NEW CASTLE —
Before I went to basketball practice Sunday night, I opened a web page to glance at the roster of the Lower Merion High School basketball team.
New Castle will play the Aces tonight at Williamsport High to determine who will advance to the PIAA Class AAAA championship game.
What I saw concerned me. Lower Merion is a six-time state champion. The starting lineup includes a 6-7 guard, B.J. Johnson, who will play at Syracuse University. The remainder of the starters include a 6-8 center, and two forwards who stand 6-5 and 6-4.
They claim “A tradition of Excellence” at Lower Merion, as well they should — their gymnasium was bought and named after 1996 graduate Kobe Bryant. Maybe you’ve heard of him.
Even my wife Marisa, who had basketball forced on her because her husband coached the sport for 16 years, ask me sheepishly as I walk out the door: “Can you beat this team?”
To be honest, I had my doubts. The Red Hurricane, which is 29-0 this season, may be meeting its match. Our tallest player, Shawn Anderson, is 6-3. Our guards, Brandon Domenick and Anthony Richards, are 5-9 on a good day.
When I arrived at practice, the players were there early as they always are and were working on their shooting. Then, as I was chatting with one of the coaches, I saw something that immediately brightened my outlook about tonight’s game.
“Pudgy” and “Ripper” walked into the gym.
Unless you were born in the 1940s or ’50s, you won’t know these two Hurricane legends. But if you are a baby boomer like me, then Phillip “Pudgy” Tony and Richard “Ripper” Humphrey need no introduction.
In fact, full names aren’t necessary. Just say “Pudgy” and “Ripper” and those who know will remember them as two stalwarts of the 1967 WPIAL championship football team at Ne-Ca-Hi.
In 1967 there was no state champion crowned. The WPIAL title was the Holy Grail. To win that title the Red Hurricane had to beat Mt. Lebanon High School. The game was played on Thanksgiving Day at Pitt Stadium. Yes, Pitt Stadium. Some young people never saw it or know who played there.
That was 45 years ago. Why do I bring it up now? Well, the matchup that day against the Lebos was similar to what the ’Canes will face tonight.
Mt. Lebanon had a lineup dotted with Division I players. Their size advantage over the Red Hurricane was frightening. In pre-game warmups, New Castle looked like a Pop Warner team compared to Mt. Lebanon.
The ’Canes had no Division I players on the field that day. They were outsized at every position. A Pittsburgh sports reporter was so sure of the outcome that he said that he would sleep under the goal post at Pitt Stadium if New Castle won!
I hope the poor guy took heavy blankets: New Castle 20, Mt. Lebanon 14.
What was the difference? The Spirit of the Red Hurricane.
New Castle head coach Ralph Blundo talked about the Spirit in the locker room before the WPIAL championship game against Hampton. When he did I got the chills. I for one believe in that spirit.
So when I saw “Pudgy” and “Ripper” walk into the gym on Sunday I got strong. Whatever doubt I had left me.
When “Pudgy” asked coach Blundo if he could stay and watch practice, the young head coach, who wasn’t even alive in 1967, responded, “I would never ask one of the greatest Red Hurricanes of all time to leave HIS gym.”
Coach Blundo understands the Spirit. He feels it. It lives in him.
He has made sure that the current version of the Red Hurricane feels it too. It lives in them.
Just like the ’67 football team, this is a special group of young men. There are no superstars on this team. But they are tough. Their physical toughness is only exceeded by their mental toughness. I am certain they will stand tall tonight.
“Ripper” was an undersized defensive back and tight end who, like the current ’Canes, was as tough as nails. He said of Tony: “Mt. Lebanon couldn’t block ‘Pudgy’ that day. He was in on every play. They couldn’t hurt him. He was a rock and we just climbed on his back.”
I get strong when I see those guys. I feel like Hercules.
Somebody will be that rock for the ’Canes tonight. It might be Anderson, Domenick or Richards. It might be Malik Hooker or Tone Rudolph. It’s somebody different every game.
If we get to the championship game on Saturday in Hershey, make sure you get a ticket because we will win. I’m sure of it.
It’s the Spirit of the Red Hurricane.
(Larry Kelly is an attorney with the law firm of Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly and George, and a former sports writer at The News. He is the ninth-grade basketball coach at New Castle High.)
All About You ...
Related Photos
-
Larry Kelly
Discussion
Larry Kelly: Don’t underestimate the Spirit of the Red Hurricane
- All About You ...
-
-
Lori Brothers: Body awareness can help manage stress
Are you an “inny” or an “outy”? I’m not referring to your belly button, even though the concept also applies there. I am talking about how you manage your stress. Do you internalize or externalize?
-
Sarah Stright-Hartley: Top trends for men as the weather warms
We frequently talk women's fashion around these parts, so today I wanted to give the men a bit of a shout-out. Men's fashions are less likely to change year to year, but there are still "trends" each season that men will find in stores. To the right you'll find some of the top trends for spring/summer 2013.
-
Your Tax Money: Four districts undecided on vo-tech budget
Four school districts are still deciding whether to support the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center’s 2013-14 budget. The New Castle, Wilmington, Mohawk and Ellwood City school boards are waiting until June to vote on the proposed spending plan as they contemplate a growing debt the center owes to six of its eight member school districts.
-
Making a Difference: Volunteers put up home for young mother, son in three days
The Blitz was on this weekend in New Castle. Habitat for Humanity had a “Blitz Build” for its latest Lawrence County house at the corner of Newell and Madison avenues in Mahoningtown. Over Thursday, Friday and Saturday, concrete block was laid for the basement, the ground floor was constructed, the roof was built and walls went up.
-
Culinary Conversation: A day in France— or close to it
Here’s some advice: If your spouse packs your lunch, never complain about the contents. I wasn’t actually griping. I just noted that it lacked excitement. The response from spouse was — our kitchen isn’t the Ritz Carlton.
-
Dave Ramsey: Avoid college loans if you can
“Dave Says" is a weekly column featuring financial advice from nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey. His column is filled with timely, relevant questions and answers taken from actual letters and calls on Ramsey's radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show.”
-
Lori Brothers: Be ready to stay healthy during storms
At any time during the spring and summer, we may get a signal from our local officials that there is inclement weather that can turn threatening. It is always important to pay attention during alerts to assure that your family, including your pets, are safe in the event of an emergency such as tornado, flood or power outage.
-
Sarah Stright-Hartley: Looking for stylish way to pack your possessions? It’s in the bag
One of the most personal things a woman buys is a handbag. It holds all of her prized possessions. So when shopping for a new bag, there are a lot of things to consider. Size, color, quality, fabric and length of use. Is she looking for something to use year round, or something that can be changed each season?
-
Kali Davies-Anderson: I’m now a year older — and a lot wiser
On May 7, I turned 28 years old. I understand this is still considered “young,” but I feel as though I have lived many lives in my 28 years. And in those many “lives” I have learned vast and various lessons.
-
Making a Difference: Custodian makes clean sweep of kids’ hearts
When Croton Pre-Kindergarten Center students recess for summer vacation next month, “Mr. Pete” will walk out the door with them. And it will be for the last time.
- More All About You ... Headlines
-
