STEELER BASKETBALL: A BUZZER-BEATER, WITH VIDEO

Once again, I decided to venture into the real world to cover a live event, the occasion being a Pittsburgh Steeler charity basketball game. If you'll remember, I also attended one of these last year, at Monessen High School, and it was a pretty neat experience, if for no other reason than to get an idea of how Najeh Davenport's athleticism would translate to another sport.

So last week, I again took a drive to Monessen, PA, to catch this year's edition of the game. As usual, you have no idea what to expect when you attend one of these games. Rarely do the Steelers tip their hand at who will be playing for their team on a given night. Everyone from Ben Roethlisberger to James Harrison has suited up in the past, but it's pretty much a total crapshoot.

Last year, the Steelers sent just six representatives to the Monessen game: Davenport, Max Starks, Anthony Madison, Arnold Harrison, and practice-squadders Jon Dekker and Gerran Walker. It was certainly charitable of those men to show up, but it was lacking the star power you think of when you hear the words "Pittsburgh Steelers". I know, I'm complaining about star power in a charity game. I'm a horrible person. Although I must admit, when Dekker got arrested right before the Super Bowl, I knew who he was because of this game. (And by the way, he was acquitted, so all's well that ends well).

This year, I was overwhelmed by a much-improved lineup: Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and local boy Charlie Batch were greeted with overwhelming approval by the crowd; the team was rounded out by a host of offensive linemen, including Trai Essex, Darnell Stapleton, Starks, and Willie Colon, plus Carey Davis, Ryan Mundy and Madison. If nothing else, these guys could form a wall around Batch and let him shoot threes as an offensive strategy. But that would be too easy.

On this evening, the Steelers would be facing a mix of Monessen faculty members and a few select local athletes. Headliners included former Philadelphia Eagle Jamie Reader, Cal U Vulcans sophomore Kelsey Williams (very impressive athlete, by the way), and the WNBA's Charel Allen, a Monessen grad.

From the opening tip, which Starks won with ease, it was obvious that the Steelers would have a game on their hands. They take basketball very seriously in Monessen, as those roughly 900 PIAA, WPIAL, and conference championship banners would confirm.

Minutes in, and I get a Santonio close-up at my half-court seat. Much like the Super Bowl, he also kept his feet in bounds on this play.

Play was about as intense as you could expect for a bunch of pro athletes that don't want to get hurt and a random collection of teachers with a few ringers sprinkled in. Offensively, the Steelers were certainly liberal with the three-point attempts. Was this a strategy devised by Bruce Arians?
We make it to halftime, and you know what that means: free autographs, the two favorite words in the American vocabulary. Lines formed quickly, although Santonio would probably still be signing without the aid of a clock that limited the duration of the signing session.

For as chaotic as such an opportunity could be, it was actually a well-controlled halftime. Nearly every kid who wanted an autograph got one, with the exception of a few who were shut out on Santonio. But make no doubt about it, the young people in attendance were thrilled with their brushes with greatness.

Everyone found their seats, play resumed, and it was tight. The Steelers' collective sphincters were shrinking. Was there a chance that a group of pro athletes could drop a game to a group of (mostly) amateurs?
We entered the final minute of play, and the game is neck-and-neck. At this point, I pulled out the old Blackberry and tried to capture some video (albeit grainy) of the last few seconds. If I can set up this clip: tie game, crowd is going absolutely bonkers. To imply that this had any more importance than it actually had would be ridiculous, but from the atmosphere, you would think it was the last 30 seconds of a Final Four game.

Monessen takes possession, goes the length of the floor, and misses a shot. The Steelers grab the rebound and score a quick basket, taking a two-point lead. One problem: much like in the Super Bowl, they scored too fast and left too much time on the clock. Cal's Kelsey Williams subsequently drives in for the game-tying basket, the final buzzer sounds, and the place absolutely erupts. Unfortunately, they ended the game in a tie. But as charity basketball games involving NFL players go, this would have to rank as an "Instant Classic" nonetheless.

The Steeler hoop squad has a few games coming up soon, including this Wednesday the 29th at Ringgold HS (8 PM) and at Upper St. Clair HS on May 1st at 7 PM. If you're in the area and have a few hours, stop by. You might just see a Super Bowl MVP. And you'll be helping a good cause.

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.

MONDESI FIELD TRIP: STEELER BASKETBALL

Last month's Mondesi's House Survey unearthed the revelation that you want to see me cover more events in-person. Well, one day in the future, a Pittsburgh team is going to follow the lead of other big-time sports franchises and allow bloggers access to cover games in-person. Until then, you'll have to settle for some random recaps of various Western Pennsylvania happenings, such as the MLB Fanfest, a Penguins practice, and the Steelers vs. Monessen HS faculty basketball game I attended last night.

