Judging from scores, Class AAAA appears wide open. Should make for an interesting race to the postseason pairings.
Class AAAA
1. Shaler 5-1
2. Connellsville 7-1
3. Pine-Richland 6-3
4. Latrobe 4-2
5. Hempfield 4-2
Class AAA
1. Franklin Regional 8-0
2. Belle Vernon 7-1
3. Elizabeth Forward 4-1
4. Trinity 4-2
5. Thomas Jefferson 5-1
Class AA
1. Bishop Canevin 5-1
2. Burrell 5-0
3. McGuffey 4-0
4. Waynesburg 6-1
5. Riverside 4-0
Class A
1. Vincentian Academy 5-1
2. Bentworth 6-0
3. Fort Cherry 4-1
4. Serra Catholic 4-2
5. OLSH 5-1
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
TVL's WPIAL baseball rankings
One of the more difficult tasks in high school sports is repeating as a district or state champion in baseball. So many variables – bad hops, weather, mediocre pitching having a career day – can come into play.
Maybe that's what makes ranking baseball teams a trying, difficult process. There isn't a sport where good teams have more head-scratching losses.
At the Varsity Letters, we love a challenge. So, for the first time and with a nice portion of the season to use as judgment, we're unveiling our first WPIAL baseball rankings.
Class AAAA
1. Seneca Valley 5-0
2. North Allegheny 6-1
3. Pine-Richland 8-1
4. Bethel Park 3-2
5. Canon-McMillan 5-3
Class AAA
1. Trinity 5-0
2. Hopewell 8-1
3. Blackhawk 6-1
4. South Park 4-1
5. Moon 2-1
Class AA
1. Seton-La Salle 5-0
2. North Catholic 4-1
3. Shady Side Academy 7-1
4. Ford City 5-0
5. Shenango 5-1
Class A
1. Carmichaels 6-0
2. Serra Catholic 6-1
3. Neshannock 5-2
4. Chartiers-Houston 5-2
5. Rochester 2-3
Maybe that's what makes ranking baseball teams a trying, difficult process. There isn't a sport where good teams have more head-scratching losses.
At the Varsity Letters, we love a challenge. So, for the first time and with a nice portion of the season to use as judgment, we're unveiling our first WPIAL baseball rankings.
Class AAAA
1. Seneca Valley 5-0
2. North Allegheny 6-1
3. Pine-Richland 8-1
4. Bethel Park 3-2
5. Canon-McMillan 5-3
Class AAA
1. Trinity 5-0
2. Hopewell 8-1
3. Blackhawk 6-1
4. South Park 4-1
5. Moon 2-1
Class AA
1. Seton-La Salle 5-0
2. North Catholic 4-1
3. Shady Side Academy 7-1
4. Ford City 5-0
5. Shenango 5-1
Class A
1. Carmichaels 6-0
2. Serra Catholic 6-1
3. Neshannock 5-2
4. Chartiers-Houston 5-2
5. Rochester 2-3
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Reporting results
A few angry calls came in to the Observer-Reporter today concerning McGuffey High School softball. Parents/fans.players wanted to know why McGuffey's victory over previously undefeated Waynesburg had not been in Thursday's sports section.
Why does the O-R hate McGuffey?
Why won't the O-R provide McGuffey's softball team with any space in its paper, particularly after one of its biggest wins in recent years?
Did the O-R refuse to run the results because Waynesburg shortstop Kaylie Barger was our Athlete of the Week two weeks ago?
No, we don't hate McGuffey.
No, we do not refuse to run results from McGuffey softball.
Wednesday's game failed to get into the section because the results were not called in. If you read our section or just check the sports briefs on our website, there were plenty of results phoned to the O-R. One result which was not was McGuffey-Waynesburg softball.
Following a call from Highlanders softball coach Jim Armstrong this evening, it was learned that Waynesburg – the home team – did not report results.
As stated before on this blog, it is impossible to cover every game. Thus, the Observer-Reporter – and papers across our great country – rely on results being reported.
Don't call in on the day of the event, you don't make the paper.
