Thursday, April 18, 2013

Leechburg leaving WPIAL. Next stop District 6?

Ligonier Valley, Northern Cambria and the rest of the Heritage Conference could have a new opponent for the 2014-15 school year.

The WPIAL Board of Control voted unanimously Wednesday to permit Leechburg Area School District to move its athletic programs from District 7 to District 6. The vote came after the Leechburg Area School Board voted 8-0 in March to request the move.

It appears the WPIAL has no desire to let Leechburg back, unless there are an odd number of teams in its classification.

"You just can't come and go as you please," WPIAL Executive Director Tim O'Malley told the Tribune-Review.

For Leechburg, a small Class A school located in Armstrong County and a small part of Westmoreland County, the move to District 6 is dependent on being accepted as a member. That's all but a formality considering they've previously been invited to join the Heritage Conference.

And that's exactly where the Blue Devils will land in the 2014-15 school year. The Heritage Conference is the only logical landing place considering its schools, such as Blairsville and Penns Manor, are relatively close to Leechburg.

One reason the school district want to make the moving is the growing number of private schools in the WPIAL. Whether or not that has affected Leechburg's ability to compete is debatable.

The football team hasn't had a winning season since 1991. The boys' basketball program generally struggles, though Leechburg did win a WPIAL Class A championship in 2006-07. It's the only WPIAL title for Leechburg, which has been a member of District 7 since 1919.

The girls' basketball team has lost 25 consecutive games.

One sport where Leechburg is generally competitive is softball. The Blue Devils regularly contend for district championships in the sport. Leechburg also sponsors boys' golf, girls' volleyball and baseball.

Friday, April 12, 2013

From Richland to UPJ

Four seniors from Richland High School are headed across the street to continue their soccer careers at Pitt-Johnstown.

Sabrina Wingard, who ranks fifth in Richland girls' soccer history in assists, will join her sister Savanna on the Lady Cats in the fall.

Cousins Bobby and Curt Colvin were both four-year starters at Richland. Bobby Colvin played midfield and led Richland with 27 goals. Curt Colvin was a defender. Joining them on the Mountain Cats will be Ismail Ahmad, who scored 22 goals this season.

For more on the four future UPJ soccer players, click here.

The following is a submitted photo from Thursday's signing ceremony. The players are (from left) Ismail Ahmad, Bobby Colvin, Sabrina Wingard and Curt Colvin.


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State boys' teams

The 2012-13 Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State Boys Basketball teams, including each player’s school, height, class and scoring average.
CLASS AAAA
FIRST TEAM
Shawn Anderson, New Castle, 6-3, sr., 20.2 ppg
Rondae Jefferson, Chester, 6-7, sr., 15.5 ppg
B.J. Johnson, Lower Merion, 6-7, sr., 16.5 ppg
Jahad Thomas, Williamsport, 6-2, sr., 18.0 ppg
Geno Thorpe, Shaler, 6-3, sr., 26.3 ppg
Stephen Vasturia, St. Joseph’s Prep, 6-5, sr., 20.5 ppg
SECOND TEAM
Yohanny Dalembert, Lower Merion, 6-7, sr., 10.8 ppg
Shep Garner, Roman Catholic, 6-2, jr., 15.7 ppg
Miles Overton, St. Joseph’s Prep, 6-4, sr., 15.7 ppg
Cole Renninger, Central Mountain, sr., 27.2 ppg
Darius Robinson, Chester, 6-1, sr., 11.8 ppg
Isaiah Washington, Williamsport, 6-4, jr., 15.9 ppg
Sheldon Zablotny, Cathedral Prep, 6-0, sr., 19.1 ppg
THIRD TEAM
Sal Biasi, Hazleton, 5-11, jr., 26.8 ppg
Richard Granberry, Chester, 6-7, sr., 12.3 ppg
Ryan Luther, Hampton, 6-7, jr., 21.1 ppg
Tavon Parker, York, 6-3, sr., 20.4 ppg
Devonne Pinkard, J.P. McCaskey, 6-6, sr., 18.1 ppg
Jahaad Proctor, Harrisburg, 6-2, so, 13.5 ppg
Amar Stukes, La Salle College, 6-1, sr., 19.6 ppg
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rondae Jefferson, Chester
COACH OF THE YEAR: Gregg Downer, Lower Merion        

