Following the completion of every scholastic sports year, the Observer-Reporter honors a boys and girls athlete of the year. It is voted on by members of the sports staff.
Generally, the distinction is given to a multi-sport athlete, though a single-sport athlete can be selected, as evidenced by the past two Girls Athlete of the Year honorees.
Previous O-R Girls Athlete of the Year were Shelli Spamer, Peters Township (2011), Taylor Schram, Canon-McMillan (2010), Amanda Kennedy, Bentworth (2009), Jenna Phillips, Washington (2008), Paige McMenamin, Peters Township (2007), Brianna Liebold, Chartiers-Houston (2006), Ashley Young, Canon-McMillan (2005), Samantha Slagle, Beth-Center (2004), Stephanie Kuhn, Ringgold (2003), Jessica Perry, Peters Township (2002), Shellie Cotton, Charleroi (2001) and Kristen Lancas, Ringgold (2000).
The following five players were considered for this year's distinction:
Beka Bellhy, Fort Cherry
Bellhy was the O-R Girls Basketball Player of the Year and an All-State selection. She also played volleyball and participated in track.
Jessica Dorazio, Bentworth
Dorazio was a three-sport standout. She earned All-State honors in volleyball, was the area's leading scorer in girls basketball and one of the premier defensive players in softball.
Shannon Flament, Charleroi
Flament earned All-WPIAL honors in soccer, was a four-year starter and the leading scorer for the basketball team and a PIAA qualifier in track.
Veronica Latsko, Peters Township
Already one of the more highly decorated girls soccer players in Washington County history, Latsko - a sophomore - scored 45 goals for PT, including the lone goal in the PIAA Class AAA championship match.
Jessie Merckle, Fort Cherry
For all Fort Cherry's basketball talent, the Rangers played their best when Merckle was on, which was most of the time. A two-time All-District selection in basketball, the Wake Forest track recruit was a PIAA and WPIAL gold medalist in the javelin.
Showing posts with label Soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soccer. Show all posts
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Varsity notebook
Two intriguing names have emerged as Trinity searches for its next girls basketball coach - Bob Miles and Laura Montecalvo.
At least two sources have indicated Miles is interested and the feeling should be mutual. It makes sense. Miles teaches at Trinity and he built Fort Cherry into a program which contended for WPIAL and PIAA titles. Plus, his work has earned respect at a state-wide level as evidenced by his selection as the Class A Coach of the Year in 2011. Miles is a three-time winner of the Tri-County Athletic Director Coaches Association Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. His teams are known for unselfish, disciplined and physical play.
Fort Cherry is moving to Class AA for at least the next two seasons and was placed in a section with Seton-La Salle and Bishop Canevin. The Rangers will still be a solid team the next two years, but there is a reported drop-off in talent after the sophomore class graduates.
If Miles, who lives in the Fort Cherry district, remains interested, consider him the top candidate.
Montecalvo was a standout athlete while at Wash High and has strong interest in becoming a head coach. She is also certified as a guidance counselor, and Trinity may have an opening in guidance for the upcoming school year.
* It's late May and, finally, every local high school has a varsity football coach. Bentworth, Burgettstown, Charleroi, Jefferson-Morgan, McGuffey, Trinity and Waynesburg all enter the 2012 with new coaches.
Bentworth and Charleroi moved quickly with their hires. McGuffey and Waynesburg made splash hires. Trinity conducted an extensive search. Burgettstown moved extremely quick with an in-house candidate in Terry Havelka, also the Blue Devils wrestling coach, following Matt Taylor's departure to Keystone Oaks. Jefferson-Morgan's search was extraordinarily long, the longest I can remember at the high school level.
* The WPIAL individual track championships are today, and the Washington-Greene region should produce a strong share of gold medalists. It's been a strong year for track.
* Speaking of track, the Washington boys team has a legitimate chance to win the Class AA team title at the state meet next weekend.
The Prexies, who turned in one of the most dominant dual meet seasons in WPIAL history, have everything needed to win a state title.
Dustin Fuller has the ability to win multiple individual championships. The 400 and 1,600 relay teams should medal. Other individual medals could come from a long list of athletes including Josh Wise, Darius Spinks, Shai McKenzie, West Jones, Austin Fuller and Joe Phillips. It's a special group.
* McKenzie's showing this track season is solidifying his status as a Division I football prospect. Only a sophomore, McKenzie is running sub-11 seconds in the 100-meter dash and is hearing from a host of Division I football programs from the Big Ten, Big East and ACC.
McKenzie and Monessen's Justice Rawlins are already two of the WPIAL's most sought-after prospects in the Class of 2014. Rawlins already has offers from Pitt and Rutgers, with WVU showing significant interest.
* Got to agree with Mike White from the Post-Gazette, who stated the WPIAL baseball playoffs need tweaked on his blog, Varsity Blog.
The brackets are set so teams with first-round byes can pitch their ace throughout the remainder of the playoffs beginning in the quarterfinals. It takes a lot of intrigue away from the postseason. And cramming the quarterfinals games one day after the first-round games pretty much eliminated any chance for upsets.
* That stated, the WPIAL Class A baseball semifinal between undefeated California and one-loss Bentworth has to be the most anticipated postseason game between a pair of local teams since Peters Township and Canon-McMillan met in the 2008 PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinals.
The two teams play Monday night at Washington & Jefferson's Ross Memorial Park. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
* Chartiers-Houston baseball was woefully underseeded. The Bucs were far better than No. 9 in Class A.
* Peters Township junior Olivia Roberson is already a two-time PIAA champion as a key member of the Indians' girls soccer team. An all-state player her junior year, Roberson recently accepted a scholarship offer from Duquesne University.
At least two sources have indicated Miles is interested and the feeling should be mutual. It makes sense. Miles teaches at Trinity and he built Fort Cherry into a program which contended for WPIAL and PIAA titles. Plus, his work has earned respect at a state-wide level as evidenced by his selection as the Class A Coach of the Year in 2011. Miles is a three-time winner of the Tri-County Athletic Director Coaches Association Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. His teams are known for unselfish, disciplined and physical play.
Fort Cherry is moving to Class AA for at least the next two seasons and was placed in a section with Seton-La Salle and Bishop Canevin. The Rangers will still be a solid team the next two years, but there is a reported drop-off in talent after the sophomore class graduates.
If Miles, who lives in the Fort Cherry district, remains interested, consider him the top candidate.
Montecalvo was a standout athlete while at Wash High and has strong interest in becoming a head coach. She is also certified as a guidance counselor, and Trinity may have an opening in guidance for the upcoming school year.
* It's late May and, finally, every local high school has a varsity football coach. Bentworth, Burgettstown, Charleroi, Jefferson-Morgan, McGuffey, Trinity and Waynesburg all enter the 2012 with new coaches.
Bentworth and Charleroi moved quickly with their hires. McGuffey and Waynesburg made splash hires. Trinity conducted an extensive search. Burgettstown moved extremely quick with an in-house candidate in Terry Havelka, also the Blue Devils wrestling coach, following Matt Taylor's departure to Keystone Oaks. Jefferson-Morgan's search was extraordinarily long, the longest I can remember at the high school level.
* The WPIAL individual track championships are today, and the Washington-Greene region should produce a strong share of gold medalists. It's been a strong year for track.
* Speaking of track, the Washington boys team has a legitimate chance to win the Class AA team title at the state meet next weekend.
The Prexies, who turned in one of the most dominant dual meet seasons in WPIAL history, have everything needed to win a state title.
Dustin Fuller has the ability to win multiple individual championships. The 400 and 1,600 relay teams should medal. Other individual medals could come from a long list of athletes including Josh Wise, Darius Spinks, Shai McKenzie, West Jones, Austin Fuller and Joe Phillips. It's a special group.
* McKenzie's showing this track season is solidifying his status as a Division I football prospect. Only a sophomore, McKenzie is running sub-11 seconds in the 100-meter dash and is hearing from a host of Division I football programs from the Big Ten, Big East and ACC.
McKenzie and Monessen's Justice Rawlins are already two of the WPIAL's most sought-after prospects in the Class of 2014. Rawlins already has offers from Pitt and Rutgers, with WVU showing significant interest.
* Got to agree with Mike White from the Post-Gazette, who stated the WPIAL baseball playoffs need tweaked on his blog, Varsity Blog.
The brackets are set so teams with first-round byes can pitch their ace throughout the remainder of the playoffs beginning in the quarterfinals. It takes a lot of intrigue away from the postseason. And cramming the quarterfinals games one day after the first-round games pretty much eliminated any chance for upsets.
* That stated, the WPIAL Class A baseball semifinal between undefeated California and one-loss Bentworth has to be the most anticipated postseason game between a pair of local teams since Peters Township and Canon-McMillan met in the 2008 PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinals.
