Emerson out as Aliquippa basketball coach; Pirates select South Fayette's Haviland

By Mike White | Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 10:30 p.m.

A boys' basketball coach with three WPIAL titles is out of a job.

The Aliquippa school board voted, 6-3, tonight to open Marvin Emerson's coaching position. It's a rather noteworthy move because Emerson won three WPIAL titles in his seven years as coach. Before becoming head coach, Emerson was an assistant under Mike Zmijanac for seven seasons. Emerson is an Aliquippa graduate.

It might seem ridiculous to open the position of a coach who has three WPIAL titles in seven years. It's not known right now why the board decided to open the position, but Aliquippa doesn't accept mediocrity in sports too well. Over the past three seasons, Aliquippa lost in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs twice and once in the quarterfinals. The Quips were 14-8 this past season and lost in the first round. Emerson made it to the WPIAL title game in each of his first four seasons.

Emerson talked last year of maybe giving up coaching, but decided against it. Emerson can reapply for his position.

Pirates pick Haviland

South Fayette's Dillon Haviliand was selected today in the 48th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Pirates.

Haviland was considered the top pitching prospect in the WPIAL this season and his coach, James Barton, had said in the middle of the season that he thought Haviland could be taken in the top 10 or 15 rounds. No such luck.

Either Haviland wasn't good enough to go that high or teams didn't feel like he would sign. Haviland already has signed to play at Duke. I say no way in the world a 48th-round pick passes up a Duke education and a chance to play in the ACC.

Also today, the Pirates took Cory McGinnis in the 44th round. He is a graduate of Hampton High School who was playing at Shelton State Community College in Alabama.