CLASS AAA   
FIRST TEAM   
Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Allentown Central Catholic, 6-4, jr., 21.2 ppg  
Brandon Austin, Imhotep Charter, 6-7, sr.,, 17.0 ppg  
John Davis, Neumann-Goretti, 6-5, sr., 13.4 ppg  
Ja’Quan Newton, Neumann-Goretti, 6-3, jr., 18.4 ppg  
J.C. Show, Abington Heights, 6-2, jr., 19.0 ppg  
Devin Wilson, Montour, 6-4, sr., 16.9 ppg  
SECOND TEAM   
Jason Dietrich, Donegal, 6-3, sr., 15.3 ppg  
Martin Dietrich, Donegal, 6-3, sr., 15.4 ppg  
Nana Foulland, Berks Catholic, 6-9, jr., 14.0 ppg  
Derrick Jones, Archbishop Carroll, 6-6, so, 14.1 ppg  
Jaymon Mason, General McLane, 6-3, sr., 26.8 ppg  
Khalid Nwandu, Northeastern, 6-2, sr., 20.6 ppg  
Yosef Yacob, Archbishop Carroll, 6-0, sr., 13.0 ppg  
THIRD TEAM   
Spencer Casson, Chartiers Valley, 6-6, sr., 11.4 ppg  
Matt Husek, Bethlehem Catholic, 6-11, sr., 16.0 ppg  
Matt Knowles, Scranton Prep, 6-1, sr., 14.6 ppg  
Phillip Madison, Greater Johnstown, 5-9, sr., 20.3 ppg   
Basil Thompson, Imhotep Charter, 6-6, jr., 9.7 ppg  
Ernie Tyler, Shikellamy, 6-3, sr., 13.2 ppg  
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Brandon Austin, Imhotep Charter  
COACH OF THE YEAR: Ryan Butt, Donegal  

CLASS AA   
FIRST TEAM   
Drew Cook, Beaver Falls, 6-2, sr., 15.9 ppg  
Elijah Cottrill, Beaver Falls, 6-3, jr., 16.4 ppg  
Matthew Dogan, West Middlesex, 6-6, sr., 25.7 ppg  
Josh Kosin, Holy Cross, 6-7, sr., 19.6 ppg  
A.J. Leahey, Penn Cambria, 6-7, sr., 20.8 ppg  
Roger Wilson, Loyalsock, 6-5, sr., 15.0 ppg  
SECOND TEAM   
Dominick Antonelli, Trinity, 6-2, jr., 13.2 ppg   
Noah Davis, Bellwood-Antis, 6-6, sr., 22.1 ppg  
David Johnson, Communications Tech, 5-11, sr., 17.8 ppg  
Julian Moore, Germantown Academy, 6-9, sr., 14.5 ppg  
Rasheed Moore, Meyers, 6-6, sr., 16.5 ppg  
Brett Smith, Delone Catholic, 5-10, sr., 13.9 ppg  
Nemo Trexler, Bishop McCort, 6-4, jr., 18.8 ppg  
THIRD TEAM   
Travis Conrad, Lewisburg, 5-10, sr., 15.0 ppg  
Kyle Datres, Loyalsock, 5-10, soph., 9.9 ppg  
Jahyde Gardiner, Freire Charter, 6-5, jr., 18.2 ppg  
Jordan Jackson, Wellsboro, 5-11, sr., 14.0 ppg  
Nick Lorenz, East Juniata, 6-1, jr., 21.0 ppg   
Ronnie Tomasetti, Mid Valley, 6-4, sr., 13.3 ppg  
Josh Wise, Washington, 6-2, sr., 21.9 ppg  
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Josh Kosin, Holy Cross
COACH OF THE YEAR: Doug Biega, Beaver Falls  