The two teams play Monday night at Washington & Jefferson's Ross Memorial Park. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
* Chartiers-Houston baseball was woefully underseeded. The Bucs were far better than No. 9 in Class A.
* Peters Township junior Olivia Roberson is already a two-time PIAA champion as a key member of the Indians' girls soccer team. An all-state player her junior year, Roberson recently accepted a scholarship offer from Duquesne University.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Charleroi's all-time team
WPIAL soccer was in its infancy, and played during the spring, back in 1963. Charleroi was one of the district's original programs.
The 2012 season marks the 50th in Cougars history, and to commemorate one of the WPIAL's oldest programs, the school had compiled a half-century team (a story on the team will appear in the Observer-Reporter at a later date).
The selection committee was comprised of former Charleroi coaches and headed by current coach Tom Villella. Plans to honor the All Half-Century Team are in progress with a selected date of Sept. 8.
Members of the team are:
Mike Borelli, forward, 1965;
Joe Bosley, midfielder, 1994;
Chuck Bruce, goalie, 1988;
Keith Conte, defender, 1982;
Lewis DiBernardi, forward, 1972;
Josh Gray, forward, 1996;
Jack Jacobs, forward, 1967;
Dennis Laskey, midfielder, 1968;
Darrin Lupori, forward, 1988;
Ron Lupori, forward, 1984;
Rob Maglicic, forward, 2000;
Cal Montgomery, forward, 1996;
Luke Paglia, midfielder, 1989;
Robin Rossi, forward, 1972;
Chad Roule, forward, 1994;
Vince Russell, forward, 1991;
Jeff Soles, midfielder, 1994;
George Watkins, goalie, 1991.
The 2012 season marks the 50th in Cougars history, and to commemorate one of the WPIAL's oldest programs, the school had compiled a half-century team (a story on the team will appear in the Observer-Reporter at a later date).
The selection committee was comprised of former Charleroi coaches and headed by current coach Tom Villella. Plans to honor the All Half-Century Team are in progress with a selected date of Sept. 8.
Members of the team are:
Mike Borelli, forward, 1965;
Joe Bosley, midfielder, 1994;
Chuck Bruce, goalie, 1988;
Keith Conte, defender, 1982;
Lewis DiBernardi, forward, 1972;
Josh Gray, forward, 1996;
Jack Jacobs, forward, 1967;
Dennis Laskey, midfielder, 1968;
Darrin Lupori, forward, 1988;
Ron Lupori, forward, 1984;
Rob Maglicic, forward, 2000;
Cal Montgomery, forward, 1996;
Luke Paglia, midfielder, 1989;
Robin Rossi, forward, 1972;
Chad Roule, forward, 1994;
Vince Russell, forward, 1991;
Jeff Soles, midfielder, 1994;
George Watkins, goalie, 1991.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Top 5 teams of 2011
1. Peters Township girls soccer
As Indians head coach Pat Vereb said before his team played one game, "We're replacing roughly 80 percent of the roster with girls who have little or no varsity experience."
The previous group won PIAA and WPIAL Class AAA titles in 2010 with a physical yet skilled style of play. Peters Township in 2011 would rely more on speed and other skill sets in defense of the program's first state championship.
After two games, the Indians were 0-1-1.
Peters Township eventually meshed and earned the top seed in the WPIAL playoffs, where the Indians needed a two-goal rally in the quarterfinals to remain in competition. A loss to Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL championship, did little to affect PT's play in the state tournament.
Only an honorable mention team in the state's Class AAA rankings, Peters Township (20-3-1) rolled through the competition and beat Pennridge, 1-0, for its second consecutive state championship.
2. Peters Township girls tennis
For WPIAL girls tennis coaches as the Class AAA level, the key is navigating the district bracket.
Every time Peters Township has won a WPIAL girls team title, it has followed with a state championship. It happened in 2006, 2009 and once again in 2011.
The top seed in the WPIAL playoffs, Peters Township dominated the pairings like never before. The Indians beat Fox Chapel, Upper St. Clair and old nemesis Shady Side Academy in the finals. Along the way, Peters Township lost one match.
Peters Township played Shady Side Academy once again for the PIAA team title, and a 4-1 victory clinched the Indians' third title in six years. The Indians lost just one match in the state playoffs.
3. Chartiers-Houston softball
In 2010, Chartiers-Houston finally broke the curse. Not only did the Bucs score a run in a state championship game after previously being blanked in all previous appearances, C-H won the Class A title.
The Bucs entered the 2011 season as the prohibitive favorite to win a seventh WPIAL championship and they delivered, making things look easier than they were with an undefeated record, and a 9-3 win over section rival Fort Cherry in the final.
C-H (22-1) reached the state semifinals, where a 24-game win streak was snapped with a 3-2 loss to Clairion.
4. Monessen boys basketball
Losses to Norwin and North Allegheny - a pair of Class AAAA programs - were all that kept Monessen completing the regular season with an undefeated record. The Greyhounds were that good, yet not good enough to receive the top seed in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
No matter.
A blowout win over Ellwood City - the 500th coaching victory for Joe Salvino - led to close ones against Jeannette and Wilkinsburg. Monessen found itself playing Greensburg Central Catholic for the championship at Duquesne University's A.J. Palumbo Center. For those who don't know the interesting subplots of that contest, well, you must have been far, far away from Western Pennsylvania.
Monessen (26-3) won by 20 points and reached the PIAA semifinals, where GCC ended the Greyhounds' outstanding season.
5. Washington boys 4x400 relay team
The restoration of Wash High athletics was underway during the spring, and the boys track and field team played the key role.
Washington reached the WPIAL Class AA team championship, where it finished second. There were multiple WPIAL and PIAA medalists, but the shining moment came during the final event of the WPIAL championship meet at Baldwin.
That's when the Washington 1,600 relay team of XXXX entered the WPIAL record books.
Mykhael Kelley, Jordan Thomas, Darius Spinks and anchor leg Dustin Fuller ran a scorching 3:26.41, not only good enough for WPIAL gold but the time broke a 10-year meet record, which was held by ... Washington.
As Indians head coach Pat Vereb said before his team played one game, "We're replacing roughly 80 percent of the roster with girls who have little or no varsity experience."
The previous group won PIAA and WPIAL Class AAA titles in 2010 with a physical yet skilled style of play. Peters Township in 2011 would rely more on speed and other skill sets in defense of the program's first state championship.
After two games, the Indians were 0-1-1.
Peters Township eventually meshed and earned the top seed in the WPIAL playoffs, where the Indians needed a two-goal rally in the quarterfinals to remain in competition. A loss to Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL championship, did little to affect PT's play in the state tournament.
Only an honorable mention team in the state's Class AAA rankings, Peters Township (20-3-1) rolled through the competition and beat Pennridge, 1-0, for its second consecutive state championship.
2. Peters Township girls tennis
For WPIAL girls tennis coaches as the Class AAA level, the key is navigating the district bracket.
Every time Peters Township has won a WPIAL girls team title, it has followed with a state championship. It happened in 2006, 2009 and once again in 2011.
The top seed in the WPIAL playoffs, Peters Township dominated the pairings like never before. The Indians beat Fox Chapel, Upper St. Clair and old nemesis Shady Side Academy in the finals. Along the way, Peters Township lost one match.
Peters Township played Shady Side Academy once again for the PIAA team title, and a 4-1 victory clinched the Indians' third title in six years. The Indians lost just one match in the state playoffs.
3. Chartiers-Houston softball
In 2010, Chartiers-Houston finally broke the curse. Not only did the Bucs score a run in a state championship game after previously being blanked in all previous appearances, C-H won the Class A title.
The Bucs entered the 2011 season as the prohibitive favorite to win a seventh WPIAL championship and they delivered, making things look easier than they were with an undefeated record, and a 9-3 win over section rival Fort Cherry in the final.
C-H (22-1) reached the state semifinals, where a 24-game win streak was snapped with a 3-2 loss to Clairion.
4. Monessen boys basketball
Losses to Norwin and North Allegheny - a pair of Class AAAA programs - were all that kept Monessen completing the regular season with an undefeated record. The Greyhounds were that good, yet not good enough to receive the top seed in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
No matter.
A blowout win over Ellwood City - the 500th coaching victory for Joe Salvino - led to close ones against Jeannette and Wilkinsburg. Monessen found itself playing Greensburg Central Catholic for the championship at Duquesne University's A.J. Palumbo Center. For those who don't know the interesting subplots of that contest, well, you must have been far, far away from Western Pennsylvania.
