Inside-Out: ’Canes’ basketball stars tackling football, too

By Joe Sager

New Castle News

Malik Hooker and Anthony Richards were key components of New Castle’s run to a WPIAL Class AAA basketball championship last year.

Instead of bouncing basketballs, they’re bouncing off tacklers this fall.

The talented juniors joined the Red Hurricane’s football team for the first time this season — and they had immediate impacts.

Hooker, a wide receiver, had two catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 31-7 loss to Central Valley. Richards, filling in at quarterback, completed 3 of 7 passes for 32 yards and added 46 more yards on the ground on 10 carries.

New Castle fans may have done a double take upon hearing those two names blaring from Taggart Stadium’s speakers. But it’s not too uncommon to find crossover athletes, especially since the school’s population continues to dwindle.

“We’re to the point where our school is at a size that, if athletes were only playing one sport, we’d only be good at one sport. We don’t have the enrollment numbers to have kids specialize in just one,” New Castle basketball coach Ralph Blundo said. “We have a number of good athletes. I am proud of them to make the decision to play football. It’s exciting for me, too.”

First-year ’Canes football coach Joe Cowart was thrilled to see more athletes interested in playing football and contributing immediately.

“Coach Blundo and I, that was one of the first things we talked about. At our school now, unfortunately with our enrollment, there are not enough athletes to go around,” he said. “So, those athletes that are as talented as the guys that are playing basketball and playing for us, it’s beneficial across the board. There are football players here who will help the basketball team and vice versa.

“That run they had a year ago in basketball has been so beneficial to us as a unit being that they have some championship mettle about them. They know the grind of the season and the level of competition that it takes to be a championship-level program. Those guys not only have been there and done that, but they’re imparting that on all our guys.”

CONVINCING

Brothers Stew and Drew Allen, who played football and basketball throughout their high school careers, helped encourage Hooker to strap on the pads this fall.

“I really like it. I didn’t think I’d come out again, but Drew and Stew talked me into it. It’s been really fun,” Hooker said. “I just do whatever I can to help the team win.”

Hooker coming out for the team convinced Richards to try it as well. Plus, Hooker, Richards and the Allens are all juniors. Levar Ware, a senior, plays both sports as well.

“I knew all the basketball guys were playing,” he said. “The tradition we have at New Castle with football, I just wanted to be able to run out here on a Friday night. I just wanted to have that experience. It’ll be a great experience with the team we have. We’re all hard workers and tough kids and people you want to play with, really.”

Add in junior Jake McPhatter, who grew up in New Castle but attended Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage the past two years. He stepped in at quarterback when Richards was hurt last week and completed 2 of 4 passes for 34 yards and a touchdown.

“When you look at that group of juniors with Malik, Anthony, Jake and the Allens, they have been playing together a long time,” Blundo said. “They can probably count on one hand the losses they’ve had in either sport.”

INJURIES A CONCERN

The increased physicality associated with football enhances the chance for injury. Richards found that out last Friday. In the second quarter, he sustained a broken rib, which punctured his lung. He returned to the field and finished out the game.

“We’re hopeful for his full recovery. His performance in that game was maybe one of the toughest things I’ve ever seen,” Cowart said. “You want to protect your guys and the doctors checked him out and he was cleared to play. That was quite a gutsy performance. He’ll certainly be missed.”

Richards is projected to be sidelined for eight weeks or about the rest of the regular football season.

“He’s the toughest kid I have ever coached. The coaches around the WPIAL said he may have been the toughest kid on any team in the WPIAL, in terms of basketball. That’s a big loss for them,” Blundo said. “Certainly, we’re praying for health and that’s for all our guys. They can get hurt playing basketball just like playing football. These guys are just competitors. They aren’t getting caught standing still. It’s just good seeing them out there on the football field.”

Richards, who should be fully healed well before basketball practice begins Nov. 16, doesn’t regret playing football. In fact, he’s looking forward to getting back on the field.

“Playing football, I never really thought about getting hurt because you can get hurt doing anything,” he said. “If I wasn’t playing football, I’d be working out every day for basketball and you’re just as likely to get hurt.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Even though the ’Canes move up to Class AAAA in basketball this season, they are considered one of the preseason championship favorites. Blundo is not worried that playing football will hinder the players’ preparation.

“Whatever time they lose, which isn’t much, they will make up quickly because of the type of kids they are. I hope I don’t see them until deep into November because that means they had a good (football) playoff run,” he said. “I think anytime you get a chance to play with the lights on, it’s good for you. The more times you play in a hostile environment and play in pressure situations regardless of the sport, it can only help you in terms of experience. These guys have been winning for a long time. And, guys like Malik have demonstrated they may have as much upside in football as they do in basketball.”

The players know they’ll be ready once it’s time to focus on basketball.

“It keeps me active. I like playing football. I have been playing since I was younger. I just want to help the New Castle program out. It’s fun playing both,” Drew Allen said. “It’s nice to see these other guys come out this year and help the team.”

Added Stew Allen: “Football gets us more into shape going into basketball season. I really like football. I like this team. I am glad more people came out this year. I am glad I have my basketball buddies here, too.”

Cowart’s been pleased with the players’ mentality.

“Those guys have been leaders since the day they stepped out here in the spring and summer. They certainly have taken the bull by the horns and run with it,” he said. “The competition they’ve seen in the basketball season has really rubbed off, as far as the leadership level they have in football. I always kid around with Coach Blundo that we have football players who are playing basketball and not the other way around.”