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

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

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.

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.

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

Armstrong County Basketball Rankings 12-18-07

The Apollo Ridge vs. Ford City girls game on Thursday will be the game of the season to date. In boys West Shamokin extends their lead in the top spot.

Boys:

1. West Shamokin - 156
2. Apollo Ridge - 118
3. Ford City - 109
3. Kittanning - 74
5. Freeport - 55
6. Elderton - 39
7. Leechburg - 34

Girls:

1. Apollo Ridge - 155
2. Kittanning - 110
3. Ford City - 105
4. Freeport - 69
5. West Shamokin - 66
6. Elderton - 33
6. Leechburg - 10

Armstrong County Basketball Rankings 12-11-07

There Back.....

The AC high school basketball rankings are back, it's only week one but the big news is the Apollo Ridge girls as they have the top spot. In other great news all 7 of the boys teams have at least one win.

Boys:

1. West Shamokin - 152
2. Apollo Ridge - 132
3. Kittanning - 90
3. Ford City - 90
5. Freeport - 80
6. Elderton - 60
7. Leechburg - 40

Girls:

1. Apollo Ridge - 159
2. Kittanning - 120
3. Ford City - 110
4. Freeport - 78
5. West Shamokin - 57
6. Leechburg - 15
6. Elderton - 15

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

WPIAL Alignment / Enrollment: Kittanning misses "AAA" Football by 4 boys

The Kittanning Wildcats almost ended up playing "AAA" football next season, but their male enrollment of 324 boys is just short. Apollo Ridge will move up to "AA" which could put them in the Allegheny conference, and Northgate out.

Freeport will miss "AAA" by 3 boys in basketball as well.

Everthing pretty much stayed the same with local team's classifcations, the bigger question will be the alignment of conferences.