Monessen (26-3) won by 20 points and reached the PIAA semifinals, where GCC ended the Greyhounds' outstanding season.
5. Washington boys 4x400 relay team
The restoration of Wash High athletics was underway during the spring, and the boys track and field team played the key role.
Washington reached the WPIAL Class AA team championship, where it finished second. There were multiple WPIAL and PIAA medalists, but the shining moment came during the final event of the WPIAL championship meet at Baldwin.
That's when the Washington 1,600 relay team of XXXX entered the WPIAL record books.
Mykhael Kelley, Jordan Thomas, Darius Spinks and anchor leg Dustin Fuller ran a scorching 3:26.41, not only good enough for WPIAL gold but the time broke a 10-year meet record, which was held by ... Washington.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Top five moments of 2011
1. Matt Venanzi's last-second goal
A Neil Harrison throw-in with 10 seconds remaining bounced in front of the Pittsburgh central Catholic goal. Somehow, the ball squirted to All-State midfielder and Pitt recruit Matt Venanzi.
One touch later, upstart Peters Township tied top-seed PCC, 1-1, with 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation.
Following the goal, Venanzi raced toward the corner flag, looked into the sky as he raised his arms to hip level and was mobbed by teammates.
Peters Township went on to win the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals in a shootout. Naturally, Venanzi scored in that as well. Peters Township, which lost its final three games of the regular season, reached the WPIAL championship game once again with the win and qualified for the state tournament.
"We weren't as good as last year, but we still had some good players," Venanzi said. "We had a lot of new players but the team knew we could be good. I think it was people outside the program who didn't expect us to get this far."
2. Veronica Latsko fights off Pennridge
While the moment can't top Venanzi's for sheer drama, Peters Township sophomore Veronica Latsko scored a goal in the 2011 PIAA Class AAA championship match that illustrates why she's considered one of the top players around.
A pair of Pennridge defenders tugged and pulled at Latsko for nearly 25 yards and just as the All-State striker looked ready to hit the turf at Hersheypark Stadium, she managed to put a shot early in the first half on net for the game's lone goal.
Peters Township won its second consecutive PIAA Class AAA championship with a 1-0 victory.
"I don't know how she stayed on her feet for that long," Peters Township coach Pat Vereb said. "It was an amazing effort."
3. Briggs has grand time for C-H softball
Chartiers-Houston took a 20-0 record and a 24-game win streak into the WPIAL Class A championship game against section rival Fort Cherry, the bracket's 15th seed.
An ideas that the Rangers would pull off an upset and beat the 2010 state champs were quickly quelled in the second inning when sophomore rightfielder Kayla Briggs smacked a Nicolette McHugh pitch toward centerfield and over the wall at California University's Lilly Field.
"I didn't really think it was gone. I was just trying to get one run in," Briggs said.
Briggs finished the championship game with five RBI, or just another average day for a two-time All-State selection who batted over .600 during her sophomore season.
4. Monessen extracts revengeRarely do teams admit a victory is sweeter because of the opponent. That wasn't the case for the Monessen boys basketball team following the 2011 WPIAL Class AA title game.
The balanced Greyhounds beat top-seed Greensburg Central Catholic with surprising ease, burying three-pointers, playing air-tight defense and even throwing down an alley-oop.
"I would say it is. They get sweeter the older you get," Moneseen coach Joe Salvino said. "But that's a school that's allowed to get anybody. And here we are at Monessen, a small Class A school playing up and winning a championship. I'm proud of these kids."
Beating the Centurions was particularly pleasing that year given the strange circumstances involving the transfers of Terrence and Josh Stepoli. The brothers started at Monessen, went to GCC separately, went back to Monessen and, well, you get the idea.
And during Monessen's postseason run, which ended in the state semifinals with a loss to GCC, the legendary Salvino picked up his 500th career victory.
5. Peters Township's lumber company
On one magical night during the WPIAL Class AAAA baseball playoffs, Peters Township put together what might be the best hitting performance the district postseason has seen.
During a 17-1 win over Latrobe, Peters Township's bash brothers bashed a grand slam, home runs, triples and doubles.
By the time the game ended because of the 15-run mercy rule, Peters Township – led by Justin Bianco, Brady Sheetz, Austin Hancock and Andrew Erenberg – smacked 10 extra base hits. None were cheap.
"We have a lot of guys that can hit the ball. We go up there looking to do our job," said rightfielder Justin Bianco.
The hitting performance continually drew "oohs" and "aahs" from spectators and even prompted a couple college coaches in attendance to say they've never witnessed a better hitting performance.
No doubt the playoff-issued baseballs were glad to see the Indians leave Washington & Jefferson's baseball field that night.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tuesday notebook
Blogger's note: Final thoughts on the local 2011 football season are being formulated and will appear soon.
Two of the area's premier high school baseball players - Nick Riotto and Stephen McCaw - recently made commitments to college programs.
Riotto, a junior from Trinity, will play at Penn State. McCaw, a senior from Waynesburg, will play for Mercyhurst.
Riotto burst onto the high school scene as a freshman with a .500-plus batting average and big-time numbers. The lefty landed a spot on the Observer-Reporter All-District team that year. His batting average dipped during his sophomore season as Trinity missed the playoffs, but Riotto continued to play well in fall and summer leagues.
McCaw was the leading hitter for a Waynesburg team that reached the WPIAL Class AA championship last season, and a standout defensive catcher. He earned WPIAL Class AA Player of the Year honors.
* The Peters Township girls soccer team is one win from reaching the PIAA Class AAA championship for the third time in four years.
That's extraordinary.
Peters Township plays Upper St. Clair in tonight's semifinals. The two split a pair of games, with PT winning during the regular season and USC winning in the WPIAL championship match.
There's no doubt that Peters Township is the WPIAL's premier athletic power in what can be labeled as "non-revenue" sports.
What's the Indians' best fall program?
Over time, it's been boys soccer. Lately, girls soccer, girls tennis and boys golf has joined the conversation.
* Avella's difficulties filling a football roster with able bodies is well-documented. That wasn't always the case at the tiny school in the Western foothills of Washington County.
Avella will host Burgettstown Sunday in an Alumni Football USA event. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. and, with the Steelers on a bye week, a crowd of at least 1,000 is expected.
Players from the 1980s, 90s and 2000s will suit up for the Eagles, who have a roster of 45 players. That's about three times larger than the numbers of players head coach Ryan Cecchini, who will start at linebacker, had for the Eagles' regular season finale at Bentworth.
Two of the area's premier high school baseball players - Nick Riotto and Stephen McCaw - recently made commitments to college programs.
Riotto, a junior from Trinity, will play at Penn State. McCaw, a senior from Waynesburg, will play for Mercyhurst.
Riotto burst onto the high school scene as a freshman with a .500-plus batting average and big-time numbers. The lefty landed a spot on the Observer-Reporter All-District team that year. His batting average dipped during his sophomore season as Trinity missed the playoffs, but Riotto continued to play well in fall and summer leagues.
McCaw was the leading hitter for a Waynesburg team that reached the WPIAL Class AA championship last season, and a standout defensive catcher. He earned WPIAL Class AA Player of the Year honors.
* The Peters Township girls soccer team is one win from reaching the PIAA Class AAA championship for the third time in four years.
That's extraordinary.
Peters Township plays Upper St. Clair in tonight's semifinals. The two split a pair of games, with PT winning during the regular season and USC winning in the WPIAL championship match.
There's no doubt that Peters Township is the WPIAL's premier athletic power in what can be labeled as "non-revenue" sports.
What's the Indians' best fall program?
Over time, it's been boys soccer. Lately, girls soccer, girls tennis and boys golf has joined the conversation.
* Avella's difficulties filling a football roster with able bodies is well-documented. That wasn't always the case at the tiny school in the Western foothills of Washington County.
Avella will host Burgettstown Sunday in an Alumni Football USA event. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. and, with the Steelers on a bye week, a crowd of at least 1,000 is expected.
Players from the 1980s, 90s and 2000s will suit up for the Eagles, who have a roster of 45 players. That's about three times larger than the numbers of players head coach Ryan Cecchini, who will start at linebacker, had for the Eagles' regular season finale at Bentworth.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Quick hits
Injuries continue to plague Ringgold football but the Rams did get some good news heading into Friday night's game against Uniontown.
Senior quarterback Quad Law practiced Wednesday and plans to play. Law, who played just one brief series last week at Franklin Regional, hinted to me via Twitter that he might play. When asked, he said, "yes sir! I practiced today an I felt great!"
Offensive lineman/defensive end Mike Beveridge also returned to practice. Beveridge is Ringgold's best defensive player.
How much Ringgold's injured players actually play will be determined but the game does hold some meaning as a loss could drop Ringgold to third place in the Keystone Conference and put them on the road for the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.
