Hardwood Classic

Hardwood Classic this Thursday

GENESEO — The annual Hardwood Classic, featuring a basketball game between the Geneseo Central Faculty and the Geneseo Community takes place this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Geneseo gymnasium.

The Geneseo Community leads this series 3-0 with last year’s game going right down to the wire.

The roster for this year’s Geneseo Community team, coached by Chris Metcalf, consists of Al ‘Buzzo’ Bruno, Tracy Rollins, Martin Miskell, Brian Bennett, Ben Smith, Ross Gerace, Joe Rutigliano, Rick Vattimo, Ben Swanson, Randy Meyer, Scott Cripps, Pete Robinson, and Jerome, Peter, Courtney and Nikki Kingston, who will all be wearing No. 50 in honor of their father David J. Kingston, a fixture at the previous three games. David passed away in November after a courageous bout with cancer.

A special addition to this year’s squad includes Tom Dougherty, a Livingston County Investigator who is running for Sheriff next November.

The starting line-up has already been announced for the community team with all four Kingston’s teaming up with former SUNY Geneseo and Geneseo High School standout point-guard Brian Bennett.

Paul Hazard, a member of this year’s faculty squad, thinks this is the year his team finally gets the W.

“We have a couple of secret weapons,” said Hazard. “I’m not sure they will be able to keep up with our scoring punch this year. If I were a betting man, this would be a no-brainer. Faculty by a a lot!”

One of those “secret weapons” is former SUNY Geneseo All-American Scott Fitch, arguably the greatest collegiate player this area has ever seen. Fitch will be suiting up for the Geneseo Faculty, along with Hazard, Brian Stout, Diane Hamula, Jay Kaczmarek, Tom Hammel, Chris Masters, Tim Dolgos, Jeff Price, Dave Tasber, Mike Salatel, Dave Pero, Chad Smith, Mark Linton, Meghan Dulmage, Brian Paganin, Chad Henderson, and Kurt Graupman.

“I see the faculty must be a little tired of losing,” said Metcalf. “With all that talent on their roster they must be pretty excited about breaking that losing streak. But we will show up just to see what happens. I still like our chances.”

All proceeds for this popular event go towards the Geneseo Educational Trust Fund, which has funded projects such as Rachels Challenge Assembly (rachelschallenge.org); MP3 players for struggling readers; Book bags for first grade reading program; Hemlock Lake science project; Tickets for Geva Production of A Raisin in the Sun; Eighth grade trip to Ganondagan; Hemlock Watershed Study; and Music Adjudicator for middle and high school bands.

The annual basketball game has raised over $5,000 the past three years.