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

The North girls' All-Stars

All-Star basketball teams often feature a collection of scorers, nothing but a group of shooting guards and small forwards that look to shoot the basketball with incredible frequency. It can often lead to boring basketball.

The group comprising the North girls' roster for Saturday's AmeriServ Senior Hoops Classic, which tips off at 1 p.m. at the Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center, is much more than a collection of offensive standouts. It resembles an actual basketball team.

Sure, the North features some of the area's premier scorers, but there are players who rebounded, ran the point and dug down defensively. Another positive for Portage coach Lance Hudak, who guided the Mustangs to one of its best seasons and will lead the North roster, is every player came from a playoff team. Several of those players came from teams that accomplished more than expected in the postseason.

Coach: Lance Hudak, Portage
The Mustangs finished 22-4 and won their first WestPAC championship with a hard-fought overtime victory against Berlin. Portage was the District 6 Class A runner-up and qualified for the PIAA playoffs.

Players (in alphabetical order)
Katie Bracken, Central Cambria
Red Devils' post presence averaged 8.8 points and a team-best 9.1 rebounds.

Jamie Cekada, Conemaugh Valley
Blue Jays point guard did a little bit of everything as she averaged 7.1 points, 4.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals.

Casey Gallaher, Forest Hills
Gallaher aggravated an injury in the final game of the season and won't be able to play but plans to attend game. She scored 1,500 career points.

Lexi Hody, Conemaugh Valley
Ranked second on team with 10.1 scoring average.

Taylor King-Brothers, Central Cambria
King-Brothers recently signed with St. Francis track, but she's also a basketball standout who averaged 8.8 points and 3.2 steals.

Paige Lamberson, Westmont Hilltop
Three-point shooting specialist averaged 11.9 points and made 65 3-pointers.

Heather Marsh, Blacklick Valley
Stat-sheet filler averaged 11.0 rebounds and team-high 11.1 rebounds.

Emily McCabe, Portage
Key role player for Mustangs averaged 4.9 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Bri Mulhern, Penn Cambria
Another sharpshooter, Mulhern averaged 11.7 points and made 47 3-pointers.

Candice Ramus, Portage
One of the area's premier shooters in rifle, Ramus was a rare multi-sport winter sports athlete.

Erin Rodgers, Westmont Hilltop
One of area's most complete players averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 4.0 steals.

Marlee Zubek, Forest Hills
Key figure for District 6 Class AAA champs averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists while leading team with 30 3-pointers.

Live blog: Berlin vs. Vincentian Academy; Forest Hills vs. Blackhawk (girls basketball)

Judging by the pregame dance of Vincentian's Kayla Key, she averages 25.

Then, she comes out and scores the game's first basket on a layup. 2-0 Vincentian.

6:09 p.m. - Not overly impressed with Vincentian at this point, but the Royals are playing defense. Lead 11-3. Berlin has seven turnovers and hit first field goal at 3:10 left in the first.

6:14 p.m. - Berlin outworking VA right now, on an 8-2 run to pull within 13-9 with 58.3 left in first.

6:17 p.m. - Berlin ends first quarter on 11-0 run capped by a Gine Trulick layup to lead, 14-13. Mountaineers have forced 11 turnovers.

Hmmmmm.

6:21 p.m. -Starting to think Berlin will be pretty good next year.

6:22 p.m. - From a fundamental standpoint, Berlin doing a lot of things right. Not dribbling much against the press. Attacking from middle. Nice basketball.

6:25 p.m. - With Brenna Wise back in, Vincentian responds with 10-0 run. Wise has five points during stretch including a putback of her own missed free throw. Royals led 25-16.

6:42 p.m. -Booted off the Internet for a few. Two things changed in the second quarter: 1. Brenna Wise re-entered the game for the Royals and took over. She's got 15 points and 10 rebounds already. 2. The Royals cut down significantly on their turnovers.

6:50 p.m. - Having significant issues with equipment and signals.

6:52 p.m. - Not much happening in third. Vincentian leads 36-26 with 2:38 remaining.

PIAA basketball second round

Fourteen teams from The Tribune-Democrat coverage area entered the PIAA boys' and girls' basketball playoffs.

A whopping nine remain.

The following are the sites and times for the second-round contests involving local teams.

Tuesday, March 11
Basketball
High School Boys
PIAA Tournament
Class A – Second Round
At Hempfield
Vincentian Academy vs. Bishop Carroll, 5 p.m.
At Bald Eagle Area
Shade vs. Johnsonburg, 7 p.m.
Class AAA – Second Round
At Hempfield
Greater Johnstown vs. Chartiers Valley, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 12
Basketball
High School Boys
PIAA Tournament
Class AA – Second Round
At Richland
Conemaugh Township vs. Northern Cambria, 7 p.m.
At Clarion University
Bishop McCort vs. West Middlesex, 7:30 p.m.
High School Girls
PIAA Tournament
Class A – Second Round
At Hempfield
Vincentian Academy vs. Berlin Brothersvalley, 6 p.m.
At Indiana
Conemaugh Township vs. Clarion Area, 6 p.m.
Class AAA – Second Round
At Hempfield
Forest Hills vs. Blackhawk, 7:30 p.m.

