Sports
Bethel Park Edges Rival Peters Township for Penguins Cup AAA Title
March 24, 2012
The turnaround is complete.Zach Volzer scored with just 1:56 to play, lifting #6 Bethel Park (18-7-1) to their historic 7th PIHL Penguins Cup title, defeating #5 Peters Township (15-6-3) 2-1 Saturday at CONSOL Energy Center.After starting the season 3-7-1, Bethel Park rattled off 15 straight wins, with many of them coming by only one goal.After a scoreless first period, Bethel Park would strike first, as Derek Lesnak would knock in his second goal of the postseason at the 4:40 mark of the second period, making it 1-0 Black Hawks.Peters Township would not wait long to respond, as Trevor Recktenwald would net his 4th goal of the playoffs, evening the score at 1-1.The score would remain ties until Volzer’s goal, as he would take a pass from Lesnak and riffle a shot by Indians’ goaltender Brian Baker, making it 2-1.That was all Bethel Park would need, fending off a furious attack in the final two minutes by Peters Township.2012 PIHL Penguins Cup High School Hockey CLASS AAA Blog
It's championship time, so that means it's MSA Sports blog time! Sure, we are the only place to listen to all three PIHL Penguins Cup Championship Games live (and archived), but if you don't have the time and want a quick update on the happenings of the high school hockey finals all day long from the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIP: #5 Peters Township Indians vs. #6 Bethel Park BlackhawksBethel Park now has 7 Penguins Cup Championships, the 2nd most out of any PIHL team (Meadville).FINAL SCORE: Bethel Park 2, Peters Township 1.Empty net for Peters Township! 52 seconds to go. GOAL! With just 1:56 to go, Zach Volzer's shot from the point redirects off a Peters player and goes in, making it 2-1 Bethel Park.A couple of penalties each way, but still no scoring. Remains a 1-1 game. 8 minutes to go.
West Allegheny Works Overtime to Win PIHL AA Penguins Cup
Erie Cathedral Prep came into the PIHL Class AA Penguins Cup Championship red hot, as the Ramblers hadn’t lost a game since January. The only loss West Allegheny suffered since November 10th was at the hands of Cathedral Prep (5-0) on February 27th. The Indians were making their second appearance in the finals since 2010, when they were runner up to Latrobe. The Ramblers last captured the Penguins Cup in 1997. These two schools went back and forth in a great match for the AA title at the Consol Energy Center. It took some extra minutes to get the job down, but the wait was well worth it for West Allegheny as the Indians captured their first Penguins Cup.Imhotep Charter Repeats as PIAA Class AA Boys Champs With Overtime Win Over Beaver Falls
Imhotep Charter claimed their second straight PIAA Boys Class AA title, but this time it wasn't easy. The Panthers defeated the Beaver Falls Tigers 56-54 in overtime at the Bryce Jordan Center. It's the third overall title and the second won in extra time, the Panthers need two extra sessions to defeat North Catholic in the 2009 championship game. It was a lot easier last year, the Panthers blew out Greensburg Central Catholic 67-34.Shakur Nesmith forced overtime with a steal and score with 19 seconds remaining. Coach Andre Noble said his kids could have given up at that point, but Nesmith read the trap right and was able to get the tying points. The Tigers had a chance to win it, but Sheldon Jeter missed a deep three.
Quaker Valley Ends Mars 3-Year Run as PIHL Class A Penguins Cup Champions
The Mars Fighting Planets three year stay atop the PIHL Class A championship hill has come to an end. Their three Penguins Cup title in 2009, 2010 and 2011 are now bookended by championship loses to Quaker Valley. Ryan Dickson scored two goals and Clayton Bouchard added a goal and assist as the Quakers won their third PIHL Penguins Cup and first since 2008 with a 4-2 victory Saturday afternoon at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The game had a tentative start to it as both team came out and played a conservative style with few great scoring chances against Mars goaltender Christian Knapp and Quaker Valley netminder Doug Revak. The Fighting Planets actually outshot the Quakers 8-7 in the opening period.2012 PIHL Penguins Cup High School Hockey CLASS AA Blog
It's championship time, so that means it's MSA Sports blog time! Sure, we are the only place to listen to all three PIHL Penguins Cup Championship Games live (and archived), but if you don't have the time and want a quick update on the happenings of the high school hockey finals all day long from the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.CLASS AA CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 WEST ALLEGHENY INDIANS vs #4 ERIE CATHEDRAL PREP RAMBLERSCLASS AA CHAMPIONSHIP: #1 WEST ALLEGHENY INDIANS vs #4 ERIE CATHEDRAL PREP RAMBLERSWest Allegheny 4 - Erie Cathedral Prep 3 Final-OT. Keep it here for the Bethel Park/Peters Township Class AAA tilt on the MSA Sports Network! We will have the call, the blog and the article as well as all of the State Championship games on the network tomorrow.Steel-High Wins Back-to-Back PIAA Gold; Beats North Catholic In Class A Girls Finals
