediate-advanced, sessions will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. The fee per person is $15. Beginner-intermediate players will learn basic rules, strokes, skill development and game play. Advanced intermediate-advanced ath-eltes will focus on skills, strategy and tournament play.

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