Area PIAA basketball games

Boys

Tuesday

Class AA

Play-in

Conemaugh Township (22-3) vs. Westinghouse (14-10), 7 p.m. at Somerset

Friday

First round

Class AAA

Greater Johnstown (15-7) vs. Lancaster Catholic (18-9), 6:30 p.m. at Central Cambria

Class A

Bishop Carroll (21-5) vs. Shanksville (21-4), 8 p.m. at Central Cambria
Shade (25-1) vs. North Catholic (16-6), 7:30 at Pitt-Johnstown

Saturday

Class AA

First round

Penn Cambria (20-4) vs. Greensburg Central Catholic (22-2), 4 p.m. at Altoona
Northern Cambria (21-5) vs. Apollo-Ridge (18-8), 7 p.m. at Central Cambria
Bishop McCort (18-8) vs. Burrell (19-7), 4:30 p.m. at Gateway
* Conemaugh Township (22-3) vs. Brentwood (14-10), 7:30 p.m. at Pitt-Johnstown

* - Site and time for Conemaugh Township if victorious in Tuesday's play-in game.

Girls

Friday

Class AA

First round

Westmont Hilltop (21-5) vs. Bishop Canevin (22-4), 6 p.m. at North Hills

Saturday

Class AAA

First round

Forest Hills (19-4) vs. Hampton (18-6), 5:30 p.m. at Central Cambria
Ligonier Valley (16-7) vs. Franklin (24-1), 4:30 p.m. at Slippery Rock University

Class A

Portage (22-3) vs. Berlin (22-4), 4 p.m. at Central Cambria
Conemaugh Township (21-4) vs. Quigley Catholic (18-6), 5:30 p.m. at Pitt-Johnstown

T-D girls' basketball rankings

1. Forest Hills 17-4
Rangers earned top seed in District 6 Class AAA playoffs.
 
2. Portage 20-2
WestPAC champs avenged previous loss to Berlin Brothersvalley in title game.

3. Westmont Hilltop 19-4
Hilltoppers struggled vs. Bishop Guilfoyle in LHAC title game. Of course, every team struggles against BG.

4. Berlin Brothersvalley 20-3
Rachel Prosser's squad had a 19-game win streak snapped against Portage.

5. Richland 17-5
Winners of four straight, Richland opens postseason play tonight against Central Cambria.

6. Ligonier Valley 15-6
Class AAA Rams haven't been able to solve Blairsville, the top seed in Class AA.

7. Conemaugh Township 18-4
Indians play Shade for first time this season in opening round of District 5 Class A playoffs.

8. Conemaugh Valley 16-6
Balanced Blue Jays won final four conference games.

9. Bishop McCort 12-9
Crimson Crushers should prove to be a tough out in District 6 Class AA bracket.

10. Windber 12-10
Ramblers will have 14-day layoff before playing in District 5 Class AA playoffs.

District 6 Class AAA playoff preview

Boys
Teams: 1. Greater Johnstown (14-6), 2. Somerset (13-8), 3. Bedford (4-17).
Defending champion: Greater Johnstown.
Players to watch: Phillip Madison, Roshon Fields (Greater Johnstown); Jake Close, Brent Barron (Somerset), Tyler Black (Bedford).
The skinny: The Trojans are the clear favorite here. They've already defeated Somerset twice during the regular season and bear Bedford by 35 points.
Prediction: Greater Johnstown over Somerset.

Girls
Teams: 1. Forest Hills (17-4), 2. Ligonier Valley (13-5), 3. Westinghouse (13-9), 4. Carrick (10-8), 5. Huntingdon (7-9), 6. Greater Johnstown (6-16).
Defending champion: Hollidaysburg.
Players to watch: Casey Gallaher, Caitlin Gallaher (Forest Hills), Maddy Grimm, Kyre Ludwig (Ligonier Valley), Tara Smith (Huntingdon), Tashayla Smith, Lexi Lindrose (Greater Johnstown).
The skinny: Forest Hills and Ligonier Valley moved up from Class AA and are the clear-cut favorites here in this interdistrict bracket. District 8's Westinghouse played a challenging schedule outside the City League. Carrick sports a winning record but it lost to several small-school WPIAL teams during the regular season.
Prediction: Ligonier Valley over Forest Hills.

T-D girls' basketball rankings

1. Berlin 17-2
Big win versus Conemaugh Township last week. Mountaineers have clinched spot in WestPAC title game.

2. Westmont Hilltop 17-3
It's a battle of perennial powers (Westmont vs. Bishop Guilfoyle) in Saturday's LHAC championship game.