* Last year, Brett Brumbaugh was a ball boy for South Fayette's football team. Friday night, the freshman will start in place of injured John Lerda according to Mike White of the Post-Gazette.
WPIAL record-holder Christian Brumbaugh is a redshirt freshman at William & Mary. Luke Brumbaugh is a junior and a starting quarterback at undefeated Seton-La Salle.
http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/30589-yet-another-brumbaugh-to-start-at-qb
* Initially, the change made by the PIAA to two 20-minute overtime periods in soccer seemed like a good idea.
The Peters Township boys team won Monday's first round match during the first overtime. The Peters Township girls overtime needed a shootout to edge Moon in Wednesday's quarterfinals.
PT senior Madison Creehan, who moved from goalie to striker and had a key assist in addition to the game-winning penalty kick in the shootout, said the Indians could play another 40 minutes if needed. To me, they looked absolutely exhausted. So did Moon.
Indians coach Pat Vereb wondered after the match is 40 minutes of overtime is a good idea. After watching it transpire, I say it's not good.
Senior quarterback Quad Law practiced Wednesday and plans to play. Law, who played just one brief series last week at Franklin Regional, hinted to me via Twitter that he might play. When asked, he said, "yes sir! I practiced today an I felt great!"
Offensive lineman/defensive end Mike Beveridge also returned to practice. Beveridge is Ringgold's best defensive player.
How much Ringgold's injured players actually play will be determined but the game does hold some meaning as a loss could drop Ringgold to third place in the Keystone Conference and put them on the road for the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.
* Last year, Brett Brumbaugh was a ball boy for South Fayette's football team. Friday night, the freshman will start in place of injured John Lerda according to Mike White of the Post-Gazette.
WPIAL record-holder Christian Brumbaugh is a redshirt freshman at William & Mary. Luke Brumbaugh is a junior and a starting quarterback at undefeated Seton-La Salle.
http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/30589-yet-another-brumbaugh-to-start-at-qb
* Initially, the change made by the PIAA to two 20-minute overtime periods in soccer seemed like a good idea.
The Peters Township boys team won Monday's first round match during the first overtime. The Peters Township girls overtime needed a shootout to edge Moon in Wednesday's quarterfinals.
PT senior Madison Creehan, who moved from goalie to striker and had a key assist in addition to the game-winning penalty kick in the shootout, said the Indians could play another 40 minutes if needed. To me, they looked absolutely exhausted. So did Moon.
Indians coach Pat Vereb wondered after the match is 40 minutes of overtime is a good idea. After watching it transpire, I say it's not good.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Quick hits
Trinity's Eric Richards has already had an interesting high school career. He played football at Trinity as a freshman and sophomore before he transferred to Avella.
During baseball season, Richards was the Eagles top player.
Avella was counting on Richards during football season as well, so much so that first-year head coach Ryan Cecchini made Richards the starting quarterback. He spent time there during training camp.
"Then I get a phone call two days before the start of the season, and it's from an administrator," Cecchini said. "They said Richards moved back to Trinity. We had a game in two days and our quarterback was gone. We had to scramble."
No doubt Richards could have greatly helped the Eagles. No doubt he is helping the Hillers.
Richards is seeing considerable time at linebacker and is getting an increased work load on offense. He played a vital role in Trinity's win over West Mifflin.
"Really, the only thing he doesn't have going for him is he's not 6-2," Dalton said. "He's every bit as physical as anyone we've had here."
* Bumped into Burgettstown athletic director Jon Vallina during Wednesday's WPIAL Division I Boys Individual Golf Championship & PIAA Qualifier, he said playing football games on Saturday afternoons this year has negatively affected attendance.
* Washington's Eric Ellis, a senior defensive end, has six sacks the past two games, including four at Keystone Oaks.
Ellis is also the starting right guard for an offensive line that is playing well.
"He's a tough kid, and one defense he's really giving people trouble," Prexies coach Mike Bosnic said.
* Count Chartiers-Houston coach Terry Fetsko among those surprised to see Fort Cherry lose to Brentwood in overtime.
"We didn't know how the game ended, but when we saw the final score, I'd say we were a little surprised," Fetsko said. "When I watched the game on tape, Brentwood is very disciplined and they execute well. They have a good system and they run it well."
The Bucs play at undefeated Brentwood Friday night. The winner has the inside track on finishing second in the Black Hills Conference.
* Waynesburg's Emily Rohanna won the WPIAL Division II Girls Golf Individual Championship Tuesday at Longue Vue Club in Verona. It was Rohanna's second consecutive title, and the fourth for the family.
Her older sister Rachel won two WPIAL titles (when there was one division) and two PIAA championships.
Rachel Rohanna golfs at Ohio State and spent the opening round at this year's U.S. Women's Open on the leaderboard. Emily Rohanna will golf at Youngstown State, where her father Tom played football.
There's a chance the siblings, who both played for the Waynesburg boys golf team, could compete against each other.
"I'm not sure if we do, but there might be one tournament where they might be there with us," Emily Rohanna said. "Hopefully it happens. It'll be different. She's still intimidating."
* Peters Township sophomore Veronica Latsko already has 30 goals this season. Latsko scored 26 as a freshman.
* Penn State linebacker Mike Hull carved out quite a legacy at Canon-McMillan. Hull was an Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Year, Football Player of the Year, two-time first team All-State selection (should have been three), WPIAL team wrestling and team track champion and a PIAA baseball champion.
Now, another Hull is playing football for the Big Macs.
Senior Ashley Hull, Mike's sister, is Canon-McMillan's kicker and she is the first female in Big Macs history to score points in a football game. Hull is also the starting goalie on the soccer team.
* Trinity got sophomore Pat Frey back from injury, and Frey certainly helped the Hillers beat West Mifflin. Did you know that Trinity is 6-0 versus West Mifflin since dropping to Class AAA?
It's not all good news for the Hillers this week.
Standount tailback Tyler Yocca, who has excelled in the Hillers' triple-option offense, suffered a knee injury.
"It's possible that we've lost him for the year," Dalton said. "It's a fast track at West Mifflin and not as giving as turf at most other place. (Yocca) was having such a good season."
The injury could force a switch in offensive philosophy.
"We might go out of our three-back role," Dalton said. "We could become more formation-oriented, more two-back formations."
During baseball season, Richards was the Eagles top player.
Avella was counting on Richards during football season as well, so much so that first-year head coach Ryan Cecchini made Richards the starting quarterback. He spent time there during training camp.
"Then I get a phone call two days before the start of the season, and it's from an administrator," Cecchini said. "They said Richards moved back to Trinity. We had a game in two days and our quarterback was gone. We had to scramble."
No doubt Richards could have greatly helped the Eagles. No doubt he is helping the Hillers.
Richards is seeing considerable time at linebacker and is getting an increased work load on offense. He played a vital role in Trinity's win over West Mifflin.
"Really, the only thing he doesn't have going for him is he's not 6-2," Dalton said. "He's every bit as physical as anyone we've had here."
* Bumped into Burgettstown athletic director Jon Vallina during Wednesday's WPIAL Division I Boys Individual Golf Championship & PIAA Qualifier, he said playing football games on Saturday afternoons this year has negatively affected attendance.
* Washington's Eric Ellis, a senior defensive end, has six sacks the past two games, including four at Keystone Oaks.
Ellis is also the starting right guard for an offensive line that is playing well.
"He's a tough kid, and one defense he's really giving people trouble," Prexies coach Mike Bosnic said.
* Count Chartiers-Houston coach Terry Fetsko among those surprised to see Fort Cherry lose to Brentwood in overtime.
"We didn't know how the game ended, but when we saw the final score, I'd say we were a little surprised," Fetsko said. "When I watched the game on tape, Brentwood is very disciplined and they execute well. They have a good system and they run it well."
The Bucs play at undefeated Brentwood Friday night. The winner has the inside track on finishing second in the Black Hills Conference.
* Waynesburg's Emily Rohanna won the WPIAL Division II Girls Golf Individual Championship Tuesday at Longue Vue Club in Verona. It was Rohanna's second consecutive title, and the fourth for the family.
Her older sister Rachel won two WPIAL titles (when there was one division) and two PIAA championships.
Rachel Rohanna golfs at Ohio State and spent the opening round at this year's U.S. Women's Open on the leaderboard. Emily Rohanna will golf at Youngstown State, where her father Tom played football.
There's a chance the siblings, who both played for the Waynesburg boys golf team, could compete against each other.
"I'm not sure if we do, but there might be one tournament where they might be there with us," Emily Rohanna said. "Hopefully it happens. It'll be different. She's still intimidating."
