Most boys teams have two games left to the first half of the section season. Let's review some of the more interesting happenings.
The Good
At 9-1 overall and 2-0 in Section 4, Peters Township not only finds ways to win, the Indians are gaining confidence in a wide open WPIAL Class AAAA. Local college coaches believe senior Nick Wilcox is the top player in Washington County and junior point guard Craig Wolcott is vastly improved from his sophomore season. The Indians play Upper St. Clair tonight. The winner may be labeled the section favorite.
If Wilcox is the top target of local colleges, Washington senior Nick Bryant must be second. Like Wilcox, Bryant plays under control, can dribble drive, hit the floater and make three's. Both also play excellent defense.
Big-school boosters are blasting the Carmichaels' schedule but, at 9-2, not many Class A teams look better than the Mikes a week into January.
The Fort Cherry boys average 72.6 points per game. That's the second best average in WPIAL Class AA, one-tenth of a point behind powerhouse Beaver Falls.
The Bad
Jefferson-Morgan made 8 of 20 free throws during a 14-point loss at Avella.
Monessen lost by 50 points (91-41) to Uniontown. In fairness to the Greyhounds, they play a daunting non-section schedule which often leads to deep postseason runs. This year, Monessen is 4-0 in Section 5-AA and 0-6 in non-section contests.
The Ugly
West Greene's offense continues to struggle. The Pioneers have topped 20 points on four occasions. Three of those games were played against schools from West Virginia. West Greene's highest offensive output against a WPIAL game came when it netted 22 on Dec. 30 against Jefferson-Morgan. That game was played at Clay-Battelle High School, which is in West Virginia.
48 comments:
The two Nick's are very good players, but I would add Zach Bellhy from Fort Cherry to that mix as well. He can slash to the hoop, finish with a slam, shoot threes, pop the short jumper, play "D" and block shots as well as anyone. He is also getting a lot of D2 college interest from what I hear.
Zach is 38 points away from 1,000 career points at the Fort, most of which came from being doubled on and pressured for entire games. He also has great endurance and almost never comes out of a game. Zach is the man!
Ya i agree with Anonymous every is over looking the kids at Fort Cherry. I have been to several Fort Cherry games where Bellhy and a kid named Cody Turner were just offensive machines each putting up over 20 points. I feel that these two kids should get some attention for once because they are two strong players that are way over looked and do better than some of the players that have articles on them and pictures. All in all, I think these two athletic stars need to have the spotlight on them for a change.
Wash Co. has some terrific players in Bryant, Wilcos and Bellhy. Another player who would be right up there at the top with them is Ryne Niemiec from Beth-Center. I think "The Bad" section of your blog should point out that Ryne is hurt with a dislocated elbow. I think it occurred during the Jeff Morgan game in mid Dec. From what I understand Ryne was undercut while driving to the hoop. I guess the good is that Ryne has signed with Cal U. to play basketball there in college. Congrats to all these terrific players.
Is the kid from Beth Center done for the year??? I would think with a dislocated elbow you would be out for the season.
Niemiec would definately be up there with the three already mentioned, Bellhy, Wilcox, and Bryant. Didn't Bellhy and Niemeic play on the same AAU team, I think maybe Bryant played wiht them too.
Ya they are all good players and I think that Turner is on the rise of being up there with those three i have been watching basketball for over 25 years and i can tell the kid has poential and i feel with him and bellhy on the same team they will both mature and get better together and these to are certainly my two favorite athletes in the wpial to watch.
Nothing against any of these players, but Nick Wilcox is by far the best. He distributes the ball, he scores, he rebounds, and he plays great defense. If Nick played in A or AA he'd average 30 a night. It's just not even close.
I think the boys from FC definitely deserve some attention. Zach Bellhy is a tremendous player. Cody Turner is also an amazing player. The two of them make an awesome combination. They are definitely players to watch. And we cant forget Nate, Zach's younger brother, Derric Stankus, Andy Weber, and the rest of the team. They keep it up, they will without a doubt go far this season!!!
Bellhy and Turner from Fort Cherry should be ranked up there with Bryant and Wilcox. Have seen them play and they are big forces in the game.
I haven't seen these kids play...I see Wilcox play all the time and I watched him drop 40 against McKeesport. If either of the Fort Cherry kids can do that then more power to them.
Mike Kovack,
I know Monessen has lost all of its non conference games but they have played some stiff competition. The 50 point loss topped it off but I dont think there are too many teams who want to play Monessen come playoff time. Do you agree?
