The Post-Gazette's Mike White has an interesting piece on boys playing girls sports. It centers on the Greensburg Central Catholic girls field hockey team, which features five boys.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10262/1088700-364.stm
Boys playing girls sports is nothing new. The Washington girls volleyball team has a boys player and there have been the occasional occurrence in other sports. I can also think of a couple boys playing girls tennis over the years.
In most cases, I never felt the boy gave the girls team an added advantage. In the PG story, it's clear the GCC field hockey team has one.
Showing posts with label Field hockey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Field hockey. Show all posts
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Top 10 Teams of 2009-10
Blogger's note: Due to space constrictions in Sunday's edition of the Observer-Reporter, only the top five teams made the newspaper.
1. South Fayette Boys Basketball
South Fayette failed to win its section or the WPIAL Class AA title, but that couldn’t keep a talented group led by all-state forward Mike Lamberti and all-state point guard Pat Zedreck from winning the ultimate prize – a PIAA championship.
With critical contributions from Mike Burroughs, Tyler Henry, Josh Patterson and Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette dispatched a who’s-who en route to beating heavily favored Strawberry Mansion, 49-47, in the final to finish 24-5.
Henry scored the winning points on a putback with 25 seconds remaining.
Washington, North Catholic and Mercyhurst Prep each lost to the Lions by double digits in the state playoffs. Lamberti was the Observer-Reporter’s Player of the Year and Rich Bonnaure the state’s Class AA Coach of the Year. The Lions were named the O-R Headliner.
2. Chartiers-Houston Softball
Chartiers-Houston didn’t clinch the Section 1-A title until its final game, and the Bucs were nearly ousted in the WPIAL quarterfinals by Brentwood in extra innings.
The near-upset didn’t rattle the Bucs. It merely built character for and a recurring postseason theme that nearly drove head coach Tricia Alderson batty.
Chartiers-Houston played four consecutive extra-innings games in the postseason, with the lone loss against Vincentian Academy for the WPIAL title.
Led by sluggers Kayla Briggs and Colby Miller, the Bucs (22-2) advanced to the state semifinals where Player of the Year Kiersten Conwell took over. Conwell allowed one run over the final two games, including a 4-1 victory over Montgomery for the team’s first state championship in six appearances.
3. Peters Township Girls Tennis
Peters Township won more hardware over a three-week period than most teams do over three decades.
In its most successful season, Peters Township received strong play from No. 2 singles player Caroline Nixon and the Indians won their first district title since 1996 with a 3-2 victory over Upper St. Clair in the finals.
Compared to the WPIAL tournament, the PIAA playoffs were easier and Peters Township claimed the school’s second state championship – the Indians won in 2006 with current pro player Alison Riske – by beating Upper St. Clair again. Brandt Bowman coached both state championship teams.
To cap the gold-medal run, Nixon and Julie Stroyne – one of the most decorated high school tennis players to come from Washington County – won the PIAA Class AAA doubles championship.
4. Canon-McMillan Hockey
Canon-McMillan encountered modest expectations as it headed into the PIHL Class AAA Penguins Cup playoffs. Seeded eighth, the Big Macs weren’t given much of a chance to advance past the first round.
Expectations within the locker room were considerably higher and, as the Big Macs proved, more realistic.
Coached by Yuri Krivokhija, a 1988 draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens, and with little representation on the all-star team, Canon-McMillan (18-8-1) beat top-seed Shaler en route to knocking off Seneca Valley for its first Penguins Cup title.
The Big Macs’ run ended in the Pennsylvania Cup, a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Cardinal O’Hara. But players Mario Dalesandro, Brett Oldaker, Brandon Smolarek and Alexander Baskakov turned C-M hockey into something special.
5. Canon-McMillan Wrestling
Wrestling powerhouse Canon-McMillan returned to its oft-occupied position atop the WPIAL when it defeated Kiski Area in the Class AAA team tournament to cap a dramatic run.
It marked the Big Macs first team championship – and first for head coach Chris Mary – since 1995 but its sixth overall.
Mike Hull, who hadn’t wrestled in 11 days after suffering a shoulder separation in a high school all-star football game, beat his heavier opponent 3-2 in the final match against Kiski to deliver the 32-27 victory. Earlier in the tournament, C-M beat Penn-Trafford by one point, thanks to Zach Thomas’ win at 160.
