California's Conway, Hartman honored by WPIAL baseball coaches

California High School annually puts out a competitive baseball team, and the Trojans frequently compete for section and district championships.

California has won three WPIAL titles and played for a PIAA championship in 1984 when there were only two classifications in the sport.

This season, California is 19-0 for the first time in a long time (possibly ever) and the Trojans play Neshannock Wednesday afternoon in the WPIAL Class A championship game at Consol Energy Park at 5:30 p.m.

"Coming in, our goal was to be competitive," California coach Don Hartman said. "This group came together and the chemistry is outstanding. To say it was the least expected of the teams we've had make it this far, it was."

At this point, it may seem difficult to believe that California didn't enter the season with such lofty expectations. That may be one small reason why Hartman was honored by the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association as the Class A Coach of the Year. Senior pitcher T.D. Conway, who is 13-0 with 120 strikeouts, is the Class A Pitcher of the Year.

Former Canon-McMillan coach Steve Bucci was the Class AAA Coach of the Year for his work at South Park.

Player of the Year
AAAA - J.J. Matijevic, Norwin
AAA - Zarley Zalewski, Valley
AA - Ben Hartz, Shady Side Academy
A - John Sansone, Neshannock

Pitcher of the Year
AAAA - Anthony Garofalo, Plum
AAA - Greg Schneider, Thomas Jefferson
AA - Anthony Carusone, Ellwood City
A - T.D. Conway, California

Coach of the Year
AAAA - Mike Liebdzinski, Norwin
AAA - Steve Bucci, South Park
AA - Skooter Roebuck, Brownsville
A - Don Hartman, California

2010-11 Girls All-District team

First team
Beka Bellhy, Fort Cherry
Junior, F
Versatile playmaker and two-time first-team pick led PIAA Class A quarterfinalists with a 14.4 scoring average and scored 13 or more points in all but one of Fort Cherry’s seven postseason games.
Emily Hansen, Canon-McMillan
Senior, G
The first Girls Player of the Year from Canon-McMillan and only the Big Macs’ second 1,000-point scorer averaged 16.6 points in her final season. A two-time first-team selection.
Jessie Merckle, Fort Cherry
Junior, PG
Possibly the area’s most improved player and quickest point guard, Merckle averaged 11.1 points per game and frequently hit double figures in assists and steals.
Geena Shrader, Monessen
Junior, G
Shrader, a two-time first team selection, topped 1,000 points during Monessen’s playoff run and she averaged 16.1 for a team that finished 25-2 and returns every starter next year.
Amanda Temple, Avella
Senior, G/F
Temple accomplished something no girls player from Washington County did since Burgettstown’s Jamie O’Donnell in 1998 – she led the WPIAL in scoring. Temple averaged 21.9 points.

Second team
Shannon Flament, Charleroi
Junior, G
Flament missed two games for Charleroi and her absence led to one of the Cougars’ two losses. She averaged 14.1 points.
Carolena Gasbarro, Fort Cherry
Junior, F
Whether it was guarding the opponent’s top player, scoring or rebounding, she could provide as she averaged 10.3 points.
Morgan Kurtz, Trinity
Junior, G
One of the area’s best three-point shooters, Kurtz paced Trinity’s offense with a scoring average of 13.9.
Aujuwa Moore, Washington
Senior, F/G
The runner-up for Section 4-AA Player of the year, Moore averaged 12.9 points and hit double figures in 11 of her last 12 games.
Chelsea Szakal, Monessen
Sophomore, F
Szakal emerged as a post presence to complement the Greyhounds’ outstanding guards. She averaged 11.5 points.

Third team
Ashley Balzer, Chartiers-Houston
Sophomore, F
The 5-10 Balzer paced an balanced offense for a young, emerging team and averaged 10.9 points.
Jessica Dorazio, Bentworth
Junior, G
Dorazio became a dynamic scorer and the focal point of the Bearcats’ offense as she averaged 16.2 points.
Morgan Iacovino, Charleroi
Senior, F
Iacovino, who will play in the Roundball Classic, anchored Charleroi’s offense and defense. She averaged 12.7 points.
Jocelyn Lucsko, McGuffey
Junior, G
The Highlanders could count on Lucsko to play hard and score points as she averaged 12.6 points.
Chianti Sivek, Ringgold
Junior, G
One of the area’s top players the second half of the season, Sivek averaged 13.9 points the final eight games.

