Basketball
Monessen Cold, BF’s Jeter Hot in Second Half as Tigers Take Boys AA Title
March 3, 2012
Something happened to Monessen in route to a second straight WPIAL Boys AA championship. They forgot how to put the basketball into that pesky cylinder thing. OK, perhaps the Beaver Falls defense had something to do with the wall the Greyhounds hit on offense in the second half as the Tigers cruised to a 46-27 victory Saturday afternoon at the A.J. Palumbo Center at Duquesne University. After a Chavas Rawlins bucket in the first minute for Monessen tied the game at 20-20, Beaver Falls went on a 14-0 run that put them in control for good. The Tigers outscored the defending champion Greyhounds 26-9 in the second half to secure their eighth WPIAL basketball championship. A back-and-forth first quarter ended with Beaver Falls leading 10-9 as the tone was set early with a mix of great defense and shaky shooting.Vincentian Academy Comes Back to Oust North Catholic As Class A Girls Champs
The Vincentian Academy Royals saved their best for last, taking their first lead with 55 seconds remaining as the Royals take the rubber game of the series with the North Catholic Trojanettes by a 54-50 score in the Girls Class A championship game at the A.J. Palumbo Center. It’s the fourth title for the Royals, who also defeated North Catholic to win the 2010 title.North Catholic led 44-34 early in the fourth quarter, but Laura Primyon took over the show, hitting a three from the right corner, followed by a three from the left corner and a right wing three with 3:04 remaining, cut the lead to five at 48-43.MSA Sports Championship Saturday Blog
BOYS AAAA- PITTSBURGH CENTRAL CATHOLIC VIKINGS vs GATEWAY GATORSGATORS REPEAT !! Final score 49-39. Central out scores them 17-8 in the 4th quarter but its not enough. The Gateway Gators are your 2012 WPIAL AAAA champion.Harris at the line again, he hits 2-2 and its 49-37. Both coaches empty the bench as the starters leave to applause.Central with a basket but forced to foul Harris makes two free throws and its 47-37 Gators with 16.9 left in the game. Looks lilke a repeat for Gateway.New Castle’s 8th WPIAL Championship is Perfect As Canes Sweep Past Hampton
March 2, 2012
It was a packed house at the AJ Palumbo Center as fans filled the stands to catch a glimpse of the highly touted New Castle Red Hurricane, as they battled the Hampton Talbots for WPIAL Class AAA gold. The Talbots kept pace with the Red Hurricane throughout the first quarter, trailing New Castle 14-10 at the end of the period. New Castle began to flex its muscles in the second quarter, however, extending the lead to 26-14 with 3:15 to go. The Red Hurricane stepped up their full court pressure defense, causing the Talbots continued struggles offensively. Ryan Luther hit a three pointer with 1:20 to go, ending a two minute scoring drought for the Talbots. New Castle spent the remaining minute of the quarter taking seconds off the clock, until Shawn Anderson converted a layup with five seconds to go.Mount Lebanon: Back On Top as Queens of the Girls AAAA Mountain
A year ago, heavily favored Mount Lebanon was stunned in the WPIAL Girls AAAA title game by Shaler, keeping them from a third straight district crown. Friday evening, it was the Blue Devils doing the stunning as they handed top-seed Oakland Catholic only their second loss of the season in a 58-49 victory at the A.J. Palumbo Center at Duquesne University. It looked like it would be an easy night for Mount Lebanon as they scored 13 of the games first 15 points en route to a 20-6 score after one quarter. With the exception of Bobbi Baker starting to heat up for the Eagles, the second quarter was much of the same for Oakland Catholic as they struggled from the field and had trouble against the taller Blue Devils. A late Eagles bucket by Rachel Vigliotti cut the deficit to 32-21 at halftime.Lincoln Park Finally Strikes Gold in Winning WPIAL Boys Class A
The Lincoln Park Leopards claimed their first WPIAL Boys Class A championships with a 74-57 victory over the Cornell Raiders at the A.J. Palumbo Center. Ryan Hosack scored 27 points to lead the Leopards, Devontae Watson added a triple double with 17 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocked shots before fouling out with 3:01 remaining.Cornell actually led 4-0, but Lincoln Park scored the next eleven points, grabbing a 17-10 lead after one quarter. Hosack helped the Leopards pull away in the second, he scored 16 points in the half, while Watson controlled the glass and swatted away several shots. Lincoln Park actually led 34-16, a three by Dustin Goins helped Cornell cut the lead to 34-23 at the break.Seton-LaSalle Perfect in Winning Second Straight WPIAL Girls AA Crown
Seton-LaSalle discovered that #13 is a lucky number. The Rebels outlasted section rival Bishop Canevin 73-60 Friday afternoon to capture their second consecutive WPIAL girls Class AA championship and become the 13th girl’s school to win a district title with a perfect record as Seton-LaSalle picked up their 25th win in 25 games. In the third meeting between these Section 5 teams, Bishop Canevin actually jumped out to a 7-3 first quarter lead before Natalie Piaggesi hit three field goals in an 8-0 run for the Rebels that put Seton-LaSalle up 11-7. The Crusaders tied the game at 11-11 before the Rebels scored 10 of the final 13 points in the quarter and claimed a 21-14 lead after one. The second quarter was back and forth as the lead for Seton-LaSalle was never more than eleven points, but was never fewer than seven points as the Rebels led the Crusaders at the break 38-27.MSA Sports Championship Friday Blog