A lot of people give the Steelers grief, saying that they don't do enough for the community. While I've always disagreed with that line of thinking anyway, I had an up-close-and-personal experience last night, as I was literally sitting in the first row at midcourt. Sure, I paid $500 for the tickets from a scalper, but it was well worth it (actually, the tickets were a very reasonable $7, with all proceeds going towards the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life; I kid, I kid).

I've never attended a Steeler basketball game, so let me try and give you a feel of exactly what the experience is like (by the way, you can click on the image for a larger view):

Roadside Ribs was set up with a barbecue in the parking lot, also to benefit charity. Unfortunately, I'd already eaten a gourmet dinner of tacos and more tacos, so there was no room to be had in my stomach.

The barbecue sauce featured was...BIG BEN'S (what, you were expecting Open Pit?) Referees included Monessen High legend Jeff Gagatko (left) and Mark Mizerak (right). They officiated the game as if it were Game 7 of the NBA Finals, much to Najeh Davenport's dismay. Believe it or not, Davenport was actually called for a lane violation on a free throw.

Monessen sported quite the deep roster, which included former Philadelphia Eagle Jamie Reader.

The Steelers didn't do much warming up beyond the predictable stretches. That's Arnold Harrison on the left, showing his flexibility. By the way, they chose Jay-Z's Bring Em Out as their entrance song, if any of you care. It's point guard Anthony Madison, who will never be confused with Steve Nash after he literally dropped the ball and accidentally kicked it out of bounds on two early posessions. The Steelers brought six guys: RB Najeh Davenport, OL Max Starks, LB Arnold Harrison, CB Anthony Madison, and practice-squadders TE Jon Dekker (88) and WR Gerran Walker (21). Rumors of a Roethlisberger appearance turned out to be just that, although Large Ben did send an autographed football used as a raffle prize.

Harrison steps to the line for two of his 18 points. How do I know he had 18 points? Because my dad kept a running total of the points scored at a Steeler charity game. What can I say? Nerdiness just runs in the family.

After one quarter, it's Steelers 23, Monessen 11. What was the line on this one?

We're at halftime, and the Steelers are cruising, 48-24. Autograph tables are set up around the gym for kids (and a few adults) to collect free autographs.
Ever wonder what a guy who gets tendered for $7 million looks like up close? Bigger than you could ever imagine.

I've never heard of Dekker before, but he was pretty quick on the floor and finished with 14 points. He has a definite love affair with the three-pointer. Unfortunately, he's behind the two-headed monster of Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth, so I don't expect to see much of him on the footbal field anytime soon. And to answer your next question, no, I don't know what that kid's going to do with a hat signed on the underside of the bill. The autograph line for Davenport and Harrison, or as I call it, "controlled chaos".

"Yes, I will sign your back."

"Yes, I will also sign your back."

Davenport (right) was surprisingly charismatic and the definitive fan favorite by game's end. Harrison also had a great attitude, if I do say so myself.

When you're going against 6'8", 337-pound Starks, there's bound to be a few size mismatches, as illustrated above.

A close-up of Dekker about 5 inches from my seat. His elbow nearly hit my head on the inbounds.

Back to the game: Monessen wins the third quarter by a 20-15 count and goes into the fourth down 63-44. It's going to take a miracle, but it helps when you have guys who run faster than the speed of light.

In-between periods, the black and gold provided a nice photo op for some young Steeler fans.

And we've got a game! 77-71 with just 23 seconds to go! The rally was kicked off when Monessen brought in secret weapon/prep star Josh Arnold (right), who I later found out might be a West Virginia Mountaineer in the near future. Arnold had four dunks down the stretch and looked every bit as smooth as his 32.8 PPG average would indicate.

So as soon as Harrison found out that my dad was keeping score, he was constantly asking for updates on how many he had. While he didn't reach his goal of 20, his 18 were a game-high.

Surprised by the tight score? I'm not. Monessen has a rich basketball tradition for both boys and girls. In fact, they actually have the top two girls' scorers in WPIAL history, Gina Naccarato (3364) and Charel Allen (3110), who was just chosen by the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA.In true Steeler fashion, Najeh held the ball four the last few seconds, clinching a Steeler victory, 77-73. The totals: Harrison (18), Dekker (14), Starks (14), Walker (12), Madison (11) and Davenport (8). Luckily, I drafted Harrison in my Fantasy Steeler Charity Basketball League last week.

Conclusions? For $7, you get entertainment, autographs, an up-close experience with some Steelers, and it's all in the name of charity. The players are relaxed and it's a fun environment. I'm dumbfounded by the fact that these games aren't better publicized, but in actuality you couldn't fit many more people into the gym. This experience gets high marks.

I don't have a schedule of upcoming games, but I do know that the Steelers will be appearing May 9 at Belle Vernon High School to benefit a scholarship in honor of three former Belle Vernon athletes between the ages of 22-28 who all passed away in the past five years. So hop in your car, take a trip to the Mon Valley, and enjoy the experience. Who knows? You might get to meet a certain Super Bowl Champion quarterback.