Sports
Quaker Valley Falls to WC Bayard Rustin in PA Cup ‘A’ Finals
March 22, 2014
It might seem cliché, but a quick start in the playoffs is often talked about as a key in championship games. In the Pennsylvania Cup Class A title game at the Pergola Ice Arena at Penn State University, a fast start by Bayard Rustin was the difference as the Knights defeated Quaker Valley 5-2 to capture their 2nd PA Cup title and first since 2009. Less than two minutes into the game, Bayard Rustin led the Quakers 2-0 and that was a lead that QV could never overcome. Sophomore forward Brett Christie took a pass from J.R. Barone and went forehand-backhand to beat Parker Sherry just : 42 into the contest.
State Gold for the VA Royals
The second trip was the charm for Ron Moncrief and the Vincentian Academy Royals. Vincentian fell to Tri-Valley 59-42 in the return for PIAA basketball at the Giant Center last year, but the Royals finished 2014 in a big way, beating Old Forge 58-34 to win the second PIAA girls basketball championship in school history. Junior Brenna Wise dominated the first quarter, scoring 12 of her game-high 21 points in the first eight minutes. Wise hit a three late in the quarter that put Vincentian Academy up 18-9 after one. Vincentian Academy led 27-10 but some sloppy play and fouls led to 6 straight free throws for the Blue Devils and a 27-16 deficit at the break.
PIAA Boys AAA and Girls AAAA Championship Recap
The only two PIAA state basketball championship games this weekend at the GIANT Center in Hershey NOT involving teams from the WPIAL took place Friday night. Here are recaps from both the Boys AAA and Girls AAAA state title games.
Lincoln Park Comes Back to Earn First PIAA Boys Class A Basketball Crown
March 21, 2014
The third time was the charm for the Lincoln Park Leopards, who claimed their first PIAA Class A boys basketball title with a huge comeback over Philadelphia Math, Civics and Science Mighty Elephants 70-66 at the Giant Center in Hershey. The Leopards trailed by 16 points in the second quarter before rallying for the victory. Sophomore Maverick Rowan led the charge back for Lincoln Park, scoring 37 points in all 32 minutes. Rowan shot 13 of 24 from the floor in the game and came up with several huge baskets. The game was a rematch of the 2011 title game, won by MCS 70-55 at Penn State University.
Seton-LaSalle Girls Win Second State Basketball Title in Three Years
The Seton LaSalle Rebels claimed their third PIAA girls basketball championship with a 58-50 win over the previously unbeaten Neumann-Goretti Saints on Friday afternoon at the Giant Center in Hershey. The victory gives the Rebels their second Class AA title in three years, winning the 2012 title at Penn State University. Senior Yacine Diop had one of the most dominant performances in years in the championships. The Pitt recruit scored 10 point and grabbed 23 rebounds, adding six blocks to lead the Rebels to a 50-36 rebounding advantage.2013 WPIAL BASEBALL REVIEW
March 20, 2014
For the third time in four years, half of the WPIAL baseball championships went to Beaver County schools, with Western Beaver in Class A and Beaver in Class AA winning district gold for 'The County'. Allegheny County schools captured the other two crowns as South Park was perfect through the district playoffs in Class AAA and North Allegheny claimed another title for the north in Class AAAA. Here is a look back at the 2013 season with the final WPIAL standings and the results from both the WPIAL and PIAA baseball playoffs as we get set for the first pitch of the 2014 high school baseball season. FINAL 2013 WPIAL BASEBALL STANDINGS:2013 WPIAL SOFTBALL REVIEW
In 2013, hitting and offense was the theme during the regular season was good old fashioned pitching seemed to be the difference in tasting playoff success. In the end, a pair of first time champions were crowned, a defending champ made it two in a row in the district and went on to win state gold and one of the top programs captured a sixth WPIAL crown. Here is a look back at the final standings and results from the 2013 WPIAL and PIAA softball playoffs on the brink of the start of the 2014 campaign. FINAL 2013 WPIAL STANDINGS:2014 PIHL PENGUINS CUP PLAYOFFS RESULTS
March 18, 2014
The fourth time is a charm for Peters Township as they won the Class AAA Penguins Cup after three consecutive seasons of going home second. Meanwhile, the other two champions crowned at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh on Monday were the top-seeds in their classification. Quaker Valley captured a third straight PIHL Penguins Cup Class A crown with a dominant victory over Thomas Jefferson while Bishop Canevin edged Erie Cathedral Prep in a Class AA thriller for the Crusaders second crown in four years. Here are ALL of the results from the 2014 PIHL Penguins Cup Playoffs. All games marked with (MSA) after the result (which is ALL but one game) can be heard archived here on the MSA Sports Network.