3. Forest Hills 17-4
Rangers should be top seed in District 6 Class AAA playoffs.

4. Ligonier Valley 13-4
Surging Rams should be Forest Hills' top competition in D6 bracket.

5. Portage 18-2
Mustangs are one win from spot in WestPAC championship game for first time.

6. Richland 14-5
Rams bounced back from loss to Westmont with key win versus Bishop McCort.

7. Conemaugh Township 15-4
Indians gave No. 1 Berlin tough game on the Mountaineers' home court.

8. Conemaugh Valley 14-5
Blue Jays remain among WestPAC elite.

9. Bishop McCort 11-9
If Crimson Crushers figure out how to beat one of the area's elite teams, could spell postseason success.

10. Windber 12-10
Ramblers ended regular season on three-game win streak.

T-D girls' basketball rankings

When a program has enjoyed as much success as Westmont Hilltop girls basketball, there are considerable expectations that come with wearing the Hilltoppers' red and white.

Consider Westmont Hilltop played for PIAA Class AA championships in 2005 and 2006, In 2005, the Hilltoppers lost a tough four-point game to Delone Catholic. A year later, the Hilltoppers suffered a five-point loss to another perennial power in York Catholic.

In the world of PIAA small-school girls basketball, private school tend to dominate in the state playoffs, which makes Westmont Hilltop's success all the more impressive.

"You don't play to lose and you don't play to go .500, you play to win," said Hilltoppers coach Jodi Hillegass, who is in her 10th season.

In order to live up to the yearly expectations at Westmont, players often go above and beyond what is expected from them.

"If you want to win championships and go to states, you can't be off weekends, you can't take the summer off," Hillegass said.

Westmont's current group has bought into the hard-working system, and it's resulted in a mid-to-late season surge. The Hilltoppers have climbed to No. 3 in the latest edition of The T-D girls' basketball rankings.


1. Berlin 15-2
Mountaineers bring a 14-game win streak into Tuesday's home game against Conemaugh Township.

2. Forest Hills 16-3
Rangers face tough task tonight as Bishop Guilfoyle comes to Sidman.

3. Westmont Hilltop 15-3
With Rachel Roper healthy, Hilltoppers may be peaking at right time.

4. Ligonier Valley 11-4
Healthy Rams secured two big road wins at Marion Center and Penns manor.

5. Conemaugh Township 13-3
Impressive double-digit home win vs. Portage makes Indians biggest upward movers.

6. Portage 17-2
Juniors Olivia McCabe and Emily Chobany both topped 1,000-point mark last week.

7. Richland 13-4
Rams can earn signature win tonight vs. Westmont Hilltop.

8. Conemaugh Valley 12-4
Blue Jays face Conemaugh Township and Meyersdale this week as part of tough five-game stretch.

9. Bishop McCort 10-8
Crimson Crushers have lost three of four. Those losses are against Forest Hills, Westmont Hilltop and Altoona.

10. Meyersdale 14-4
Eric McCool's Red Raiders haven't allowed more than 34 points since a three-point loss at Shade.

T-D girls' basketball rankings

1. Berlin 12-2
Mountaineers have tough back-to-back road games at Conamaugh Valley and Shade this week.

2. Portage 15-1
Only time Mustangs allowed more than 50 points in a game this season was against Quad-A Greater Latrobe, and Portage won that game.

3. Forest Hills 13-3
Loss to Bishop Guilfoyle couple weeks ago must have angered the Rangers as they've blown out four straight opponents.

4. Westmont Hilltop 13-3
Hilltoppers' Erin Rodgers is one of area's top scorers, but she's also averaging 4.9 steals per game.

5.  Richland 12-4
The Rams are solid, but 15-ppint home loss to Bishop Guilfoyle proves Marauders' mettle.

6. Ligonier Valley 9-4
A convincing 13-point win over Conemaugh Township could be a jump start for Rams.

7. Conemaugh Valley 11-3
Tough to find fault in Blue Jay's loss to Portage.

8. Conemaugh Township 11-3
Indians rebound from loss to Ligonier Valley with win vs. North Star. Big game vs. Portage on Wednesday.

9. Bishop McCort 9-6
Crimson Crushers had five-game win streak snapped against Forest Hills.

10. Shade 12-3
The Panthers are on an eight-game win streak and freshman Emma Spinelli is averaging 19.2 points per game.

T-D girls' basketball rankings

1. Berlin 11-2
The Mountaineers had a rare off week. No game played.

2. Portage 13-1
Tuesday's game against Conemaugh Valley should be a sturdy test.

3. Forest Hills 11-3
If Rangers can beat Bishop Guilfoyle at home, they should run the table.

4. Westmont Hilltop 11-3
The Hilltoppers were the latest area team to lose to Tussey Mountain.

5. Richland 11-3
The Rams are finally getting healthy again.

6. Conemaugh Valley 11-2
The Blue Jays haven't lost since Dec. 17.

7. Conemaugh Township 10-2
Indians are averaging 13.3 steals per game.

8. Bishop McCort 8-5
The only newcomer to the rankings, the Crimson Crushers are 5-1 and in first place in LHAC Section 1.

