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March 1, 2012

CLARION — Plans are under way for the 12^th annual Clarion County YMCA “Sportsmanship I” Western Pennsylvania Senior All-Star Basketball Games to be held on April 14 at Clarion Area High School. 

The top 40 senior players in District 9 will be selected for the girls’ and boys’ games that are scheduled for 6 and 7:30 p.m. respectively. All players will be able to participate in the annual “32” shooting contest. The preliminary round will be held prior to the games with the finalists for the boys and girls shooting off at both halftimes.

“Our executive committee wanted to make sure we recognized the top senior players in the area and give them one more opportunity to show off their skills in a fun setting,” Sportsmanship I founder Norb Baschnagel said. “It’s also been a great fund-raising event. We’ve raised over $86,000 the past 12 years and this year, we’ve received over $8,000 already.”

Baschnagel said that proceeds of the event go to the Clarion County YMCA’s Camp Coffman and Clarion PAWS. Camp Coffman is a camp facility run by the Clarion and Oil City YMCAs during the summer months, targeting children by using various programs and activities. PAWS (Pet Adoption and Welfare Society) serves the county by promoting and advancing humane and protective care and treatment of animals.

As the name indicates, sportsmanship is a strong theme to the event.

“Without sportsmanship, you might as well be doing something else,” Baschnagel said.

NOTES: Tionesta Builders is the major corporate sponsor of the event. It has two locations in Tionesta and Shippenville. … A “Sportsmanship I” Western Pennsylvania Sportsman of the Year Award will be announced at the games. Last year, the late Scott Lange, former men’s basketball coach at LaRoche College was the honoree. … Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, call Baschnagel at 226-5098. … “Sportsmanship I” Games will be the lone District 9-wide senior all-star game this year. The Alice R. Kozel Foundation Games, which originated in 1999, will not be held.