CLASS A
FIRST TEAM
Sammy Foreman, Vaux, 6-0, so, 12.2 ppg  
Ryan Fyock, Shade, 6-1, sr., 25.2 ppg  
Rysheed Jordan, Vaux, 6-4, sr., 24.8 ppg  
Elijah Minnie, Lincoln Park, 6-9, jr., 20.1 ppg  
Cole Peterson, Johnsonburg, 5-10, jr., 15.6 ppg  
Jeremiah Worthem, Math, Civics & Sciences, 6-7, sr., 15.7 ppg  
SECOND TEAM
Aondofa Anyam, Church Farm, 5-10, jr., 12.2 ppg
Dalton Cesarz, Blacklick Valley, 6-1, sr., 25.7 ppg
Alize Johnson, St. John Neumann, 6-5, jr., 18.0 ppg
Britton Lee, Math, Civics & Sciences, 5-11, sr., 10.0 ppg
Maverick Rowan, Lincoln Park, 6-5, fr, 23.5 ppg
Danny Savulchak, North Catholic, 6-4, sr., 20.5 ppg
Wade Walker, Shade, 6-5, sr., 18.0 ppg
THIRD TEAM
Cameron Grumley, Johnsonburg, 5-9, jr., 15.5 ppg
Brandon Martinazzi, Bishop Carroll, 5-9, soph., 17.8 ppg
Timmy Orr, Lebanon Catholic, 6-2, sr., 17.4 ppg
Zach Smith, Smethport, 6-4, sr., 22.3 ppg
Dache Talbert, Sankofa Freedom, 5-8 sr., 15.5 ppg  
Shafeek Taylor, Math, Civics & Sciences, 6-4, sr., 8.3 ppg  
Ryan Wolf, Vincentian, 5-9, so, 21.3 ppg  
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rysheed Jordan, Vaux 
COACH OF THE YEAR: Bill Shuey, Johnsonburg  

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State girls' basketball teams

The 2012-13 Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State Girls Basketball teams, including each player’s school, height, class and scoring average.

Shanksville-Stonycreek's Kayla Stockenus
CLASS AAAA
First team
Lauren Crisler, North Penn, 6-2, Sr., 15.3 ppg
Sarah Curran, Archbishop Carroll, 6-0, Sr., 15.1 ppg
Kaitlyn Eisenhard, Boyertown, 6-1, Sr., 15.7 ppg
Jackie Falconer, Cumberland Valley, 6-1, Sr., 15.7 ppg
Shanice Johnson, Cardinal O’Hara, 6-1, Sr., 11.9 ppg
Erin Mathias, Fox Chapel, 6-3, Jr., 17.1 ppg
Sammy Stipa, Spring-Ford, 5-5, Jr., 11.0 ppg
Isis Thorpe, Reading, 5-8, Sr., 19.4 ppg
Second team
Victoria Blackburn, Hershey, 5-7, Sr., 15.4 ppg
CaLee Gelbaugh, Central Dauphin East, 5-8, Jr., 18.8 ppg
Emily Gingrich, Gov. Mifflin, 5-8, Sr., 16.7 ppg
Alexis Hofstaedter, Council Rock South, 5-8, Sr., 15.0 ppg
Alex Louin, Mount St. Joseph, 5-11, Jr., 15.8 ppg
Megan Marecic, Bethel Park, 5-11, Jr., 15.8 ppg
Third team
Forest Hills' Casey Gallaher
Mia Farmer, Cardinal O’Hara, 5-9, Jr., 11.5 ppg
Morgan Griffith, Hollidaysburg, 6-0, Sr., 14.9 ppg
Alayah Hall, Dover, 5-7, Jr., 15.5 ppg
Darby Lee, Altoona, 6-0, Jr., 18.8 ppg
Avery Marz, Wilson, 5-7, Jr., 10.7 ppg
Shelby Mueller, Spring-Ford, 5-10, Jr., 10.7 ppg
Sarah Payonk, Spring-Ford, 5-11, Sr., 10.3 ppg
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sarah Curran, Archbishop Carroll
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jeff Rinehimer, Spring-Ford

