Clear skies. Low 33F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..
Clear skies. Low 33F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: April 6, 2024 @ 4:58 pm
Jefferson’s Robbie Scott, right, pulls down a rebound in front of Lakeside’s Rashad Bell during the Joe Pete Annual Scholarship Alumni Basketball Tournament on Friday evening at Jefferson.
Edgewood gradudate Connor McLaughlin drives to the basket between Grand Valley’s Austyn Spoon, left, and Nate Boiarski, right, during the Joe Pete Annual Scholarship Alumni Basketball Tournament on Friday night at Jefferson.
Edgewood graduate Tye Rood, left, drives to the basket against Grand Valley’s Michael Montgomery during the Joe Pete Annual Scholarship Alumni Basketball Tournament on Friday night at Jefferson.
Jefferson’s Robbie Scott, right, pulls down a rebound in front of Lakeside’s Rashad Bell during the Joe Pete Annual Scholarship Alumni Basketball Tournament on Friday evening at Jefferson.
Edgewood gradudate Connor McLaughlin drives to the basket between Grand Valley’s Austyn Spoon, left, and Nate Boiarski, right, during the Joe Pete Annual Scholarship Alumni Basketball Tournament on Friday night at Jefferson.
Edgewood graduate Tye Rood, left, drives to the basket against Grand Valley’s Michael Montgomery during the Joe Pete Annual Scholarship Alumni Basketball Tournament on Friday night at Jefferson.
JEFFERSON — Alumni basketball players hit the court Friday night to enjoy a glimmer of past success and raise money for college scholarships for county high school athletes.
The Joe Pete Annual Scholarship Alumni Basketball Tournament drew 16 teams in two different age categories in gymnasiums at Jefferson High School and Jefferson Middle School.
“I feel really good,” Joe Pete Sr. said about his son who started the scholarship program when he was working sports for local radio. “Joe was a good guy and really interested in the community. … He is probably looking down with a big smile.”
After his death, the program was on hold for awhile.
Three years ago, the tournament was brought back as a fundraiser to secure funds for college scholarships for area athletes.
Andy Juhola, vice president of the Ashtabula County Basketball Hall of Fame board of directors, agreed to organize the scholarship tournament and make it a special weekend for basketball in Ashtabula County.
On Sunday, the ACBF will hold its 2024 Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the New Leaf Event Center in Conneaut.
The combination of events make this a basketball weekend in Ashtabula County, Juhola said.
In the Joe Pete Tournament, eight teams are in the 30 and under division and eight teams in the 30 and over class.
He said it was easier to get eight teams for each division this year.
Juhola said not every school fields an alumni team, but several have multiple teams entered. Juhola said Lakeside and Edgewood each had more than one team competing on Friday evening.
There was a team comprised of county high school players.
While some of the competitors play regularly others just show up and play.
“I play about once a week,” said Saint John graduate Jim Chiacchiero.
Chiacchiero said he has been fortunate not to have major injuries, and his knees are holding up well after decades of hoops action since his graduation in 1991.
Area high school coaches attended the games to support their former players and a few hit the court to play in the tournament.
Jefferson’s T.J. Furman spoke highly of the event.
“I think this is great. … It is just good for the community,” he said.
Furman said he coached many of the guys playing on Friday evening when he was a boys junior varsity coach.
“It is always good to see the kids you coached and the kids you coached against,” Furman said.
Juhola said the proceeds allowed the foundation to give 12, $1,000 college scholarships and plans to do the same this year.
He said Mike Donato, of Justin In Time Staffing, doubled the $6,000 raised to allow for the extra scholarships.
The tournament
concluded last Friday night.
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