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MSA Sports Top Ten – WPIAL Baseball – 05/01/2017
May 1, 2017
Each week during the 2017 regular season, MSA Sports will rank the top ten baseball teams in the WPIAL in all six classifications every Monday at www.MSAsports.net Here are this weeks rankings...including a NEW #1 team in Class 2-A. Log on every day for updated standings and game broadcasts on your exclusive home for the 2017 WPIAL Baseball Playoffs, the MSA Sports Network. CLASS 6-A Top Ten: 1) PINE-RICHLAND RAMS (12-3) (Last Week #1) 2) CANON-McMILLAN BIG MACS (9-5) (Last Week #2) 3) NORWIN KNIGHTS (10-3) (Last Week #3) 4) NORTH ALLEGHENY TIGERS (10-3) (Last Week #4)
WPIAL Coaches Corner – Bryan Cornell
April 30, 2017
In this feature titled “Coach’s Corner”, I will be interviewing a different coach every week and asking them questions about their personal life and about coaching. Hopefully their answers will not only shed some light on how they coach their respective teams, but also allow readers to get to know the men behind the fields/courts. This week features head baseball coach Bryan Cornell of West Allegheny high school. Coach Cornell is in his 15th season as head coach of the Indians, winning 3 WPIAL championships in 2007, 2008, and 2014. He also won a WPIAL championship as a player at West A in 1994. Coach Cornell is just as busy during the Fall, as he doubles as the defensive coordinator for the Indians football team. Let’s take a look inside Coach Cornell’s corner:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 04/30/2017
It's the final full week of the regular season in high school baseball and softball as well as the first full week of May this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have plenty of WPIAL baseball section contests along with WPIAL softball including coverage of several Hometown Softball broadcasts. We also have WPIAL boys and girls lacrosse, plus another edition of WPIAL Diamond Notes ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, May 1st: WPIAL High School Baseball - Baldwin vs Canon-McMillan at 4:15pm on WJPA-AM 1450 WPIAL High School Baseball - North Allegheny vs Butler at 7:00pm on the North Allegheny Sports Network at MSAsports.netScholastic Notebook – 04/28/2017
April 28, 2017
Dan Oliastro’s head coaching career at Riverside High School is close to turning 50. He is 73 years old. But one thing that never seems to get old with Oliastro and Riverside is winning. The coach and his Panthers just keep churning out the victories. Riverside won the WPIAL 2A championship last year. Oliastro has more championship trophies than any other baseball coach in the WPIAL, with four WPIALs and four PIAAs. This season, the Panthers might be in line for Title IX compliance. Riverside had an 11-1 record heading into Friday’s action. The Panthers are MSA Sports’ No. 1-ranked WPIAL Class 3A team.PIHL Notebook – 03/28/2017
March 28, 2017
It was a whirlwind final five days of the 2016-17 PIHL hockey season. Four champions were crowned with Peters Township, Plum, Franklin Regional and Meadville claiming PIHL gold. Just a few days later, three of those teams competed for state supremacy, with the Indians taking Pennsylvania Cup gold, too. Here's a quick glance at the action throughout the final week. AAA: Peters Township defeated Central Catholic 5-2; defeated Holy Ghost Prep 2-1
Lincoln Park Falls Big to Neumann-Goretti in Boys 3-A Finals
March 24, 2017
As the clocked ticked on the end of Lincoln Park’s season, the Leopards (25-6) took their lopsided loss in stride in the PIAA boys 3-A title game to District 12 powerhouse Neumann-Goretti (24-7), falling by a final score of 89-58.PIHL Notebook – 03/21/2017
March 21, 2017
After nearly six months of regular season and playoff action, the final week of the 2016-17 PIHL season is upon us. Tonight and tomorrow, four champions will be crowned at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. Here's a detailed look at the matchups in Class AAA, Class AA, Class A and Division 2. Class AAA: No. 1 Pittsburgh Central Catholic vs No. 6 Peters Township at 8 p.m. Wednesday with Steve Nagler and Cory Campano Path to the championship: Central Catholic defeated No. 8 Butler 5-3, defeated No. 5 Seneca Valley 5-4 in double overtime; Peters Township defeated No. 3 Canon-McMillan 2-1, defeated No. 2 North Allegheny 7-0 Earlier meetings: Central Catholic 8, Peters Township 6; Central Catholic 5, Peters Township 3PIHL Notebook – 03/14/2017
March 14, 2017
The eventful play-in and first round action has drawn to a conclusion, and now the focus is on the semifinals in all four classifications. Last night, Franklin Regional and Indiana scored dramatic victories to advance to the Class A Championship. Weather permitting, the Class AAA, Class AA and Division 2 title games will also be set after tonight and tomorrow. This week's PIHL Notebook takes a look at the six contests that will determine which teams advance to the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry next week. Class AAA No. 1 Pittsburgh Central Catholic vs No. 5 Seneca Valley at the RMU Sports Complex on Neville Island at 6:45 Wednesday, with Steve Nagler and Kevin Zielmanski:PIHL Notebook – 03/07/2017
March 7, 2017
The PIHL playoffs officially kicked off with a slew of contests last night, and the play-in and first round action continues for the next three nights, as well. As a result, this edition of the PIHL Notebook will provide a glimpse into the upcoming matchups. Class AAA and AA will consist of four first-round games, while Class A includes four play-in tilts. Lastly, Division 2 will feature two first-round bouts. MSA Sports will broadcast nearly all of the contests highlighted below, as well as the semifinals and championships. Class AAA First Round No. 1 Central Catholic Vikings (16-4-0) vs No. 8 Butler Golden Tornado (7-10-3) – Thursday, March 9 at Alpha Ice Complex at 9 p.m.
