Harrisburg Horizon - News

NEWS INFORMATION FROM
THE OFFICE OF
MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED

HARRISBURG HORIZON ANNOUNCE NEW HEAD COACH FOR 2008 SEASON

Harrisburg, PA - Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that the Harrisburg Horizon - the Harrisburg area's only professional men's basketball team - has a new head coach.

Reed said that Charlie Fortney, who starred on the first Harrisburg Horizon team in 1998, will coach the Horizon this year. Fortney is currently the director of Advanced Hoops, the

area's premiere basketball instructional school. He is also the director of the 3-Star Inner-city Basketball league.

Team Owner Dick Anzolut said, "We're delighted to welcome back Mr. Fortney as the

coach this year," describing him as "Mr. Basketball in our local area".

Reed said that both the Harrisburg Horizon and the Lady Horizon will return to Manny Weaver Gym this year for their 11^th season of  Eastern

Basketball Alliance (EBA) basketball and their second season of having home court in Harrisburg. Manny Weaver Gym is located in the Harrisburg School District's Rowland School located at 19^th  and Derry Streets.

Pictured from left to right:  Ryan Stonfer, Coach Charlie Fortney, Former All-Star Horizon Point Guard Gerald Jarmon, Barclay Fitzpatrick of Capital Blue Cross

Harrisburg Horizon President Dick Anzolut with Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed

Head Coach Fortney with Mayor Reed

Horizon Head Coach Charlie Fortney discusses team while Mayor Reed looks on

Horizon Head Coach,
Charlie Fortney

Last year, the Horizon won the EBA Championship for the sixth straight year. Similarly, the Lady Horizon won the WEBA Championship for the fourth consecutive year.

"We are pleased that the Harrisburg Horizon will soon kick off the 2008 EBA season with new head coach Charlie Fortney,'' said Mayor Reed. "Fortney has been a well-established figure in the sport for many years and we are honored that he has accepted the responsibilities associated with his new position."

"The Harrisburg Horizon and Lady Horizon are a special part of the plethora of sports and attractions in this City for residents and visitors alike and should be on everyone's agenda of things to see every year," said Reed.

Harrisburg is now also the home headquarters of the Eastern Basketball Alliance and is directed by Commissioner Julius McCoy. The EBA recently announced that three new men's teams will be playing in 2008, bringing the total number of teams in the EBA to eleven. New teams will be based out of Alexandria, VA, Baltimore, MD, and Bucks County, PA. Two new teams will also join the WEBA this year, including the Delaware Lady Wildcats and the Baltimore Starz.  Including these new additions, there are now a total of seven women's teams in the WEBA.

Mayor Reed said that the 2008 season involves a 22-game doubleheader schedule, with eight home games running from Saturday, January 5 , to Saturday, March 22.  League playoffs are scheduled at the Manny Weaver Gym for the weekend of March 29-30.

For more information on the Harrisburg Horizon or the Lady Horizon and for ticket information, call 986-0499 or visit www.harrisburghorizon.com.