Monessen's Nick Bolias will be in exclusive company this afternoon at Duquesne University's Palumbo Center in the WPIAL Class AA championship basketball game between the Greyhounds (22-2) and Greensburg Central Catholic (23-2).

He'll have the distinction of being the only starter on the floor to have played for both teams.

Bolias started his scholastic career as a freshman at the Greensburg school. He was the sixth man on the 2008 team that went 18-10, including playoff wins over Northgate and Washington before losing to eventual WPIAL Class AA finalist Beaver Falls, 57-49, at Ringgold in the quarterfinals.

One of the Centurions' victories was 63-52 at Monessen in the third game of the campaign, but Bolias never got in the contest.

Bolias, however, didn't stay a Centurion long.

After one year, he transferred to Monessen, where he was a three-year starter in both football and basketball.

He was a good enough defensive back on the gridiron to make the all-state team three straight years.

Despite getting more notoriety in football, Bolias would prefer playing basketball in college.

"He's a big part of our team,' said Monessen coach Joe Salvino, who doubles as a grid assistant. "He's one of our top defensive players, handles the ball well and penetrates."

On defense, Bolias will have the tough job of trying to contain the Centurions' 6-5 guard Jesse Reed, who's been averaging almost 25 points per game in the playoffs.

Even though Greensburg Central has been ranked No. 1 the entire season, Bolias is happy being a Greyhound.

"I don't regret leaving Greensburg," said Bolias, who's still good friends with Centurion senior starter Dave Nowicki.

No one has to tell second-year Greensburg Central coach Greg Bisigani about Bolias.

"I wish he was still wearing the maroon and white," said Bisigani, who served as the Centurions' team physician when Bolias was on the team.

"I can remember him beating my eighth grade team in the championship game when he played for St. Sebastian," recalled Bisigani.

"Coach was always nice to me," said Bolias. "When we couldn't use our gym we'd practice in his gym."

Who's the pick?

Jeannette was the only common opponent for the Greyhounds and Centurions.

Greensburg Central handed the Jayhawks their only two defeats in Section 4, 69-64 and 68-65, while Monessen had to erase a 60-55 deficit in the final 51 seconds in a thrilling 61-60 quarterfinal win.

Who does Jeannette coach Adrian Batts pick to win?

"If (Jaisen) Irwin was playing I picked Monessen because he's the difference maker," he said. "It seems like Monessen is playing its best now. They have so much depth and size which are key ingredients. How (Jesse) Reed handles Monessen's pressure and (Cam) Johnson staying out of foul trouble will be the key factors."

The last time

The last time Monessen played a championship game at the Palumbo Center, the Greyhounds were a 77-72 overtime winner over Duquesne in 2002.

Matt Dent led Monessen with 22 points while A.J. Jackson followed with 19 and Brandon Jackson 16, including four in overtime.

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