NA Girls Take Down Bethel Park For First Title Since 1972
March 4, 2017
As the final 90 seconds of the clocked ticked off of Saturday’s WPIAL girls 6A title game at the Petersen Events Center, North Allegheny’s Rachel Martindale worked her way to the free throw line after being found to extend the game. The sophomore, already with 17 points on the evening, sank both foul shots of a one-and-one opportunity to expand on the Tigers’ lead. And then she did it again. And one more time for good measure. Martindale went six-for-six at the foul line down the stretch in order for North Allegheny (24-1) to secure a 50-39 victory over Bethel Park (19-7), the first district title for the school since 1972.
CWNC Girls Cruise to Record 17th WPIAL Title
March 3, 2017
The Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic Trojanettes (23-2) defeated the Blackhawk Cougars in impressive fashion, 65-36 to claim the WPIAL Girls 4A Championship on Friday at the Petersen Events Center. The win is a record 17th for the Trojanettes and first since 2011. Blackhawk is known as a team that lives and dies by the three-pointer, but in order for them to stand a chance in this game, they would have had to shoot near perfect from the outside. CWNC, using a distinct height advantage, displayed a complete team effort, sharing the basketball and playing as a team on both ends of the court.WPIAL Basketball Qualifiers for the PIAA State Playoffs Update
For years, the WPIAL did not play consolation games in basketball to determine state playoff berths. Instead they used the 'Follow the Winner' format to determine which teams would qualify for the PIAA Basketball postseason. However in 2015 and in 2016, the WPIAL did play consolation games to determine which district teams would move on. But with the expansion to six classification, we are back to 'Follow the Winner'. Heading into the WPIAL Finals on Saturday evening, here are the teams that have qualified and their order they are seeded out of the district along with those teams still on the bubble for the 2017 Road to Hershey. BOYS CLASS 6-A (6 Teams):PIHL Notebook – 02/28/2017
February 28, 2017
The 2016-17 PIHL regular season has concluded, and now the brackets are nearly set for the playoffs, which begin on March 6. Subsequently, this week's edition of the PIHL Notebook will take a slightly different format, previewing some of notable contenders and darkhorse teams in each classification. Melting the Ice (The favorite and a darkhorse from each classification)WPIAL Basketball Playoff Summaries for Saturday 2/25
February 25, 2017
One 'Super Section' enjoyed a fabulous Saturday afternoon while another got swept into the abyss of not knowing if their season is over or if a berth in the state playoffs is in their future. While there were no surprises again on the girls side and the top four seeds advanced in Boys 4-A (All from Section 2), Boys Class 6-A was shaken big time when Section 2 Tri-Champs Latrobe, Fox Chapel and Penn Hills...seeds 2, 3 and 4, all lost. Here are the recaps from the Boys 6-A, Boys 4-A, Girls 5-A and Girls 3-A Quarterfinals on Saturday to Conclude Round Two.PIHL Notebook – 02/21/2017
February 21, 2017
The PIHL regular season draws to a close this week, as the final positions will be set for the 2017 postseason. With just a few games remaining, this week's edition will put a bow on the regular slate, before the focus shifts to playoff hockey. Melting the Ice (the longest unbeaten streak in each classification)PIHL Notebook – 02/14/2017
February 14, 2017
As the regular season draws to a conclusion, some teams have already finished their schedules, while other squads have just a few contests remaining. With the Penguins Cup and D2 playoffs on the horizon, here's a glance at the latest news and notes from around the PIHL. Melting the Ice (the longest unbeaten streak in each classification)PIHL Notebook – 02/07/2017
February 7, 2017
The stretch run of the PIHL regular season is in full effect, as a number of marquee matchups highlight the schedule over the next few weeks. For many teams fighting for their playoff hopes, each game has become a must-win scenario. Moreover, for teams already in the postseason, building momentum down the stretch is of the upmost importance. Here's a glimpse at the big news around the league this week. Melting the Ice (the longest unbeaten streak in each classification)PIHL Notebook – 01/31/2017
January 31, 2017
This past weekend was a showcase for the PIHL, as the league hosted four All-Star games at the Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville on Sunday. With the exhibitions of skill in the rear-view mirror, though, the stretch run for the postseason has officially arrived. MSA Sports will have comprehensive coverage of the 2017 playoffs, as well. But first, here's a look at the latest happenings around the league. Melting the Ice (the longest unbeaten streak in each classification)
PIHL All-Star Game Recaps
January 29, 2017
The best of the best in district high school hockey were on display Sunday afternoon at the Alpha Arena in Harmarville. You can hear and listen to the archive broadcasts here on the MSA Sports Network by clicking HERE. Check out the game recaps from all four PIHL All-Star games. A special thanks to Rob Longo, Steve Nagler, Sean Meyers and Kevin Zielmanski for their help on these recaps. CLASS 3-A ALL-STAR GAME: Team Gold 3- Team Black 2 in Overtime ShootoutMSA Sports Top Ten – WPIAL Boys Basketball – 01/24/2017
January 24, 2017
Here are the latest MSA Sports Top Ten WPIAL Boys Basketball rankings for the 2016-2017 season...including another NEW #1 team in Class 5-A. Check out the weekly boys rankings every Tuesday, along with boys hoops talk during The WPIAL Roundball Report every Wednesday night at 6:00pm and boys basketball broadcasts throughout the regular season with exclusive coverage of every boys WPIAL playoff game in February all here on the MSA Sports Network. WPIAL CLASS 6-A: 1. PINE-RICHLAND RAMS (15-0) (Last Week #1) 2. PENN HILLS INDIANS (14-1) (Last Week #2) 3. FOX CHAPEL FOXES (14-1) (Last Week #3)