Connor Schram (103), Nick Catalano (135) and Sam Lombardo (140) each won silver at the WPIAL championships. Schram won PIAA gold to cap his freshman season.
6. Canon-McMillan Boys Track
Deep and talented, Canon-McMillan had only one WPIAL gold medalist in Nick Gibson, which makes the Big Macs’ accomplishment more impressive. At the WPIAL Class AAA team championship, key performances came from Michael Burchesky, Alex Adams, Hull and a host of others as Canon-McMillan won its second team title in three years.
7. Peters Township Field Hockey
Winners of consecutive WPIAL Division I girls lacrosse titles from 2007-09, Peters Township became a first-time power in field hockey when Jules Femiani scored in the first overtime to lift the Indians past Fox Chapel, 1-0, in the WPIAL final. Under first-year coach Kristin Slemmer, Peters Township finished 13-2.
8. South Fayette Football
South Fayette’s high-powered offense, engineered by Brumbaugh and fortified by all-state linemen Steve McElhinny, rolled over competition in the Century Conference. The Lions (10-1) went 9-0 during the regular season – their first undefeated mark since 1936 – and were the top seed in the Class AA playoffs. They lost to Aliquippa in the quarterfinals.
9. Jefferson-Morgan Girls Volleyball
With nine seniors, Jefferson-Morgan delivered on the potential they first displayed as sophomores. Led by all-state player Mabel Culp along with Morgan Olson and Marissa Cameron, the Rockets (18-3) finished third in WPIAL Class A and became the first volleyball team from Greene County to play in the state tournament.
10. Peters Township Girls Soccer
It’s difficult to imagine any team suffering a tougher loss than Peters Township did to Seneca Valley in the WPIAL Class AAA championship. The Indians fell in extra penalty kicks. Sadly, the Indians (19-3-2) were emotionally devastated again in PIAA quarterfinals when Erie McDowell scored the game winner with 21.4 seconds remaining.
1. South Fayette Boys BasketballSouth Fayette failed to win its section or the WPIAL Class AA title, but that couldn’t keep a talented group led by all-state forward Mike Lamberti and all-state point guard Pat Zedreck from winning the ultimate prize – a PIAA championship.
With critical contributions from Mike Burroughs, Tyler Henry, Josh Patterson and Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette dispatched a who’s-who en route to beating heavily favored Strawberry Mansion, 49-47, in the final to finish 24-5.
Henry scored the winning points on a putback with 25 seconds remaining.
Washington, North Catholic and Mercyhurst Prep each lost to the Lions by double digits in the state playoffs. Lamberti was the Observer-Reporter’s Player of the Year and Rich Bonnaure the state’s Class AA Coach of the Year. The Lions were named the O-R Headliner.
2. Chartiers-Houston SoftballChartiers-Houston didn’t clinch the Section 1-A title until its final game, and the Bucs were nearly ousted in the WPIAL quarterfinals by Brentwood in extra innings.
The near-upset didn’t rattle the Bucs. It merely built character for and a recurring postseason theme that nearly drove head coach Tricia Alderson batty.
Chartiers-Houston played four consecutive extra-innings games in the postseason, with the lone loss against Vincentian Academy for the WPIAL title.
Led by sluggers Kayla Briggs and Colby Miller, the Bucs (22-2) advanced to the state semifinals where Player of the Year Kiersten Conwell took over. Conwell allowed one run over the final two games, including a 4-1 victory over Montgomery for the team’s first state championship in six appearances.
3. Peters Township Girls TennisPeters Township won more hardware over a three-week period than most teams do over three decades.
In its most successful season, Peters Township received strong play from No. 2 singles player Caroline Nixon and the Indians won their first district title since 1996 with a 3-2 victory over Upper St. Clair in the finals.
Compared to the WPIAL tournament, the PIAA playoffs were easier and Peters Township claimed the school’s second state championship – the Indians won in 2006 with current pro player Alison Riske – by beating Upper St. Clair again. Brandt Bowman coached both state championship teams.
