Former Whitehall star bringing his Florida team to the Stellar HS Boys tournament

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Former Whitehall High standout Tony Medina has built a successful program at Faith Christian Academy in Orlando. Last year his squad went 23-5 and Medina was named the Coach of the Year for 2A schools in Orlando.

Medina let me know that he's bringing his team to the Lehigh Valley July 11-14 for the 18th annual Stellar Construction "Catch A Rising Star" High School Basketball Showcase at Cedar Beach.

The tournament begins on Weds., July 10 with an all-girls showcase on the main courts. The boys take the court the following night. 64 teams will fill the field again. Freedom is the defending champ, having defeated Easton in last year's title game, which, unfortunately, had to be moved inside to Parkland High School because of heavy rain on the final day.

Medina has brought his team here before and enjoys the experience of being back home while also exposing his kids to a different type of basketball.

With the tournament now little more than a week away, here's a look at the past Stellar champs:

1996: Chambersburg (def. CCHS in finals)

1997: Glen Mills (def. CCHS in finals)

1998: Parkland (def. CCHS in finals)

1999: Dieruff (def. Liberty in finals)

2000: Parkland (def. Emmaus in finals)

2001: Archbishop Carroll (def. CCHS in finals)

2002: Harrisburg (def. Emmaus in finals)

2003: Trinity (def. Whitehall in finals)

2004: Harrisburg (def. CCHS in finals)

2005: CCHS (def. Chambersburg in finals)

2006: Glens Falls, N.Y. (def. Hazleton in finals)

2007: Parkland (def. Williamsport in finals)

2008: Harrisburg (def. Glen Mills in finals)

2009: Nazareth (def. Parkland in finals)

2010: Allen (def. Pocono Mountain West in finals)

2011: Chester (def. Emmaus in finals)

2012: Freedom (def. Easton in finals)