Sports
WPIAL Alum Q&A – Tim Shoup
February 20, 2017
The 2010-11 PIHL season was one for the record books for Upper St. Clair, as the Panthers won both the Penguins Cup and Pennsylvania Cup in dramatic fashion. That historic team was comprised of several future DI players, including sophomore blueliner Tim Shoup. Shoup, who is now one of the top defensemen at Dartmouth College, is under the microscope for this week's edition of the WPIAL Alum Q&A. During that campaign for the Panthers, Shoup contributed one goal and eight assists in the regular season. Upper St. Clair advanced to the Class AAA title game against Canon-McMillan, but the Panthers trailed late in the third period. The team got the equalizer, though, and then prevailed in overtime to claim the championship.
WPIAL Coaches Corner – Adrian Batts
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 highlights Jeannette boys basketball coach Adrian Batts. This is his 8th season coaching for the Jayhawks. After losing in the 2015 WPIAL championship, and in the 2016 WPIAL semifinals, Coach Batts has his squad primed for a 2017 run in 2-A. Let’s take a look inside Coach Batts’ corner:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 02/20/2017
The February Frenzy may feel like the springs high school sports postseason is here outside, but inside, the winter sports postseason heats up...much like outside, this week on the MSA Sports Network. Our EXCLUSIVE postseason coverage Continues with the WPIAL and District 6 boys and girls basketball playoff games, college hoops featuring Carlow University, WPIAL Individual Wrestling Class AAA Sectionals and PIAA Class AA Southwest Regional Wrestling, plus we have The WPIAL Roundball Report, The PIHL Power Play Show, Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle and Carlow Sports Talk ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, February 20th:Allderdice Beats Obama in Triple OT Thriller for Boys City Title
February 19, 2017
For the third straight season, Allderdice and Obama Academy squared off for the City League boys’ championship. Both of the first two matchups went to Allderdice, giving the Dragons their latest two of three straight City League crowns. Sunday’s matchup was different, however, as for the first time in the three matchups, Allderdice came in the underdog, the No. 2 seed to Obama Academy’s No. 1 seed. The Eagles had defeated the Dragons in the second matchup between the teams during the regular season. The difference was two points in that game; in the previous regular season matchup it was five.Obama Claims 4th Straight City League Girls Hoops Crown
The seniors of Obama Academy's girls basketball team have become accustomed to winning championships, dating back to their time in middle school. They continued that trend on Sunday in the City League Championship at the Petersen Events Center, as the Eagles defeated Taylor Allderdice 64-53. In the process, Obama Academy captured its fourth-consecutive title. To score the triumph, Obama (16-8) used a strong second half, paced by senior Michaela Porter, the two-time reigning City League MVP. Porter, who is committed to the University of Cincinnati, netted a game-high 22 points, including 18 in the second half. Porter had plenty of support, however, including Taylor Stewart, who provided 19 points and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
2017 WPIAL Class 2-A Individual Wrestling Championship Results
February 18, 2017
A new format was introduced for AA Wrestling in the WPIAL, which saw wrestlers battling it out for Section titles on Friday, and a WPIAL Championship on Saturday. While a few wrinkles still need to be ironed out, the overall mood was a success in its opening year. On the mat, many wrestlers become first time WPIAL Champions, as only two became repeat winners. Most notably of those was Gavin Teasdale of Jefferson Morgan, who remained undefeated in his career after wining his third WPIAL Championship. In the finals, Teasdale defeated Burrell's Dillan Jeffrey by major decision, 20-8. For his efforts, Teasdale was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.WPIAL Basketball Playoff Summaries for Saturday 2/18
Day Two of the opening round of the district hoop postseason was similar to what we saw in Day One with hardly any surprises and the higher-seeds all winning and advancing. While this does nothing for the shock value of the boys and girls tournaments, it is making for what should be a must see Quarterfinals Weekend coming up. Here are ALL the recaps from the First Round of Boys 3-A, Girls 4-A and Girls 1-A games from Saturday afternoon in the WPIAL Basketball Playoffs. A special thanks to Bob Orkwis, James Dotson, Brian Mroziak, Andy Stanko, Mark Schaas, Rob Longo, Mike Azadian, Sean Meyers, Steve Nagler, Lanny Frattare, Bob Gregg, Bob Barrickman and Donny Chedrick for their help on these recaps. BOYS WPIAL CLASS 3-A First Round:WPIAL Basketball Playoff Summaries for Friday 2/17
February 17, 2017
Twelves girls and six boys district postseason games got the ball rolling on this expanded version of the Path to the Pete. 8 Girls Class 5-A, 4 Girls Class 2-A and 6 Boys Class 1-A opening round games tipped off the WPIAL Basketball Playoffs on Friday night. Once again this year, any night there is playoff hoops, we have postseason recaps. A special thanks to Kyle Dawson, Dennis Fischer, Bob Gregg, Cory Campano, Mike Azadian, Paul Paterra, Brian Mroziak, James Dotson, Bob Orkwis, Bob Barrickman, Kevin Zielmanski, Josh Rowntree and Nate Regotti for their help on these recaps. BOYS WPIAL CLASS 1-A First Round:Scholastic Notebook – 02/17/2017
For the second consecutive season, the West Greene boys and girls teams are both headed to the WPIAL playoffs. History says that is downright shocking. The Pioneers are making noise on the hardwood that has never been heard before from the tiny school in Greene County. This is the first time in school history that both teams have made the playoffs two years in a row. Heck, the boys team had been to the postseason only four times before – 2016, 1992, 1991 and 1989. The girls team actually won a section championship this year and heads to the playoffs with an 18-4 record. The West Greene boys finished in third place in Class 1A Section 2 with a 13-7 record.MSA Sports Frozen Fab Five PIHL Rankings – 02/16/2017
February 16, 2017
