By Pete Chiodo
December 5, 2008 — One local team that will not be hosting a tip-off tournament this weekend is the Meadville boys.
The Bulldogs have celebrated the opening of the season at the House of Thrills ever since 1988, starting the tradition with 57-46 win over Hollidaysburg in the tournament championship game.
This year, Meadville just couldn’t find the teams.
“When (the PIAA) cut basketball season to 22 games, a lot of teams had trouble finding teams to fill out their tournaments,” said Bulldogs head coach Norm Price.
Franklin, it appears, also ran into trouble completing its tournament menu.
“I think we were short two teams and (Franklin) was short one,” said Price.
So, Meadville scrapped its tournament plans and joined up with the Franklin Elks tourney.
The Bulldogs — back in action after an 18-11 season and a state playoff berth a year ago — open the event today at 5:30 p.m., taking on Class A squad Vision Quest.
They’ll follow that game up on Saturday against defending District 9 Class AA champs Cranberry.
“It’s predetermined,” Price said about the matchups. “(Us and Franklin) didn’t want to play each other because we’re in the same league.”
Vision Quest was 6-11 last year. Cranberry finished 17-11 after losing to South Fayette 76-42 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
“For us, we’re more worried about ourselves right now,” Price said about this weekend’s competition. “We’re off to a slow start and just looking for opportunity to play.”
Slow start?
“Well, we missed a couple practices with the weather, and we didn’t do too well in our scrimmages. And Toney Phillips hasn’t practiced yet.”
Phillips, Meadville’s leading returning scorer, is still dealing with an injury suffered during football season. He was cleared to play on Thursday. But, according to Price, Phillips role tonight will be a limited one.
“Obviously he wants to play,” said Price. “But he hasn’t been up and down the court yet this year. (Thursday) was the first time.
“He’s not going to start. We’re going to play it like a scrimmage. We’re going to get him in there and see what he can do and play it by ear.”
According to Price, tonight’s starting lineup will include guards Derek Cowan, Josh Gregor and Ray Hamilton and forwards Adam Barba and Mike Sanders.
