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.

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.

Kittanning, Ford City Hockey Game in the Cards?

Last night on RSW, we discussed the possibility of Ford City and Kittanning facing off in an end of the season hockey game. I’m a strong advocate for both schools competing against each other in every sport. This would be a good showcase for both teams and their sport. There are many people, who have never been to a high school hockey game. The intrigue created by this game would bring in many first timers. Both teams also share the rink with Freeport, and neither have the YellowJackets on their schedule. The kids want it, the fans want it, so I hope the people involve will make it happen. My advice is, find a way to make these games a permanent fixture, and it will be win for everyone.

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.

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

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

Ford City Boys Start off Strong

In my Friday column that turned up missing I mentioned the most intriguing section game in boys basketball was the Ford City at Springdale contest. Going into section play the Sabers had yet to play a team from the WPIAL. As I’ve said before boys “AA” Section 1 figures to be a wide open race. It’s a race Ford City looks like they’re definitely going to be in. The Sabers were 66-55 winners on the road. Elsewhere West Shamokin continued their fine form with another win over Apollo Ridge. Burrell was able to defeat Freeport, but only put up 45 points, which tells me the Bucs aren’t clear section favorites. In AAA Kittanning lost a tough game at Mars. I’ll have more basketball talk this Tuesday on Rizzo Sports Weeky.

Elderton into Volleyball Semi's

The Elderton Girls Volleyball team is into the WPIAL Single A final four. The Lady Bobcats defeated Northgate 3-0, and now play Beaver County Christian at Plum, Thursday @ 6:00pm.

In other news, Freeport lost to Montour 3-1, ending their remarkable season, and West Shamokin fail to Geibel.

Ford City / Freeport Football Playoffs 2008

Round 1

Keystone Oaks @ Ford City

Freeport @ Greensburg Catholic

Who do you think will win the WPIAL Championships

....more WPIAL Playoff talk tomorrow 7:30 live on FLTV or www.familylifetv.com

WPIAL Volleyball Playoff Updates

Steel Valley or Blackhawk vs. Freeport @ Montour - 5:00pm Thursday, October 23rd

Avonworth vs. West Shamokin @ Seneca Valley - 6:00pm Wednesday, October 22nd

WPIAL Soccer Playoffs

Here's a local WPIAL Soccer playoff update:

Boys - Freeport @ Chartiers Valley Colts - 8pm on Monday, Oct 20th.

Girls - Freeport vs. St. Joes @ Fox Chapel - 3pm on Saturday, October 18th.

Freeport Boys and Girls Soccer make Playoffs

The Freeport girls soccer team advanced to WPIAL playoffs with an 8-3-1 section record.

The Freeport guys also make the playoffs with an identical 8-3-1 record.

Kittanning Football's Playoff Chances

I'll be at Burrell tomorrow night to cover the Kittanning game live on WTYM 1380. If you missed the show on Tuesday, I broke down the Wildcats' playoff chances. As of now they're tied with Freeport and Burrell with 3-3 section records. The problem for Wildcats fans is the lost to Freeport. We all know the Cats have to win out to have a chance, that's a given since only the top 4 teams make the playoffs. Freeport goes to West Shomkin, Deer Lakes, then they host Summit Academy, if Freeport wins out, they will make the playoffs over Kittanning simply because they won the head to head match-up. Kittanning fans best hope is Deer Lakes pulling an upset next week, not to mention the Cats going 3-0 the rest of the way.

There also is a chance Valley could finish the season with 3 loses, but they make the playoffs over Freeport and Kittanning should they all finish with 3 loses. Then Freeport would take the fourth spot since they defeated Kittanning.

Freeport Boys Soccer Start Season 7-0

The big news from YellowJacketLand is the boy soccer team in 7-0, after wins against Mars and Blackhawk last week.

Kittanning vs Ford City Football: Schedule Moved to Final Week

As the #1 most vocal critic of WPIAL Football Schedule....Finally they got it right and moved Kittanning vs. Ford City to the last day of the year.

October 24th in Ford City

Kittanning has only four homes. (Valley, West Shamokin, Deer Lakes, Summit Adcmy)

Ford City has five home games including the final two. (West Shamokin, Summit Adcmy, Shady Side, Burrell, Kittanning

Opening night is August 29th, and all games are section games.

