CLARION –– After leading their teams to state-playoff victories, three coverage area coaches are slated to lead teams in the annual Sportsmanship 1 Clarion YMCA District 9 boys and girls all-star basketball on Saturday.
The game, to be played at Keystone High School with the girls at 2 p.m. and the boys to follow at 4 p.m., will feature Coudersport’s Brian Furman, Elk Catholic’s Aaron Straub and Otto-Eldred’s Barb Close on the sidelines. Furman will team with Clearfield’s Nate Glunt to lead one boys team, while Straub and Keystone coach Greg Heath will lead the other.
Close is paired with North Clarion’s Terry Dreihaup – the She-Wolves topped Closes’ Lady Terror team in the D-9 championship game – to lead a team in the girls game. Cameron County’s Dave Sullivan and Karns City’s Dave Kerschbaumer will lead the other team.
Several area players are suiting up for one final time.
On the Furman-Glunt team, Justin Kasmierski (Ridgway), Aaron Wolfinger (Coudersport), Matt Marconi (St. Marys) and Brandon McCaslin (Port Allegany) are among those from area teams on the roster, while the Straub-Heath roster has Kane’s Andrew Bucheit, Nate DaCanal and Gabe Kraus of Elk Catholic and Oswayo Valley’s Garret Babcock.
Close will get a chance to coach Lady Terror Tiffany Bair one last time. Autumn Buchsenschutz (Port Allegany), Reillly Herzing and Cassidy Cunningham (Elk Catholic), Nicole Myers (Johnsonburg) and Gracie Hamilton (Northern Potter) round out the roster.
Notables on Sullivan and Kerschbaumer’s squad include Bradford High’s Bri Wells, Cameron County’s Madi Guisto and Madison Harrier, Kane’s Camryn Cummings and Rachelle Armanini of St. Marys.
There will be an MVP and a Sportsmanship Award given out for each game as well, and the annual Sportsperson of the Year will be named.
Both games will be broadcast exclusively on ExploreClarion.com and via the ExploreRadio app. The broadcasts will be accessible via D9Sports.com as well.
GIRLS
Coaches: Barb Close (Otto-Eldred) and Terry Dreihaup (North Clarion)
Players: Alazia Greaves (Moniteau), Kristina DeMatteis (Moniteau), Autumn Buchsenschutz (Port Allegany), Tiffany Bair (Otto-Eldred), Reilly Herzing (Elk Catholic), Cassidy Cunningham (Elk Catholic), Nicole Myers (Johnsonburg), Michaela Higgins (North Clarion), Cassie Wagner (North Clarion), Gracie Hamilton (Northern Potter)
Coaches: Dave Sullivan (Cameron County) and Dave Kerschbaumer (Karns City)
Players: Bri Wells (Bradford High), Hannah Dixon (Curwensville), Mackenzie Craig (Karns City), Riley Assalone (DuBois Central Catholic), Madison Harrier (Cameron County), Madi Guisto (Cameron County), Camryn Cummings (Kane), Rachelle Armanini (St. Marys), Lexey Shick (Union)
BOYS
Coaches: Aaron Straub (Elk Catholic) and Greg Heath (Keystone)
Players: Chandler Turner (Karns City), Ian McElroy (Karns City), Nick LaBrasca (DuBois), Andrew Bucheit (Kane), Lake Pry (Moniteau), Nate DaCanal (Elk Catholic), Gabe Kraus (Elk Catholic), Austin Ion (Keystone), Tanner Wilson (Keystone), Garret Babcock (Oswayo Valley)
Coaches: Brian Furman (Coudersport) and Nate Glunt (Clearfield)
Players: Jarrett Esposito (Brockway), Dan Callen (Clarion-Limestone), Justin Kasmierski (Ridgway), Evan Brown (Clearfield), Tommy Hazel (Clearfield), Will Myers (Clearfield), Aaron Wolfinger (Coudersport), Matt Marconi (St. Marys), Devin Kelly (Punxsutawney), Brandon McCaslin (Port Allegany)