To cap the gold-medal run, Nixon and Julie Stroyne – one of the most decorated high school tennis players to come from Washington County – won the PIAA Class AAA doubles championship.
4. Canon-McMillan HockeyCanon-McMillan encountered modest expectations as it headed into the PIHL Class AAA Penguins Cup playoffs. Seeded eighth, the Big Macs weren’t given much of a chance to advance past the first round.
Expectations within the locker room were considerably higher and, as the Big Macs proved, more realistic.
Coached by Yuri Krivokhija, a 1988 draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens, and with little representation on the all-star team, Canon-McMillan (18-8-1) beat top-seed Shaler en route to knocking off Seneca Valley for its first Penguins Cup title.
The Big Macs’ run ended in the Pennsylvania Cup, a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Cardinal O’Hara. But players Mario Dalesandro, Brett Oldaker, Brandon Smolarek and Alexander Baskakov turned C-M hockey into something special.
5. Canon-McMillan WrestlingWrestling powerhouse Canon-McMillan returned to its oft-occupied position atop the WPIAL when it defeated Kiski Area in the Class AAA team tournament to cap a dramatic run.
It marked the Big Macs first team championship – and first for head coach Chris Mary – since 1995 but its sixth overall.
Mike Hull, who hadn’t wrestled in 11 days after suffering a shoulder separation in a high school all-star football game, beat his heavier opponent 3-2 in the final match against Kiski to deliver the 32-27 victory. Earlier in the tournament, C-M beat Penn-Trafford by one point, thanks to Zach Thomas’ win at 160.
Connor Schram (103), Nick Catalano (135) and Sam Lombardo (140) each won silver at the WPIAL championships. Schram won PIAA gold to cap his freshman season.
6. Canon-McMillan Boys Track
Deep and talented, Canon-McMillan had only one WPIAL gold medalist in Nick Gibson, which makes the Big Macs’ accomplishment more impressive. At the WPIAL Class AAA team championship, key performances came from Michael Burchesky, Alex Adams, Hull and a host of others as Canon-McMillan won its second team title in three years.
7. Peters Township Field Hockey
Winners of consecutive WPIAL Division I girls lacrosse titles from 2007-09, Peters Township became a first-time power in field hockey when Jules Femiani scored in the first overtime to lift the Indians past Fox Chapel, 1-0, in the WPIAL final. Under first-year coach Kristin Slemmer, Peters Township finished 13-2.
8. South Fayette Football
South Fayette’s high-powered offense, engineered by Brumbaugh and fortified by all-state linemen Steve McElhinny, rolled over competition in the Century Conference. The Lions (10-1) went 9-0 during the regular season – their first undefeated mark since 1936 – and were the top seed in the Class AA playoffs. They lost to Aliquippa in the quarterfinals.
9. Jefferson-Morgan Girls Volleyball
With nine seniors, Jefferson-Morgan delivered on the potential they first displayed as sophomores. Led by all-state player Mabel Culp along with Morgan Olson and Marissa Cameron, the Rockets (18-3) finished third in WPIAL Class A and became the first volleyball team from Greene County to play in the state tournament.
10. Peters Township Girls Soccer
It’s difficult to imagine any team suffering a tougher loss than Peters Township did to Seneca Valley in the WPIAL Class AAA championship. The Indians fell in extra penalty kicks. Sadly, the Indians (19-3-2) were emotionally devastated again in PIAA quarterfinals when Erie McDowell scored the game winner with 21.4 seconds remaining.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Girls Athlete of The Year Finalists
Each year, the Observer-Reporter sports staff selects a Girls Athlete of the Year and, unlike the boys honor, it's not always handed to an athlete who dominates the headlines.
The following is the list of past honorees since the award was first given in 2000.
2009-10 – ?????
2008-09 – Amanda Kennedy, Bentworth
2007-08 – Jenna Phillips, Washington
2006-07 – Paige McMenamin, Peters Township
2005-06 – Brianna Liebold, Chartiers-Houston
2004-05 – Ashley Young, Canon-McMillan
2003-04 – Samantha Slagle, Beth-Center
2002-03 – Stephanie Kuhn, Ringgold
2001-02 – Jessica Perry, Peters Township
2000-01 – Shellie Cotton, Charleroi
1999-2000 – Kristen Lancas, Ringgold
This year's list of finalists is unusual in that the majority of the athletes are one-sport standouts.