Why does the O-R hate McGuffey?
Why won't the O-R provide McGuffey's softball team with any space in its paper, particularly after one of its biggest wins in recent years?
Did the O-R refuse to run the results because Waynesburg shortstop Kaylie Barger was our Athlete of the Week two weeks ago?
No, we don't hate McGuffey.
No, we do not refuse to run results from McGuffey softball.
Wednesday's game failed to get into the section because the results were not called in. If you read our section or just check the sports briefs on our website, there were plenty of results phoned to the O-R. One result which was not was McGuffey-Waynesburg softball.
Following a call from Highlanders softball coach Jim Armstrong this evening, it was learned that Waynesburg – the home team – did not report results.
As stated before on this blog, it is impossible to cover every game. Thus, the Observer-Reporter – and papers across our great country – rely on results being reported.
Don't call in on the day of the event, you don't make the paper.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Why Joe Tuscano never ran track
In the previous post, Observer-Reporter sports writer Joe Tuscano went into great detail as to why he never went out for the track and field team at his high school.
Tuscano, no spring chicken and prone to fits of crankiness, took exception to Tuesday's full schedule of track meets, which were held despite snowy, frigid conditions. For Tuscano, competing in such conditions were too difficult despite claims of varsity gridiron greatness.
That's not the real reason Tuscano, who once cleared a whopping 9-6 long jump following an office challenge, never competed in track. Take a look at the picture on the right and draw your own conclusions.
Granted, Tuesday's conditions were not ideal and any baseball/softball games scheduled were postponed. That's not how things work in track and field. Like football and soccer, track is contested in most conditions – lightning being an exception.
I understand what track athletes went through Tuesday. As a former sprinter, I competed in conditions similar to or worse than what Washington and Greene County experienced. Sure, personal bests and school records aren't set under such conditions, but so what?
Never hear too many complaints that a running back doesn't set a single-game rushing record when it rains.
There are dangers to competing in bad weather and, off the top of my head, there aren't many positives. When it comes to track, the length of the regular season must be considered. Track is more physically demanding than baseball and softball, thus competing in five meets in five days is not realistic. And let's not forget that the WPIAL track playoffs begin later this month (April 29). That's two weeks before the start of the baseball and softball playoffs.
I didn't mind running in poor conditions though I didn't care much for snowy meets. Makes you appreciate those wonderful, warm days a little more.
Why I never ran track
I wasn't the greatest student at my high school, but I was smart enough to not go out for the track team. And every time a day like Tuesday rolls around, I am sure it was the right choice.
More than a dozen track meets were held in weather - snow, rain, wind and cold - that I wouldn't want my dog to be in for long periods of time. Competing in weather such as yesterday's makes the competition a joke.
The wet weather made the jumping events dangerous, the soaked grounds affected throwing events, and even an all-weather track won't help your time in the runs when wind and snow are blowing in your face. Last week, an athlete competing in bad weather went to the hospital because he missed the landing area on a jump and suffered a concussion. It's surprising there haven't been more injuries.
If the weather doesn't matter, why not make the outdoor season year-round? Sound silly? Well, Tuesday's meets were held under the same type of weather conditions that existed for most of January.
Schools do a disservice to the sport and its athletes when it's allowed to be held under these weather conditions. Softball and baseball don't play games in this type of weather. Track events should not have to, either.
Joe Tuscano
More than a dozen track meets were held in weather - snow, rain, wind and cold - that I wouldn't want my dog to be in for long periods of time. Competing in weather such as yesterday's makes the competition a joke.
The wet weather made the jumping events dangerous, the soaked grounds affected throwing events, and even an all-weather track won't help your time in the runs when wind and snow are blowing in your face. Last week, an athlete competing in bad weather went to the hospital because he missed the landing area on a jump and suffered a concussion. It's surprising there haven't been more injuries.
If the weather doesn't matter, why not make the outdoor season year-round? Sound silly? Well, Tuesday's meets were held under the same type of weather conditions that existed for most of January.
Schools do a disservice to the sport and its athletes when it's allowed to be held under these weather conditions. Softball and baseball don't play games in this type of weather. Track events should not have to, either.