9. Penn Cambria 8-5
The Panthers have quietly pieced together a four-game win streak.

10. Ligonier Valley 8-4
The Rams are struggling to score points. A healthier team may be the remedy.

T-D girls' basketball rankings

This far into the girls basketball season, we know ... is anyone quite sure what we know yet?

Think we know that Richland is good when healthy. Think we know that Ligonier Valley needs Maddie Grimm back. Think we know that Forest Hills is solid. Think we know Westmont Hilltop is capable of beating any team in the region, especially with Jodi Hillegass as coach.

Think we know that Berlin and Portage are solid in Class A, and that Meyersdale is a team to watch.

Other than that, who knows?

1. Berlin 11-2
Twenty-point win at Meyersdale solidifies Mountaineers as team to beat in WestPAC South.

2. Portage 11-1
Dynamic duo of Emily Chobany and Olivia McCabe have the Mustangs thinking big.

3. Forest Hills 10-3
Loss at Bishop Guilfoyle proves Marauders remain team to beat in the LHAC.

4. Westmont Hilltop 10-2
Behind 1,000-point scorer Erin Rodgers, Hilltoppers have won eight of nine.

5. Ligonier Valley 7-3
The Rams are talented, but blowout loss to Blairsville was an eye-raiser, despite Grimm's absence.

6. Richland 10-3
A double overtime loss at Bishop McCort Monday is the Rams' second-straight setback.

7. Conemaugh Valley 9-2
The Blue Jays' only losses are to Portage and Richland.

8. Conemaugh Township 9-2
Portage and CV are the only teams to knock the Indians. Both losses were by four points.

9. Penn Cambria 6-5
Tori Shingler's return from injury has Panthers pointed in right direction.

10. Meyersdale 8-3
Red Raiders were 8-1 before losses to Portage and Berlin.

The season's first Tribune-Democrat basketball rankings

Other work commitments have kept The Varsity Club on the quiet side in recent weeks, and there were even thoughts of keeping the blog dedicated to high school football. But we're going to crank things up for the rest of the winter sports season and see how things go.

T-D sports staffer Shawn Curtis suggested The Varsity Club offer the area's first intergender basketball rankings. Interesting idea (kind of), but we'll keep things separate ... at least for now.

Since most teams are at or nearing the halfway mark of the regular season, seems like a good time to do some local basketball rankings.

Boys
1. Shade 10-0
2. Bishop McCort 6-2
3. Greater Johnstown 6-3
4. Penn Cambria 7-2
5. Somerset 7-4
6. Bishop Carroll 7-2
7. Cambria Heights 7-3
8. Northern Cambria 7-3
9. Richland 4-1
10. Conemaugh Township 6-2

Girls
1. Richland 9-1
2. Forest Hills 8-2
3. Berlin 8-2
4. Portage 9-1
5. Ligonier Valley 7-2
6. Westmobt Hilltop 7-2
7. Conemaugh Valley 7-2
8. Meyersdale 7-1
9. United 7-4
10. Conemaugh Township 7-2

Area well represented on PFN All-State teams

The Pennsylvania Football news released its comprehensive All-State teams on Tuesday, and the area is well-represented, particularly in Class AA.

If you want to read the entire list of players, click here.

Locally, many of the players – Richland's Tanner Solarczyk, Berlin' Drew Glotflety and Penn Cambria Mack Behe – one would expect to be recognized were. There were a few surprises, too.

Greater Johnstown's Dalvin Williams was the lone local representative on the Class AAA team. He earned second-team honors at linebacker after he finished the regular season with 149 tackles. Williams was a first-team selection to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers' All-State team and had 10 or more tackles in all 10 of the Trojans' games.

Richland's Kyle Flick

Solarczyk, selected Tribune-Democrat Offensive Player of the Year, was a first-team running back in Class AA and was joined on the first team by Rams receiver Kyle Flick. Richland also placed quarterback Matt Shaffer on the second team along with lineman Josh Dininny. Receiver Luke Shertzer was the fifth Richland player selected as he made third team offense.

Ligonier Valley placed two on the Class AA offense. Lineman Micah Tennant, who will play at Lehigh, was a second-team selection and Ryan Torrance made third team at running back.

Forest Hills receiver Jared Shope, who spent time at quarterback this season because of an injury to Rangers starter Joe Donoughe, was a third-team selection.

Ligonier Valley's Stuart Urch

Behe made the PA Sports Writers All-State team at linebacker as a junior and a senior, so it's no surprise that the disruptive force from Penn Cambria earned a first-team spot in Class AA. He's joined at linebacker by Ligonier's Stuart Urch, who had 20 sacks.

Central Cambria defensive lineman  Tyler Gironda was a third-team selection in Class AA.