* Peters Township sophomore Veronica Latsko already has 30 goals this season. Latsko scored 26 as a freshman.
* Penn State linebacker Mike Hull carved out quite a legacy at Canon-McMillan. Hull was an Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Year, Football Player of the Year, two-time first team All-State selection (should have been three), WPIAL team wrestling and team track champion and a PIAA baseball champion.
Now, another Hull is playing football for the Big Macs.
Senior Ashley Hull, Mike's sister, is Canon-McMillan's kicker and she is the first female in Big Macs history to score points in a football game. Hull is also the starting goalie on the soccer team.
* Trinity got sophomore Pat Frey back from injury, and Frey certainly helped the Hillers beat West Mifflin. Did you know that Trinity is 6-0 versus West Mifflin since dropping to Class AAA?
It's not all good news for the Hillers this week.
Standount tailback Tyler Yocca, who has excelled in the Hillers' triple-option offense, suffered a knee injury.
"It's possible that we've lost him for the year," Dalton said. "It's a fast track at West Mifflin and not as giving as turf at most other place. (Yocca) was having such a good season."
The injury could force a switch in offensive philosophy.
"We might go out of our three-back role," Dalton said. "We could become more formation-oriented, more two-back formations."
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Quick hits
Washington High School will honor its 2001 PIAA Class AA championship football team before Friday night's home opener against Apollo-Ridge.
Those Prexies remain the only team from the Observer-Reporter's coverage area to have won a state championship in football. They finished 15-0, and were loaded with talent and colorful characters.
Wash High athletic director Joe Nicolella said things will get underway at approximately 7:05 p.m. When I spoke with him Wednesday afternoon, he said about 15-20 former players were expected. Later in the night, I talked briefly with Guy Montecalvo - Canon-McMillan's athletic director and the man who coached Wash High to the title - and he believed around 25 were expected.
Montecalvo does plan to attend before heading back to Memorial Stadium for the Big Macs' home opener against Latrobe.
It will be interesting to see who comes back, and to get a chance to talk with the most accomplished football team from this area.
* Charleroi will play its first football game at its new on-campus stadium Friday night against Brownsville.
For more on the facility and the plans, click http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sports11/09-08-2011-scholastic-notebook---charleroi-stadium.
The Cougars were hit hard by injuries in their opener at Mt. Pleasant. The same thing happened to the team a year ago.
* Several football teams failed to call in games last Friday night. The culprits were Ringgold, Charleroi, Carmichaels and Waynesburg.
Like every newspaper, it's impossible for the Observer-Reporter to staff every football game. That makes calling in results essential to provide readers with information on the game. The company even has a toll-free number set up for calls. It's 1-800-222-6397.
* You won't notice any statistical leaders in Friday's edition this week. The reason? Only Jefferson-Morgan, Avella, Mapletown, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston and Trinity reported their official Week 1 statistics to the O-R as of Thursday morning.
Stat guys and coaches, you can email stats to mkovak@observer-reporter.com or let us know if you post them on a site like MaxPreps.
* Carmichaels football coach John Menhart became the Mikes' all-time wins leader last Friday. Menhart, one of the more colorful characters around, picked up his 91st win - a 25-0 victory at Leechburg. There aren't many people out there as loyal to a place as Menhart is to Carmichaels.
Refreshing to see.
For more on Menhart's milestone, click http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/09-07-2011-football-notebook--menhart-.
* There's a trend developing for athletes at Monessen, and it's rather unique. A growing number of football players, guys like Chavas Rawlins, are also playing soccer.
Anyone else think it's a good thing to see?
Those Prexies remain the only team from the Observer-Reporter's coverage area to have won a state championship in football. They finished 15-0, and were loaded with talent and colorful characters.
Wash High athletic director Joe Nicolella said things will get underway at approximately 7:05 p.m. When I spoke with him Wednesday afternoon, he said about 15-20 former players were expected. Later in the night, I talked briefly with Guy Montecalvo - Canon-McMillan's athletic director and the man who coached Wash High to the title - and he believed around 25 were expected.
Montecalvo does plan to attend before heading back to Memorial Stadium for the Big Macs' home opener against Latrobe.
It will be interesting to see who comes back, and to get a chance to talk with the most accomplished football team from this area.
* Charleroi will play its first football game at its new on-campus stadium Friday night against Brownsville.
For more on the facility and the plans, click http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sports11/09-08-2011-scholastic-notebook---charleroi-stadium.
The Cougars were hit hard by injuries in their opener at Mt. Pleasant. The same thing happened to the team a year ago.
* Several football teams failed to call in games last Friday night. The culprits were Ringgold, Charleroi, Carmichaels and Waynesburg.
Like every newspaper, it's impossible for the Observer-Reporter to staff every football game. That makes calling in results essential to provide readers with information on the game. The company even has a toll-free number set up for calls. It's 1-800-222-6397.
* You won't notice any statistical leaders in Friday's edition this week. The reason? Only Jefferson-Morgan, Avella, Mapletown, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston and Trinity reported their official Week 1 statistics to the O-R as of Thursday morning.
Stat guys and coaches, you can email stats to mkovak@observer-reporter.com or let us know if you post them on a site like MaxPreps.
* Carmichaels football coach John Menhart became the Mikes' all-time wins leader last Friday. Menhart, one of the more colorful characters around, picked up his 91st win - a 25-0 victory at Leechburg. There aren't many people out there as loyal to a place as Menhart is to Carmichaels.
Refreshing to see.
For more on Menhart's milestone, click http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/09-07-2011-football-notebook--menhart-.
* There's a trend developing for athletes at Monessen, and it's rather unique. A growing number of football players, guys like Chavas Rawlins, are also playing soccer.
Anyone else think it's a good thing to see?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Gatorade tabs boys soccer POY
Duke recruit named Gatorade Boys Soccer National Player of the Year.
http://topdrawersoccer.com/players-to-watch/players-to-watch-archives/nid-19893/Luis-Rendon-awarded-Gatorade-POY
Several top prospects make decisions.
http://topdrawersoccer.com/players-to-watch/players-to-watch-archives/nid-19880/Top-player-changes-commit-2013s-make-news
http://topdrawersoccer.com/players-to-watch/players-to-watch-archives/nid-19893/Luis-Rendon-awarded-Gatorade-POY
Several top prospects make decisions.
http://topdrawersoccer.com/players-to-watch/players-to-watch-archives/nid-19880/Top-player-changes-commit-2013s-make-news
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The O-R Sports Headliner is ...
Readers will have to wait to read the newspaper to find that out, but there was some lively debate last weekend in the sports department and, after about 20 minutes of discussion, a consensus was reached.
The Observer-Reporter Sports Headliner, awarded annually to the top local newsmaker, will be selected from the following finalists and presented at the Tri-County Athletic Directors Coach of the year Banquet, which takes place May 1 at the DoubleTree Hilton Meadow Lands.
(In alphabetical order)
1. Canon-McMillan wrestling The Big Macs won Powerade (an impressive accomplishment) and the WPIAL Class AAA team title. They failed to produce a PIAA individual champion but with a handful of second- and third-place finishes, the Big Macs won the state team championship.
2. Chartiers-Houston softball The Bucs came this close to elimination in the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals and didn't win a district title. None of that mattered in the PIAA playoffs, where C-H advanced to the state championship for the sixth time. Unlike the previous five appearances, the Bucs not only plated a run, they beat Montgomery, 4-1.
3. Josh Koscheck headlines PPV Nothing drives a Pay-Per-View like a great heel, and Waynesburg native Koscheck was willing to be that heel for UFC 124 in a main event match against Georges St-Pierre. The much hyped fight had a lead-in with both opponents working TV's "The Ultimate Fighter", but Koscheck lost by unanimous decision and suffered a broken orbital bone.
4. Peters Township girls soccer Before the 2010 season, PT girls soccer wore the title of "Best program never to win a WPIAL or PIAA championship." That changed when the Indians rolled through the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs then knocked off nationally ranked Archbishop Wood, 1-0, in the state championship match.
5. South Fayette football After years of playoff struggles, South Fayette won its first WPIAL championship since 1964 by beating Aliquippa in the Class AA final. South Fayette, the area's first football champion since wash High in 2001, went on to lose to Philadelphia West Catholic in the state championship, finishing with a 15-1 record.
Naturally, the saga between Ed Dalton and the Trinity Area School Board and the strange operating methods of Peters Township with its coaching staff dominated headlines at times throughout the year. While these stories were heavily covered and topics of discussion throughout the local sports community, the O-R sports staff did not feel they were appropriate when considering the headliner.
