Russell Kelley
Russell Kelley was one of the top basketball players developed at West Middlesex High School, who went on to a brilliant college career.
For the Big Reds, he lettered all four years from 1987-91.
He was All-Mercer County honorable mention as a sophomore, then earned 2nd team his junior year. As a senior, he was named Most Valuable Player in the Mercer County Athletic Conference and garnered Third Team All-State laurels.
He was selected to play in the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic in Pittsburgh and played on the winning team in the prestigious AAU Hoyle Tournament in Sharon in 1991.
Russell was honored as Student-Athlete of the Week his senior year and finished his hoop career with a total of 1267 points. That included 495 his final season.
He earned a scholarship at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was a four-year letter winner for the Indians. Two of his squads won PSAC titles as well as being nationally ranked. His senior year at IUP, the team went 29-2 and won its second consecutive regional championship. They went on to play in the NCAA Division II version of March Madness.
Upon graduation, Russell stayed active in the sport and was an assistant coach to Gary Revale at Sharon High School.