Two area talents landed on the Class A second team offense in Bishop McCort kicker Jordan Spangler and Berlin's Drew Glotfelty. Spangler kicked nine field goals in addition to being one of the area's premier pass catchers. Glotfelty, along with Solarczyk, rushed for 2,000 yards.

Berlin offensive lineman Levi Bowser was a third-team selection along with Shade running back Brock Medva.

Luke DiFrancesco, another of Bishop McCort's talented receivers, earned second-team honors at defensive back. He was joined by emerging defensive lineman Stew Trulick of Berlin and Norther Cambria linebacker Alex Atkins – Tribune-Democrat Defensive Player of the Year. Atkins finished the season with 160 tackles.


Windber placed three players on the third team in receiver Matt Barkley, punter Dustin Blough and defensive back Devon Tomlinson. North Star's Brantley Rice was also a third-team pick at defensive back.

Twelve things on 12/12/12

Twelve things that crossed my mind on Dec. 12, 2012, which is the last day to have identical digits (12/12/12) until Jan. 1, 2101 (01/01/01).

1. Richland football earned a lot of respect with the way it played in the PIAA Class AA tournament, and coach Brandon Bailey showed why a growing number of people think he's one of the best around. Check out this quote from Aliquippa's Malik Shegog in a recent edition of the Tribune-Review, "Hats off to (Richland‘s) coach; they played hard, and he had them ready."

2. Sixteen 3-pointers in an awful lot to make in a game at any point during the season. Somerset hit 16 of them at Bishop Carroll in a boys game on Monday.

3. Central Cambria's Max Kirsch and Richland's Brady Moran both had opportunities to play Division I golf. It's a pretty neat story that the duo opted to become teammates next year at IUP, and a big get for the Crimson Hawks. Kirsch and Moran played their best in the big tournaments.

4. Winston Redman resigned as football coach at Conemaugh Valley. Like any coach, Redman had his detractor but, from this perspective, he did a solid job this season. CV has a lot of building to do. The linemen are small and so are the numbers.

5. Ferndale is also looking for a football coach to replace Tony Penna Sr. Rebuilding Ferndale is a bigger task than turning Conemaugh Valley into a winner. The Yellow Jackets' struggles brings me back to one of my favorite arguments. ... It's time for more mergers.

6. It will be interesting to see how many area players land on the Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State football team. Here's a few guys I believe are worthy: Dalvin Williams (Johnstown), Stuart Urch (Ligonier Valley), Tanner Solarczyk, Josh Dininny, Derek Crawford, Luke Shertzer and Elijah Metzger (Richland), Drew Glotfelty (Berlin), Brock Medva (Shade), Tony Strasiser, Levi Albright (North Star) and Johnny Sheesley (Blacklick Valley).

7. With a majority of skill players returning, Richland should be primed for another strong year in 2013, but replacing all those seniors up front will be difficult. Don't be surprised if Forest Hills is right there with the Rams atop the LHAC standings next year.

8. All signs point toward Don Bailey returning for another season at Forest Hills. Could all signs be pointing to another "Bailey Bowl" for the District 6 Class AA title in 2013?

9. Greater Johnstown and Somerset fielded underclassmen-heavy teams this fall and should be much improved in 2013. Teams from the WestPAC, however, were senior-oriented. Should be interesting to see which programs do the best job replacing departing talent like Strasiser, Glotfelty and Sheesley.

10. Wondering how many other opening will happen in football? Counting Conemaugh Valley and Ferndale, the guess here is five.

11. Love it when teams beef up the schedule in hopes of bettering postseason performance. The Ligonier Valley girls basketball team, which moved up to Class AAA this year, is a good example. The Rams compete in the Heritage Conference, which includes some Class A schools. That won't help LV in the postseason, but playing at the Greensburg Salem Tournament gives it a better idea of what it will take to advance in a larger classification.

12. Did the players from Johnstown and Westmont get to keep the Ampipe/Walnut Heights jerseys their wore earlier this season?

