June 2, 2000

STOP-DWI Holiday Classic Announces 2000 Tournament Field

Broome County, N.Y. -- The Broome County STOP-DWI Program is pleased to announce the 2000 tournament field for the 9th Annual STOP-DWI Holiday Classic scheduled for December 26 -29 in Binghamton, New York. This year's tournament will feature some very outstanding teams including 1993 tourney champion and 1996 runner up Gonzaga High School, Washington D.C. and 1995 runner up Stow High School, Stow, OH.

Tournament host Binghamton High School will also be joined by Bishop Hannan High School, Scranton, PA; Madisonville-North Hopkins High School, Madisonville, KY; Shaker Heights High School, Shaker Heights, OH; St. Andrews High School, Barrington, RI; and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Stow High School, 1998-1999 League Champions, will have 10 players back from this team, Coach David Close's squad will feature First Team All - Northern Ohio Guard Jake Stever, averaged 23 ppg, 7 rpg, and 4 apg. Coach Close's 12 year record is 222 - 59.

First time participant St. Thomas Aquinas, 30 -4 in 1999-2000, will bring a powerhouse from Florida. Their big men, seniors Ed Nelson 6'8" and Andrew Zidar 6'7" will lead the way. Coach Steve Strand brings a team which was district & regional champs an state semi-finalist.

St. Andrews High School of Barrington, Rhode Island, 1998-1999 Streets Smith top 50 will be the tournament's first team from Rhode Island. The team features six returning players who helped take them to the New England State Championship semi-finals in 1999-2000. They will be led by 2 top 50 sophomores 6'7" Demtris Nickols and 6'2" Abdi Lidonde. Head Coach Michael Hart will be in his 7th year.

Ohio powerhouse Shaker Heights High School coached by Bob Wonson who has a 12 year record of 213-59, the last 4 years at 85-11. Always a top team in the Cleveland area and with a core of seniors which have a lot of floor experience.

Madisonville-North Hopkins High School from Kentucky, coached by James Davis. Three Seniors returning from a 20-6 season, each averaging 9 rebounds a game. Finished ranked 6th in the State of Kentucky. Senior Michael Haney is up for Mr. Basketball for Kentucky.

Gonzaga returns for the third time. Headed by two seniors Joey Goodson and Michael Orfini. A young, fast back court rounds off a great program. Coach Dick Meyer 20-9 record last year included a win over DeMatha, a nationally ranked team.

Rounding out the tournament field will be first timer Bishop Hannan from Scranton, PA. They will be lead by All American Junior Gerry McNamara. Coached by John Bucci with a 1999-2000 record of 28-3. They won the Lackawana League Division II Championship and are District 2 Class A Eastern State Champs.

STOP-DWI Holiday Classic Regional Division I

Corcoran High School, Syracuse, NY comes to the tournament as the 1999-2000 League & Section III Class A Champs who made it to the State semi-finals against Mt. Vernon. The Cougars coached by Al Bullock were 20-3 in 1999-2000 and he has a 5 year record of 86-18.

Watertown High School. 1994-2000 Frontier League Champions. Coach Paul Adams lead them to a 19-3 season with two talented sophomores and one junior. Coach Adam's record is 170-68 during the last 11 years.

Union Endicott High School returns with Coach Mark Ward. He has 4 top players returning from a 13-5 season.

Vestal High School brings 3 juniors and a senior floor general back from a 13-5 season. Coach Mickey Greenberg returns for his 13th year with a record of 208-105.

Regional Division II

Johnson City Wild Cats return three starters from a building year. Coach Dave Chilson has a young group of successful underclass JV players coming up.

Oxford Academy coached by John Curtis are first time participants. The 16-5 1999 Susquenango Association League Division II Champs bring a young aggressive team into the tournament.

Seton Catholic Central returns with a core of Seniors and JV roster who won the Division Title. Coach Chris Sinicki returns for his third year.

Whitney Point High School 1996 Regional Champions returns. All five starters for Coach Jim Abrams will return after a tremendous 1999-2000 year.

National Division

Binghamton High School, Binghamton, NY

Bishop Hannan High School, Scranton, PA

Gonzaga High School, Washington, D.C.

Madisonville-North Hopkins High School, Madisonville, KY

Shaker Heights High School, Cleveland, OH

St. Andrews High School, Barrington, RI

St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Stow High School, Stow, OH

Regional Division

Corcoran High School, Syracuse, NY

Johnson City High School, Johnson City, NY

Oxford High School, Oxford, NY

Seton Catholic Central, Binghamton, NY

Union Endicott High School, Endicott, NY

Vestal High School, Vestal, NY

Watertown High School, Watertown, NY

Whitney Point High School, Whitney Point, NY

Older Press Releases are online for archival purposes only. If you need updated information regarding items contained in these press releases please contact the Broome County Executive's office. Thank you.