Geno Stone
Name: Geno Stone
Team: New Castle
Number: #2
Grade: 11
Height: 5' 11''
Weight: N/A
Position: G
By Andrew Koob
New Castle News

Versatility is key when it comes to donning the red and black of the New Castle High boys basketball team.

Players are expected to seamlessly be able to fill multiple needs on the court and ensure that the winning trend that the Red Hurricane has become so accustomed to continues.

No one on this season’s edition of ‘Canes basketball epitomizes those traits as much as Geno Stone.

Stone, a junior who scored a combined 29 points in two victories over Beaver Falls and Ellwood City last week, has been the definition of versatility for a ‘Canes team heading to the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs with a 21-1 record and the district’s top seed. He’s been able to play four positions for a squad that only has one steady contributor at or above 6 feet.

His versatility, along with his athletic ability and overall intelligence on the court, have not gone unnoticed to the New Castle coaching staff.

“The thing about Geno is, so many people talk about his athletic ability, but he doesn’t get enough credit for what a smart player he is,” New Castle coach Ralph Blundo said.

“He’s an intelligent kid, he can play all five positions and plays four of them on a regular basis. We do a lot of different things so he has to, offensively and defensively, know his job at four different positions. That’s not easy to do, but he’s been remarkable in that regard.”

Thanks to his adaptability on the court, Stone has become a glue guy as the ‘Canes have marched onto success this season.

“I feel like I bring the team energy and keep us going,” Stone said. “Every time someone makes a shot, I make sure I get them the ball so they can keep going and going. I feel like that’s been a big success for this team.”

That level of comfort comes with playing with the starting five of Micah Fulena, Marquel Hooker, Pat Minenok and Marcus Hooker for the past four seasons. That luxury helped New Castle to 21 straight wins and high hopes heading into the postseason.

“Our starting five has been playing together since I was in eighth grade between JV and the summer league,” Stone said. “We’ve always had a connection and we know where to go and we know how to play with each other. I think that’s a big part of our success.”

Stone, who is drawing interest from Division I football programs around the state, has thrived under the spotlight on both the football field and basketball court.

The success at both sports has proven to be an advantage for Stone, as the ‘Canes begin their pursuit of another WPIAL and state championship.

“Because Geno is such a good athlete, he’s played a lot of games with the lights on in both football and basketball,” Blundo said. “The more you can do that, the better player you’re going to be. He’s played in big games, he’s made big plays in big games. He’s certainly a winner.”

(Email: AKoob@ncnewsonline.com)
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