Rayvon Donald did the job on both ends, with a rebound and put back and followed with a steal all in the final minute to seal a 66-59 win for the Steelton-Highspire Rollers over the North Catholic Trojanettes in the PIAA Girls Class A championship game at the Bryce Jordan Center.The Rollers claim back to back championships, defeating Bishop Guilfoyle last season 73-60. Junior Malia Tate-DeFreitas averaged 32.4 points per game to lead the state, she struggled from the field shooting 5 of 21, but still led the Rollers with 18 points. She also contributed with eight rebounds and nine assists. It was only the third time this season that she was held under twenty points in a game.Amber Hess-Moore stepped up the scoring with 17 points, including five of seven triples. Amber Anderson added 13 points and seven rebounds. Donald only scored eight points but controlled the glass, with 9 rebounds.2012 PIHL Penguins Cup High School Hockey CLASS A Blog
It's championship time, so that means it's MSA Sports blog time! Sure, we are the only place to listen to all three PIHL Penguins Cup Championship Games live (and archived), but if you don't have the time and want a quick update on the happenings of the high school hockey finals all day long from the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.CLASS A: #1 QUAKER VALLEY QUAKERS vs. #2 MARS PLANETSThe Champions:FINAL SCORE: Quaker Valley 4, Mars 2.GOAL! Mars is making it interesting, cutting it to 4-2 Quaker Valley on a Power Play goal by Robert Foley. One minute to go here in this one.GOAL! Mars will not be shut out in this one. Robert Foley scores with 4:21 remaining to make it now 4-1 Quaker Valley.Neumann-Goretti Beats Montour Again for Three-Peat in PIAA Boys AAA
The Montour Spartans jumped out to a ten point first quarter lead but the Neumann-Goretti Saints rallied to take the lead late in the second quarter and survived some poor free throw shooting down the stretch to claim their third consecutive PIAA Class AAA Boys Championship with a 48-45 victory Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center.Montour had a chance to tie the game with two seconds to play, but Kevin Scuilli's three point attempt from the left corner was deflected by La'Quan Coaxum, ending the dreams of the Spartans. The Saints could have pulled away but went 5 of 15 in the fourth quarter from the line, a 14 of 30 performance for the game.Oakland Catholic Falls to Archbishop Carroll in PIAA Girls AAAA Finals
March 23, 2012
The Archbishop Carroll Patriots picked up their second PIAA Girls Quad-A title with a 56-37 victory over Oakland Catholic on Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Patriots won the 2009 title and fell to Mount Lebanon in last year's title game.The Patriots were led by Sarah Curran with 16 points and 7 rebounds, Rachel Pearson added 14 points with 7 rebounds and Meghan Creighton with 10 points and 7 boards.Archbishop Carroll took the lead midway thru the first quarter as Creighton hit a three to stake the Patriots to a 14-9 lead. Oakland Catholic turned the ball over five times in the first and went without a basket over the final 3:07.The second quarter started the same way as the first for the Eagles, only one point and no field goals thru the first four minutes. Pearson hit a three with 2:27 left in the half forced Oakland Catholic coach Shannon Boyle to take a timeout with a 22-10 Patriots lead.Lincoln Park Comes Up Short Again in State Class A Boys Title Bid
The Philadelphia Constitution Generals made their first trip to Penn State a good one as they defeated the WPIAL champion Lincoln Park Leopards 68-49 in the Class A Boys title tilt. Seniors Savon Goodman and Daiquan Walker dominated the show for the District 12 champions, scoring 27 and 22 points respectively.The win was the fourteenth straight for the Generals.Lincoln Park fell for the second straight year in the title game, falling to another D-12 school, Math, Civics and Science 70-55. The Leopards saw a ten game winning streak come to an end.Constitution jumped out to a 7-2 lead, highlighted by a Savon Goodman slam. The Generals extended that lead to 22-11 after one, but went cold in the second, coming up empty on five out of six possessions near the end of the half. Lincoln Park cut the lead to six twice, but missed multiple chances to reduce the deficit.PIAA Has A New Leader
The PIAA Board of Control announced this morning that Dr. Robert Lombardi will replace Bradley Cashman as executive director of the PIAA, at the end of Cashman's term.Cashman announced his retirement last year and the board narrowed the search down to two candidates, who were interviewed this morning. Lombardi has been with the PIAA since 1988 and oversees several championship events. He is also responsible for the PIAA officials convention, held in August and works with the PIAA's registered sports officials.A Perfect Season for Seton LaSalle as Rebels Win PIAA Class AA Girls Championships
The Seton LaSalle Rebels made history by going perfect for the season with a 71-47 win over York Catholic in the Girls Class AA championship game at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Rebels pick up their second state title and first since 1984 in dominant fashion, leading by 20 points or more in the third quarter on the way to picking up the gold basketball and a 30-0 record. The Rebels placed four players in double figures, Angela Heintz led with 18 points, Nicolete Newman added 16 off the bench with four three pointers, Naje Gibson had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds and Cassidy Walsh scored 11 and dished out 8 assists.
