WPIAL Basketball Champions - Girls & Boys 2009

Even though no local high schools made the finals this year, many local fans paid attention to this weekend’s WPIAL Basketball Championships. In Girls, starting with single “A” the winners were; North Catholic, Sto-Rox, New Castle, and Mt. Lebanon. I don’t recall any local team playing against these four schools this season. In Boys Basketball starting with single “A” the winners were; Sewickley Academy, North Catholic, Hampton, and Peters Township. North Catholic won the Girls in single “A” and Boys in double “AA”. Local fans were probably most interested in the Boys “AAA” match-up that had Hampton going against Highlands. Both teams play in the same “AAA” section as Kittanning, and Hampton was able to beat Highlands 84-59, which was third time this season they’ve defeated Highlands.

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.

Kittanning vs. West Shaomkin Tonight

Two area coaches led their teams to exceptional seasons.

Tonight’s West Shamokin at Kittanning Boy’s Basketball game will showcase two local coaches who’ve done great jobs this season. West Shamokin’s Mike Nagy is no stranger to winning basketball games, but very few people would have predicted this year’s squad to finish the regular season with a 17-4 record. The Wolves’ defense has only given up 40 points a game, as they prepare for another trip to the WPIAL playoffs. In his second year at Kittanning, head coach Bill Henry has made the Wildcats a threat to win on any night. An 8-13 overall record is a huge step forward for the Wildcat’s program. A win tonight in their final game would give Kittanning a strong case for top team in Armstrong County.

Also I'll be covering the game for WTYM radio 1380 am. The can be heard Tuesday morning.

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.

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.

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

Kittanning Boys Basketball Win Section Game!!!!

The Kittanning Boys Basketball Team defeated Knoch 45-40 last night at Kittanning High School. The win gives Kittanning their first section victory in 63 attempts. It was on December 9th 2003 against Mars when the Wildcats won their last section game. Technically the Wildcats won a section game last season after the fact via a Valley forfeit. This however officially puts an end to it, as the Cats can celebrate a section victory for the first time in years. The Kittanning Boys are the best story of this young basketball season. Their next local game is at Ford City on Jan 2nd. See you there.

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

WPIAL Basketball Alignment 08-10

Ford City, West Shamokin, Freeport - Rejoice!!!

Local "AA" Basketball teams are feeling a lot better about the upcoming season as Riverview and Springdale, replace Greensburg Catholic and Jeannette in Section 1.

In "AAA" Deer Lakes replaces Indiana in Kittanning's section.

In girls basketball Ford City is extremely happy as Greensburg Catholic has moved, and Section 1 now looks like this:

Apollo Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Elderton, Ford City, Freeport, Leechburg, West Shamokin

Final Armstrong County Basketball Rankings 07-08

Champions

Boys: West Shamokin

Girls: Ford City

It was an exciting year. Congratulations to the Wolves and Lady Sabers.

Boys:
1. West Shamokin - 174
2. Ford City - 135
3. Apollo Ridge - 84
4. Kittanning - 83
5. Freeport - 64
6. Leechburg - 61
7. Elderton - 31

Girls:
1. Ford City - 169
2. Kittanning - 126
3. Apollo Ridge - 123
4. Freeport - 68
5. West Shamokin - 58
6. Elderton - 47
7. Leechburg - 10

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

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 Basketball Rankings 1-8-08

West Shamokin and Ford City have planted themselves at the top of the rankings and it's looking like they could be there for a while. Kittanning has gone on a recent roll in boys basketball inclucing a win against Ford City. West Shamokin prepares for their biggest weekend of basketball ever with GCC on Friday and Jeannette on Saturday.

Boys:
1. West Shamokin - 167
2. Apollo Ridge - 121
3. Kittanning - 99
4. Ford City - 86
5. Freeport - 72
6. Leechburg - 43
7. Elderton - 25

Girls:
1. Ford City - 151
2. Apollo Ridge - 141
3. Kittanning - 104
4. Freeport - 67
5. West Shamokin - 53
6. Elderton - 52
7. Leechburg - 10