Grandpa's place is all right for Tippecanoe's Zawadzki

dayton daily news
By Mark Gokavi
January 17, 2006

Red Devils with ties to Vandalia help top Graham

VANDALIA | It sounded a little different when their last names echoed off the walls at the Student Activity Center. In fact, their last names are on the walls. Tippecanoe's Kellen Zawadzki and Robert Goldsberry have spent a lot of time in the building — just not in a real game. Zawadzki's grandfather, Ray, coached Butler's boys basketball team for about 35 years. His father, Raymond — now a Tipp assistant — played for and coached under Ray. A plaque at Butler commemorates the eldest coach's accomplishments. "It was the first time I'd ever played on this floor," Kellen Zawadzki said. "I've seen a lot of close, good games here. It's nice to come back and play in a gym where I grew up." Goldsberry's brother, John, set several Butler career records before going to North Carolina-Wilmington. Those marks are displayed outside the gym.

A few years ago, speculation involved the players going to Butler. "Kellen and I had been friends since we were kids," Goldsberry said. "He wanted to stay with all his friends and I had friends up there, too . . . I don't want to go anywhere." The Red Devils improved to 13-0 by defeating Graham 46-31 Monday in front of 2,200 at the Flyin' to the Hoop event. Graham fell to 6-7. Both teams struggled shooting — not rare for visitors at the SAC. Leading 19-14, Zawadzki hit two frees, blocked a shot and drained a 3-pointer. Minutes later, Goldsberry's three-point play put Tipp up 34-19. Graham's Myles Trempe scored nine points. Tippecanoe was led by Mike Porto and Zawadzki, who each had nine.

Tippecanoe coach Matt Pond said having the old Butler coach watching didn't cause nervousness. "He's around us a lot and really helps me quite a bit — maybe (it was) being in Grandpa's gym," Pond said. "I'm sure that was neat for Sr. and Ray Jr. as well." Ray Sr. was emotional and misty-eyed after watching his grandson (complete with Ray's flattop hairdo) and the brother of one of his best players. "It's kind of like a homecoming — me coming back and playing where my brother played," said Goldsberry, who added four points. "It was kind of fun. I was glad I could finally come and play at Vandalia."