Lengthy layoff an obstacle for A-K Valley basketball teams

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | 9:57 PM

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There aren't many secrets left between the Highlands and Franklin Regional boys basketball teams.

The Section 3-5A co-champions will meet for the fourth time Friday in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.

Highlands was denied a trip to the WPIAL title game with its semifinal loss to the Panthers. But when Franklin Regional lost to Mars in the WPIAL final, the Golden Rams knew they would get one more crack at their rival.

“We didn't want it to unfold any other way,” Highlands head coach Tyler Stoczynski said. “We relish the fact we get another opportunity to play them and have the chance to advance if we play well.”

The Golden Rams and Panthers will play Friday at Fox Chapel, the site of their WPIAL semifinal contest.

Highlands is one of six Alle-Kiski Valley teams still alive with first-round games in the PIAA playoffs either Friday or Saturday.

All six — including the Fox Chapel, Valley, Springdale and Leechburg boys and the Leechburg girls — will have at least 10 days off between the WPIAL and PIAA tournaments.

Highlands has the least amount of time off at 10 days. Valley is back in action Friday after a 13-day break.

Fox Chapel returns to competition Saturday after 14 days, and for the Leechburg and Springdale boys and Leechburg girls, the wait will end after 15 days.

“All coaches get it. It's a long season for the kids, and between WPIALs and states, it can be a fine line between keeping their interest and focus high while trying to not overwhelm them,” said Springdale boys coach Seth Thompson, whose Dynamos kick off PIAA play in 2A with a game Saturday against District 10 champion West Middlesex.

Springdale ends one of the area's longest PIAA tournament droughts. The team will play a state playoff game for the first time since 1991.

“This is a new feeling for the guys,” Thompson said. “For a number of teams, preparing for a basketball game in March is a normal process. This is a really big deal for the program.”

All PIAA qualifiers that fell before the WPIAL semifinals had to wait to see if they would get a bid to states under the follow-the leader format.

Their quarterfinal opponents became rooting interests.

Highlands, with its advancement to the semifinals in 5A, was the only A-K Valley team which won its way into its PIAA tournament.

The Leechburg girls lost to 2A runner-up Chartiers-Houston in the quarterfinals and garnered the sixth seed. The Blue Devils will face District 10 champ West Middlesex on Friday at Slippery Rock University.

“After the loss, there wasn't much talk of the state tournament,” Blue Devils coach Joel Ceraso said. “There was disappointment of coming close but not being able to get past Chartiers-Houston. When they found out that Chartiers-Houston made it to the finals, and we got in, it picked up their spirits. We did a number of things to stay in shape last week. When we found out who we would be playing, the energy really started to pick up.”

The Blue Devils made history last year with the program's first-ever trip to states.

The senior-laden squad, Ceraso said, returns this year with the knowledge of how to manage that long transition from WPIALs. Last season, Leechburg also had to wait 15 days between its WPIAL quarterfinal loss and its PIAA first-round victory over District 9 champion Coudersport.

When the PIAA participants were finalized, coaches quickly networked to set up scrimmages. Fox Chapel coach Zach Skrinjar said his team's scrimmages, including time on the court with Highlands, were of great benefit.

“It's all about making sure the guys keep their edge and intensity,” Skrinjar said. “We wanted to stay competitive and fresh and give the guys some different looks.”

Fox Chapel will face Section 3 rival and WPIAL 6A champion Penn Hills for the third time Saturday. The teams, who finished tied for second in Section 3, will play at North Hills High School.

“We watched the (title) game, but I don't think it gave us any advantage,” Skrinjar said. “We played them twice in section and two times last year. The familiarity is there.”

Another area first-round matchup has Valley, the No. 6 team from WPIAL boys 4A, taking on District 10 Sharon on Friday at Slippery Rock University. The Leechburg boys, the No. 5 team from WPIAL 2A, will face District 10 runner-up Cambridge Springs on Saturday at Meadville High School.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.

Tags: Fox Chapel, Highlands, Leechburg, Springdale, Valley