Apr 12, 2002 By Rob Burchianti 5 min read

The competition is extremely tough as the girls battle each other up and down the basketball court. And that’s just at the tryouts.

Earning a spot on one of the four Eat ‘N Park Pennsylvania Girls Roundball Classic rosters isn’t easy, but three area girls did just that.

Albert Gallatin’s Marissa Gudac, Brownsville’s Penny Kezmarsky and Uniontown’s Teya Minor will take part in the North-South game of the Classic, which will tip off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh. The trio will play for the North team.

Also, for the second year in a row a local coach will be on the bench for the game, which features stars from the WPIAL and the City League. Uniontown head coach Annie Malkowiak will be one of three coaches on the South team’s bench. Former Albert Gallatin coach Ann Capozzi coached in the Classic last year.

“It was a very great honor to be selected to play in the game,” said Kezmarsky, a six-foot forward who has accepted a full basketball scholarship at Point Park. “There were over 100 girls that tried out and only 32 get picked. It was pretty exciting to find out I made it.”

Malkowiak has coached against the Lady Colonials’ Gudac and the Lady Falcons’ Kezmarsky already this season, but going up against her own player in the Lady Raiders’ Minor will be quite a twist for the former California University of Pa. star.

Even so, Malkowiak is glad to finally see Minor, a 5-7 guard, receive some accolades for her basketball ability.

“In the three years that I coached her she never really got the recognition that other players around Pittsburgh did, but I truly thought she was one of the better players around and she proved that in her tryout,” Malkowiak said.

“I was told by more than one coach that she was a standout at tryouts. I know Teya, and I know that she is an extremely hard worker and it is great to see that her hard work has paid off. This is going to be a great experience for her and she is more than deserving of this. This is a game where Teya will have the opportunity to showcase her talents and I know without a doubt that she will represent Uniontown well.

“She and her family should be very proud. I know I am.”

Joining Malkowiak as coaches for the South team are Greensburg Central Catholic’s Ed Paultz and Grove City’s Roger Flynn.

Coaches for the North team are Schenley’s Kathy Olesak and Debbie Lewis and Penn Hills’ Jennifer Bruce.

Malkowiak is thrilled to have the opportunity to coach in the game, but this isn’t the first time she’s been involved in the Roundball Classic. She participated as a player as well.

“I’m excited,” Malkowiak said. “When Bob Gallagher called me and asked me to coach I was very surprised and honored. This is a great opportunity for me also. I still have fond memories of when I played in the Roundball, so I know that I will take away great memories from coaching in it also. This whole week from practice to the dinner is going to be a lot of fun.

“I think that coaching in this game is a lot easier too, because there is no pressure as there is during the regular season. You just go out and have a good time and watch a great game with great players and coaches. Girls basketball has come a very long way in the past five-to-10 years, and I am very happy to be a part of it.”

Capozzi was just as pleased to be part of last year’s game.

“It’s a real honor to be asked to coach the Roundball,” said Capozzi, whose team rallied from a double-digit deficit to win. “It’s a thrill to be around that caliber of players. They do such a nice job of running it. It’s a nice weekend for the coaches and kids.”

The pregame festivities included dinner and dancing on the Gateway Clipper tonight. McKeesport graduate Swin Cash, who helped lead Connecticut to an undefeated season and the women’s NCAA championship, will be in attendance. Cash was the MVP of the 1998 Roundball Classic.

Capozzi was happy to see one of her own players make the team in Gudac, a 5-8 guard who has accepted a full basketball scholarship at Slippery Rock.

“It’s a nice honor for Marissa,” Capozzi said. “She’s been a wonderful girl to coach. Each year she has improved her game, and we really look forward to her playing at Slippery Rock. She’s going to be a real asset to their program.”

The sharp-shooting Gudac was a 1,000-point scorer, four-year letterman and three-year starter for AG.

“I’d say she’s definitely the best 3-point shooter I’ve had here,” Capozzi said. “Her outside shooting is just phenomenal.”

The teams were chosen by coaches and scouts who watched the girls scrimmage against each other.

“I thought I did pretty well with the competition I was up against,” said Kezmarsky, who felt the extra effort she put in may have helped push her over the top. “I always try to hustle and I did at the tryouts, too. That’s the way I play. I think that stands out.”

Of course, Kezmarsky, a three-year letterman, is also known for her shooting prowess.

“Yeah, I guess my shot is pretty good, too,” she added with a laugh.

“This is a fun team to be on, though. We had a practice and it was fun to play with so many talented girls. And the Field House is great, one of the bigger places I’ve ever played in. It’s a nice atmosphere.”

The North-South game will be followed by the East-West game, which features the top players from western Pennsylvania against the top players from eastern Pennsylvania.