Ligonier valley’s long wait to play in District 6 final finally over

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 | 10:00 PM

It has been 31 years since Ligonier Valley played in the District 6 finals.

They were called the Mounties back then and played in Class 2A, losing to Bishop Guilfoyle, 75-61, in 1987.

Since, Ligonier Valley and Laurel Valley merged and became the Rams. Laurel Valley won eight District 6-A titles, including seven between 1969 and 1981.

In this year's Class 3A championship, Ligonier Valley will play Richland, which is making its fourth title-game appearance under eight-year coach Greg Burke. The Rams last won the title in 2014.

Richland has won seven titles and reached the finals 18 times.

“I know one thing, they are seeded No. 1 for a reason,” Ligonier Valley coach Todd Hepner said. “They have everything — speed, height, shooters and rebounders. We're going to have our hands full.”

Richland (21-3) and Ligonier Valley (20-4) play at 8 p.m. Friday at Mt. Aloysius. The top 4 teams in District 6 have qualified for the PIAA playoffs, which begin March 9.

Burke said he's been building this team for years. They returned all five starters from a team that reach the D6 title game.

Burke's son, sophomore Caleb Burke, is the starting point guard. He averages 12.2 points.

Richland has a balanced scoring attack led by senior guard Tyler Zimmerman (14.7) and junior center Colin Instone (14.5).

Trevy Hardison, a 6-4 forward, averages 11.4 points, and senior Tyler Paul 7.3.

“Every starter has led us in scoring during a game this season,” Burke said. “They've adopted a philosophy of they don't care who scores as long as the team scores.

“This team works hard, and I push them. I want them to achieve something I achieved, playing in Hershey.”

Burke is a pharmaceutical sales rep. He graduated from Windber in 1987, and his team was the District 5 champion and PIAA runner-up. That year, the Ramblers defeated Ligonier Valley, 28-27, in the PIAA Class 2A second round.

“We preach defense first,” Burke said. “Opponents have to be ready for pressure defense. Our motto is to keep the player in front of you, block out, rebound and transition.”

Richland averages 68 points and allows fewer than 50.

Ligonier Valley is coming off one of its better games of the season, a 72-54 victory against Mt. Union. Ligonier Valley has won 15 consecutive games.

It is led by 6-6 junior forward Marrek Paola, who averages 24.5 points, and sophomore guard Michael Marinchak, who averages 18.1.

Paola had 31 points and 15 rebounds against Mt. Union.

“We know they are good. We just have to play our best game,” Paola said.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Ligonier Valley