CYO Hall of Fame ready to welcome next class of inductees
The Mercer County CYO Basketball Hall of Fame has announced its upcoming class for November’s inductions.
One of the most respected basketball leagues in the region, the CYO has been the breeding ground for many of the players who went on to greatness in high school and the college ranks.
The coaching has been top notch as those patrolling the sideline bring a vast knowledge of the sport and a burning desire to make all the boys and girls under their guidance better players and people.
Also, there is a support group that is second to none from the referees to the person putting the lights out after another great day of basketball in Mercer County.
Being inducted at the November 18 event at the Nottingham Ballroom will be coaches Lou DeMille, who coached at Blessed Sacrament, St. Mary’s (Bordentown) and St. Anthony’s, Don Walsh (St. Mary’s Assumption), Dawn Wolfsgruber (St. Greg’s) and the late Jim Haggerty Sr. (Incarnation).
Rashawne Glenn, who played at Cathedral and later Hun and Lehigh, leads a great group of male players. Glenn averaged 15 points per game at Lehigh and scored over 1,500 points in his career.
Ralph Chiarello (St. Joachim’s) went on to have a championship career at St. Anthony/McCorristin. Steve MacZinko (St. Anthony) is another CYO standout who went to St. Anthony High School and had a 1,000 point career.
The induction of Peter Kelly (Our Lady of Sorrows) is very significant as he joins his dad, Chris, in the Hall of Fame.
Debra Zsenak (St. Raphael’s) was a key to the success of the Saints and went on to play at Rider.
Kristin Voorhees Jacobs (St. Gregory’s) had a Hall of Fame career at Steinert and it continued at West Chester. Jacobs is now the highly successful coach at Steinert.
Alexa Millas (St. Anthony) was a feisty guard who never backed down and it was a trait that helped her lead McCorristin to a state championship game.
Maya Jackson (Blessed Sacrament) took her talents to McCorristin and Rider.
Besides being a great official, Fred Dumont has been a major part of the administration of the local officials Board 193 and has overseen many positive moves by the Board and deserving of induction.
Although his time on the court at the CYO was tragically too short, having passed away in 2013, Herman English was a solid official and will be welcomed into the Hall of Fame.
Rosemary LaMacchia is being inducted as a special contributor for her longtime musical and vocal talent she has provided over the years to the CYO at the Opening Day Mass.
Speaking of those that have been special contributors, the 2018 Class suffered a great loss when Joe Hedja passed away on July 25. Fortunately, Joe was made aware of the well deserving honor.
Joe, who was the announcer at the CYO and at various other venues, including Notre Dame football, is someone who embodied exactly what the organization is all about.
He loved being there for the kids and it was his announcing that added that special touch to make the players realize just how important the game was.
Joe was a Eucharistic Minister and lector at St. Anthony/Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and for 30 years he was the announcer at St. Gregory’s Carnival.