Incredible Run for Ford City Boys

In the three major boys’ high school sports; Football, Basketball, Baseball, the Sabers have reached six straight WPIAL playoffs. The 06-07 basketball team missed the playoffs with a 10-14 record. If you look at the senior class, since their sophomore year, they’ve reached 7 of 8 playoffs, and own 3 section titles. The baseball team looks to make it 8 of 9 playoffs, and 4 section titles. Okay Ford City historians; has there been a better period for boys’ athletics? Certainly the increases in classifications have helped, and this senior class is still looking to make it to a WPIAL title game in boys’ sports. However it’s very impressive run which could continue for a few more seasons.

WPIAL Basketball Playoffs - Ford City Out

Just like that the WPIAL Basketball playoffs are over for local teams. Especially heartbreaking for Ford City fans, as both teams were knocked out last night.

Boys
L – Ford City vs. Quaker Valley 54-55 ot
L – West Shamokin vs. Washington 31-48

Girls
L – Ford City vs. Jeannette 27-39
L- Apollo Ridge vs. Beaver 38-65

The lost also means, not PIAA playoffs for the Lady Sabers.

Ford City Boys Advance in WPIAL Playoffs

In the preliminary round of the WPIAL Basketball playoffs, the Ford City Boys were 59 – 49 winners over Avonworth. They’ll now face Quaker Valley at Shaler on Tuesday night. Ironically, the FC Girls will also be in action on Tuesday as they’ll meet Jeannette. The West Shamokin Boys were four-point winners over Fort Cherry and now they’ll face Washington. In girls’ basketball, Kittanning lost by 2 to McGuffey and Freeport was knocked out by Greensburg Catholic. The Apollo Ridge girls won, setting up a show down with top seed Beaver on
Friday.

Don’t forget about the big college basketball tonight as #4 Pitt travels to take on #1 Connecticut.
Pitt is actually ranked first in the famous RPI. The eyes of the college basketball world will be watching.

2009 WPIAL Basketball Playoffs

Friday with showcase most local teams

Girls
Kittanning vs. McGuffey @ Cornell on Friday at 6:30pm
Freeport vs. Greensburg Catholic @ Hampton on Friday at 6:30pm
Apollo vs. Brownsville @ Southmoreland on Saturday at 12:00pm

Ford City will not play until next Tuesday or Wednesday.


Boys
Ford City vs. Avonworth Antelopes @ Knoch on Friday,at 8:00pm
West Shamokin vs. Fort Cherry @ Northgate on Friday, at 8:00pm

Kittanning Boys & FC Girls Armstrong County Basketball Champions

Six years ago I created a formula for ranking all seven Armstrong County high school basketball teams, essentially creating a mythical County Championship. This year’s section realignment created some dramatic games. The Ford City girls finish the season 10-0 against county teams, including two narrow victories over 2nd place Apollo Ridge. The playoff bound KHS Girls took third, unfortunately for them didn’t have the opportunity to face FC or Apollo, which is just plain stupid. In boys, section champion Ford City could only secure 2nd place. Kittanning showed there is a huge difference between “AAA” and “AA”, as they defeated both Ford City and West Shamokin on the road in their only match-ups. It’s Kittanning’s first every title, boy or girls and the fourth straight the FC Girls. Congratulations!

Here are the final rankings of 2008-09

Boys
1. Kittanning - 157
2. Ford City - 156
3. West Shamokin - 147
4. Freeport - 85
5. Apollo Ridge - 80
6. Leechburg -30
7. Elderton - 27

Girls
1. Ford City - 193
2. Apollo Ridge - 156
3. Kittanning - 126
4. Freeport - 93
5. Elderton - 69
6. West Shamokin - 58
7. Leechurg - 19

WPIAL Basketball Playoff Tonight on RSW.

Tonight on RSW we’ll welcome the playoff bound Kittanning High School girls to the show. The Lady Wildcats won their last three section games to earn a trip to the “AAA” playoffs. I’ll be speaking about the season and the upcoming playoffs. The WPIAL will be announcing the playoff pairing tonight’s so there will be plenty to talk about. Both Ford City’s girls and boys’ teams won their section titles this season, and will be headed to the playoffs. The West Shamokin boys and the Freeport and Apollo Ridge girls will also be headed to the playoffs. With all the local teams in the playoffs I hope to hear your thoughts and opinions tonight at 7:30 on FLTV.

Ford City vs. West Shamokin Basketball: Game of the Decade?