While you are listening to the game on the MSA Sports Network, be sure to follow along with the Championship Blog. All four games with up to date information right here:THAT'LL DO IT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY BLOG. THREE #1-SEEDS WON AND A #2 SEED. WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY BLOG AT 3 PM, 5PM, 7PM AND 9PM. CONGRATS TO SETON-LaSALLE, LINCOLN PARK, MOUNT LEBANON AND NEW CASTLE.BOYS AAA: NEW CASTLE vs HAMPTONNew Castle scored about 24 points less than they do on average, had their lowest scoring output of the season, BUT had their 5th-best defensive showing of the season. It is deafening in AJ Palumbo everyone from NC has stuck around to watch the trophy be raised. Congrats to the Red Hurricane, 26-0!FINAL SCORE: NEW CASTLE-57, HAMPTON-44Hampton fans are heading for the gates. 1:17 to go, New Castle by 13.2012 WPIAL Boys Basketball Championship Previews
For the WPIAL boys basketball championships this weekend, the theme might be: “Weren’t you just here?” Three of the eight finalists at Duquesne University’s Palumbo Center were in the title games a year ago – Gateway in Class AAAA, Monessen in Class AA and Lincoln Park in Class A. Lincoln Park has actually been in the title game the past two seasons. Here is a look at the title games. CLASS AAAA The game: Gateway (19-6) vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (15-10), Saturday at 9 p.m. The statistics: Central Catholic senior guard Lincoln Davis averages 20.2 points a game while senior guard Tyler Scott leads Gateway at 16.5 points a game. … Central Catholic has held three playoff opponents below 50 points. Gateway has scored 60 or more in three playoff games.2012 WPIAL Girls Basketball Championship Previews
Rematch is a popular word for the WPIAL girls basketball championships this weekend. Three of the four title games are between teams that already have played this year – South Park vs. Blackhawk, Seton-LaSalle vs. Bishop Canevin and North Catholic vs. Vincentian. Seton-LaSalle-Bishop Canevin and North Catholic-Vincentian are from the same sections. The only game that is not a rematch is Oakland Catholic vs. Mount Lebanon. All four championship games will be played at Duquesne University’s Palumbo Center. Here is a look at the four championship games:WPIAL Basketball Teams That Have Qualified for PIAA Basketball Playoffs
March 1, 2012
The 2012 WPIAL Boys and Girls Basketball Playoffs conclude this weekend with eight championship games at the A.J. Palumbo Center at Duquesne University. Starting next week, 46 district teams hop on the Highway to Happy Valley with the start of the PIAA Boys and Girls Basketball state playoffs. Here are the teams that have qualified for the 'second chance' at gold and their seeding for those classifications that have played their title game.WPIAL BOYS AAAA PIAA QUALIFIERS - 5:Gateway GatorsPittsburgh Central Catholic VikingsButler Golden TornadoShaler Titans(If Gateway wins - Seneca Valley is in) (If Pgh Central Catholic wins - Peters Township is in)WPIAL BOYS AAA PIAA QUALIFIERS - 6:#1 - New Castle Red Hurricane
WPIAL Basketball Playoff Recaps for Wednesday, February 29th
February 29, 2012
February 29th. Leap Year. It happens once every four years. Semifinals Wednesday in the WPIAL Basketball Playoffs. It happens once a year. This edition saw the first top seed fall, two defending boys champs return to the finals and two more sets of girls top seeds advancing to title weekend, setting up four #1 vs #2 girls championship games. Here are the recaps from Semifinals Wednesday in Boys AAAA, Boys AA, Girls AAA and Girls A in the final stop on the Battle to the Bluff.a special THANKS to Johnny Lee, Glenn Thompson, Ken Laird, Bob Barrickman, Jim Frederick, Matt Vandriak, Josh Rowntree and Bob Gregg for their help on these recaps.WPIAL CLASS AAAA Semifinals:2012 WPIAL BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS – FINALS NOW SET
It took until the final game of the Semifinals, but finally a top-seed has fallen. Shaler becomes the only #1 seed in all eight tournaments to not make it to the Palumbo Center. Meanwhile, AAAA defending champion Gateway and 2011 AA winner Monessen remain alive and are one victory away from a golden repeat. Here are ALL of the final results through the Semifinals round, plus the four Championship Game matchups AND TIMES are set for this weekend in the 2012 WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoffs.Once again, MSA Sports will broadcast every WPIAL boys basketball playoff game sponsored in part by McDonalds.2012 WPIAL BOYS CLASS AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:2012 WPIAL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS – FOUR FINALS FEATURE #1 vs #2