The Observer-Reporter Sports Headliner, awarded annually to the top local newsmaker, will be selected from the following finalists and presented at the Tri-County Athletic Directors Coach of the year Banquet, which takes place May 1 at the DoubleTree Hilton Meadow Lands.
(In alphabetical order)
1. Canon-McMillan wrestling The Big Macs won Powerade (an impressive accomplishment) and the WPIAL Class AAA team title. They failed to produce a PIAA individual champion but with a handful of second- and third-place finishes, the Big Macs won the state team championship.
2. Chartiers-Houston softball The Bucs came this close to elimination in the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals and didn't win a district title. None of that mattered in the PIAA playoffs, where C-H advanced to the state championship for the sixth time. Unlike the previous five appearances, the Bucs not only plated a run, they beat Montgomery, 4-1.
3. Josh Koscheck headlines PPV Nothing drives a Pay-Per-View like a great heel, and Waynesburg native Koscheck was willing to be that heel for UFC 124 in a main event match against Georges St-Pierre. The much hyped fight had a lead-in with both opponents working TV's "The Ultimate Fighter", but Koscheck lost by unanimous decision and suffered a broken orbital bone.
4. Peters Township girls soccer Before the 2010 season, PT girls soccer wore the title of "Best program never to win a WPIAL or PIAA championship." That changed when the Indians rolled through the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs then knocked off nationally ranked Archbishop Wood, 1-0, in the state championship match.
5. South Fayette football After years of playoff struggles, South Fayette won its first WPIAL championship since 1964 by beating Aliquippa in the Class AA final. South Fayette, the area's first football champion since wash High in 2001, went on to lose to Philadelphia West Catholic in the state championship, finishing with a 15-1 record.
Naturally, the saga between Ed Dalton and the Trinity Area School Board and the strange operating methods of Peters Township with its coaching staff dominated headlines at times throughout the year. While these stories were heavily covered and topics of discussion throughout the local sports community, the O-R sports staff did not feel they were appropriate when considering the headliner.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Signing Day roundup - Parisse to Pitt, Hilton to Ohio State
It's Signing Day and there are some happenings locally. I still have a few calls out there, so check back for updates.
Canon-McMillan wasn't as busy this year as the last couple years but senior Taylor Parisse signed with the Pitt women's soccer team and faxed her National Letter of Intent around 9:30 a.m.
Parisse's skills enabled Big Macs head coach Dave Derrico to play her at a variety of positions. Parisse played forward, defense and even midfield during her varsity career and did all three exceptionally well. Her play was a key factor in Canon-McMillan's 14-5-1 record in 2010. The Big Macs lost to eventual state champion Peters Township in the WPIAL quarterfinals.
A member of Beadling Soccer Club, Parisse is the second Big Macs girls player in as many years to land with a Division I program. Last year, high school All-American Taylor Schram signed with Penn State, where she started as a freshman.
* C-M wrestler Nick Catalano plans to wrestle for North Carolina but has not signed.
* South Fayette was busy today as five athletes signed papers.
Nicole Hilton, a multi-sport standout, signed with Ohio State to participate on the track and cross country teams. Hilton's story is an interesting one as she didn't compete as a runner until her junior year.
Hilton won the WPIAL Class AA cross country title in the fall. As a junior, she won two medals in distance events at the state track meet, including a second-place finish.
Nick Carr, a defending PIAA Class AA wrestling champion and the first from South Fayette to do as a member of its own wrestling team, signed with Kent State.
Nick Faraci, an all-state selection in football and a dominating two-way lineman for the WPIAL Class AA champions, has signed with Robert Morris. Faraci fielded offers from various Division I-AA, II and III schools.
As expected, Christian Brumbaugh signed with William & Mary and Nolan Spicer signed with Liberty.
According to South Fayette athletic director Joe Farkas, football players Jeff Davis, Eric Myers and Tyler Challingsworth could be making decisions soon.
* Got off the phone with Wash High football coach Mike Bosnic around 2:40 p.m. and he filled me in on a few seniors from his team.
Julien Anderson has committed to Robert Morris and will be part of the Colonials' incoming class as soon as he is accepted into the school. Anderson said before the start of the 2010 football season that he hoped to land with a local school, and the three-sport athlete accomplished his goal. Anderson was a prime target for Robert Morris and he projects as a defensive back, most likely at corner.
Anderson will join Trinity's Kyle McWreath at Robert Morris, which is coached by Joe Walton. Anderson and McWreath played on several all-star baseball teams together growing up.
With Anderson, McWreath and Faraci, it's evident that Robert Morris is hitting this area hard.
Austin Phillips, a big two-way lineman, has committed to Division II West Liberty State. Phillips, much like Anderson, will be part of its incoming class upon his acceptance into the school.
Zach Barnes will visit West Liberty State Saturday. Bosnic said Barnes has several options, including Valley Forge Military Academy, a prep school that was attended by Larry Fitzgerald before he went to Pitt.
* Peters Township senior Nevin Hagman, a starting offensive tackle for the Indians, signed with Bucknell. Hagman was one of the area's more heavily recruited players this year with interest from Patriot League, Ivy League, Division II and some of the premier academic Division III schools in the region.
Hagman (6-4, 270) has a 4.4 GPA and plans to major in chemical or biomedical engineering before attending medical school.
* Hagman was one of five Peters Township athletes to sign at 12:30 p.m. this afternoon.
Soccer players Shelli Spamer (North Carolina State), Christina O'Connor (Long Island) and Hagman's teammate Austin Hancock (Fordham) also signed.
So did soccer player Karen Jackson, who moved from defender to forward this season for the state champs. Jackson signed with Slippery Rock.
Canon-McMillan wasn't as busy this year as the last couple years but senior Taylor Parisse signed with the Pitt women's soccer team and faxed her National Letter of Intent around 9:30 a.m.
Parisse's skills enabled Big Macs head coach Dave Derrico to play her at a variety of positions. Parisse played forward, defense and even midfield during her varsity career and did all three exceptionally well. Her play was a key factor in Canon-McMillan's 14-5-1 record in 2010. The Big Macs lost to eventual state champion Peters Township in the WPIAL quarterfinals.
A member of Beadling Soccer Club, Parisse is the second Big Macs girls player in as many years to land with a Division I program. Last year, high school All-American Taylor Schram signed with Penn State, where she started as a freshman.
* C-M wrestler Nick Catalano plans to wrestle for North Carolina but has not signed.
* South Fayette was busy today as five athletes signed papers.
Nicole Hilton, a multi-sport standout, signed with Ohio State to participate on the track and cross country teams. Hilton's story is an interesting one as she didn't compete as a runner until her junior year.
Hilton won the WPIAL Class AA cross country title in the fall. As a junior, she won two medals in distance events at the state track meet, including a second-place finish.
Nick Carr, a defending PIAA Class AA wrestling champion and the first from South Fayette to do as a member of its own wrestling team, signed with Kent State.
Nick Faraci, an all-state selection in football and a dominating two-way lineman for the WPIAL Class AA champions, has signed with Robert Morris. Faraci fielded offers from various Division I-AA, II and III schools.
As expected, Christian Brumbaugh signed with William & Mary and Nolan Spicer signed with Liberty.
According to South Fayette athletic director Joe Farkas, football players Jeff Davis, Eric Myers and Tyler Challingsworth could be making decisions soon.
* Got off the phone with Wash High football coach Mike Bosnic around 2:40 p.m. and he filled me in on a few seniors from his team.
Julien Anderson has committed to Robert Morris and will be part of the Colonials' incoming class as soon as he is accepted into the school. Anderson said before the start of the 2010 football season that he hoped to land with a local school, and the three-sport athlete accomplished his goal. Anderson was a prime target for Robert Morris and he projects as a defensive back, most likely at corner.
Anderson will join Trinity's Kyle McWreath at Robert Morris, which is coached by Joe Walton. Anderson and McWreath played on several all-star baseball teams together growing up.
With Anderson, McWreath and Faraci, it's evident that Robert Morris is hitting this area hard.
Austin Phillips, a big two-way lineman, has committed to Division II West Liberty State. Phillips, much like Anderson, will be part of its incoming class upon his acceptance into the school.
Zach Barnes will visit West Liberty State Saturday. Bosnic said Barnes has several options, including Valley Forge Military Academy, a prep school that was attended by Larry Fitzgerald before he went to Pitt.
* Peters Township senior Nevin Hagman, a starting offensive tackle for the Indians, signed with Bucknell. Hagman was one of the area's more heavily recruited players this year with interest from Patriot League, Ivy League, Division II and some of the premier academic Division III schools in the region.
Hagman (6-4, 270) has a 4.4 GPA and plans to major in chemical or biomedical engineering before attending medical school.
* Hagman was one of five Peters Township athletes to sign at 12:30 p.m. this afternoon.