Freeport International Baseball Invitational - This Week

The Freeport International Baseball Invitational start this week. Games are taking place each day Tuesday - Saturday.

Here is a link to the game schedule.

http://fortheloveofthegame.org/news.htm

*West Kittanning is really East Kittanning (the field behind the East Kittanning Fire-hall)

Armstrong County Basketball Rankings 1-29-08

Only one week to go, can West Shamokin hang on? The Kittanning girls, Ford City, and West Shamokin boys are all battling it out for a playoff spot in final week.

Boys:
1. West Shamokin - 159
2. Ford City - 130
3. Apollo Ridge - 87
3. Kittanning - 87
5. Freeport - 69
6. Leechburg - 57
7. Elderton - 29

Girls:
1. Ford City - 164
2. Apollo Ridge - 140
3. Kittanning - 112
4. Freeport - 69
5. West Shamokin - 61
6. Elderton - 38
7. Leechburg - 10

WPIAL Football Alignment & other WPIAL News and Notes

The Ford City boys defeated West Shamokin last night, giving them 5 wins in a row. They're now in a playoff race, and are a great turn-around story.

The new WPIAL "AA" Allegheny Conference looks like this:

Apollo Ridge, Summitt Acadamy, Ford City, Kittanning, Freeport, Valley, Burrell, Shady Side Acadamy, Deer Lakes, West Shamokin

*Northgate moved.

AA will have 39 schools this season and 4 teams will make the playoffs from each conference.

Armstrong County Basketball Rankings 1-15-08

We're now into the most exciting time of the season. West Shamokin is still holding on to the top spot, while Ford City, Kittanning, and Apollo Ridge are battling for #2. In girls hoops, Ford City is just holding off Apollo Ridge.

Boys:
1. West Shamokin - 160
2. Apollo Ridge - 104
2. Ford City - 104
4. Kittanning - 96
5. Freeport - 66
6. Leechburg - 57
7. Elderton - 18

Girls:
1. Ford City - 152
2. Apollo Ridge - 148
3. Kittanning - 104
4. Freeport - 74
5. West Shamokin - 62
6. Elderton - 40
7. Leechburg - 10

Armstrong County High School Basketball Championship 2007-08

This will be the 5th season of the Armstrong County High School Basketball Championship. The formula tries to determine the top basketball team in the county for the high school basketball regular season. Starting in mid December we'll update the weekly rankings. The formula for the ranking is of course top secret, however we'll say inter-county match-ups play an important role. Case in point last year when Leechburg won the boys WPIAL "A" title, but finished 4th in the rankings due to minimal wins in county, including a lost to Kittanning and 10+ lost regular season. Despite playing in "AAA" Kittanning girls & boys have done a great job in recent years scheduling non-conference games against local rivals. Last year the West Shamokin Boys and for the third straight year the Ford City girls were champions. Both these teams will be pre-season favorites to hold onto their titles. We're looking forward to a great year of high school basketball locally, and remember to back soon for the AC Basketball Rankings.

Boys
o6-07: West Shamokin
05-06: Freeport
04-05: West Shamokin
03-04: Freeport

Girls
06-07: Ford City
05-06: Ford City
04-05: Ford City
03-04: Freeport

2006-07 Final Results:

Boys
1. West Shamokin - 162
2. Freeport - 139
3. Ford City - 103
4. Leechburg - 100
5. Apollo Ridge - 63
6. Kittanning - 43
7. Elderton - 23

Girls
1. Ford City - 192
2. Kittanning - 128
3. Apollo Ridge - 115
4. Freeport - 83
5. West Shamokin - 64
6. Leechburg - 32
7. Elderton - 14


2005-06 Final Results:

Boys
1. Freeport - 135
2. Leechburg - 133
3. West Shamokin - 122
4. Apollo Ridge - 79
5. Kittanning - 56
6. Ford City - 45
7. Elderton - 22

Girls
1. Ford City - 188
2. Kittanning - 149
3. Apollo Ridge - 144
4. Freeport - 90
5. Leechburg - 76
6. West Shamokin - 35
7. Elderton - 10