Former Keith basketball players attend reunion
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On June 3, forty people attended a get-together of former D.S. Keith Junior High basketball players from 1969-73. Twenty-five former players, coaches and managers along with several friends of Keith basketball attended the event held at the Altoona Grand Hotel.
Head Coach Tony Labriola's 1972-73 team defeated
Garfield Johnstown 50 years ago and won Keith's first InterCounty junior high basketball championship on March 2, 1973 (as featured in the Altoona Mirror Yesteryear on March 2, 2023).
Each of his four Keith teams had winning records and were represented at the event.
Coach Labriola spoke to the group briefly and several players took the microphone to reflect on their positive experience being part of the Keith team and specifically under Coach Labriola. He has been a longtime influence on Altoona area youth, not only by way of his coaching efforts (Bishop Guilfoyle -1967 state championship team with Bill Gaffey, Altoona Area High School with John Swogger, Keith and Mount Aloysius) and being the founder of the Mansion Park (now Lakemont) summer basketball league, but also by his longtime dedication and leadership as an educator -- teacher, principal, school district.