Tournament to put coach’s skills to test
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of Valinsky’s at Allderdice. Despite a game-high 35 points from Fields, Zoo Crew dropped its opening game to Sideline Cancer, 100-87.
“I did it last year and it was fun. The thing was, most of the kids didn’t show because of other engagements and we didn’t have a full squad,” said Valinsky. “I jumped on the opportunity again. The kids are supposed to come a few days earlier. I think [Pitt] Coach [Jeff] Capel has gotten involved a little bit. We’re going to meet at Pitt for a few days to scrimmage. For any team at any level, you need some organization.”
Valinsky and assistant coach Jeff Cohen will drive to Columbus the morning of the first game. Should Zoo Crew win six games in the tournament that concludes Aug. 3 in Baltimore, the two will come home with some nice paychecks — Valinsky $75,000 and Cohen $25,000.
Zoo Crew faces an uphill battle in an event that includes many former NBA players and players who play professionally overseas, but they have one of the best high school coaches in Pennsylvania on their side. Over the past five seasons, Valinsky has guided Allderdice to 118 wins and five City League titles.
And if Zoo Crew plays Fredette’s team in the second round, Valinsky’s track record suggests that he might find a way to limit Fredette’s success. Two years ago, Allderdice beat Reading, 70-45, in the PIAA Class 4A semifinals. The Dragons held Reading star Lonnie Walker to just six points. Walker was the No. 18 pick in this year’s NBA draft.