2012 PIAA Basketball Championship Games Preview
March 22, 2012
The Path to Penn State has ended, eight championship tilts are on tap for this weekend at the Bryce Jordan Center. A rematch highlights the first day's action, with four games each day. The MSA Sports Network will have complete coverage, with broadcasts indicated, plus recaps from both days action. Here are previews of all eight games, starting with Friday's action: Girls Class AA Championship Game: Seton LaSalle Rebels (29-0) vs. York Catholic Crusaders (29-3) Noon Friday on the MSA Sports Network CLICK HERE for Game Link2012 WPIAL Baseball Review and Preview
The first pitch will be fired Friday to open up the 2012 WPIAL baseball season. Seneca Valley, Elizabeth Forward, Riverside and Neshannock are ready to defend their district crowns while Riverside and Serra Catholic prepare to defend their PIAA state titles. 2011 WPIAL BASEBALL REVIEW:Here are the final WPIAL baseball standings for the 2011 regular season.WPIAL CLASS AAAASection 1: (Section Record) (Overall Record) #-Seneca Valley Raiders : (9-3) (12-3) *-Pine-Richland Rams : (8-4) (13-5) *-Butler Golden Tornado : (8-4) (12-4) *-Shaler Titans : (8-4) (12-7) x-North Allegheny Tigers : (7-5) (14-5) x-North Hills Indians : (2-10) (6-10) x-Fox Chapel Foxes : (0-12) (3-17)PIAA Basketball Semifinals Wednesday Recaps
The 2012 WPIAL Class A girls champs and the lone district team remaining in Class AAA were eliminated on Wednesday, two WPIAL teams got their ticket punched to Happy Valley. Beaver Falls boys and North Catholic girls will join Montour, Lincoln Park, Oakland Catholic and Seton-LaSalle at Penn State University this weekend participating in the state championship games. Here are recaps from the games involving D-7 teams on Semifinals Wednesday in the PIAA Basketball Playoffs.Thanks to Bob Barrickman, Ryan Lucas and Jason Lucia for their help with these recaps.PIAA BOYS CLASS AA SEMIFINALS: Beaver Falls Tigers 55 - Quaker Valley Quakers 45
PIHL Penguins Cup Semifinals Wednesday Recaps
The PIHL Penguins Cup Semifinals concluded Wednesday night with Class AAA taking center stage. South Hills rivals Bethel Park and Peters Township both rose to the occasion and eliminated the top two seeds at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Complex. Here are recaps from both games.Bethel Park Black Hawks 3 - Penn-Trafford Warriors 2 By Mark Schaas2012 WPIAL Softball Review and Preview
March 21, 2012
The first pitch will be fired Friday to open up the 2012 WPIAL softball season. Latrobe, Yough, Burrell and Chartiers-Houston are ready to defend their district crowns and Valley prepares to defend their PIAA state title. This also marks the second season of the MSA Sports Hometown Softball program. Stay tuned for more information. 2011 WPIAL SOFTBALL REVIEW:Here are the final WPIAL softball standings for the 2011 regular season.PIAA Basketball Semifinals Tuesday Recaps
It was a banner night for the WPIAL. Now four district teams are one win away from plenty of gold and a state championship banner. Montour in AAA boys and Lincoln Park in A boys were winners and earn a repeat trip to the PIAA Finals for a second straight year. Oakland Catholic in AAAA girls and Seton-LaSalle in AA girls were also winners and will play Friday in Happy Valley for state gold. Here are recaps from the west on Semifinals Tuesday in the PIAA Basketball Playoffs.Thanks to Dennis Fischer, Jim Frederick and Don Rebel for their help with these recaps.PIAA BOYS CLASS AAA SEMIFINALS: Montour Spartans 45 - Hampton Talbots 29
PIHL Penguins Cup Semifinals Tuesday Recaps
The PIHL Penguins Cup Semifinals continued Tuesday night with Class AA taking center stage. Both Erie Cathedral Prep and West Allegheny fell behind early before coming back to win at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Complex. Here are recaps from both games.Erie Cathedral Prep Ramblers 6 - Chartiers Valley Colts 4 By Josh RowntreeThey say the 15th Anniversary the "crystal" anniversary.But on Saturday, the Erie Cathedral Prep hockey team will be looking for gold as they will play for their third Penguins Cup Championship, with the last coming 15 years ago.Jimmy Bufalino and Mitch Cambell each netted hat tricks and #4 Prep knocked off #2 Chartiers Valley 6-4 in a wild semifinal matchup at the RMU Island Sports Center.