Forest Hills' Gallaher, Somerset's Lenzi on PSCA Girls All-State team

Forwards
AJ Baroffio, Sr., Bethel Park
Alicia Binn, Jr., Saucon Valley
Bria Bittiger, So., Stroudsburg
Carley Bogan, Sr., Upper St.  Clair
Maci Bower, So., Millwill
Frannie Crouse, Jr., Greensburg Central Catholic
Kayla Cunningham, Sr., Whitehall
Ashley Dunbar, Sr., Dallas
Morgan Glassford, Sr., Strath Haven
Antonia Grese, Sr., Moon
Alexis Junker, Jr., Fairfield
Sarah Kaiser, Sr., Mercyhurst Prep
Shyanne Kimbrough, Jr., West York
Mikala Kin, Sr., York Suburban
Lauren Kovalchuk, Sr., Belle Vernon
Taylor Landis, Sr., Warrior Run
Veronica Latsko, Jr., Peters Township
Kathleen Lawver, Sr., Cocalico
Liana Leja, Sr., South Fayette
Kelsie Maloney, Sr., Bishop McDevitt
Ivy Nulton, Sr., Coughlin
Lauren Pietrowski, Sr., Governor Mifflin
Julianna Provini, Jr., Owen J. Roberts
Hannah Racis, So., Conrad Weiser
Madyson Riegel, Jr., Blue Mountain
Olivia Roberson., Sr., Peters Township
Megan Schafer, Jr., Neshaminy
Sarah Segan, So., Northwestern Lehigh
Rachel Shive, Sr., Faith Christian Acadey
Lana Spitler, Sr., Montoursville
Bryn Wassel, Sr., Lansdale Catholic
Bryce Watts, So., Red Land
Marisa Weaver, Sr., Boiling Springs
Morgan Williams, Sr., Seneca Valley
Jennifer Wittick, Sr., Downingtown West
Natalie Zelensky, Sr., Mechanicsburg

Midfielders
Casey Gallaher, Sr., Forest Hills
Siobhan Bross, Sr., Danville
Kristin Buchanan, Sr., Bellefonte
Bianca Chairge, Sr., Scranton Prep
Bailey Corbin, Jr., Lampeter-Strasburg
Haleigh Echard, Jr., Cedar Crest
Malea Fabean, Jr., Greensburg Central Catholic
Emily Gingrich, Sr., Governor Mifflin
Andrea Gunderson, Sr., West Chester Rustin
Kaylee Harner, Sr., Red Land
Ally Kasun, Sr., Hempfield
Kayla Kelley, Jr., Halifax
Elise Krause, Sr., Cumberland Valley
Emily Morgan, Sr., Owen J. Roberts
Shea Neal, Sr., Christopher Dock
Bethany Perri, Sr., Mars
Lauren Pezzica, Sr., Conestoga Valley
Jackie Pierson, Sr., Archbishop Wood
Camille Roberts, Sr., Parkland
Kailee Rottet, Sr., Tamaqua
Carly Seneca, Sr., Gateway
Marissa Sheva, So., Pennridge
Brittany Simmons, Sr., Cocalico
Maddie Swarr, Sr., Conestoga
Creslyn Van Dyck, Jr., Harrisburg Christian
Tess Wei, Sr., Friends Central

Defenders
Megan Lenzi, Sr., Somerset
Emma Blair, Sr., Governor Mifflin
Kylie Borick, Sr., Forest City Regional
Isabelle Clauss, Jr., Abington Heights
Michelle DeGerolamo, Sr., Hickory
Alexa Fabbri, So., Villa Joseph Marie
Rachel Kester, Sr., Northwestern Lehigh
Kelly Sheptock, Sr., Berwick

Goalkeepers
Natasha Brigham, Sr., Harbor Creek
Madison Hileman, Sr., Fleetwood
Gabby Reichart, Sr., New Oxford
Alesha Seifert, Jr., Wilson Area

PA Football News rankings

Class AAAA:
Rank - School - District - Record - Score - Last Weeks Ranking1. North Allegheny (7) (13-0) Defeated Woodland Hills, 21-14 (1)
2. LaSalle College (12) (11-1) Did Not Play (2)
3. Wilson (West Lawn) (3) (12-1) Defeated Governor Mifflin, 21-14 (3)
4. Harrisburg (3) (11-2) Defeated Central Dauphin, 27-21 (5)

5. Parkland (11) (11-2) Defeated Delaware Valley, 49-41 (8)
6. McDowell (10) (7-5) Defeated State College, 42-0 (HM)
7. Coatesville (1) (11-2) Defeated Neshaminy, 63-28 (HM)

8. Spring-Ford (1) (12-2) Defeated Pennridge, 35-24 (HM)
9. St. Joseph's Prep (12) (9-1) Season Complete (6)
10. Pennridge (1) (11-2) Lost to Spring-Ford, 35-24 (4)
Honorable Mention:

Central Bucks South (10-2)

Central Dauphin (3) (10-3)
Delaware Valley (2) (11-2)

Downingtown East (1) (10-1)

Governor Mifflin (3) (10-3)

Neshaminy (1) (9-4)

Ridley (1) (11-1)

Scranton (2) (11-1)

Upper St. Clair (7) (10-2)

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Class AAA:
Rank - School - District
1. Bishop McDevitt (3) (13-0) Defeated Lancaster Catholic, 27-7 (1)
2. Cathedral Prep (10) (12-0) Defeated General McLane, 48-14 2)
3. Archbishop Wood (12) (10-2) Did Not Play (3)

4. West York (3) (13-0) Defeated Susquehanna Township, 31-7 (4)
5. West Allegheny (7) (12-1) Defeated West Mifflin, 34-8 (5)

