Calhoun’s contributions kept
Union’s season going strong


By JOHN D’ABRUZZO
jd’abruzzo@ncnewsonline.com

Losing just wasn’t an option for Donte Calhoun.

The 6-foot-1 forward came off the bench and delivered a stellar performance for the Union High boys basketball during Friday’s WPIAL Class A quarterfinal win over Lincoln Park.

The contest was tight from start to finish and when the Leopards made a run, it was Calhoun who kept the Scotties in the mix.

As the clock dwindled to the final seconds, Calhoun made a show-stopping steal and pass to Jordan Clingensmith to seal the 56-54 victory that put Union in the semifinals.

“I just kept thinking how I did not want to lose that game,” the soft-spoken Calhoun said.

Calhoun’s double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds supported Clingensmith’s 20-point effort.

For his performance, Calhoun is Lawrence County’s Athlete of the Week, as selected by The New Castle News sports staff. The award is sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy.

“There’s probably not a better athlete on the team,” Scotties coach Dave Smialowski said. “In all my years here, I have never seen a player get off the floor quicker. He brings so much energy off the bench.”

A junior transfer from New Castle, Calhoun has been a key addition for Union, averaging 5.6 points.

“He’s been important all year,” Smialowski said. “He had to get used to our offense and our defense and what we needed out of him. He’s been a pleasant surprise. He’s played hard and done things right.

“I don’t know where we’d be without Donte. He’s been big for us in so many games.”

Calhoun has adjusted to his role.

“It can be tough when we’re losing and you have to come off the bench,” Calhoun said. “I enjoy coming off the bench, but at the same time I don’t like being on the bench when we’re losing.”

Still, Calhoun brings much more than another body into the game.

“There’s that energy at the start of the game and then you hit a wall, and when you bring him in it’s energy to the max,” Smialowski said. “I always tell Donte every rebound is his and to go get it. The thing with him is he finishes, so he brings a lot to the table.”

Smialowski told Calhoun to get the in-bound pass in the closing seconds against Lincoln Park.

“He went over the ball and just tipped it,” Smialowski said. “He tipped it straight up and it came back to him. He had the sense to look under the hoop. If he didn’t do that, we would have probably been in overtime. That won the game, no question.”

Calhoun, however, initially had other plans.

“I wanted to shoot, but I saw (Clingensmith) out of the corner of my eye so I threw it to him,” Calhoun said.

It was a decision that kept the Scotties’ season going strong.