Jules Femiani, Peters Township
A Central Michigan field hockey recruit, Femiani scored the game-winning goal in overtime as PT beat Fox Chapel for its first WPIAL field hockey championship. Femiani also earned honorable mention All-American honors for lacrosse and was first-team All-WPIAL.
Ashley Morran, Trinity
Trinity's all-time home run hitter in softball, Morran won 2009 O-R Player of the Year honors. As a senior, she batted .430 despite constantly being pitched around. Morran was also the second-leading scorer on Trinity's basketball team.
Taylor Schram, Canon-McMillan
Committed to Penn State for soccer as a junior. Schram scored 52 goals as a senior in leading Canon-McMillan to the PIAA playoffs for the first time. She tallied 145 for her varsity career and Coaches’ All-State and All-American selection for second consecutive year. Schram also earned selection first-team All-American by ESPN Rise.
Sarah Shashura, California
From the tennis hotbed known as the Mon Valley, Shashura won the WPIAL boys singles title in the spring and qualified for the PIAA tournament. She lost in the first round at states but held a substantial lead in the match before tiring. A four-star recruit according to the Tennis Recruiting Network, Shashura is ranked No. 149 nationally.
Tanya Timko, Chartiers-Houston
Months after receiving publicity for winning the WPIAL doubles title with her sister Karli, Tanya played singles in the fall and won a WPIAL championship to give her district titles in everything but boys singles. Timko went on to finish second at the PIAA tournament. A three-star recruit by the previously mentioned network, Timko is ranked No. 202 nationally.
The following is the list of past honorees since the award was first given in 2000.
2009-10 – ?????
2008-09 – Amanda Kennedy, Bentworth
2007-08 – Jenna Phillips, Washington
2006-07 – Paige McMenamin, Peters Township
2005-06 – Brianna Liebold, Chartiers-Houston
2004-05 – Ashley Young, Canon-McMillan
2003-04 – Samantha Slagle, Beth-Center
2002-03 – Stephanie Kuhn, Ringgold
2001-02 – Jessica Perry, Peters Township
2000-01 – Shellie Cotton, Charleroi
1999-2000 – Kristen Lancas, Ringgold
This year's list of finalists is unusual in that the majority of the athletes are one-sport standouts.
Jules Femiani, Peters Township
A Central Michigan field hockey recruit, Femiani scored the game-winning goal in overtime as PT beat Fox Chapel for its first WPIAL field hockey championship. Femiani also earned honorable mention All-American honors for lacrosse and was first-team All-WPIAL.
Ashley Morran, Trinity
Trinity's all-time home run hitter in softball, Morran won 2009 O-R Player of the Year honors. As a senior, she batted .430 despite constantly being pitched around. Morran was also the second-leading scorer on Trinity's basketball team.
Taylor Schram, Canon-McMillan
Committed to Penn State for soccer as a junior. Schram scored 52 goals as a senior in leading Canon-McMillan to the PIAA playoffs for the first time. She tallied 145 for her varsity career and Coaches’ All-State and All-American selection for second consecutive year. Schram also earned selection first-team All-American by ESPN Rise.
Sarah Shashura, California
From the tennis hotbed known as the Mon Valley, Shashura won the WPIAL boys singles title in the spring and qualified for the PIAA tournament. She lost in the first round at states but held a substantial lead in the match before tiring. A four-star recruit according to the Tennis Recruiting Network, Shashura is ranked No. 149 nationally.
Tanya Timko, Chartiers-Houston
Months after receiving publicity for winning the WPIAL doubles title with her sister Karli, Tanya played singles in the fall and won a WPIAL championship to give her district titles in everything but boys singles. Timko went on to finish second at the PIAA tournament. A three-star recruit by the previously mentioned network, Timko is ranked No. 202 nationally.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Peters Township's White ranked by NHL's Central Scouting
Matt White, a senior at Peters Township High School and member of the 2009-10 Pittsburgh Viper Stars 18 & Under AAA hockey team, made the final rankings of skaters by the National Hockey League's Central Scouting.
White was ranked No. 106 in the final report released by the NHL last Wednesday.
