by Aubrey Bruce
For New Pittsburgh Courier

“Big” Ben Roethlisberger is traveling on a life road filled with some serious potholes and untimely speed bumps. The speedway leading to Latrobe, Pa. seems to be getting more treacherous by the moment. Unless you are living in parts unknown like Mesopotamia or Redjacket, WV, you should be aware of his current dilemma. Mr Roethlisberger is again being accused of sexual misconduct. Whether he is guilty or innocent or whether he wins or loses, the court battles before him are not the only conflict he is facing. After all the legal questions have been settled and the smoke has cleared from the courtrooms, there is a distinct possibility that his clean-cut image may be irreparably damaged. How many pink No. 7 Steelers shirts will we see the Steelers Nation female fan base sporting over at Heinz Field and venues beyond in light of these latest allegations?

The Gateway boys basketball team was flying high a week ago after finally earning its first trip to the WPIAL championship in school history. That moment of excitement was replaced with a dose of reality after experiencing a heartbreaking 57-51 loss to Mt. Lebanon in the Class AAAA final last Saturday night at the Palumbo Center. Evan Pierce, a Wagner recruit, led Mt. Lebanon with 21 points all in the second half.

With the Gators carrying as many as five Division I prospects on their roster, the sky is truly the limit for this bunch.

EVAN PIERCE from Mt. Lebanon holds off Gateway’s Anthony Smallwood Keel as he drives to the hoop. Pierce scored 21 points to lead the Blue Devils to a 57-51 win over the Gators.

by Antonio Gonzalez
Associated Press Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—The disparity in graduation rates for White and Black players on NCAA tournament-bound men’s basketball teams grew this year, according to a study recently released.

The annual report by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida found 45 teams graduated 70 percent or more of their White players, up from 33 teams last year. But only 20 teams graduated at least 70 percent of their Black players, the same as last year.

Justin Dobbs came off the bench to score 17 points to lead the Allderdice Dragons to a surprisingly easy 57-40 victory over the Oliver Bears to win their first City League championship since 1988.

ALLDERDICE BOYS CELEBRATE CITY LEAGUE TITLE

The two teams had gone a combined 75 years without winning a basketball championship, which has been dominated in previous years by Schenley.

After trailing 21-20 at halftime, the Dragons took charge in the third quarter behind the brilliant play of the young sophomore who had nine of his 17 points in that quarter. A 12-0 burst pretty much sealed the game as Oliver went ice cold.