Here are the latest MSA Sports Sports Frozen Fab Five rankings of PIHL high school hockey teams in each of the four classifications for the 2016-2017 high school hockey season...including a NEW #1 team in Class 3-A. Don't miss the latest rankings every Wednesday during the regular season, plus PIHL Notebook every Tuesday on our website and the weekly Chatham University PIHL Power Play Show every Wednesday night at 8:00pm. We also have audio and video game broadcasts and center stage interviews as well here on the home of the best PIHL high school hockey coverage, the MSA Sports Network. PIHL CLASS 3-A: 1) NORTH ALLEGHENY TIGERS (12-4-3) (Last Week #2)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)FINAL 2016-2017 WPIAL Boys Basketball Standings
February 13, 2017
Here are the FINAL WPIAL boys basketball standings for the 2016-2017 regular season...including the FINAL WPIAL playoff clinchings. The standings will be updated daily throughout the rest of the regular season here on the MSA Sports Network. Don't forget weekly WPIAL boys hoops rankings are released each Tuesday along with boys basketball talk every Wednesday during the WPIAL Roundball Report at 6:00pm and live and archived broadcasts only here on the MSA Sports Network. Click on the team name for the schedule and results for that team.FINAL 2016-2017 WPIAL Girls Basketball Standings
Here are the FINAL WPIAL girls basketball standings for the 2016-2017 regular season...including the FINAL playoff clinchings. The standings will be updated daily throughout the rest of the regular season here on the MSA Sports Network. Don't forget weekly WPIAL girls hoops rankings are released each Monday along with girls basketball talk every Wednesday during the WPIAL Roundball Report at 6:00pm and live and archived girls hoops broadcasts only here on the MSA Sports Network. Click on the team name for the schedule and results for that team.
WPIAL Alum Q&A – Lauren Wolosik
While injuries are an unfortunate reality in sports, an athlete suffering two severe injuries is extremely rare, and often devastating. Lauren Wolosik has not been deterred, however, by two season-ending injuries in a three-year span. In the midst of a stellar basketball season at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Wolosik, a former champion at North Catholic, is this week's feature. Wolosik enjoyed incredible success during her time at North Catholic. She and the Trojanettes appeared in three straight WPIAL championship games, beginning in her freshman year in 2009-10.MSA Sports Top Ten – WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoff Rankings 2017
February 12, 2017
Every week during the regular season, we put together the MSA Sports Top Ten WPIAL Boys Basketball rankings. With the regular season behind us and 80 teams preparing for the district postseason, we now present our Boys Basketball Playoff seedings. This is our two cents in the process of building the basketball brackets in which the district uses the 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, 3 vs 14, 4 vs 13, 5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, 7 vs 10 and 8 vs 9 format using the rule of thumb of avoiding teams from the same section playing in Round One. Keep in mind they are NOT a straight ranking because you have to fiddle to avoid section teams playing each other in the opening round. There are plenty of byes and NO Preliminary Round games in this postseason.MSA Sports Top Ten – WPIAL Girls Basketball Playoff Rankings 2017
Every week during the regular season, we put together the MSA Sports Top Ten WPIAL Girls Basketball rankings. With the regular season behind us and 76 teams preparing for the district postseason, we now present our Girls Basketball Playoff seedings. This is our two cents in the process of building the basketball brackets in which the district uses the 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, 3 vs 14, 4 vs 13, 5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, 7 vs 10 and 8 vs 9 format using the rule of thumb of avoiding teams from the same section playing in Round One. Keep in mind they are NOT a straight ranking because you have to fiddle to avoid section teams playing each other in the opening round. There are plenty of byes and NO Preliminary Round games in this postseason.
WPIAL Coaches Corner – Zach Skrinjar
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 highlights Fox Chapel boys basketball coach Zachary Skrinjar. Coach Skrinjar is in his 8th season as head coach of the Foxes, after four years as an assistant. Also a social studies teacher in the North Hills school district, Coach Skrinjar is hoping to bring Fox Chapel their first WPIAL title in 40 years. Let’s take a look inside Coach Skrinjar’s corner:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 02/11/2017
February 11, 2017
Love is in the air because of Valentine's Day and because ALL fans love our exclusive coverage of EVERY district playoff game which tips off this week on the MSA Sports Network. Our postseason coverage begins with the WPIAL Playoff Pairings Show and continues with First Round boys and girls hardwood action along with District 6 boys and girls basketball playoff games, District 9 regular season high school basketball and college hoops featuring Carlow University.MSA Sports Frozen Fab Five PIHL Rankings – 02/11/2017
Here are the latest MSA Sports Sports Frozen Fab Five rankings of PIHL high school hockey teams in each of the four classifications for the 2016-2017 high school hockey season...including a NEW #1 team in Class 2-A. Don't miss the latest rankings every Wednesday during the regular season, plus PIHL Notebook every Tuesday on our website and the weekly Chatham University PIHL Power Play Show every Wednesday night at 8:00pm. We also have audio and video game broadcasts and center stage interviews as well here on the home of the best PIHL high school hockey coverage, the MSA Sports Network. PIHL CLASS 3-A:2017 PIAA Team Wrestling Playoffs RESULTS
Nazareth won the PIAA Class 3-A Team Wrestling championship, their first since 2006 while District 10 champion Reynolds won the Class 2-A crown for the first time since 2009 Saturday afternoon at the GIANT Center in Hershey. The only WPIAL team to medal was Class 3-A champion Kiski Area after the Cavaliers won four consolation round matches to finish in third place. Here are ALL the final results from the 2017 PIAA Team Wrestling State Playoffs. Results with (MSA) following are matches you can hear archived here on the MSA Sports Network. 2017 PIAA CLASS 3-A TEAM WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
