By CONNOR JACKSON

Special to the Era

During halftime of the boys and girls high school basketball Big 30 Senior Classic games on Sunday, three new members were inducted into the Big 30 Basketball Hall of Fame.

Ron Caskey, John “Mickey” Viglietta, and Aaron Straub were the inductees.

Caskey is a 1967 Port Allegany grad who came back to his alma mater to coach the Gator boys basketball team in 1978. He was their coach for six seasons between 1978-1983.

Caskey led Port Allegany to the 1979 North Tier League title, winning Coach of the Year in 1979 as well. He started coaching the girls’ team in 1984 and had his most success with the Lady Gators.

He compiled a 181-49 record from 1984-1993, winning District 9 2A titles in 1987 and 1992. He also won the NTL four times, from 1985-1987 and 1992. He won the Olean Time Herald Girls Coach of the Year in 1992.

Next, John Viglietta spent time with many programs in the area on his way to Hall of Fame status. He started coaching the Richburg boys’ team in 1983, then after taking time off he won a sectional title in just two seasons with the Franklinville girls.

After one season with the Cuba girls in 1987, he took over the Franklinville boys in 1988 where he coached until 2002. In 14 seasons with the Panthers, his record was 201-129 and won three sectional titles. He was the Times Herald Coach of the Year in 1989, his 1992-93 had a 20-0 undefeated regular season.

Last but certainly not least, Aaron Straub from Elk County Catholic received his much deserved Hall of Fame induction. He graduated from what was then Elk County Christian in 1975, and began his head coaching career with the Crusader girls from 1980-82.

He then moved to the boys team for the 1982-83 season, and he remains the head coach today. In 45 total seasons, his record is 1,015-269 while being 988-248 with the boys team.

Straub has led 26 District 9 title teams, 32 20+ win seasons, and won a state championship in 2006 with an undefeated record of 33-0.