CM STUDDA
Niemiec was hurt by being undercut in the Jefferson game. There is not doubt it was an intentional, dirty vicious play. Then the kid that did it just smiled about it. Now the game at BC is to be played behind closed doors with no spectators. JM should keep their "Tough Guy" home and play as scheduled-I guess they fear for his health.
If Niemiec was undercut and hurt intentionally the kid who did it should be suspended by the WPIAL. I cant stand players who play dirty. For one players who play that way are never that tough.
Too bad we couldnt arrange a game of one on one with Dejuan Blair vs the kid who hurt Niemiec with no fouls in a back alley.
I don't know a Mike Kovack
The next Beth-Center vs. Jefferson-Morgan basketball game will not be played "behind closed doors with no spectators."
As for calling the J-M boys basketball team dirty, I have not heard anything concerning the situation which makes me believe there was any intent to injure Niemiec.
Wow what a game by Peters Township. They completed dominated USC like they were playing the JV squad in practice. This was a huge statment by them that they are the real deal. This friday's matchup against Mt Lebo should be a good one.
Zach Bellhy scored 42 points against canevin last year check the stats my friend..
Most of the FC comments sound like
"The Manager".
Nobody called the JM "team" dirty-just one player. Did you check with the Beth Center AD about the next game being closed? Ask him if that's what he's been telling people.
Okay enough of this talk about how great your players are. The best team is Char Valley. They will beat any school in the WPIAL. They have the best player/coach/team in the WPIAL. No one can touch us.
I am no where near being the manager for FC and I left one of the comments. I enjoy watching Bellhy and Turner. You can tell when they are on the court - makes a big difference in the game. Between the two of them, they turn in the bulk of FC's points every game. Great players!!
Fort Cherry will have a very hard time even making the playoffs this year. The toughest part of their schedule is coming up. They still have 2 games with North Catholic and South Fayette and already lost to Canevin and Seton each once.
Fort Cherry is weak. Who cares how many points their top players are averaging Char Valley would beat them by 60.
KOVAK,
I WILL ASK YOU AGAIN. MONESSENS NON CONFERENCE SCHEDULE IS TOUGH AND THAT IS REASON THEY HAVE DONE POORLY. WOULD YOU RATHER THEM SCHEDULE PEOPLE LIKE CHARLEROI AND PLAY BVA AND EF SO THEY COULD EASILY WIN? SALVINO IS THE BEST COACH IN THE VALLY BY FAR.
char valleys the greatest char valleys the greatest char valleys the greatest if the players and alumni on that team didnt talk about their selves so much and let others do the talking that would be a great way to prove themselves as a good tram there good but leave the talking to other ppl not the players and prob the alumni who graduated last year
Bellhy and Turner might as well be a two man team all they do is shoot... Nate Bellhy gets his points by rebounding their misses.. If the others on the team might touch the ball evry now and then they could be forces also. All I'm saying FC fans is being a spectator everytime your superheros Zach and Cody touch the ball they shoot they are bound to get fifteen to twenty...
CHAR VALLEY HASNT LOST A GAME ALL YEAR. THEY LET THEIR PLAY DO THE TALKING AND THEY WOULD CRUSH ANY TEAM IN THE WPIAL.
BEST PLAYER/COACH/TEAM IN THE WPIAL
HERE COMES A STATE TITLE.
WHO CARES ABOUT THESE FORT CHERRY KIDS THEY CAN SCORE ALL THEY WANT AND THEY ARE STILL GOING TO LOSE.
char valley is good but......peters would hurt them and as far as a state title i don`t think they ever will get that philly schools will keep it away from them.C.V. players are welcomed up to ringgold high to c there AAAA state banner and also view photos of PRO players from all sports not just hoops. USC players are also welcomed being they will never get there own sorry danny.
CV Alum needs to move on - it is one thing to enjoy the game, attend a few, or being a family member - but seriously you seem WAY TO OBSSESSED with their team. One year of greatness is nice but repeated years are what make program truly great. Get over yourself!
the guy above sounds jealous of bellhy and turner. the other guys do touch the ball but arent as fortunate when they shoot. you want to win games you need to get the ball to the steady scorers. all teams do it. turner and bellhy are seniors and it is their year to shine. next year someone else will have to fill those spots. its how it goes.
Ok and if bellhy and turner dont shoot as much as they will simply get blown out of the gym.
Char Valley has had alot more than one good year... Obviously you must be new to the high school basketball scene. If Char Valley keeps winning the way they are they will be considered a dynasty.
They have won 4 WPIAL championships and Coach McConnell has won over 400 games in 16 years. Thats averaged to over 20 wins per season.
We have had many great years and we will continue to do so. We will be adding a 5 WPIAL title this year.