6. Selinsgrove (4) (9-3) Defeated University Prep, 41-14 (10)
7. Interboro (1)(11-2) Defeated West Chester Henderson, 14-12 (HM_
8. Allentown Central Catholic (11) (8-5) Defeated Abington Heights, 23-0 (HM)
9. Thomas Jefferson (7) (11-1) Season Complete (HM)
10. Pottsgrove (1) (11-1) Season Complete (HM)
Honorable Mention:

Abington Heights (2) (10-3)

Berwick Area (2) (10-2) 

Central Valley (7) (9-2)
Clearfield (9) (11-1)

Garden Spot (3) (10-1)

General McLane (10) (9-3)

Susquehanna Township (3) (10-3)

West Mifflin (7) (11-2)

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Class AA:
Rank - School - District
1. Aliquippa (7) (13-0) Defeated Washington, 34-7 (1)
2. Wyomissing (3) (13-0) Defeated Bermudian Springs (2)
3. Imhotep Charter (12) (13-0) Defeated Boy's Latin, 58-8 (3)
4. Richland (6) (13-0) Defeated Forest Hills, 27-0 (5)
5. Hickory (10) (11-1) Defeated Wilmington, 39-7 (7)
6. Pen Argyl (11) (10-2) Defeated Wyoming Area, 21-7 (8)
7. Danville (4) (11-2) Defeated Mount Carmel, 28-21 (10)
8. Karns City (9) (10-3) Defeated Chestnut Ridge, 35-29 (HM)
9. South Fayette (7) (11-1) Season Complete (9)
10. Washington (7) (12-1) Lost to Aliquippa, 34-7 (4) (Blogger's note: Washington beat South Fayette in the WPIAL playoffs but fell behind SF in this week's rankings.)

Honorable Mention:

Bermudian Springs (3) (12-1)

Catasauqua (11) (12-1)

Forest Hills (6) (9-4)

Jeannette (7) (10-2)

Wilmington (10) (9-3)

Wyoming Area (2) (10-3)

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Class A:
Rank - School - District
1. Clairton (7) (13-0) Defeated Sto-Rox, 58-21 (1) (60 Straight Wins - Breaks the state Record)
2. Dunmore (2) (12-1) Defeated Southern Columbia, 35-29 (5)
3. Port Allegany (9) (13-0) Defeated Clarion Area, 47-8 (3)
4. Bellwood-Antis (6) (12-1) Defeated Bishop McCort, 54-3 (7)
5. Sharpsville (10) (11-1) Defeated West Middlesex, 28-0 (8)
6. Southern Columbia (4) (12-1) Lost to Dunmore, 35-29 (2)
7. Bristol (1) (9-1) Defeated Williams Valley, 20-0 (HM)
8. Berlin Brothersvalley (5) (11-1) Defeated North Star, 14-6 (HM)

9. Delone Catholic (3) (9-3) Defeated Steelton-Highspire, 28-13 (HM)
10. Old Forge (2) (11-1) Season Complete (9)

Honorable Mention:
Clarion Area (9) (12-1)
Monessen (7) (9-2)

Neshannock (7) (10-2)

North Star (5) (10-3)

Sto-Rox (7) (11-1)

Tri-Valley (11) (10-2)

West Middlesex (10) (10-3)

Williams Valley (11) (12-1)

Forest Hills/Richland aka "The Bailey Bowl" capsule

Forest Hills (9-3) vs. Richland (12-0)

What: District 6 Class AA championship.

When: 7 p.m., today.

Where: Mansion Park, Altoona.

District titles: Forest Hills, 9 – 1985 (Class AAA), 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010 (Class AA). Richland, none.

Forest Hills scores: Westmont Hilltop (W, 44-0), Bishop McCort (L, 10-6), Bishop Carroll (W, 27-0), Bishop Guilfoyle (L, 14-0), Cambria Heights (L, 24-6), Central Cambria (W, 28-14), Penn Cambria (W, 20-18), Somerset (W, 17-7), Greater Johnstown (W, 29-24), Philipsburg-Osceola (W, 43-0), Central (W, 21-7), Ligonier Valley (W, 26-12).

Richland scores: Cambria Heights (W, 38-20), Bishop Guilfoyle (W, 35-12), Bedford (W, 62-14), Greater Johnstown (W, 42-0), Bishop McCort (W, 17-10), Somerset (W, 47-0), Westmont Hilltop (W,
51-23), Penn Cambria (W, 30-12), Central Cambria (W, 35-0), Bellwood-Antis (W, 14-7), Penn Cambria (W, 28-0), Tyrone (W, 43-22).

Forest Hills coach Don Bailey
Seasons as head coach: 39.
Career record: 333-91-8.
District titles: 9.
This season: 9-3.
Highlight: Led Rangers to 1994 PIAA Class AA state championship game, a 20-14 double-overtime loss to Mount Carmel.

Richland coach Brandon Bailey
Seasons as head coach: 11.
Career record: 62-55.
District titles: 0.
This season: 12-0.
Highlight: Led Rams to first playoff berth in 20 seasons in 2008 and advanced to the district championship game two straight years.