2010-11 Boys All-District team

First team
Nate Bellhy, Fort Cherry
Senior, F/G
Seton Hill-bound Bellhy, the leading scorer in Fort Cherry history with 1,518points, is a double-double machine with shot blocking ability. The 6-6 Bellhy averaged 25.8 points and topped 40 points twice.
Mike Lamberti, South Fayette
Senior, F
Believed to be the first four-time selection to the All-District First Team, the versatile Lamberti averaged a team-best 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds with 33 blocked shots. Headed to West Liberty State.
Tyler Pavan, Burgettstown
Senior, G
The Blue Devils’ premier three-sport athlete is a two-time Section 5-AA first-team pick and a 1,000-point scorer. Nearly unstoppable off the drive, Pavan (pictured) averaged 23.8 points.
Josh Valentic, Trinity
Senior, G
Arguably the best boys player in Trinity history and the Hillers’ all-time scoring leader with 1,655 points. Wheeling Jesuit-bound Valentic averaged 30.4 points and topped 30 13 times.
Pat Zedreck, South Fayette
Senior, PG
The Observer-Reporter Player of the Year is a four-year starter and 1,000-point scroer. Zedreck helped Lions reached PIAA Class AAA semifinals and averaged 15.2 points.

Second team
Dylan Berger, Canon-McMillan
Senior, F
Big Macs big man averaged 16.3 points and is being recruited by Millersville, Lycoming and Bethany.
Cam Johnson, Monessen
Senior, C
The 6-7 Johnson played his best in the postseason as he had seven double-doubles in eight games.
Justin Robinson, Canon-McMillan
Senior, G
Versatile Robinson could play all five positions for Big Macs and scored no less than 14 points in final eight games.
Andrew Stine, Ringgold
Senior, G
Sharpshooter set Rams’ single-game scoring record with 42 points against Waynesburg and averaged 14.2.
John Tyler, California
Senior, G
Dynamic athlete set Washington-Green All-Star record with 49 points and averaged 16.1 in final season.

Third team
Nick Bolias, Monessen
Senior, G
Greyhounds point guard and defensive stopper helped team to WPIAL Class AA championship.
Tanner Huffman, California
Sophomore, PG
Huffman continues to elvove as an offensive threat and led Trojans in scoring at 17.0 points per game.
Seth Krall, Carmichaels
Senior, G
Krall averaged 16.1 points and played well down the stretch as Mikes tied Avella for Section 2-A title.
Colin McCormick, Ringgold
Senior, G
Well-rounded guard averaged 13.6 and helped Rams win 14 more games than the previous season.
Josh Patterson, South Fayette
Senior, G
A premier defensive player, Patterson could match up against a point guard or center and averaged 10.5 points.

Football players of the year

The Observer-Reporter ran its annual Football Player of the Year story, along with the Elite 11 and the all-district team just after Christmas. For those who don't know, South Fayette quarterback Christian Brumbaugh was the POY for a second consecutive year.

I didn't get a chance to run the list of former players of the year in the newspaper, so I thought it might be fun to go back and look at the list here. It includes the WPIAL's all-time rushing leader (at least until Rushel Shell gets his chance next year), a MMA headliner, a member of the Chicago White Sox organization, a first-team All-American, a Notre Dame captain and a current member of the South Fayette coaching staff.

2010 – Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette
2009 – Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette
2008 – Mike Hull, Canon-McMillan
2007 – Mike Yancich, Trinity
2006 – Jordan Clemons, Fort Cherry
2005 – Ben Jennings, Trinity
2004 – Doug Rheam, Canon-McMillan
(From 1996-2004, the O-R acknowledged offensive and defensive players of the year)
2003 – Jim Gallagher, Peters Township (offense)
Marques Parks, South Fayette (defense)
2002 – Bobby Hathaway, Carmichaels and Travis Thomas, Washington (co-offense)
Mike Harrington, Fort Cherry (defense)
2001 – Perry Ivery, Fort Cherry (offense)
Dan Mozes, Washington (defense)
2000 – Lee Fritz, Waynesburg (offense)
Mike Randolph, Chartiers-Houston (defense)
1999 – Mike Vernillo, Fort Cherry (offense)
Lanfer Simpson, Waynesburg (defense)
1998 – Mike Vernillo, Fort Cherry (offense)
Lee Tornabene, Canon-McMillan (defense)
1997 – Mike Vernillo, Fort Cherry (offense)
Rob Kolaczynski, Canon-McMillan (defense)
1996 – Josh Kosheck, Waynesburg (offense)
Mike Naleppa, Fort Cherry (defense)