Washington and Green counties cant compete with the real ballers.
Fort Cherry is mud. CV would beat them by 50 points.
Dont hate us cuz you aint us.
Ok why would FC be mud? They are having a good year so what gives you the right to be rude. CV doesnt play them so it isnt like it is even a rival team. I'm not even affiliated with that school and I give them credit - they earned and deserve it. Even if your school is doing well that doesnt mean you put down other teams. Sounds like you need a lesson in sportsmanship - you suck at it!!!!
cv alum quit hating on other schools that are way smaller than you. You think that cv can beat anyone and i think your wrong about beating fort cherry by 50. give the little schools some credit.
I think what happens here is we win SOOOOOOOOOO much. Getting 20 wins a year every year can get to your head I guess.
400 plus wins in the last 16 years. What a great place to live for basketball.
Hey Kovak you should move to Allegheny County wo you have something to actually worth your while to write about.
kovac is fine were he is at cv has no stata champion ships i dont even know if they ever made it to hershey we know what pressure can do when his summer league refs are not doing tims playoff games cv chokes look what happed agianst WEST A. in that championship so much for 400 and as 4 kovac playing at peters he and the indians would beat down cv
First learn how to spell. You have about 23 typos there bud.
And again CV beat Upper St Clair by 20 when they had their star player.
Peters beat them by 20 but USC didnt have their star.
It would be a good game but CV would win.
Now you are talking about state titles??? When is the last time Peters even won a WPIAL championship???
Get a clue lil boy...
Kovak come to Allegheny County so you can write about a real team not these losers who havent won anything but a few Christmas Tournaments.
CV ALUM you are probably a kid that graduated last year. You probably don't go to college and probably have a job making minimum wage. In school I imagine you were the loud mouth that thought they were funny and were real loud and annoying but people laughed at you not with you. All I am saying is you are alumni now. Please stop talking about how great your school is when you do not attend there. Get out of your glory days. Yes CV would beat FC congrats. FC is a single A school playing double A if they were in single A they would be WPIAL champs. Now I know FC still sucks but give the schools some credit. CV Alum I know your not going to be able to handle yourself so you can throw all of your rediculous comments at me. Maybe you will vent and make yourself feel better because I imagine your going to be getting on the computer to look how good your old school is doing and you will see this comment and not know what to do besides make rediculous comments so.....let's see if you can contain yourself
FC is a AA basketball school playing AA basketball. Get your facts straight. The WPIAL has enrollment figures for each sport, just because they play A in one sport doesn't mean they are A in all sports!
And CV dude, you need to chill out! I don't see you boasting about beating any Bethel Parks or Mount Lebos or USC's on here. Different enrollments, different teams!
CV Alum has nothing better to do but brag about the old school and cut up on others. Allegheny County isnt anything special. Lived there and high school sports there are nothing special. And if they were so great why are you on here reading about Washington and Greene County sports?
Zach Bellhy hit 1000 last night and still has alot of the season to go. Thats a great player!! CONGRATS ZACH!!!
OK CV Alum, Ive read about enough. I dont know if you realize this or not, but CV is not even in the top 5 programs in the WPIAL in the last 20 years. Those teams would be:
Blackhawk with 8 titles
Aliquippa with 8 titles
Sto-Rox with 6 titles
Duquesne with 6 titles
Clairton with 5 titles
You remember Blackhawk dont you? I believe they are the team that knocked your vaunted CV team out of the playoffs last year. Also, Duquesne, a school that doesnt even exist anymore, has more titles than your team despite the fact that they dont play anymore. Knock off the smack talk and dont say the "D" word (dynasty) in reference to your team until CV proves they can win a few more titles.
CV Alum,
I live in Allegheny County. I work in Washington County (most of the time).
Fort Cherry got smoked tonight by South Fayette, 80-39. It was 46-12 at the half.
Bellhy did his part, scoring 15, but the other "great" Fort Cherry player, Turner had four.
I don't like to rip high school kids, but let's keep things in perspective.
That loss has gotta hurt Fort Cherry. So much for being an elite team. Seems like it would be hard to come back from a loss like that.
Mike,
Looks like you need to delete that last post. Guess they couldnt come up with more intelligent to say.
maybe anon had no innuendo intended. he coulda just meant he'd kiss their feet. just a thought. and cv alum, think of the sports dynasties. the 70's steelers, the recent patriots. what do they all have in common? championships! the indy colts, the eagles that went to nfc championship 4 years in a row, some examples of teams that won many games repetitively. but NEVER was the word "dynasty" mentioned with them. you know why cv alum? because they failed to win it all, just like your precious colts
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