Bailey vs. Bailey
Forest Hills is 9-1 against Richland since the father-son coaching duel began in 2002. ... The total includes Rangers playoff wins in 2008 and 2009. Richland won the 2011 season opener in Sidman. ... The teams did not meet during the 2012 regular season.

Patriot-News football rankings

Pennsylvania high school football rankings from the Patriot-News of Harrisburg, with school’s district in parentheses, followed by record and position in last week’s rankings. NR means not ranked.

CLASS AAAA
1. North Allegheny (7) 12-0 1
2. LaSalle College (12) 11-1 2
3. Harrisburg (3) 10-2 3
4. Woodland Hills (7) 10-2 5
5. Parkland (11) 10-2 9
6. St. Joseph’s Prep (12) 9-1 6
7. Upper St. Clair (7) 10-2 4
8. Wilson (3) 11-1 NR
9. Central Dauphin (P)) 10-2 NR
10. Gateway (7) 9-2 10
Teams to watch
Coatesville (1) 10-2, Delaware Valley (2) 11-1, Ridley (1) 11-1, Scranton (2) 11-1, Seneca Valley (7) 10-2, Spring-Ford (1) 11-1.

CLASS AAA
1. Cathedral Prep (10) 11-0 1
2. Bishop McDevitt (3) 12-0 2
3. Archbishop Wood (P) 10-2 3
4. West Allegheny (7) 11-1 4
5. West Mifflin (7) 11-1 8
6. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 10-2 10
7. Thomas Jefferson (7) 11-1 5
8. Abington Heights (2) 10-2 NR
9. Montour (7) 9-1 9
10. West Chester Henderson (1) 9-3 NR
Teams to watch
Berwick (2) 10-2, x-Lancaster Catholic (3) 9-3, Mars (7) 9-2, Pottsgrove (1) 11-1, West York (3) 12-0.

CLASS AA
1. Aliquippa (7) 12-0 1
2. Imhotep Charter (12) 12-0 2
3. Wyomissing (3) 12-0 4
4. Washington (7) 12-0 5
5. Hickory (10) 10-1 6
6. South Fayette (7) 11-1 3
7. Richland (6) 12-0 10
8. Pen Argyl (11) 10-2 NR
9. Wilmington (10) 9-2 NR
10. Wyoming Area (2) 10-2 NR
Teams to watch
Bermudian Springs (3) 12-0, Catasauqua (11) 11-1, Forest Hills (6) 9-3, Grove City (10) 9-2, Jeannette (7) 10-2.

CLASS A
1. Clairton (P)) 12-0 1
2. Southern Columbia (4) 12-0 2
3. Dunmore (2) 11-1 4
4. Sto-Rox (7) 11-1 5
5. Sharpsville (10) 10-1 6
6. Bellwood-Antis (6) 11-1 8
7. Old Forge (2) 11-1 3
8. Williams Valley (11) 12-0 9
9. Bishop McCort (6) 9-3 NR
10. Port Allegany (9) 11-0 NR
Teams to watch
Monessen (7) 9-2, Neshannock (7) 10-2, North Catholic (7) 9-3, Rochester (7) 9-2, Steelton-Highspire (3) 9-3, West Middlesex (10) 10-2.
(P)-2011 PIAA champion. (x) 2011 Class AA champion. Number in parentheses is PIAA district.

Tribune-Democrat football rankings

Regardless of classification ...

1. Richland 12-0 (Class AA)
Noteworthy: Richland remains area's most consistently excellent team. Rams make District 6-AA title game for second straight year. This year, it's being dubbed the Bailey Bowl as Brandon Bailey's Richland Rams play father Don Bailey's Forest Hills Rangers.

2. Forest Hills 9-3 (AA)
Noteworthy: Rangers have been one of Class AA's best teams since Week 6. Father/son coaching matchups happen occasionally, but one has to wonder if it's ever actually happened in a PIAA playoff game.

3. Bishop McCort 9-3 (A)
Noteworthy: It's late November, so that must mean it's time for the annual playoff matchup between Class A powers Bishop McCort and Bellwood-Antis. The winner could be set for a long postseason run.

4. Berlin 10-1 (A)
Noteworthy: Not sure why, but it seems like Mountaineers coach Doug Paul doesn't get enough credit. He's not afraid to alter schemes, play calls or signals or even move players to different positions if he believes it gives Berlin a chance.

5. North Star 10-2 (A)
Noteworthy: The District 5 Class A championship will be contested Friday night. That must mean North Star is still playing. The Cougars are in the title game ... again, and their defense is playing at en elite level.

6. Chestnut Ridge 6-5 (AA)
Noteworthy: Chestnut Ridge won its first playoff game two weeks ago against Everett. The Lions had a week off now travel to Clarion University to play District 9's Karns City. Ridge played a difficult, nomadic schedule. Now, the ever-improving Lions will find out if it pays off.