2009-10 Boys Player of the Year, All-District Team

2009-10 Observer-Reporter Player of the Year
Mike Lamberti, South Fayette














All-District Team
First team
Player, School Avg.
Nate Bellhy, Fort Cherry 28.7
Mike Burroughs, South Fayette 10.8
Mike Lamberti, South Fayette 15.6
Josh Valentic, Trinity 22.0
Craig Wolcott, Peters Township 19.8
Second team
Player, School Avg.
Marquis Brown, Washington 14.3
Phil Horensky, Peters Township 11.2
Tyler Pavan, Burgettstown 15.4
Clay Roman, Bentworth 15.3
Troy Wilson, Washington 14.1
Pat Zedreck, South Fayette 14.3
Third team
Player, School Avg.
John Barker, Bentworth 15.5
Kionte Davis, Canon-McMillan 12.9
Tyler Henry, South Fayette 12.2
Jaisen Irwin, Monessen 13.1
Bill Musgrove, Carmichaels 18.9
Andrew Stein, Ringgold 11.8


Past Players of the Year
2009 – Nick Wilcox, Peters Township
2008 – Charles Murphy, Canon-McMillan
2007 – Jock Wells, Washington
2006 – Christian Goetz, Burgettstown
2005 – Dan Davis, Fort Cherry
2004 – Nate Stoner, Waynesburg
2003 – Paul Ruhmann, South Fayette
2002 – Javon Hines, South Fayette
2001 – Tom Lulich, Peters Township
2000 – Eric Lang, Peters Township
1999 – Aaron Ankrom, Waynesburg
1998 – Bryant Thomas, Bentworth
1997 – Henry Klinar, Peters Township
1996 – Justin Voithofer, Carmichaels
1995 – Mike Horan, Ringgold
1994 – Vince Graham, Belle Vernon
1993 – Chad Lechner, Carmichaels
1992 – Mike Maloy, Washington
1991 – Brian Miller, Ringgold
1990 – Yancey Taylor, Ringgold
1989 – Matt Jennings, Immaculate Conception
1988 – Wade Timmerson, Fort Cherry
1987 – Dan Conn, Bentworth
1986 – Ron Moore, Washington
1985 – Chris Popeck, Washington
1984 – Adam Sarson, Peters Township
1983 – Duane Johnson, Canon-McMillan
Tony Conn, Bentworth
1982 – Jeff Conn, Bentworth
1981 – Lance Spernak, Mon Valley Catholic
1980 – Ray Natili, Immaculate Conception

2009-10 Girls Player of the Year, All-District Team

2009-10 Observer-Reporter Player of the Year
Megan Sowers, Beth-Center












All-District team First team Player, School Avg.
Beka Bellhy, Fort Cherry 12.0
Emily Hansen, Canon-McMillan 16.5
Emily Matthis, Peters Township 10.7
Geena Shrader, Monessen 13.9
Megan Sowers, Beth-Center 17.3
Second team Player, School Avg.
Chelsea Evans, Washington 12.0
Ellie Hanlon, Peters Township 10.0
Merissa Morgan, Peters Township 9.8
Marissa Pattison, McGuffey 15.9
Kristina Wagner, California 12.8
Mariah Ward, Monessen 14.1
Third team Player, School Avg.
Jessie Merckle, Fort Cherry 11.2
Morgan Moluski, California 14.0
Katie Rosemeier, Chartiers-Houston 12.0
Anna Shashura, Beth-Center 13.7
Molly Stuvek, Carmichaels 12.3
Amanda Temple, Avella 15.2

Past Players of the Year
2009 – Emily Correal, Peters Township
2008 – Emily Correal, Peters Township
2007 – Emily Correal, Peters Township
2006 – Vanessa Davison, Washington
2005 – Rachel Phillips, West Greene
2004 – Vanessa Davison, Washington
2003 – Amber Harris, Washington
2002 – Emily Briggs, Chartiers-Houston
2001 – Emily Briggs, Chartiers-Houston
2000 – Kristen Lancas, Ringgold
1999 – Lauren Hull, West Greene
1998 – Kristin Polosky, Mapletown
1997 – Amanda Burchett, Trinity
1996 – Gina Naccarato, Monessen
1995 – Gina Naccarato, Monessen
1994 – Gina Naccarato, Monessen
1993 – Gina Naccarato, Monessen
1992 – Elizabeth Proudfit, Washington
1991 – Elizabeth Proudfit, Washington
1990 – Elizabeth Proudfit, Washington
1989 – Pam Noble, Fort Cherry
1988 – Jamie O’Donnell, Burgettstown
1987 – Jamie O’Donnell, Burgettstown
1986 – Kim Spencer, Washington
1985 – Michelle Bazzolli, Chartiers-Houston
1984 – Lynette Schwartz, Peters Township
1983 – Lynn Bazzolli, Chartiers-Houston