Joe Tuscano
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Offers roll in for Wilkins
With Canon-McMillan's Mike Hull committed to Penn State, Trinity's Ken Wilkins figures to be the most heavily recruited high school football player in Washington County in the Class of 2010.
While Wilkins does not have the national profile of Hull, rated the nation's No. 43 in the upcoming class by Scout.com, the defensive end/outside linebacker and cousin of former Washington High School standout Travis Thomas is stockpiling offers.
Four more official offers came in this week for Wilkins, an AP Pennsylvania All-State Class AAA first-team defensive lineman as a junior. Wisconsin, Maryland, North Carolin and Akron joined a long list which also includes North Carolina State, Boston College, Syracuse, Virginia, Pitt, Cincinnati, Temple, Ohio, Illinois, Rutgers, Minnesota, Michigan State and Purdue.
While Wilkins does not have the national profile of Hull, rated the nation's No. 43 in the upcoming class by Scout.com, the defensive end/outside linebacker and cousin of former Washington High School standout Travis Thomas is stockpiling offers.
Four more official offers came in this week for Wilkins, an AP Pennsylvania All-State Class AAA first-team defensive lineman as a junior. Wisconsin, Maryland, North Carolin and Akron joined a long list which also includes North Carolina State, Boston College, Syracuse, Virginia, Pitt, Cincinnati, Temple, Ohio, Illinois, Rutgers, Minnesota, Michigan State and Purdue.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
RIP Don Harbison
The Fort Cherry community no doubt was saddened to hear about the loss of Don Harbison, a standout two-sport athlete who died Saturday morning when the SUV he was driving hit a house in Robinson Township.
Harbison, 25, lived in Midway.
A 2001 graduate of Fort Cherry, Harbison was a dominant two-way lineman on very good football teams at Fort Cherry. As a senior, Harbison was named to the Associated Press Small School All-State football team as a first-team selection. He also earned mention to the Observer-Reporter All-District basketball team.
Harbison went on to Slippery Rock, where he played football.
Harbison, 25, lived in Midway.
A 2001 graduate of Fort Cherry, Harbison was a dominant two-way lineman on very good football teams at Fort Cherry. As a senior, Harbison was named to the Associated Press Small School All-State football team as a first-team selection. He also earned mention to the Observer-Reporter All-District basketball team.
Harbison went on to Slippery Rock, where he played football.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
APB, Where are they now?
After an unsuccessful search for former Peters Township and Major League Baseball baseball player Brian Simmons, the Varsity Letters issues another All Points Bulletin for former Canon-McMillan softball pitcher Becca Petras.
Name the pitching record at Canon-McMillan and Petras owns it.
During her day, the Big Macs were among the best teams in WPIAL Class AAAA as Petras struck out 695 with a 0.75 ERA. As a junior, Petras led the WPIAL in strikeouts during the regular season.
Anyone knowing Petras' whereabouts is urged to contact the Varsity Letters.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Center-Monaca merger
MONACA (AP) — A merged school district in western Pennsylvania now has a mascot and official colors for its sports teams.
Teams at the Central Valley School District in Beaver County will be known as the Warriors and will wear navy and Carolina blue on their uniforms.
The former Center Area and Monaca school districts are officially merging July 1. The district settled on its new name in February, and a 48-member student committee picked the mascot name and colors on Tuesday.
Center Areas sports teams have been known as the Trojans while Monaca’s teams are called the Indians.
The districts elementary schools will combine this fall, while the middle and high schools will operate separately before combining in the fall of 2010.
Teams at the Central Valley School District in Beaver County will be known as the Warriors and will wear navy and Carolina blue on their uniforms.
The former Center Area and Monaca school districts are officially merging July 1. The district settled on its new name in February, and a 48-member student committee picked the mascot name and colors on Tuesday.
Center Areas sports teams have been known as the Trojans while Monaca’s teams are called the Indians.
The districts elementary schools will combine this fall, while the middle and high schools will operate separately before combining in the fall of 2010.
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