CLASS AAA
First team
Shelby Lindsay, South Park, 5-11, Sr., 17.8 ppg
Megan McGurk, Notre Dame de Namur, 5-7, Sr., 19.0 ppg
Chassidy Omogrosso, Blackhawk, 5-5, So., 22.4 ppg
Porscha Speller, Lancaster Catholic, 5-8, Sr., 18.6 ppg
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Hopewell, 5-11, Sr., 28.3 ppg
Kalista Walters, Bethlehem Catholic, 6-0, So., 19.4 ppg
Second team
Gia DeAngelo, Sun Valley, 5-8, Sr., 21.5 ppg
Mia Hopkins, Pittston Area, 6-0, Sr., 18.0 ppg
Karlee McBride, Erie Villa Maria, 5-10, Sr., 13.9 ppg
Lisa Mirarchi, Malvern Villa Maria, 5-8, Sr., 15.0 ppg
Alyssa Monaghan, Bonner-Prendergast, 5-5, So., 18.3 ppg
Angelina Starr, Franklin, 5-9, Jr., 16.9 ppg
Third team
Camden Boehner, Gettysburg, 5-7, Jr., 20.8 ppg
Tricia Byrne, Scranton Prep, 5-6, Jr., 15.6 ppg
Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Notre Dame de Namur, 5-8, Sr., 17.4 ppg
Casey Gallaher, Forest Hills, 5-3, Sr., 18.9 ppg
Ciera Nimmons, Prep Charter, 5-8, Jr., 14.2 ppg
Carly Richardson, Palmyra, 5-11, Jr., 15.4 ppg
Rebecca Rutkowski, Crestwood, 6-1, Jr., 16.6 ppg
Jessica Slagus, Belle Vernon, 6-0, Sr., 19.8 ppg
Sara Tarbert, Kennard-Dale, 5-11, Sr., 24.2 ppg
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Hopewell
COACH OF THE YEAR: Reggie Wells, South Park

CLASS AA
First team
Becky Evans, Pine Grove, 5-4, Jr., 19.0 ppg
Naje Gibson, Seton-La Salle, 6-0, Jr., 13.5 ppg
Ciara Gregory, Jeannette, 5-7, Sr., G, 30.4 ppg
Morgan Klunk, York Catholic, 5-11, Sr., 17.1 ppg
Megan Quinn, Episcopal, 6-2, Sr., 18.5 ppg
Erin Waskowiak, Bishop Canevin, 5-11, Sr., 15.6 ppg
Second team
Alex Artise, North East,  5-9, sr., 16.0 ppg
Carly Forse, Bishop Canevin, 5-10, Sr., 13.8 ppg
Kiernan McCloskey, Germantown Academy, 6-1, Sr., 15.1 ppg
Reighly Melochick, Minersville, 5-9, Jr., 19.7 ppg
Sammie Weiss, McGuffey, 5-10, So., 26.6 ppg
Third team
Brooke Hinderliter, Redbank Valley, 5-6, Fr., 20.4 ppg
Lori Horton, Williamson, 6-5, Jr., 16.6 ppg
Mackenzie Livingston, Blairsville, 5-7, Sr., 19.9 ppg
Stacey MacArthur, Delco Christian, 5-5, Sr., 12.5 ppg
Emily Merryman, Cranberry, 5-5, Jr., 22.3 ppg
Christina Perles, Mount Carmel, 5-10, Sr., 17.4 ppg
McKenzie Popatak, Sharpsville, 5-9, Sr., 21.8 ppg
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Megan Quinn, Episcopal
COACH OF THE YEAR: Tim Joyce, Bishop Canevin

CLASS A
First team
Halee Adams, Bishop Guilfoyle, 5-8, Sr., 16.1 ppg
Tara Nahodil, Tri-Valley, 6-4, Sr., 18.5 ppg
Alex Ricketts, Kennedy Catholic, 5-11, Sr., 17.5 ppg
Malia Tate-DeFreitas, Steelton-Highspire, 5-8, Sr., 34.8 ppg
Juli Weber, Tri-Valley, 5-7, Sr., 14.8 ppg
Brenna Wise, Vincentian, 6-1, So., F, 22.3 ppg
Second team
Macey Hollenshead, Southern Fulton, 5-7, Jr., 17.2 ppg
Justine Seely, Benton, 6-2, Sr., 27.9 ppg
Kayla Stockenus, Shanksville-Stonycreek, 5-6, Sr., 31.0 ppg
Meghan Trenholm, St. John Neuman,, Jr., 18.9 ppg
Mariah Ward, Monessen, 5-7., Sr., 18.4 ppg
Lauren Wolosik, North Catholic, 5-10, Sr., 26.0 ppg
Third team
Tamesha “Sox” Alexander, Shipley, 5-6, Jr., 13.5 ppg
Kayla Bates, Bishop Guilfoyle, 5-8, Sr., 10.2  ppg
Morgan Berardi, Carmichaels, 5-6, Sr., 17.3  ppg
Maria Morgan, Bucktail, 5-6, So., 28.3 ppg
Lauren Carey, Old Forge, 5-7, Jr., 13.8 ppg
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Malia Tate-DeFreitas, Steelton-Highspire
COACH OF THE YEAR: Bob Felty, Tri-Valley