Tonight’s Ford City vs. West Shamokin game is certainly the most anticipated boys’ high school game of year. I can’t remember a game involving two Armstrong County schools in boys’ basketball since the turn of decade, where more was on the line. If Ford City wins, they’ll win the Section Title outright. A West Shamokin victory would give them a share of their first ever basketball Section Title. Ironically enough, tonight’s game won’t decide a county basketball Champion, we’ll have to wait until Monday’s West Shamokin vs. Kittanning finale to decide it officially. The game starts at 7:30 at West Shamokin H.S. It’s truly a rare occasion to have two schools playing for the Section Title on final night of section schedule. It will no doubt be a historic night for local high school basketball.

Armstrong County Basketball Rankings

Here are this week's ranking as we finish up the season. In Girls FC has another title locked-up even if it isn't official yet. Boys Basketball is where all the excitement is, with three teams; Ford City, Kittanning, & West Shamokin fighting to the finish.

Boys:
1. West Shamokin - 152
2. Ford City - 143
3. Kittanning - 120
4. Apollo Ridge - 85
Freeport - 85
5. Leechburg - 32
6. Elderton - 28

Girls:
1. Ford City - 188
2. Apollo Ridge - 159
3. Kittanning - 121
4. Freeport - 91
5. West Shamokin - 61
6. Elderton - 58
7. Leechburg - 20

Ford City Girls Eye Section & WPIAL Titles

The Ford City Lady Sabers will lay claim to their first section title in 10 years with a win tomorrow night against West Shamokin. Ford City cleared their final hurdle by defeating Burrell, (the only section team to defeat them) 49-38 at home on Monday. Right now the 18-2 Lady Sabers are on a seven game winning steak. Ironically on Saturday they'll host the only other team to beat them, class "A" Mt. Alvernia. However a playoff warm-up against Kittanning would be a lot better to see instead. With the realignment of GCC, a Saber Section Title was expected, the real goal for this team is the WPIAL Title. With a lack of a clear favorite in “AA” Ford City fans are once again thinking about the elusive WPIAL Title.

Super Bowl & H.S. Basketball talk Tonight on RSW

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won their sixth Super Bowl and we'll be talking about the super Steelers tonight on Rizzo Sports Weekly. I'd like to hear you're thoughts on the Steelers' championship season. Also we're down to the final week of the basketball season, with Ford City and West Shamokin battling it out for a section title. It will be the most exciting six days in West Shamokin basketball history as they will play Riverview tonight, Apollo Ridge Wednesday, Ford City Friday, and travel to Kittanning on Monday. A clean sweep would give them a section and an Armstrong County Boys Title. However Ford City and Kittanning have their own objectives. Lots to talk about tonight at 7:30, I hope to hear from you!

Ford City Girls Basketball Eye Section Title

Ford City’s 53-52 Monday Night win over Apollo Ridge easily earns the title of game of the year. Trust me I feel bad for Apollo, as it’s the second time this season they lost to Ford City by a basket. Ford City just knows how to beat the Lady Vikings. The girls in the purple and gold are 16-2 on the year. In the next few days Ford City will have a chance avenged their only two defeats. First they host Mt. Alvernia tomorrow, and then on Monday it’s the epic conference showdown, soon to be sold out game against Burrell. With a win over Burrell, they Lady Sabers should claim at least a share of the section title. Oh and by the way the FC boys currently sit on top of their section. It could be a banner year for the Sabers. Anyone know the last time both girls and boys from Ford City won a section title.

Local Sports News & Notes

West Shamokin with a great defensive effort defeated Freeport 34-28 in Boys Basketball. The Wolves keep the pressure on Ford City who won again. The Sabers have won six in a row. Freeport now is two games behind Springdale for the last playoff spot. Elsewhere, the Kittanning Boys lost to Knoch, in a game they had to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

In Pittsburgh sports, the Pens enter the All-Star break tied for 9th in the East with 50 points. The loss Tuesday to Carolina was really tough, since the Pens are battling with them and Florida for the 8th and final seed. Pitt basketball is getting ready for their big showdown against West Virginia on Sunday.

A lot to talk about on Tonight on RSW

First off in the event FLTV is not on cable this evening, you’ll be able to watch the show live on the internet at familylifetv.com. I hope everything will be resolved if not tonight, at least by next week. If you can’t watch the show live, Family Life has been putting recorded shows on their website, making them available to you at your convenience. If you have a question or comment for the show, you can email at rizzosports @ gmail.com. As for the show, the Steeler game of course will be on the agenda tonight. I also wanted to discuss Pitt Basketball. Speaking of basketball, we have to talk about the Ford City Sabers, who thanks to 5 game win streak, lead their section.

