Congratulations to Summer McNulty on scoring her 1,000th point for the Loyalsock Lady Lancers. Summer’s brother Chase and my son Hunter are good friends and graduated in the same class. They played a lot of baseball together, both for the school and travel teams.

Summer was the little sister that had to tag along to all the events, most of the time bored out of her mind. Summer would often go out with a group of us shopping at the nearest mall, to grab a bite to eat, or just find things to do to kill time. She even helped me with my fashion style.

It has been my pleasure to watch this little girl — who was knee-high to a grasshopper — grow into this amazing young lady and athlete. Did I mention Summer is only a junior? You go get ’em, Summer. Keep shooting and swinging for the stars.

It is also my pleasure to sit to the right of play by play man Paul Bo and provide the color commentary for local high school hoop action. The games can be viewed live at webbweekly.com and on Facebook. They are then archived to be watched at the viewer’s convenience.

During my travels, while doing games, I’m often asked the question, who’s the best basketball player to have ever laced them up in the West Branch Valley? I quickly respond like a good crossover dribble by Hall-of-Famer Allen Iverson and always catch people leaning the wrong way. See they’re waiting for me to answer Alize Johnson, Chevy Troutman, or one of the great names from our rich history of boys’ basketball past.

My answer to the question is Kelly Mazzante. This, like Iverson’s crossover, takes things in a different direction. After a split second of thought and surprise, the person I’m speaking with then smiles or nods in agreement. The conversation then switches to Kelly’s great accomplishments. Of course, it goes full circle back to the men’s side of the ball, but that’s a conversation for another day.

Kelly is Montoursville’s all-time leading scorer with 3,219 points. She was a PA State Player of the Year and a was a three-time All-State selection. She then continued her academic and basketball careers at Penn State University, where she scored 2,919 points. This not only made her the all-time Nittany Lion leading scorer but also the Big Ten Conference all-time scoring champ. After finishing her days in Happy Valley, Kelly was drafted by Charlotte in the WNBA. She played seven years in the WNBA and won two championships while playing for the Phoenix Mercury.

Kelly has now moved her love of the game from player to coach, which is a perfect fit for the young lady who is even a better person and teacher than she is a basketball player. And that’s saying something!

After a five-year stint at IUP as an assistant coach, during which the team reached two Division II Final Fours. Kelly is now on the sideline as an assistant for Bucknell. And this is where my article crosses over and really becomes a lot of fun.

With an assist from Kelly and her family, Webb Weekly would love to take six middle school-aged young ladies to the February 19th Holy Cross at Bucknell woman’s basketball game. The game tips off at 6:00 p.m. Transportation, dinner, and some time with Coach Kelly will be provided. Of course, along with some great Division I basketball action. They will be leaving my office parking lot at 3:30.

Long-time Williamsport educator, coach, and trainer of local athletes Mary Louise Mazzante, will be chaperoning. She also just happens to be Kelly’s aunt. She is an amazing person that I have trusted with my sons over the years. She is the perfect person for the job.

So, just how do you get to become one of the special young ladies selected to watch a ball game and spend some time with Coach Kelly and the Lady Bison? Simple, just fill out the entry form below and mail it in or drop it off at the Webb Weekly office. You can also go online at and register at webbweekly.com.

If selected through a random drawing, there will be a consent form that needs signed off on by a parent or guardian. Webb Weekly will purchase the tickets, provide the trip and meal, and follow all NCAA rules and requirements.

So, if you know a young lady that loves basketball, please share this opportunity with her.

Tip of my Webb Weekly cap to Kelly for being the wonderful young person she is and always giving back to the community. For more information, you can go to Webbweekly.com or give me a call at 570-337-0755.

God Bless America.