by Frank Aceto

Associate Sports Editor

Akron — Tony Whitmer had every reason to celebrate.

And make no mistake about it, the veteran head coach was absolutely thrilled.

His Green Lady Bulldogs basketball team captured a Division I district title after posting a commanding 59-40 victory over Hudson March 6 at Ellet High School in Akron.

But Whitmer could feel the dismay on the other side. Some aspects of the blue-and-white colors still have a special place in his heart.

“The fact that we beat Hudson makes it a little less enjoyable,” Whitmer said.

For those of you who don’t know the story, Whitmer led the Lady Explorers during their glory years.

He guided Hudson to the state championship game in 2003 and led the Lady Explorers to a 143-39 record during his eight-year tenure as head coach.

Whitmer resigned after the 2003-04 season and eventually joined Green.

One year after Whitmer left, a familiar face became Hudson’s head coach.

That would be Dennis Lawler, who spent five years as Whitmer’s assistant.

“I’m happy for Tony,” Lawler said. “We talk every day and he’s my best friend.”

This was the second time the two coaches went against each other at Ellet.

Whitmer also got the better of his former assistant when Green eliminated the Lady Explorers by a 71-59 score in a 2006 sectional championship game.

The latest contest, however, had a lot more significance.

“Dennis was my varsity assistant at Hudson and he’s one of my best friends,” Whitmer said. “It’s good to see he’s got that program back in this position.”

While Green won the game, the atmosphere featured Hudson colors everywhere you looked.

The Lady Explorers junior varsity coach, Greg Gallagher, led the JV squad when Whitmer was in Hudson.

Whitmer also has a pretty close relationship with one of the Lady Explorer players. 

Senior guard Callie Drohan was Hudson’s ball girl during Whitmer’s tenure.

The orange-and black colors of the opponent featured a little bit of blue and white, too.

Two of Whitmer’s assistants are John Davison and Kevin Meneer.

Davison was Whitmer’s assistant at Hudson for a year when his daughter Kyle was a starter on the 2003 team.

Meneer is the father of former Lady Explorer standout Megan Meneer, who played for Whitmer when Hudson made appearances in the regional competition an annual event.

It doesn’t end there.

Former Lady Explorer stars Sarah Goldblatt and Casey McDowell, also former pupils of Whitmer, also caught up with their former high school coach.

“Sarah came all the way from North Carolina,” Whitmer said. “And Casey is like a daughter to me.”

So here’s the dilemma: Who do these former Hudson legends root for?

Do they cheer for their alma mater and former assistant coach or for their former head coach?

“You will have to ask them,” Whitmer said.

E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3914