Soccer players Shelli Spamer (North Carolina State), Christina O'Connor (Long Island) and Hagman's teammate Austin Hancock (Fordham) also signed.
So did soccer player Karen Jackson, who moved from defender to forward this season for the state champs. Jackson signed with Slippery Rock.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Making a mark in 2010 (girls)
Kayla Briggs
Chartiers-Houston is loaded with top-notch female athletes, from tennis player Tanya Timko (who will attempt to win a WPIAL Boys Class AA championship in 2011) to volleyball player Lacey Levers.
As a freshman on the C-H softball team, Briggs made an immediate impact and her play catapulted the Bucs to previously unattained achievements.
Briggs, along with teammates Kiersten Conwell and Colby Miller made the Class A All-State first team in leading C-H to its first PIAA title. Briggs' batting average hovered around .500 for the majority of the season and she served as a late-innings pitcher in several key games.
Nicole Hilton
This fall, Hilton made her all-section soccer team for South Fayette AND she won a WPIAL Class AA cross country championship. At the state meet, Hilton finished fifth and 18 seconds ahead of any other WPIAL competitor.
Not bad for a first-year cross country runner.
That performance comes off a dominating spring track season, where the likely Division I runner also played multiple sports.
Hilton, who didn't take up running until her junior year, won WPIAL Class AA titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 runs. At states, she finished second in the 3,200 and seventh in the 1,600. Plus, Hilton plays softball.
Jessie Merckle
Thanks to the steady contributions of Merckle (pictured), Fort Cherry basketball is considered one of the top teams in WPIAL Class A this season. The Rangers are 6-1 after losing to Class AAA Mt. Pleasant in the finals of the Ambridge Holiday Tournament Thursday night. Only one of Fort Cherry's wins has come against a team in its own classification.
Meckle, a 5-5 junior guard and multi-year starter, made a major impact during the spring as one of the WPIAL's top performers in the javelin.
As a sophomore, Merckle consistently hit in the mid 140s in the javelin and her top throw of 147-7 ranked in the top 10 nationally for much of the track season. Merckle won the WPIAL Class AA championship in the event and will look to improve on her performance at the state meet this year.
Shelli Spamer
One of the most decorated soccer players (boys or girls) in Washington County history, Spamer left her playing days at Peters Township with the ultimate prize - the PIAA Class AAA team championship trophy.
The future midfielder at North Carolina State scored goals when needed, played defense with vigor and served as playmaker later in the Indians' season, which also included a WPIAL championship.
Spamer, one of the more colorful and quotable high school athletes I've come across, earned Player of the Year status from several local outlets, was all-section, all-WPIAL, all-state and earned a place on the NSCAA All-Region II team.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Top five moments of 2010
1. Tyler Henry putback seals South Fayette's state championship
South Fayette missed layups throughout its PIAA Class AA championship game against District 12's Strawberry Mansion. Despite the struggles from close range, the Lions clamped down on defense and kept the game close throughout.
With under a minute remaining in regulation in a tied game, Mike Lamberti drove the lane and his layup clanked off the rim.
Tyler Henry, recognizing that his team hadn't hit many layups, raced in from outside the three-point arc and grabbed the offensive rebound. His wide-open putback with 25 seconds remaining lifted South Fayette to a 49-47 victory.
It's the first PIAA team championship in South Fayette's history.
2. Dani Hume rebound lifts PT girls to first state title
The 2010 girls soccer season was one of firsts at Peters Township.
First, the Indians rolled through the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs and won their first district title. The dominating efforts continued in the PIAA tournament as Peters Township advanced to the state title match for the second time in three years.
Peters Township faced District 1 power Archbishop Wood in the final, a team that had won 23 straight matches and was ranked fourth nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
The Indians dominated play but didn't score until Dani Hume collected a rebound from a Veronica Latsko shot and buried it. Peters Township won 1-0 for its first state championship.
3. Conwell simply striking for C-H softball
The postseason journey of Chartiers-Houston was a challenging one. The Bucs nearly lost to Brentwood in the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals and played a series of extra-innings games.
The bats of Kayla Briggs and Colby Miller helped carry the Bucs through the postseason despite a loss to Vincentian Academy in the WPIAL championship. Then, in the PIAA semifinals, pitcher Kiersten Conwell took over.
Conwell pitched a shutout in the semifinals. In the championship game against Montgomery, she got over a first-inning run to shut down the opponent's powerful lineup the rest of the way. Chartiers-Houston won, 4-1, for its first PIAA championship in six tries.
4. Jesse Scheirer's OT blast gives PT boys 7th WPIAL title
Peters Township shook off a loss against Canon-McMillan to end the regular season to land in a familiar spot - the WPIAL Class AAA championship. The 2010 championship marked the sixth time in eight years that the Indians played for the title.
Jesse Scheirer, a senior striker, was PT's leading scorer during the regular season but he made a bigger impact in the postseason with a series of clutch goals.
None was bigger than the one he scored in the WPIAL championship against Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
A scoreless match spilled into overtime when Scheirer, involved in a little scruff just moments before, made a dazzling run against the Vikings defense and blasted a low, line drive shot into the net for a 1-0 victory and the seventh WPIAL championship in the relatively short history of Peters Township boys soccer.
5. Brumbaugh turns PIAA semis and quarters into passing practice
5. Brumbaugh turns PIAA semis and quarters into passing practice
South Fayette quarterback Christian Brumbaugh established new standards for WPIAL career passing yards, WPIAL career touchdown passes and WPIAL single-season passing yards but neither record may have been achieved were it not for two brilliant performances in the state playoffs.
After winning its first WPIAL Class AA title (South Fayette's third WPIAL championship overall), Brumbaugh passed for 376 yards (then a PIAA playoff record) with five touchdowns against Brockway. In a driving snow storm, Brumbaugh started the game 13-for-13.
In the semifinals against Forest Hills, he came the WPIAL's career passing leader by throwing for 362 yards and six touchdowns, which is a PIAA playoff record.
Brumbaugh threw for a PIAA single-season record 52 touchdowns on the year.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Live blog, PIAA Class AAA girls soccer final … Peters twp. vs. Archbishop Wood
Final
Peters Township 1, Archbishop Wood 0
Peters Township dominated match, could have been 4-0, 5-0. If Archbishop Wood was the No. 4 team in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings, Peters Township is a top-two team.
4:30 p.m. – Veronica Latsko's shot saved by goalie, rebound goes right to Dani Hume, who buries it. PT 1-0 in the 65th minute.
4:24 p.m. – Gotted booted off for a few. Are we headed toward a scoreless tie and co-champions?
Why does the PIAA determine every other match by penalty kicks if there's a tie after two overtimes but declare co-champs in the final?
Be consistent PIAA.
3:56 p.m. – Halftime, Peters Township 0, Archbishop Wood 0. PT has 7 shots to 1 for the Wood, which is ranked No. 4 in the country by the NSCAA.
3:46 p.m. – Dani Hume just misses header off Spamer cross. PT looking good.
3:41 p.m. – Shelli Spamer hustle play where she heads ball twice to herself and gets quality shot that hits post at 13:49 mark. Forty seconds later, Spamer gets another quality opportunity but Wood defender Brianna Heck saves goal.
3:35 p.m. – Archbishop Wood's Monica Re blasts shot off post. Still scoreless.
3:22 p.m. – PT defender Brroke Smith clears a Archbishop Wood corner kick with a header but gets knocked on the side of the head on the play. She comes out of game.
3:09 p.m. – Lineups being announced. Not too far off schedule.
3:06 p.m. – The press box at Hersheypark Stadium is hotter than a sauna. Better than being cold. By the way, the hot chocolate at the stadium is Swiss Miss. Where's the Hersheys?
Peters Township 1, Archbishop Wood 0
Peters Township dominated match, could have been 4-0, 5-0. If Archbishop Wood was the No. 4 team in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings, Peters Township is a top-two team.
4:30 p.m. – Veronica Latsko's shot saved by goalie, rebound goes right to Dani Hume, who buries it. PT 1-0 in the 65th minute.
4:24 p.m. – Gotted booted off for a few. Are we headed toward a scoreless tie and co-champions?
Why does the PIAA determine every other match by penalty kicks if there's a tie after two overtimes but declare co-champs in the final?
Be consistent PIAA.
3:56 p.m. – Halftime, Peters Township 0, Archbishop Wood 0. PT has 7 shots to 1 for the Wood, which is ranked No. 4 in the country by the NSCAA.
3:46 p.m. – Dani Hume just misses header off Spamer cross. PT looking good.
