Naccaratos making Monessen history

A little history will be made at Monessen High School during the upcoming girls' basketball season.

For the first time, the school will have a father and daughter holding the top two coaching spots in a varsity sport.

In this case, however, the daughter, Gina Naccarato, will be the Lady Greyhounds' boss with her dad, Dennis, as first assistant.

Gina Naccarato, Monessen's and the WPIAL's all-time leading scorer with 3,364 points, was hired in March when Major Corley retired after 457 victories and 23 seasons.

She had been Corley's first assistant the past nine years.

The elder Naccarato -- who coached 14 years with Corley -- doesn't mind playing second fiddle to his daughter.

"I know who the boss is and I don't have a problem with it," he said. "It's her team. I grew up with Tuffy (Corley). And with Gina. We're all from the same mold."

Patrick Hall was added to the staff at this week's school board meeting, with Lee Johnson returning as a volunteer. Monessen also rehired the football and boys' basketball staffs.

Andy Pacak will start his fifth grid season, with Jamie Reader, Joe Salvino, Ramont Small, Andy Yartin and A.J. Teets helping out.

Salvino will enter his 25th year with the cagers, accompanied by Jim Stepoli and Cam Madison.

- Monessen's former heavyweight boxing champion, Michael Moorer, is no longer working as a trainer at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif.

Moorer was let go after complaints from two of Roach's top fighters, Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan.

Pacquiao wasn't happy with Moorer's behavior at training camp and didn't appreciate getting carried on Moorer's shoulders following a second round knockout victory over Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the IBO light welterweight title on HBO.

Besides being one of Moorer's former trainers, Roach has also worked with Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya.

- And thanks to Jim Stump, of Rostraver Township, who says it is unfortunate to have more dollars than sense!