:10—And so it has been said, by greater basketball minds than mine. Starting…more or less with the legacy of the Kenny Durrett-led Schenley Spartans and the Cle Edwards-led Fifth Ave. Archers. Not to forget those who preceded those legends. But the give and take of what I know and the continuance of the W. PA history is truly greater than all the pages this newspaper will allow!
:09—Beginning with Mr. Chuck Cooper, The Maurice Lucas, Ricky Coleman, Jeep Kelly Schenley Spartans, The Cle Edwards Fifth Ave. Archers, The Mel Bennett Peabody Highlanders, The Reggie Dukes Westinghouse Bulldogs, The Bruce Atkins Wilkinsburg Tigers, The Dobbs Brothers Allderdice Dragons, The Dick Devenzio Ambridge Bridgers, The BB Flenory Valley H.S. Vikings, The Sam Clancy Fifth Ave. Archers, and an ongoing endless list of nationally recognized names including Billy Varner, Oscar Jackson, Pete Maravich, Stu Lyons, Swin Cash, Mark Marrotta, Jennifer Bruce, Norm Van Lier, T.J. McConnell, DeJuan Blair, Tom Pipkins, Sean Miller, Mark McCloud, Brad Davis, Billy Knight, Maurice Stokes, Myron Brown, Suzie McConnell, Karen Hall, Hosea Champine, Kirk Bruce, Hank Commodore, Jim and Julius McCoy, Bobby Byrd, Farrell H.S. And on and on and on…Lord stop me please!
:08—But this night, this very special night, this recognition of W. PA legends pictured above who came out for “One Last Shot” and to pay homage to the great Connie Hawkins, I thank you for your time and your talent and for all you did to help grow me, the league and the legend!
:07—And of course they came from all over these United States because “The Hawk” meant that much. Walt Szczerbiak, the ABA and European Basketball League legend who literally played with Connie Hawkins, and many of the all-time greats flew in from New York. Along with his long list of achievements, Walt is recognized as one of the 50 greatest basketball players and influencers in European basketball history (not to be confused with his famous and talented son “Wally” who is also a former NBA player and now NBA broadcaster (Big Smile). Walt was inducted into the Connie Hawkins League Hall of Fame on this grand evening.
:06—The great Clyde Vaughan flew in from Chicago to be inducted into the Connie Hawkins League Hall of Fame as well. Vaughan is a highly-decorated member of the University of Pittsburgh Hall of Fame, 2nd all-time leading scorer and 5th all-time leading rebounder. And the once Olympic hopeful was also a two-time All Big East selection, a four-year starter, and one of, if not the best, pure shooters in Pitt basketball history, concluding his career with 2,033 points and 922 rebounds and was named MVP of the 1981 and 1982 Eastern-8 Tournament Championships. With all that being said, “Clyde” had enough ammunition left to become the most prolific scorer in Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League history and holds the record for most points scored in a game – 49! (Of course, Clyde stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the other recognized greatest shooter of all time in City-League history, David “Dr. Death” Trent…who scored the second-most points in a Connie Hawkins game – 48.)
:05—I’m sure you’re thinking…“We might as well stop reading now because Bill Neal is only going to talk more basketball. Well, you’re wrong, my brother. J.J. Spaun is your 2025 U.S. Open champion, taking home $4.5 million to his wife and baby girls. Although a long shot in the tournament, J.J. pretty much led from start to finish. NOW TAKE THAT YOU “SPORTS WRITER DOUBTERS”…I know stuff.
:04—I contend that the Pacers will win the NBA Championship and that, my friends, you can take to your nearest bank and collect your money.
:03—In case you weren’t paying attention, your Pittsburgh Steelers locked down Aaron Rodgers at QB and positioned themselves to be an 11-5 winner this year and go two rounds into the playoffs. THAT’S RIGHT, 2 ROUNDS, I SAID IT!
:02—ATTENTION…THIS JUST IN: At last sight, former Steeler superstar receiver Antonio Brown was seen in an unidentified helicopter (like at training camp, remember?). And word has it that he and Rick James are busting “Diddy” and R. Kelly out of jail. News at 11:00. (Remember Rick James “Bustin’ Out”?), OK, OK, I’ll let you go.
:01—And remember, everybody “Stand” as the now-late, great Sly Stone, he of the Sly and the Family Stone said. Stand for something or you’ll fall for everything. “Fight the power, fight the power that be!”
:00—GAME OVER.
About Post Author