3:41 p.m. – Shelli Spamer hustle play where she heads ball twice to herself and gets quality shot that hits post at 13:49 mark. Forty seconds later, Spamer gets another quality opportunity but Wood defender Brianna Heck saves goal.
3:35 p.m. – Archbishop Wood's Monica Re blasts shot off post. Still scoreless.
3:22 p.m. – PT defender Brroke Smith clears a Archbishop Wood corner kick with a header but gets knocked on the side of the head on the play. She comes out of game.
3:09 p.m. – Lineups being announced. Not too far off schedule.
3:06 p.m. – The press box at Hersheypark Stadium is hotter than a sauna. Better than being cold. By the way, the hot chocolate at the stadium is Swiss Miss. Where's the Hersheys?
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.
The Year in Photos, Part II
Chartiers-Houston pitcher Kiersten Conwell delivers during the WPIAL Class A championship game versus Vincentian Academy at California University. The Bucs failed to win their eighth WPIAL title that day but Conwell pitched C-H to its first PIAA championship – a 4-1 victory over Montgomery.Photo by Jim McNutt / Observer-Reporter
Canon-McMillan's Taylor Schram celebrates an assist during a match at Bethel Park. Schram led the Big Macs to their first PIAA playoff appearance this fall. Schram finished her distinguised scholastic career with 144 goals, 52 coming during her senior year. She will play at Penn State.Photo by Eleanor Bailey / The Almanac
Charleroi's Cody Wiercioch hugs coach Greg Doerfler after Wiercioch became the first PIAA wresling champion in Charleroi history. Wiercioch was one of two local freshmen to win gold at states. The other was Canon-McMillan's Conner Schram, who is Taylor Schram's younger brother.Photo by Joe Tuscano / Observer-Reporter
Steve Bucci returned to Canon-McMillan this spring as Bethel Park's baseball coach. Bucci won the 2008 PIAA Class AAAA title at Canon-McMillan then resigned just weeks before the start of the 2009 season. C-M won this game and Bucci is embroiled in a coaching controversy at BP.Photo by Robin Richards / Observer-Reporter
Senior captains Mike Burroughs, left, and Tyler Henry hoist the PIAA Class AA championship basketball trophy won by South Fayette. The Lions edged Strawberry Mansion of Philadelphia, 49-47 as Henry scored the winning basket on a putback with 25 seconds remaining. Burroughs, who will play at St. Vincent College, was a dominant force inside for South Fayette.Photo by Eleanor Bailey / The Almanac
The Year in Photos, Part I
Peters Township's Shelli Spamer, who will play at North Carolina State beginning in 2011, battles a pair of Seneca Valley defenders for a ball during the WPIAL Class AAA championship. Peters Township lost in extra penalty kicks.
Photo by Eleanor Bailey / The Almanac
California second baseman Dakota Conway makes the tag on a Bentworth baserunner during a key Section 2-A regular season game. Conway helped California win the section championship and the Trojans reached the PIAA Class A playoffs for the sixth time in school history. Bentworth also qualified for the postseason and were upended in the WPIAL quarterfinals by California.Photo by Jim McNutt / Observer-Reporter
Wash High quarterback Marquis Brown fights for extra yards during a mud-soaked Class AA Interstate Conference game against Jeannette at Wash High Stadium. Brown led the Prexies to an upset victory and Wash High ended up in the WPIAL playoffs under the direction of first-year coach Mike Bosnic.Photo by Jim McNutt / Observer-Reporter
Trinity's Josh Valentic goes for two points during a WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal game against PIAA runner-up Chartiers Valley. Valentic averaged 22 points per game as Trinity reached the state playoffs.
Photo by Jim McNutt / Observer-Reporter
Peters Township boys basketball coach Gary Goga reacts after his Indians upended favored Butler in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs. Led by high-scoring Craig Wolcott, overachieving Peters Township came close to qualifying for the state playoffs without a starter taller than 6-0.Photo by Jim McNutt / Observer-Reporter
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.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Boys Athlete of the Year Finalists
Since the 1999-2000 school year (my first at the Observer-Reporter), the sports staff has selected a boys and girls athlete of the year. The athlete is chosen from a list of finalists and, for this post, we're going to look at the finalists for the boys.
First, let's glance back at previous O-R boys athletes of the year.
1999-2000 – Michael Sutton, Washington
2000-01 – Lanfer Simpson, Waynesburg
2001-02 – Dan Mozes, Washington
2002-03 – Colby Giles, Carmichaels
2003-04 – Coleman Scott, Waynesburg
2004-05 – Jeff Weiss, McGuffey
2005-06 – Robert Heller, Ringgold
2006-07 – Andrew Sweat, Trinity
2007-08 – Dan Conley, Burgettstown
2009-09 – Nick Wilcox, Peters Township
2009-10 – ?????????
On to this year's finalists (in alphabetical order).
* Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette
Brumbaugh passed for 2,183 yards and a WPIAL-best 29 touchdowns. He was the O-R Player of the Year and the Century Conference MVP. Brumbaugh was also a key contributor of South Fayette's state championship basketball team.
* J.T. Deschamps, McGuffey
Deschamps was an all-section defender in soccer but made more headlines during the spring track season. He won PIAA and WPIAL Class AA gold medals in the 300 intermediate hurdles and established a WPIAL record in the event.
* Austin Hancock, Peters Township
Hancock passed for 1,298 yards and 14 touchdowns as he earned a spot on the O-R Elite 11 and helped PT to its first winning record since 2003. He was invited to the U.S. Army Junior Skills Challenge. In baseball, Hancock batted .451 with 23 RBI.
* Joe Havrilak, Trinity
Havrilak was an all-conference selection as a receiver and defensive back for the Hillers, but his best sport is baseball. Despite teams doing their best to avoid Havrilak, he batted .510 with 16 extra-base hits, including five home runs (four at Consol Energy Park), and a knack for clutch plays.
* Mike Hull, Canon-McMillan
The Big Macs' Mr. Everything, Hull was a four-year starter in football and finished with 100-plus tackles each season. He started at middle linebacker in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was the MVP for the U.S. vs. The World game. Hull also helped C-M to WPIAL team titles in wrestling and track.
* Bryan Thomas, Washington
Whether as a defensive end or a run-blocking tight end, Thomas was a destructive force for the Prexies, plus he produced the big play with frequency. An Elite 11 pick, Thomas recently played in the PFCA East-West Game. A first-year starter in basketball, Thomas nearly everaged a double-double and he also participated in track.
First, let's glance back at previous O-R boys athletes of the year.
1999-2000 – Michael Sutton, Washington
2000-01 – Lanfer Simpson, Waynesburg
2001-02 – Dan Mozes, Washington
2002-03 – Colby Giles, Carmichaels
2003-04 – Coleman Scott, Waynesburg
2004-05 – Jeff Weiss, McGuffey
2005-06 – Robert Heller, Ringgold
2006-07 – Andrew Sweat, Trinity
2007-08 – Dan Conley, Burgettstown
2009-09 – Nick Wilcox, Peters Township
2009-10 – ?????????
On to this year's finalists (in alphabetical order).
* Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette
Brumbaugh passed for 2,183 yards and a WPIAL-best 29 touchdowns. He was the O-R Player of the Year and the Century Conference MVP. Brumbaugh was also a key contributor of South Fayette's state championship basketball team.
* J.T. Deschamps, McGuffey
Deschamps was an all-section defender in soccer but made more headlines during the spring track season. He won PIAA and WPIAL Class AA gold medals in the 300 intermediate hurdles and established a WPIAL record in the event.
* Austin Hancock, Peters Township
Hancock passed for 1,298 yards and 14 touchdowns as he earned a spot on the O-R Elite 11 and helped PT to its first winning record since 2003. He was invited to the U.S. Army Junior Skills Challenge. In baseball, Hancock batted .451 with 23 RBI.
* Joe Havrilak, Trinity
Havrilak was an all-conference selection as a receiver and defensive back for the Hillers, but his best sport is baseball. Despite teams doing their best to avoid Havrilak, he batted .510 with 16 extra-base hits, including five home runs (four at Consol Energy Park), and a knack for clutch plays.
* Mike Hull, Canon-McMillan
The Big Macs' Mr. Everything, Hull was a four-year starter in football and finished with 100-plus tackles each season. He started at middle linebacker in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was the MVP for the U.S. vs. The World game. Hull also helped C-M to WPIAL team titles in wrestling and track.
* Bryan Thomas, Washington
Whether as a defensive end or a run-blocking tight end, Thomas was a destructive force for the Prexies, plus he produced the big play with frequency. An Elite 11 pick, Thomas recently played in the PFCA East-West Game. A first-year starter in basketball, Thomas nearly everaged a double-double and he also participated in track.
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