Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette "Deuce" Skurcenski has been keeping statistics on high school sports for years, providing stats and scores to various media outlets, including the PG. Click photo for larger image.

If you're a fan of high school sports, no doubt you've seen Lawrence "Deuce" Skurcenski at a basketball or football game. He's the guy with black hair brushed back, hunched over at the scorer's table frantically scribbling numbers on a sheet of paper. He knows all the coaches -- from Chartiers Valley's Tim McConnell to Duke's Mike Krzyzewski. They greet him by name. Deuce, as he is known by everyone other than his longtime girlfriend, Linda, who calls him Larry, has been attending games the past half century and storing the stat sheets in his bedroom at his parents' home in North Braddock. He speaks in a colorful consciousness of cliches, referring to rebounds as "caroms," baskets as "cords," games as "frays" and penalties in football as "flag day." The Deuce-isms add to his charm. And legend. Some of his famous sayings are printed on the back of his calling card with his picture on the front under the name line "Deuce Skurcenski, Local Sports Legend:" "Not too shabby"... "Issue him a masonary [sic] license!"... "Give them smoking jackets"... "Aww, yeah!" The list is bottomless. Deuce, 63, spent some time with Phil Axelrod of the Post-Gazette between trips in his car to a high school game.

---

When did you start keeping stats at basketball games?

Deuce: I never played any ball but I've always had a fascination with numbers. I first kept stats for St. Joseph's Grade School in 1956-57. The numbers attracted me, sort of a fantasy for me, and continued to grow on me throughout the years. I didn't realize at 63 I'd be doing what I did back in grade school. I'm happy. I didn't have pushy parents. They understood my interests.

Were you involved in sports at high school?

Deuce: I graduated from North Braddock Scott in 1961 and was the football, basketball and baseball manager.

How and when did you get nicknamed Deuce?

Deuce: People knew my uncle Bob as Deuce and I inherited his nickname when I was about 13 years old.

How many basketball and football games have you been to, counting girls' and boys' varsity and junior varsity, college and professional?

Deuce: I keep track of them. In the 51 years I've been going to games, I've been to 8,664 basketball games and 2,913 football games.

How do you get to games throughout Western Pennsylvania?

Deuce: I drive. Since 1965 I've owned 10 cars. I'm driving a 2004 Ford Escort now. It's got over 30,000 miles on it.

Is the high cost of gas these days a problem?

Deuce: This year I'm a little leery and have tried to limit my driving in the area. You have to keep an eye on gas prices. I try to go to a top game when Woodland Hills isn't playing. They get my priority.

Why Woodland Hills?

Deuce: I've been the scorekeeper for their boys' basketball games for 11 years. Woodland Hills has to be my favorite team.

Of all the basketball games you've seen, can you pick one as your favorite?

Deuce: It was Thomas Jefferson at Clairton on the stage they used as a court. I probably will never see something like that again in my lifetime. Clairton scored 100 points and got smoked by 30. It was 130 to 100! I kept score. You have to remember the quarters were only eight minutes. Cliff Sumpter was Clairton's star. Rich Rosensteel was TJ's coach and Ernie Sherman was Clairton's coach.

What was your most memorable basketball game?

Deuce: It's got to be the quarterfinal game between Farrell and Uniontown at the Field House, March 17, 1988. People keep on reminding me of the faux pas I had. That game etched me in stone forever. I was the scorekeeper. Both teams wore light-colored uniforms and it was easy to mess up. In the early part of the second quarter I gave a basket to No. 30 of Farrell. It should have gone to Uniontown's No. 30, Dana Vaughns. I told them of the mistake but they didn't correct it. Farrell won the game in double overtime.

Quick, name the best high school basketball player and best high school football player you've seen?

Deuce: Kenny Durrett of Schenley, I have to go with him for basketball. Dan Marino was The Man at Central Catholic. Can't forget Tony Dorsett of Hopewell. OK. If I have to pick one, I'll say Dan Marino.

Best high school basketball teams?

Deuce: No question, 1965 Midland and 1967 Ambridge.

Favorite high school basketball coach?

Deuce: Eddie McCluskey at Farrell.

Why do you store all the stats you do at your house?

Deuce: Basically, I do it for me, for my personal interest. I keep abreast with what's happening down through the years. A lot of people say I'm probably the best individual in Western Pennsylvania as far as stats are concerned. Sometimes writers call me, but not often.

You don't get paid much for phoning in results and stats from games to various media outlets. What do you do for a living?

Deuce: I'm retired.

What are some of the jobs you've had?

Deuce: I worked at McDonald's, I delivered pizza, I was a material handler for WABCO in Wilmerding for nine years and I was manager of a tanning salon from 1990 until 2004.

Why do you prefer high school athletics to colleges and the pros?

Deuce: I like to view first-hand a kid's talent during his development years. In high school he's a raw, talented player who blossoms into a college player. I like to watch him in his formative years when you see the foundation, the fundamentals.