A 6-2, 195 center, White posted 78 points (36 goals, 42 assists) in 45 games for the Viper Stars. The University of Vermont recruit, where former Peters Township standout Rob Madore is the starting goaltender, is expected to sign with the school this month.
He helped the Viper Stars to a 42-27-7-1 record this season.
In addition to skating for the Viper Stars and Peters Township, White played for the United States Hockey League's Des Moines Buccaneers, a Junior A level team. White was also a member of Team USA in the 2008 World Junior A challenge. Team USA won the gold medal.
Christian Hanson, a center on the Toronto Maple Leafs, previously played for Peters Township before heading to Notre Dame. Dwight LaBrosse, who never played for the Indians but was from McMurray, was the ninth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2002. The goalie's last known team was the Des Moines Buccaneers (2003-04).
White was ranked No. 106 in the final report released by the NHL last Wednesday.
A 6-2, 195 center, White posted 78 points (36 goals, 42 assists) in 45 games for the Viper Stars. The University of Vermont recruit, where former Peters Township standout Rob Madore is the starting goaltender, is expected to sign with the school this month.
He helped the Viper Stars to a 42-27-7-1 record this season.
In addition to skating for the Viper Stars and Peters Township, White played for the United States Hockey League's Des Moines Buccaneers, a Junior A level team. White was also a member of Team USA in the 2008 World Junior A challenge. Team USA won the gold medal.
Christian Hanson, a center on the Toronto Maple Leafs, previously played for Peters Township before heading to Notre Dame. Dwight LaBrosse, who never played for the Indians but was from McMurray, was the ninth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2002. The goalie's last known team was the Des Moines Buccaneers (2003-04).
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Signing day
The following is a list of local athletes who signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday:
Football
Lashawn Bryant, Trinity (Garden City Junior College)
Chad Hagan, Canon-McMillan (Ohio State)
Mike Hull, Canon-McMillan (Penn State)
ShelDon Miller, Monessen (Akron)
Ryan Moore, Trinity (West Virginia Wesleyan)
Bryan Thomas, Washington (Bowling Green)
Ken Wilkins, Trinity (Michigan)
Larry Woods, Trinity (West Virginia Wesleyan)
Girls soccer
Devon Burkholder, Peters Township (Maryland-Baltimore County)
Megan Junker, Peters Township (St. Bonaventure)
Taylor Schram, Canon-McMillan (Penn State)
Field hockey
Julianna Makrinos, Peters
Township (Central Michigan)
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Fall of Peters Township
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Peters Township claimed the second PIAA and WPIAL girls tennis team titles in school history. Julie Stroyne and Caroline Nixon won the state girls doubles tournament. The Indians field hockey team won their first WPIAL title.
And the wild thing is Peters Township didn't have as good a fall sports season in 2009 as it did in 2008.
Still, Peters Township remains the area's leader in athletics.
The success of the girls tennis and field hockey teams highlight another successful sports season.
Peters Township girls soccer played in the WPIAL Class AAA championship match a second consecutive year. The Indians controlled much of the action but lost to Seneca Valley on penalty kicks. They were bounced in the PIAA quarterfinals by Erie McDowell in another match where Peters Township controlled play but was unable to finish. In 2008, PT reached the state championship.
With North Carolina State recruit Shelli Spamer leading a strong cast of returning players (Hannah Caso, Olivia Roberson, Christina O'Connor, etc.), Peters Township should achieve similar success in 2010.
Peters Township boys golf also fielded a roster loaded with underclassmen. The Indians won a difficult section and reached the finals of the WPIAL Division I team championship, which they won in 2008 with a senior-laden roster.
Peters Township boys soccer exited the WPIAL playoffs in the quarterfinals with a loss to Bethel Park. The Indians just weren't themselves in that match and watching them lose so early in the postseason is kind of like watching Thomas Jefferson lose to West Allegheny in the football playoffs. It's a rarity.
And, for the first time since 2003, Peters Township football finished with a winning record. At 5-4, the Indians managed two wins over Class AAAA teams (Canon-McMillan, Kiski Area) and returns several top players, most notably quarterback Austin Hancock and running back/defensive back Andrew Erenberg.
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