Joe Pete Basketball Alumni Tournament continues to evolve

Julia, left, and Abby Pete are among the people keeping up their dad, Joe Pete’s legacy, continue with Ashtabula County Basketball Alumni Tournament, which is scheduled to run from noon-5 p.m. Saturday at Jefferson High School.

By Michael Greco mgreco@starbeacon.com

The Joe ‘Pigskin’ Pete Ashtabula County high school basketball alumni tournament is back for another year.

This year’s event is scheduled to run from noon-5 p.m. Saturday at Jefferson High School.

There will once again be two divisions — 18-29 and over 30. Each game in the single-elimination tournament will consist of 15-minute running halves.

This year, there’s a couple of differences.

There were some conflicts filling out the number of teams, so players from Fairport and Painesville are expected to participate, and a women’s squad is scheduled to compete.

“That’s one of our long-term goals [to have a women’s division],” Abby Pete, Joe Pete’s daughter, said. “It’s a great first step. I’m grateful for the ladies for showing up and to fight for the championship.”

The tournament will also include points and fouls being recorded and Ohio High School Athletic Association officials will be present.

Two champions and two Most Valuable Players will be crowed at the tournament’s end.

Andy Juhola, one of the organizers of the event, is also glad to have a women’s team participate.

“Joe Pete was important in both boys and girls athletics in the county,” he said.

The Joe “Pigskin” Pete Scholarship was established in 2007 to help support Ashtabula County student-athletes as they continue their education and playing careers at the collegiate level.

Each county school is allowed to nominate up to two candidates each year, and students are also allowed to apply for scholarships through the website www.joepetescholarshipfoundation.com/scholarships.

Funds raised through the tournament directly impact high school student-athletes who are striving for excellence in their post-secondary endeavors.

Juhola said the organization has awarded 30 different senior student-athletes $1,000 each for a total of $30,000 over the past three years.

“We have a lot of help,” Juhola said. “Abby, Julia [Pete, Abby’s sister] and Holly [Bland], Craig Kolasinski, Olajuwon Cooper and my nephew, Greg [Juhola] are all vital. Things just seem to come together.”

Pete said Bland deserves the credit for implementing the website.

Edgewood graduate and former Malone University player Marcus Ernst is once again playing in the event.

“It is one of my favorite basketball events,” he said. “I play in every year. The Petes and everyone involved do such a great job making it a well-run event, and it’s always such a great time.”

Last year, an Edgewood team won the under-30 title, while a Lakeside squad captured the 30 and over championship.

“I look forward to playing with some old teammates and against some of my friends on other county teams,” Ernst said.

Juhola said a date for the event is picked in mid-January.

“We start the process in mid-February and reach out to the teams a couple of months before the tournament,” he said.

Pete said the goal is to keep moving the tournament forward.

“Aside from his family, my dad was about uplifting sports in the county,” she said. “It was his mission to carry on the legacy, and we’ve worked hard to get this and keep this going.

“We’re grateful to be able to carry this on. Andy has been the heartbeat of this organization.”

With the popularity of the basketball tournament, Pete said the organization is discussing expanding to include other sports.

“There’s been interest with softball and Pickle ball,” she said. “We want to find as many creative ways to raise as much money has we can.”

Juhola is pleased with those ideas.

“It makes sense to recognize seniors who play all sports,” he said. “Joe Pete liked all sports.”