MSA Sports Championship Friday Blog

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 2, 2012 | 3:13 PM

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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 HAMPTON

New 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-44

Hampton fans are heading for the gates. 1:17 to go, New Castle by 13.

They’re called the “Red Hurricane”… but all of their fans wear white. Guess it doesn’t matter when you’re 25-0.

2:40 to go, NC up 49-36. It’s now or never for Hampton.

Hampton is exchanging baskets and keeping up, but need to get on a run if they want to get back in this one. 44-34 with 5:40 to go.

End 3: NEW CASTLE-42, HAMPTON-30

New Castle playing tough, but Hampton won’t let them pull away by too much. 42-30 NC late in 3rd.

AJ Palumbo is completely full and at standing room only, but it’s about 70%-30% New Castle it seems. Lots of Red Hurricane fans on the Hampton side of the building.

Looking across the court, all of 6-10 Gateway Gator Barnett Harris is here, taking in the Boys AAA Championship. This time tomorrow night, he will be more than a spectator.

A dance competition just broke out during the intermission between a New Castle student and a well, “hefty” event security guard. Crunk dancing at it’s finest… and not-so finest.

New Castle student section:

Hampton Student Section:

HALF: NEW CASTLE-30, HAMPTON-17

Hampton has a size advantage and are rebounding well, but they haven’t been able to handle the athleticism and speed of New Castle. 28-14 NC with 2 minutes left in Half.

A big time slam by New Castle’s Antonio Rudolph gives New Castle a 20-12 lead. They now lead 24-12 with 4:06 to go in the half.

End of 1: NEW CASTLE-14, HAMPTON-10

Seriously though folks, this place is packed. Not an empty seat in the house. People standing in the corners. New Castle is up early 7-6 with 3:55 to play in the 1st Quarter.

You can listen to this game on MSA Sports or at 1410 KQV. Sam Hall and TJ DiStefano on the call.

About 2 minutes away from go-time. HUGE crowd on hand to see #1 New Castle vs #3 Hampton. The big question is, is there a more over-used student section chant than “We can’t hear you!”? Both schools here have brought big student sections, but the early edge has to go the New Castle and their white out.

 

GIRLS AAAA: OAKLAND CATHOLIC vs MOUNT LEBANON

This one has to be sweet for Lebo, who lost the WPIAL Championship last season as heavy favorites. They’re Champs today though! By far our most competitive game of the day goes to the Blue Devils. Don’t go anywhere, as New Castle takes on Hampton for the Boys AAA Championship at 9PM.

Your 2012 Girls AAAA Champion MOUNT LEBANON BLUE DEVILS:

 

FINAL SCORE: MOUNT LEBANON-58, OAKLAND CATHOLIC-49

Looks like Lebo is going to hold on, they lead 56-49 with 11.1 to go.

A great night ends early, as Bobbi Baker checks out with 5 fouls. Kelly Johnson hits a free throw. 4 point game.

Liz Tommasi hits a layup for Lebo, they push their lead to 52-49 with 1:14 to go.

1:30 to go. Lebo leads 50-49. Don’t. Go. Anywhere… Seriously.

Oakland Catholic takes the lead! 47-45 OC.

45-44 Lebo! This is turning into a classic. OC has stormed back, they take a timeout and have the ball. 5:24 to play. Electric atmosphere here in the AJ Palumbo Center.

End 3rd: MOUNT LEBANON-41, OAKLAND CATHOLIC-37

Baker hits a 3! 39-35. Here come the Eagles.

Bobbi Baker scores her 16th point of the night… cutting the Lebo lead to 39-32.

The Palumbo Center is really starting to fill up. Lots of fans for this one, but a TON of fans coming in for Boys AAA at 9PM. New Castle is going to be VERY well represented it seems.

Oakland Catholic hanging around, cutting it to 35-26 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.

HALF: MOUNT LEBANON- 32, OAKLAND CATHOLIC-21

Lebo still up, but OC is making a push. Score is 28-17 with 2:17 to go in the first half.

Mount Lebanon’s Christine Ehland (8) and Kelly Johnson (7) have each outscored OC through 1 Quarter.

End 1: MOUNT LEBANON-20, OAKLAND CATHOLIC-6

Oakland Catholic is really struggling defensively, as Lebo has hit a number of open layups after breaking through the defense. OC has missed a number of open looks from in close as well.

Lebo started on a 13-2 run, but Corey Taglianetti’s 3-pointer breaks the run up a bit.

Two terrific teams going at it here, but how about Seton-LaSalle girls in AA, who beat both Lebo and OC this season… each by 8 points.

Mount Lebanon has started the game on a 10-2 run. Blue Devils look sharp… it is there 4th year in a row at Palumbo of course.

Girls AAAA Championship up next: #1 Oakland Catholic vs. #2 Mount Lebanon. Listen on MSA Sports or 1410 KQV. Paul Paterra and Melissa Carle on the call.