All this talk about upsets and bracket busters and after all of the smoke cleared in three plus rounds of girls basketball, the storyline is simple...#1 vs #2. The top two seeds in each of the four girls basketball tournaments have wrapped up Semifinals victories and are on their way to the bluff this weekend at Duquesne University to play for district gold. Only Seton-LaSalle in AA and North Catholic in A are alive looking for a repeat title performance here in 2012. Here are ALL of the final scores through the Semifinals round, PLUS the four Championship Game matchups AND TIMES in the 2012 WPIAL Girls Basketball Playoffs.Once again, MSA Sports will broadcast every WPIAL girls basketball playoff game sponsored in part by McDonalds and Carlow University.2012 WPIAL GIRLS CLASS AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:WPIAL Basketball Playoff Recaps for Tuesday, February 28th
February 28, 2012
All four top-seeds are title game bound in Girls AAAA, Girls AA, Boys AAA and Boys A. Oakland Catholic, Seton-LaSalle, New Castle and Lincoln Park all advanced with double digit victories. However only one of the three defending champs in those classifications survived Semifinals Tuesday. Here are ALL the recaps from the eight Semifinals games in the four tournaments listed above.A special THANKS goes out to Mark Schaas, Bob Barrickman, Dennis Fischer, Jim Frederick, Jake Miller, Don Rebel, Dan Zangrilli, Bob Orkwis and Greg Kuntz for their help on these recaps.WPIAL BOYS CLASS AAA Semifinals:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 02/27/2012
February 27, 2012
Championship Week for the district winter sports is here as February turns to March and the golden madness begins this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have EVERY WPIAL Semifinals and Championship boys and girls basketball playoff game along with District 6 postseason boys and girls hoops and men's and women's college basketball postseason action, PIHL high school hockey, plus the 2012 WPIAL Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships, the PIAA Class AA and Class AAA Individual Wrestling Regionals, the WPIAL Boys and Girls Swimming Championships along with Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle, and the WPIAL Roundball Report and the PIHL Power Play Show on a special day ALL here at MSAsports.netMonday, February 27th:TALK SHOW - Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle at 7:00pm on MSAsports.net
WPIAL Basketball Playoff Recaps for Saturday, February 25th
February 25, 2012
We have reached the midway point of the 2012 version of the Battle to the Bluff with the completion of the Quarterfinals Weekend in the WPIAL Basketball Playoffs with all eight top-seeds still alive andf with only Shaler girls in Class AAAA having been eliminated with seven defending champs moving on to Round Three. Here are the recaps from Quarterfinals Saturday in Boys AAAA, Boys AA, Girls AAA and Girls A.A specials THANKS to Dan Zangrilli, T.J. DiStefano, Glenn Thompson, Josh Rowntree, Mike Krcil, Mike Azadian, Bob Barrickman, Justin McKim, Paul Paterra, Brian Morziak, Melissa Carle, Mark Schaas, Don Rebel, Bob Gregg and Johnny Lee for their help on these recaps.WPIAL CLASS AAAA Quarterfinals:Scholastic Notebook – 02/24/2012
February 24, 2012
This next statement seems awfully strange: Either Beaver or Trinity will be in the WPIAL Class AAA boys basketball Semifinals. As strange as that sounds, it is true. Beaver and Trinity play in a Quarterfinals game Friday night, and one of them will move on to next Tuesday’s Semifinals. History says how Beaver and Trinity playing in a Semifinals game is unheard of. Trinity has never been to a Semifinals game before, and the Hillers won a grand total of six playoff games in school history. Two of those were this year. The others came last year, one in 2010 and two in 1984. Beaver, meanwhile, has made it to the Semifinals only once in school history. That was in 1987. The Bobcats have only six playoff wins in school history – two this year, two in 1987, one in 1982 and one in 1977.Woodland Hills’ Alonzo to Face Charges From Peters Twp Incident
February 23, 2012
The Washington County District Attorney's office announced Thursday afternoon they will prosecute 17-year old Shakim Alonzo of Woodland Hills High School after he punched Gabe Pritz of Peters Township High School during a WPIAL basketball playoff game Saturday.Pritz fell to the ground bleeding from his ear and later received 11 stitches.Alonzo will not be charged as an adult.The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette posted this statement from the Pritz family:2012 WPIAL BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS
All four defending champions are alive along with all four top-seeds half way through the Boys Battle to the Bluff. While Class A, Class AA and Class AAA have been close to chalk (except Beaver in AAA), ClassAAAA welcomes three double-digit seeds to its Final Four party. Here are ALL of the results from the Preliminary Round, First Round and Quarterfinals, PLUS the sites and times for the Semifinals on Tuesday and Wednesday in the 2012 WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoffs.Once again, MSA Sports will broadcast every WPIAL boys basketball playoff game sponsored in part by McDonalds.WPIAL CLASS AAAA Semifinals:#1 Shaler Titans (22-2) vs #12 Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings (14-10) AT North Allegheny High School on Wednesday, February 29th at 8:00pm on MSAsports.net
