1977 – Joseph Jezerski

Playing as guard on defense and center at offense and averaging 16 point a game in the EAAD basketball tournaments were extraordinary and the best of all above, Joe was well-known as incredible rebounder.   Joe did not just jump, he flew to rebound the ball and he was only a six-footer who would never stay down, even with an injury and kept taller players away from the basket.   In his first EAAD tournament in 1956, Joe was a leader with most field goals (30) in three games.   A year later he topped all scorers with 59 points and 19 free throws made in the series including 11 in the championship, an EAAD record.   His best year was in 1958 when Joe scored 16 points as Beaver Valley knocked off the heavy-favored Pelicans, 74–65 in the EAAD finale.   Then his team upset the powerhouse Little Rock team in double overtime, 75–72, in the AAAD semi–final in Chicago as Joe scored a game–high 27 points including 11 crucial points in extra periods with an ankle injury received in the fourth period.   he hit a game–high 21 points in the next game as Beaver Valley won the national title and he received an all–start honor.   A five–time EAAD All–Star, Joe and his teams appeared in seven EAAD tournaments and all were in the finals, winning three.   He possessed 291 career EAAD points.   He was awarded the individual sportsmanship trophy in 1958 and 1960.   Joe was The Silent Worker All–American from West Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and he was selected one of 1950´s outstanding high school cagers by The Silent Worker magazine.