PIHL Notebook: 2013-2014 Class A Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 21, 2013 | 1:56 PM

Welcome to another edition of “PIHL Notebook” as we continue our comprehensive preview of the 2013-14 high school hockey season. Today we take a look at the ten teams vying for the Class A championship.

One could make the argument to try a pair of five-team conferences this season instead of a four-section split which results in a pair of two-team races. Still, the competition for the four section titles should be fierce. Thomas Jefferson may have the most clear-cut shot at first place in Section 1 unless South Fayette or South Park can show significant improvements. In Section 2, it’s a fair question whether it matters who else plays with Quaker Valley and Mars, because those two programs are unlikely to allow anyone else a sniff right now. Section 3 has gone “All-Catholic” with Westmont Hilltop and Serra Catholic likely to duke it out, though we would love to see Bishop McCort finally get back on the winning track and make this a three-horse race. Deer Lakes has shown signs of improvement in recent memory, but still needs some work to compete with Freeport in Section 4.

(Teams listed in order of 2012-13 winning percentage)

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE

SECTION 1:

Thomas Jefferson Jaguars

2012-13 Record: 14-8-0, 28 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 138 GF, 95 GA, 229 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals

2012-13 Three Stars: Zach Uhlyar (30 G, 37 A); Brendan Mason (18 G, 21 A); Nick Ripepi (13-8-0, 4.34 GAA, 0.867 SV%, 2 SO)

South Fayette Lions

2012-13 Record: 5-16-1, 11 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 70 GF, 157 GA, 266 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Lost in First Round

2012-13 Three Stars: Ryan Schultz (25 G, 19 A); Joe Testa (25 G, 12 A); Levi Cornell (6 G, 8 A)

South Park Eagles

2012-13 Record: 5-17-0, 10 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 85 GF, 153 GA, 277 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Lost in First Round

2012-13 Three Stars: Billy Walker (22 G, 16 A); Ryan DeDomonicis (20 G, 9 A); Cam Sabatini (10 G, 11 A)

SECTION 2:

Quaker Valley Quakers

2012-13 Record: 22-0-0, 44 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 172 GF, 21 GA, 195 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Won Penguins Cup; Lost Pennsylvania Cup

2012-13 Three Stars: Jimmy Perkins (33 G, 26 A); Adam Pilewicz (25 G, 34 A); Parker Sherry (12-0-0, 1.04 GAA, 0.942 SV%, 5 SO)

Mars Planets

2012-13 Record: 17-3-1, 35 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 129 GF, 43 GA, 315 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Lost in Final

2012-13 Three Stars: Craig Mazzotta (22 G, 19 A); Nicholas Makozy (19 G, 19 A); Christian Knapp (12-1-1, 1.56 GAA, 0.932 SV%, 3 SO)

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE

SECTION 3:

Westmont Hilltop Hilltoppers

2012-13 Record: 14-7-1, 29 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 105 GF, 67 GA, 175 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Lost in Semifinals

2012-13 Three Stars: Brandon Leech (7 G, 21 A); Brian Yost (14 G, 12 A); Sebastian Ragno (9-7-1, 3.00 GAA, 0.883 SV%, 2 SO)

Serra Catholic Eagles

2012-13 Record: 11-11-0, 22 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 123 GF, 98 GA, 269 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals

2012-13 Three Stars: Nicholas Vacsulka (32 G, 26 A); Tyler Speis (29 G, 29 A); Roman Kraemer (25 G, 24 A)

Bishop McCort Crimson Crushers

2012-13 Record: 3-18-0, 6 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 67 GF, 183 GA, 272 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Did not qualify

2012-13 Three Stars: Connor Bunn (16 G, 14 A); Nathan James (16 G, 13 A); Ryan Siwy (10 G, 11 A)

SECTION 4:

Freeport Yellowjackets

2012-13 Record: 16-5-1, 33 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 122 GF, 64 GA, 346 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals

2012-13 Three Stars: Cole Hepler (22 G, 16 A); Gregory Newman (12 G, 23 A); Michael Frazetta (17 G, 13 A)

Deer Lakes Lancers

2012-13 Record: 8-13-1, 17 PTS

2012-13 Team Stats: 111 GF, 125 GA, 162 PIM

2012-13 Playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals

2012-13 Three Stars: Zach Luniewski (21 G, 23 A); Mitch Rupprecht (21 G, 17 A); Thomas Lisowski (24 G, 13 A)

This completes the hat trick on our PIHL season preview, but we have one more left in us, especially since next Monday marks the beginning of the season. So, check back next week for a look inside the Open Class. Your home for the 2014 Penguins Cup Playoffs is the MSA Sports Network!