Frost Heaves update Part 2: Coach edition

I heard back from the only two head coaches the Vermont Frost Heaves have ever had in their four-year existence, and both appear very busy basketball-wise. Also, I hear recent Frost Heaves Bobby Shedd and Ross Demasi are in town to help coach Joe Salerno with a basketball camp at the Barre Auditorium this week...

Will Voigt: "Still in Bakersfield (Calif.), just got back from Washington, D.C. where the D-League had their national try out camp. I connected with JB (John Bryant) while I was there. He is doing well. He played for a friend of mine in Germany's top division and has an offer to come back. Will be on the road most of July scouting players at the NBA summer leagues."

Joe Salerno: "...Spending a lot of time with the family, getting out on the golf course when I can, and still spending a lot of time in gyms! My Lone Wolf travel team is having a good season thus far, which includes a 16U Vermont State AAU title we won at UVM back in May. We are heading out for one of our last trips a little over a week from now, which is a four-day trip to Springfield, Mass., to play in the Basketball National Invitational at the Hall of Fame, and then from there we head to Hamden, Conn., where we will play in the Super 16 Showcase at Quinnipiac. I also have the first Joe Salerno's Granite City Hoop Camp this week at the Barre Aud, and will be speaking at a few other camps this summer including Jack Carrier's in Williamstown, and the Lone Wolf Elite 75 Showcase at St. Mike's in August."

Who says there's an off-season?

-Anna Grearson

First Annual Pete Hartt Classic in Stowe on Friday...

It still seems strange to me that Pete has been gone for just shy of a year-and-a-half. Crazy. He is still missed so much not only by our staff here at the Times Argus, but clearly by the community. And by community, I mean all of central Vermont.

Friday, June 18, is The Pete Hartt Classic - First Annual Basketball Downtown Jam in Stowe, the community closest to Pete's heart. There has already been a Pete Hartt Award given out at league banquets this past winter, and this basketball event is another way people are keeping my good friend's memory alive.

And for the record, those who knew Pete know he is fuming over the attention. But he loved it. Quick aside: Pete kept his birthday a well-hidden secret until everyone else in the newsroom's birthday was fussed over. We will certainly never forget July 17th and its significance now.

The event will take place at the Memorial Park Basketball Courts from 3-9 p.m. Friday evening and the proceeds benefit the Stowe School Sports programs. Those interested in participating are encouraged to bring a team or just themselves. There will be youth and adult competitions in foul shooting, 3-on-3 and 3-point shooting in addition to a free clinic for young players, an adult slam dunk competition and full-court pick-up sessions.

The event is sponsored by the Stowe Parks and Recreation department, 253-6138. The event can also be found on Facebook events, the Pete Hartt Classic. People can also contact Neil KOrn at 802-760-7679 or [email protected].

-Anna Grearson

Frost Heaves update, Part 1

I got curious as to what some of the former Frost Heaves were up to these days, especially those who haven't been back to Barre/Burlington in years. I know it's early in the signing process, namely for those going overseas next fall/winter, but some of the players are up to surprising things.

Here's a few of the responses I got from a few familiar faces:

Dokun Akingbade: "I played in Sweden this past year. I am currently unsigned for the upcoming year. I'll give you an update once I sign."

BJ Roberston: "...I'm good, keeping busy, coaching, working kids out, playing ball and working at Woodside. I'm trying to get out to play in Malaysia for the KBL, the Korean Basketball League, or back down to Alabama..."

Matt Hall: "I recently signed with an agent and am waiting to hear where he will get me in September. I am hoping to play in Spain..."

Kevin Mickens: "Everything's going well, and yes, I'm still playing. Right now I'm in South America playing in the Uruguay Metro League here. Only for three months, though. The basketball world has been really good though. No plans for next season, but I am taking a vacation after this, lol. Thanks for the shout..."

Al Stewart: "I've been good, enjoying my summer so far! I'm just playing in summer tournaments here right now! Nothing has come up as far as another team, so I'm just waiting! How's Vermont?"

Kelvin Parker: "Well right now, I have started my own lil organization called "KONTINUOUS PROGRESS," it's on Facebook also, where I'm conducting individual skills sessions with kids. I also work at various college basketball camps around the nation, Creighton U, Missouri U, Rockhurst U., and then I will be heading back to Europe for the fall season."

Ross DeMasi: "I'm living up in Alburg, Vermont, at my dad's camp on the lake. I work at my old high school, Missisquoi. No big summer plans really, just hanging out and having a good time. After the summer, maybe more basketball if the situation is right, otherwise I am looking for a P.E. teaching job."

Brett Gravitt: "I played in Japan with Dokun and Antonio (Burks), but I tore my ACL early in the season and haven't been able to get a contract offer since then. So now I'm in Atlanta trying to get a job with my degree (marketing)."

Bobby Shedd: "I am doing great. I'm currently working in Pittsburgh, Pa., doing some carpentry. I am about to start playing in a Pittsburgh Pro Am and am still searching for another opportunity to play pro basketball next season."

Thanks to all of these players for getting back to me so quick - I just sent out emails and Facebook messages a few days ago. There are still players I have not heard back from yet, so hopefully there will be another set of updates soon.

-Anna Grearson