Midseason H.S. Basketball Report

Local high school basketball teams have just completed the first half of their section schedule and it’s complete chaos is boys Section 1 “AA” basketball. Ford City’s win over West Shamokin has given them a one game lead over the Wolves, Burrell, and Springdale. All indications are this one could go down to the final week with all four teams vying for the title. Freeport has been playing better too, and could easily jump back in the playoff race with a win over Burrell on Friday Night. In girls a 6-1 Ford City and 5-2 Apollo Ridge team look headed to the playoffs. At this point the only thing we know for certain is there will be some important games down the stretch.

Steelers Look to Advance to AFC Championship Game.

The big sports story this weekend will be the Steelers hosting the Changers in the NFL Playoffs. If all things were equal the Steelers would have an advantage over San Diego Sunday, simply because of the weather conditions. With Tomlinson injured, it’s doubtful the Changers will be very effective offensively. Fourteen points will probably be enough for the Steelers. It might be interesting but I fully expect the Steelers to win, as they’re eying a Super Bowl.

I also wanted to clarify a point from yesterday’s column, where I said, Freeport and Ford City were scheduled to play Thursday night. The game was actually played on Wednesday night with Ford City squeaking out a 40-39 win. The FC Boys have another critical match-up tonight at Burrell.

Also the Kittanning Boys are now 6-6 overall and in a playoff hunt.

Kittanning defeats Ford City

The Kittanning high school boy's basketball team beat Ford City for the second consecutive year. This one was a 62-52 win in Ford City.

Kittanning vs Ford City: Boys Basketball Tonight

A lot of people probably think Ford City is favored to win tonight’s basketball game against rival Kittanning. However the Sabers are actually the team with the most to prove. Kittanning won last year’s boy games, so Ford City has pressure to win on their home floor. The Sabers have lost three out of their last four, including and an unexpected section lost at Apollo Ridge. Their last game, a tournament lost to St. Joe’s, was especially tough, since two week ago they beat St Joe’s by 30. Ford City (6-4) has only beat two WPIAL “AA” teams, and has a lot to prove against a 4-6 Kittanning squad. The Wildcats played well in at a recent tournament defeating Burrell. A win tonight will be a big boost to either team, and the game should be very exciting.

If you can't make the game, I'm covering it for WTYM 1380am, and it will air on Saturday morning.

Armstrong County Basketball Rankings 12/30/08

West Shamokin still leads the boys, while Kittanning gets ready for a huge showdown in FC. In girls Ford City is undefeated, and the Lady Wolves of West Shamookin have won 5 in a row.

Boys
1. West Shamokin - 173
2. Ford City - 120
3. Apollo Ridge - 11
4. Kittanning - 92
5. Freeport - 62
6. Elderton - 32
7. Leechburg - 10

Girls
1. Ford City - 180
2. Apollo Ridge - 146
3. Kittanning - 132
4. West Shamokin - 95
5. Freeport - 71
6. Leechburg - 37
7. Elderton - 10

Ford City Prepare for AR Tonight

It’s the biggest game to date as the 7-0 Ford City Lady Sabers host 7-0 Apollo Ridge Lady Vikings tonight at 7:30. Both teams enter the game averaging an identical 53.9 points a game. It’s actually a really good rivalry, as these teams honestly don’t like each other. Apollo however hasn’t beaten Ford City in the last two seasons. I would hope this game draws a large crowd to Red Mihalik Gymnasium. Ford City will be favored but Apollo has a lot of momentum, so it should be entertaining. In other local news before the Christmas break, Ford City is 10-0 in PIHL Open Division Hockey. Also Kittanning Wrestling is off to a great start.

Armstrong County Basketball Rankings 12/16/08

It's the first rankings of the new season.  West Shamokin tops in boys,  while undefeateds Ford City and Apollo Ridge are on a collision course in girls. 

Boys

1. West Shamokin - 160
2. Ford City - 135
3. Apollo Ridge - 104
4. Kittanning - 81
5. Freeport - 50
6. Elderton - 43
7. Leechburg - 20

Girls

1. Ford City - 170
2. Apollo Ridge - 164
3. Kittanning - 139
4. Freeport  - 119
5. Leechburg - 52
6. Elderton - 15
    West Shamokin - 15