10/17/2026
Interesting. What a project!
I am finishing up a book on the Waynesburg Mohawk basketball teams that went to the state tournament. The first was the 1934 team. In each chapter for the seven teams that advanced to state, I am ending with "The Rest of Their Story." Can you help me out by giving me any additional information on those I already know some facts about and/or giving me information about any of those team members for whom I have not been able to attain any data? Thanks in advance.
TEAM PHOTO
The 1934 Waynesburg Mohawk team, coached by Lester Emerson, was the first team to advance to the Ohio High School State Tournament. Team members were, front row from left, Art DelGratta, Kenneth Lewton, Bill “Soup” Barnes, Frank Walker, Herb Johnston, Jim Bankert, Carmen Mirto, manager; back row, Coach Emerson, Angelo Petracca, Moonie Cain, Harry Hahn, Donald Moore School Superintendent Russell A. Strasser.
THE REST OF THEIR STORIES
* Kenny Lewton graduated and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane Baum. He passed away in July 1984. For many years, he and his family farmed in the area.
* Harry “Buzz” Hahn graduated in 1935. He married Melba McClelland of Waynesburg, Ohio, and they had one daughter, Nancy. Buzz served as the Waynesburg postmaster for many years. He also served on the Sandy Valley Board of Education, when Waynesburg School was consolidated with Magnolia, East Sparta and Sandyville to form the new Sandy Valley Local School District in 1954. Although he died in January of 1989, Buzz is still remembered by many in the village as the friendly and helpful postmaster.
* James W. Bankert served as a navigator in World War II. He made a career of the service, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He moved to the Columbus area and served as a police officer.
* Art DelGratta, right out of high school, was offered a contract with a minor league baseball team. He took the bus to sign the contract, but turned around and came back, because he could not leave his high school sweetheart, Rose Confalone. They married and had three children: Nancy, Eugene, and Stanley. They lived in a brick house next to St. James Catholic Church, in Waynesburg. Ferd Pisani, who married Mary Confalone, Rose’s sister, lived next door. They had purchased land together. Art passed away in November of 1980.
