| She normally runs the clock, but this year Paula Klinger is running the whole darn thing. The 37th St. Patrick's Elementary Basketball Tournament may have had a COVID hiccup, and the elementary school may have been taken out from under them by the Erie Diocese, but when a meeting was held to discuss whether or not to continue the tradition it was an overwhelming "YES!!" Over 20 former teachers, students and parents of former students stepped up to volunteer. | |
"These coaches all played in this," Klinger said looking around the crowded St. Pat's gym. The tournament has grown to 10 teams coming from as far away as Grove City and Hermitage. A few grand is raised for the St. Patrick's parish through T-shirt sales, 50/50 raffle tickets, $1 bucket shoots, concessions and a small admission fee.
 | The teams are comprised of fifth and sixth graders, though one team from St. John Paul II Elementary School of Hermitage brought a noticeably younger team of third and fourth graders. "Everyone was cheering for them," said Klinger, who noted they were quite a bit tinier than the rest of the kids. "I think they scored six points, but those boys were so excited and the crowd really cheered them on, even the parents of the team they were playing." And that, in a nutshell, is why the volunteers got together to make sure the tradition of the tournament didn't die. "That's why we do this, for these kids. It's been a part of this community now for 37 years," Klingler said. She says they plan to do it again next year. |
Below is a slideshow of photos from the Cranberry vs. Cochranton match-up Saturday afternoon. The tournament continues Sunday at the former St. Patrick's School in Franklin.
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