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<Read Post-Gazette Article dated
July 7, 2006>
On Thursday, July 6, 2006, NBA
legend Sidney Moncrief hosted a JrNBA/JrWNBA Summer Camp at the
University of Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center. Coach Moncrief,
himself a five time NBA all-star selection, was accompanied by NBA
legend Darryl Dawkins, known as "Chocolate Thunder" for
his backboard-shattering dunks. The All-Star staff also included Team
USA Basketball legends and Olympic champions Theresa Edwards and Katrina McClain, along with several current NBA/WNBA coaches
and assistants. Former Pitt Panther star Brandin Knight was also on the
instructor list, along with a local legend of sorts, Jake Trombetta,
once a stand-out player in Brookline's men's league.
With the motto "Pledge To Be A
STAR" as a theme, the six hour basketball camp focused on a wide range
of topics, from on-the-court skills to nutrition and excercise, and most
importantly, pride and teamwork. Over 250 boys and girls from the Pittsburgh
area were in attendance, and they were all treated to some hands-on training
and personal tutoring from some of the best professionals in the sport.
The day's itinerary was packed with
numerous skill stages located on the main court and on the practice court.
Each dealt with a specific skill set. Despite the six hour length, the day
passed quickly, and enjoyably. After a lunch break served in the Panther
Club, the kids got to play a little four-on-four basketball on the
maplewood floor of the Pitt Panthers home court. It was quite a thrill
for the youngsters to get a chance to play in such a large arena, getting
tips from some of the legends of the sport.
Near the end of the day's activities,
Coaches Moncrief and Dawkins held an impromptu trivia session, handing
out prizes for the lucky one's who knew the answers. When "Chocolate
Thunder" took the helm, the answers became more predictable with each
new question. If you answered "Darryl Dawkins" you got the prize.
After the camp was finished,
the NBA/WNBA hosts signed autographs for their many new friends. It
was a great day for everyone, and we all left with a renewed interest
in the fun and fundamentals of the game of basketball.
Participants from the Brookline
Recreation Center were:
Bernie Cusick, Regis Cusick, Chase Lambert, Joey Kalsek, Johnathan Kalsek,
Frank "Skippy" Kalsek, Orlando Harvard, Victoria Andrews, Tess Brust,
Michael Brust, John Tiani, Olivia Tiani, Michael Molinaro, Matthew
Molinaro, Ben Skiff, Hannah Skiff, Troy Dinkel, Ashley Albright, Timmy
Albright, Tommy Bauwin, Alex Bauwin, Tony Manuel, Nick Manuel, Brandon
Williams, Maria Rotunda, Louie Rotunda, Robert Underwood, Bradley Sabolcik,
Christina Folino, Kayle Priore, Alex Neff, Ian Alexander, Dion Simpson,
Dominique Simpson and Matt Noszka. Adult volunteers included Mike Manuel,
Joe Rotunda, Dan Noszka, Eddie Dorsett, Bruce Williams, Lou Molinaro and
Jim Cypher.
Congratulations to Maria
Rotunda, Dan Noszka and Dominick Maggs, all from the Brookline Recreation
Center. They were selected back in December of 2005 to represent Pittsburgh
Citiparks as 2005-2006 JrNBA/JrWNBA All-Stars. Maria advanced into the top 150
girls from across the country and was an All-Region honoree representing the
Philadelphia 76er's. Dan was honored as an Honorary Coach of the Year.
The community of Brookline is proud of the achievements of Dominick Maggs,
Maria Rotunda and Dan Noszka.
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