Lincoln Park donning the GOLD MSA Sports says congrats to the Leps and their fans

Raiders getting their silver medals great response from their fans …they deserve it quite a run for Coach Sacco and his charges

LINCOLN PARK WPIAL SINGLE A CHAMPIONS FINAL SCORE 74 – 57 Celebration is on

71-53 Leps 27 for Hosack …..this just in…..he’s pretty good

No QUIT in the Raiders trailing 67-51 they have the ball 2:12 to play

Class A Boys: Lincoln Park vs Cornell

67-48 three minutes to play

Watson a triple double with points blocks and boards

65-46 Leps 3:48 to play get the Gold ready

BJ Lipke who plays football for Cornell and Hoops for Lincoln Park has 2 points in about 5 minute of playing time. Must be a little odd playing in such a big game against some of your best friends and teammates.

Largest lead of the game Hosack has 25 59-37 LP 5:19 to play

Raiders Danny Weryha is a tuff emotional kid …like the way he goes at it if I recall pretty good football player as well…the kid has moxy

6:07 to play the Leps on their way 53-35 LP press just gave the Raiders fits all night 23 pts for Hosack from Lincoln Park

Crowd pretty nice but also pretty quiet as we start the 4th

End of the third period LP looks like they will snap their 2 game losing streak at the Palumbo Center leading 49-35 thirteen points for Watson, 19 for Hosack

2:23 to play third 44-31 LP looks very much in control, Watson presence in the paint having an impact on every Cornell offensive possession

Inside three minutes remaining third period Hosack with 18 for the Leps who lead 44-30

4:27 Remaining third 42-28 LP Watson 11 points 6 blocks

5:16 remaining third period 38-28 LP

Kentucky head coach John Calipari in the house we at MSA wonder where is Ashley Judd

Half Lincoln Park 34-23 little 5-0 run for the Raiders to close it out still alive

1:47 to play in the half Leopards 34-18 just too much size

3:57 remaining in the 1st half Raiders are a scrappy group trailing 26-16

4:50 to play in the half LP rolling 26-14

6:07 to play 2nd Trey Hosack 14 points

6:30 to play 2nd Watson just notched block number five

1:20 to play first quarter Leopards lead the Raiders 13-7 6 points for Trey Hosack

 

Class AA Girls:  Seton LaSalle vs. Bishop Canevin

4:21pm:  Back to Back for Seton LaSalle, final score 73-60. Natalie Piaggesi leads the way with 20 points, Naje Gibson 17 points for the Rebels. Erin Waskowiak scores 16 for the Crusaders.

4:19pm:  Becca Olkowski called for a T for Bishop Canevin, the Rebels hit 1 of 2 free throws.

4:15pm:  Carly Forse steal and score for Bishop Canevin, but back to back buckets for Seton LaSalle puts the Rebels up 66-55 with 1:19 remaining.

4:10pm:  Johnie Olkosky hits a three, but Natalie Piaggesi scores two for the Rebels, 60-51 Rebels, down to 3:16 left in regulation time.

4:07pm:  Erin Waskowiak hits a three, but Angela Heintz and Naje Gibson answer, now another steal and score for Seton, but Celina DiPietro hits another three, 58-48 Rebels with 4:29 left.

4:04 pm:  Johnie Olkosky hits a three, Bishop Canevin has cut it to 10 with a chance to go to single digits, but Angela Heintz steal and basket makes it 54-42 Seton with 6:33 left in regulation.

4:01pm:  Celina DiPietro hits a three at the buzzer, end of three Seton LaSalle 52 Bishop Canevin 39.

3:57pm:  Carly Forse picks up her third foul for BC, 2:09 remaining in the third 48-34 Seton.

3:54pm: Nicolette Newman with a three, Naja Gibson another basket, Seton LaSalle starting to pull away 46-30 with 3:14 in the third.

3:51pm:  Bishop Canevin timeout 40-30, Seton LaSalle with 4:50 remaining in the third. Love how the Rebels are getting every loose ball and rebound.

3:47pm:  Underway in the third quarter, Naja Gibson with 7 rebounds already, according to stat and color man Josh Rowntree.

3:34pm:  Halftime, with the score Seton LaSalle 38 Bishop Canevin 27, Naje Gibson leads the Rebels with 11 points, Carly Forse paces the Crusaders with 9.

3:32pm:  The Rebels just broke the Crusaders pressure defense in textbook fashion, would make Johnny Lee proud.

3:29pm:  If you are following along at home or work and planning to come down, it is highly suggested that you come early, Mt. Lebanon, Oakland Catholic, New Castle and Hampton all sold their allotted tickets for the evening games, those fans that bought tickets at the schools will be guaranteed entrance to the Palumbo Center.

3:26pm:  Nine turnovers for Bishop Canevin, leading scorers so far Naje Gibson with 9 for the Rebels, Erin Waskowiak 7 for the Crusaders.

3:24pm:  Big student turnout for both schools, even with the early start.

3:22pm:  Second quarter, Bishop Canevin pulled out to an early lead, but Seton LaSalle showing why they are undefeated leading 28-19 with 4:46 remaining.

3:04pm:  We are underway here at the A. J. Palumbo Center with next door neighbors Seton LaSalle and Bishop Canevin squaring off for a third time.

 

Tags: Bishop Canevin