Peters Township Finally Golden in Win Over Rival Bethel Park
March 17, 2014
At Consol Energy Center in the PIHL AAA Championship, the Peters Township Indians defeated the top seeded Bethel Park Black Hawks by a score of 4-2. This is the fifth overall title for the Indians and first since 2005. Both teams came into the showdown as numerous Penguin Cup winners and veterans to championship games. The Indians were in the title game for the fourth straight year and last won a title in 2005. The Black Hawks' last title was in 2012, a win over Peters Township 2-1. Both are led by two veteran coaches with 11 Penguin Cup titles between them.
Bishop Canevin Shuts Out Cathedral Prep in AA Final
In a tightly-contested battle between Bishop Canevin and Erie Cathedral Prep for the PIHL Penguins Cup Class AA Championship, Crusaders’ goaltender Nikita Meskin proved to be the difference-maker. Meskin made 22 saves in a shutout performance, as top-seeded Bishop Canevin prevailed 1-0 at the Consol Energy Center. The victory marks the seventh time the Crusaders have captured the Penguins Cup, and the first time since 2011. Thomas Krivak netted the lone goal on Bishop Canevin’s third shot of the contest. Less than four minutes in, Krivak, who netted 13 goals in the regular season, took a shot from the right circle. His attempt deflected off the sliding Ramblers’ defenseman, and fluttered past Erie Cathedral Prep’s Grant Kennedy.
Quaker Valley Three-Peats With Rout of Thomas Jefferson 8-2
In the PIHL Penguins Cup Semifinals, Quaker Valley pulled off a dramatic come from behind victory by scoring two goals in the final half minute of regulation in a victory over the Freeport Yellowjackets. The Quakers came back again Monday afternoon, except there were no dramatics needed in a 8-2 victory over Thomas Jefferson at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. (Left: Connor Quinn scores one of his five goals in QV's 8-2 win) The win gives Quaker Valley a third straight Penguins Cup title and their fifth championship over. Thomas Jefferson scored first when off a clean face off win, Tommy Kimmick cranked a shot from the point that beat QV goaltender Parker Sherry for their lone lead of the game.PIHL Notebook – 03/17/2014
Welcome to another edition of “PIHL Notebook,” your weekly companion to “The PIHL Power Play” on the MSA Sports Network. After yeoman’s work by Josh Rowntree and Mike Azadian recapping the semis and previewing the 2014 Penguins Cup Finals on “The PIHL Power Play” show last Thursday night, how best to supplement that? For only the third time in this column’s history (but second in a row, so this may become tradition) Adam Hoerner returns from sick leave along with Josh to “choose sides” in Monday night’s championship match-ups, telling you why each of the six teams skating at Consol Energy Center have a chance to win gold. So, let’s light the lamp on this special postseason edition of “PIHL Notebook.” CLASS A PENGUINS CUP FINAL:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 03/16/2016
March 16, 2014
Welcome to our own version of March Madness and the winter sports Championship Week all this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have coverage of the Semifinals and the State Championships from Hershey as we conclude our coverage of the 2014 PIAA State Basketball Playoffs along with the three Championship games from CONSOL Energy Center of the 2014 PIHL Penguins Cup high school hockey playoffs and the debut of college basketball featuring Slippery Rock University, plus the final edition of the PIHL Power Play Show and the next to last WPIAL Roundball Report ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, March 17th:Scholastic Notebook – 03/14/2014
March 14, 2014
Seton-LaSalle boys basketball coach Mark Walsh is known as “Knobby.” He has two brothers, Kevin and Danny, who also are known as “Knobby.” The boys’ father, Ed, also is known as “Knobby.” It is a crazy name game. But at Seton-LaSalle, just call Mark Walsh one thing. “Winner.” Walsh has made Seton-LaSalle basketball relevant again. Well, more than relevant. He has guided the Rebels to one of the best seasons in school history. Seton-LaSalle won a WPIAL title for only the second time since joining the league in the mid 1970s. Also, Seton-LaSalle has a 27-1 record. That is the most wins since the school joined the WPIAL.PIHL Penguins Cup Recaps – Wednesday, March 12th
March 12, 2014
There was little separation all season between South Hills rivals Bethel Park and Peters Township. so it comes as no surprise that the two decorated programs will collide for a 2014 high school hockey crown as both were impressive Wednesday night registering convincing victories. here are recaps from both of the PIHL Penguins Cup Class AAA Semifinals played Wednesday night and setting up Championship Monday at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. PIHL PENGUINS CUP CLASS AAA SEMIFINALS: Bethel Park Black Hawks 4 - Pine-Richland Rams 0PIHL Penguins Cup Recaps – Tuesday, March 11th
March 11, 2014
Monday saw thrills and chills with a couple of PIHL Penguins Cup Class A Semifinals instant classics. Tuesday presented plenty of fireworks in the Penguins Cup Class AA Semifinals, but they all seemed to be shot from one side and the top two seeds put up dominant performances. Here are recaps from both the Bishop Canevin and Erie Cathedral Prep Semifinals victory from Tuesday night. PIHL PENGUINS CUP CLASS AA SEMIFINALS: Erie Cathedral Prep Ramblers 9 - Armstrong River Hawks 5
