---- —
Gene Sarazen and Sharon High girls’ basketball became synonymous with success during his 9-year tenure as Lady Tigers’ taskmaster; however that era has ended.
Sharon City Schools Superintendent John Sarandrea confirmed that Sarazen submitted his letter of resignation last week, citing “personal reasons.”
Sarandrea emphasized the school board has not yet acted on Sarazen’s resignation, but likely will do so at its Aug. 13 work session. The school board’s regular monthly meeting is scheduled Aug. 20.
Repeated attempts by The Herald to contact Sarazen via telephone were unsuccessful.
The move effects a complete overhaul of the school’s roundball programs. This past spring Jason Rankin — previously New Castle High girls’ cage coach — was hired to replace Justin Magestro as Sharon’s boys’ coach, ending the latter’s 3-year Tigers’ tenure.
Previously, Sarazen served as Magestro’s top assistant during Magestro’s successful stint as Reynolds girls’ head coach.
Sarazen skippered Sharon to a handful of 20-win seasons, highlighted by the 2005-06 campaign that concluded 28-2. That season Sharon secured the District 10 Class AA crown via a victory over Lakeview (54-48), then posted a pair of PIAA playoff wins over Wilkinsburg and Shady Side Academy. Ultimately the Lady Tigers bowed to Westmont-Hilltop in the western regional semifinals.
Also, Sharon secured 20-win seasons in 2010-11 (20-6), 2009-10 (20-5), 2006-07 (23-6) and 2004-05 (20-5).
With the exception of Sarazen’s initialt squad (2003-04, that finished 9-14) all of his teams finished with winning records. A trio of those Lady Tigers’ teams (’10-11, ’09-10 and ’06-07) lost D-10 title tilts, most recently to perennial PIAA powerhouse Villa Maria.
This past season the Lady Tigers tallied a 15-8 ledger, losing to Girard in their D-10 tournament lidlifter.
Sarazen’s Lady Tigers totalled a 163-66 won-lost mark, a 71.1 winning percentage — made more impressive by the fact Sharon competed in Class AAA during a segment of that time. As per PIAA enrollment guidelines, Sharon competed in AA during the past 2 years.
Sarandrea summarized, “The district is grateful to Coach Sarazen for all the years of service he put in. I can honestly say I enjoyed watching his teams compete, and for the most part the girls had a really good experience playing for him.
“We wish him well and thank him for his years of service,” Sarandrea emphasized.
Sports
Sarazen resigns as Sharon girls basketball coach
- Sports
-
-
Playoffs: GC, Hounds win; Reynolds, Sharpsville softball advance
The District 10 playoffs kicked off on Tuesday for 4 area baseball teams and 5 softball squads.
In Class A softball, Reynolds edged West Middlesex, 5-4, in an 8-inning thriller while Sharpsville ousted Rocky Grove, 5-0. In Class AA, Northwestern beat Wilmington, 9-5, and Harbor Creek defeated Mercer, 4-3. -
Hickory boys edge WM for D-10 Class AA Track team title
HARBORCREEK — Hickory High co-head coach Mark Slezak referenced the term “exponential” in explaining the four-fold heart-felt feeling of having a relay team qualify for the PIAA Championships.
That sentiment seemed to summarize Mercer County’s performance during Saturday’s annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships. -
5 area teams qualify for D-10 baseball playoffs
Five area baseball teams have qualified for the District 10 playoffs — Grove City, Kennedy Catholic, Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Wilmington.
In the Class A semifinals, Kennedy Catholic faces Cochranton at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Northwestern High School. Rocky Grove faces Eisenhower in the other semifinal game. -
Hickory, WM boys to collide at D-10 AA Track & Field Championships
For the 2nd time this week, a District 10 track & field team title could be decided by a pair of Mercer County contingents.
Just as Hickory and Grove City girls contested the Class AAA crown Wednesday night, so, too, are the Hickory and West Middlesex boys anticipating vying for Saturday’s AA title. -
Roundup: Reynolds baseball tops GC; Sharpsville, Wilmington softball teams win
ä Reynolds 4, Grove City 1 — At Transfer, Neal Engstrom fired a complete-game 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks in lifting the Raiders (9-8) past the Eagles (14-6).
Ryan Grace was tagged with the loss for Grove City. He struck out 6 batters, issued no walks and gave up 7 hits in going the distance. -
GC girls 3-peat at District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
HARBORCREEK— Some athletes seeded 1st in four events would feel pressure. For Grove City High senior Daniel Jaskowak, it’s an opportunity for name recognition.
“I kind’ve like it. It’s cool, because people know who you are,” related Jaskowak, who won 3 events during Wednesday’s District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships. -
Hickory, GC girls collide at D-10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Cliché though that is, it will be borne out today at the annual District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships.
Hickory High girls — the defending PIAA Class AA titlists — will test the best from the biggest. And the Lady Hornets hope to give as good as they get from the 6-county competition. -
Local tune up for districts at Mercer County Invite
There’s a difference between a warm-up and a warning.
If Saturday’s annual track & field invitational is any indication, Mercer County’s contingent issued a warning for the remainder of District 10: This could be a big year in area annals. -
Roundup: Grace, GC beat Sharon, 4-0, in 5 innings
With an impending storm blowing in above Johnny Pepe Field time was limited, so Ryan Grace greedily gobbled up putouts.
Grove City High’s Grace gave up only 3 base hits, and the visiting Eagles eased to an abbreviated 4-0, 5-inning win over Sharon Friday afternoon. -
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: County track meet set Saturday at Hickory
The annual Mercer County Track & Field Invitational will be held at Hickory High’s Hornet Stadium Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.
Competing are all Mercer County teams, Class AAA and AA, as well as Slippery Rock. The meet serves as a warm-up to the District 10 championships set next week at Harbor Creek High. - More Sports Headlines
-
