Published Friday, Feb. 28, 1997
DISTRICT 10 BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Titles on line this weekend
By Jeff Greenburg
Herald Assistant Sports Editor
And then there were four _ four Mercer County Athletic Conference teams, that is _ all of whom will be vying for District 10 championships in their respective classifications this weekend.
The Grove City, Greenville and West Middlesex boys and the Kennedy Christian girls all have sewn up berths in the PIAA state playoffs, yet would certainly prefer to go in as a champion.
In addition to the championship games, several teams will be battling in consolation contests. Whether they win or lose in the consy finals, George Junior and the Lakeview girls have qualified for interdistrict play. But the Kennedy Christian boys and Slippery Rock girls need victories to move on.
Grove City, Greenville, George Junior and Slippery Rock tip off tonight, with the Kennedy boys and girls, Lakeview and West Middlesex in action Saturday.
All of the weekend's games, including the Brookfield Lady Warriors' district championship contest, are previewed in boxes in today's Herald and include top players, stats and notes.
Following, however, are some thoughts and comments from coaches preparing for championship games:
CLASS AAA BOYS
Grove City
vs. General McLane
While Eagles coach Don Fee is certainly ecstatic that his charges have made it to the District 10 AAA championship for the third time in his 7-year tenure, he is also quick to realize that winning a title is an often rare opportunity that many good teams fail to achieve.
``We're real excited and happy to be here and hope we can take advantage of the opportunity,'' said Fee. ``I told the kids the other day the school has three district championships, which were few and far between, and they're tough to get. You've got to have some breaks and have to have a good club.''
The key for the Eagles, who played in back-to-back championship games in '93 and '94?
``This group has done a great job of playing unselfish, playing as a team and playing games one at a time,'' Fee said.
Fee knows his squad is up against a great team in the Lancers, the defending District 10 champions, and points to a couple of factors as possible keys to the outcome.
``We need to handle their defensive pressure and keep the turnovers down,'' Fee said. ``They're a very good defensive pressure team and they're going to press the whole game, from beginnning to end, with both man and zone. They just keep after you and try to wear you down.''
Conversely, the Eagles, who boast, at times, a frontline of 6-foot-8, 6-6 and 6-5, should enjoy a decided height advantage, which Fee hopes will be an advantage for his team.
``If we don't turn the ball over and can get it inside we can pose a problem for them,'' Fee said. ``They're biggest kid is like 6-2.''
As far as his team's level of play recently, Fee said while good his squad is going to have to lift that level another notch in order to win tonight.
``We felt pretty confident going in (against Harbor Creek) and certainly didn't play great, but we played hard and did a nice job defensively,'' Fee said. ``But we're going to have play better than that tonight and I hope the kids will be pumped up.''
Who: Grove City (23-4) vs. General McLane (24-2).
What: District 10 Class AAA Championship
When: 8:30 p.m. today (2/28)
Where: Edinboro University
How qualified: Grove City beat Harbor Creek, 53-44; General McLane beat Franklin, 51-50.
Top players: Grove City _ Amos Upshaw, 6-6 sr. forward, 16.8; Matt Nikoloff, 6-2 sr. guard, 10.4; Josh Morgan, 6-8 so. center, 8.6; Rob Hill, 6-5 sr. forward, 6.8; Luke Laird, 6-1 sr. guard, 6.9; Seth Jenny, 5-10 sr. guard, 6.3. General McLane _ Jared Meabon, 5-10 sr. guard, 12.5; Mike Peck, 5-11 jr. guard, 15.7; Greg Dore, 6-2 sr. forward, 8.8; Dave Kushner, 5-10 sr. guard, 8.7; R.J. English, 6-2 sr. center, 8.3; Dan Campoli, 5-11 sr. guard; Chad Stemmeler, 5-11 sr. guard.
Winner will play: the WPIAL No. 6 team and the loser will play the WPIAL No. 4 team March 7 in the first round of the state playoffs.
Bonus shots: Meabon made two free throws with no time on the clock to beat Franklin in the semis. ... The victory avenged an earlier loss to the Knights, 64-60. ... McLane's only other loss was by three points to Seneca. ... McLane is playing without Justin Shannon, 6-8 junior center who is out due to personal reasons. ... Laird sparked the Eagles' win over Harbor Creek with a pair of key 3-pointers and 14 points. ... Upshaw has scored in double figures in 24 of Grove City's 27 games. ... Morgan averages all his points coming off the bench.
CLASS AA BOYS
Greenville vs. Cambridge Springs
In an unusual set of circumstances, schools that won Class AAA and Class A football championships in the fall will be squaring off for the Class AA basketball crown.
The Trojans under head coach Kelly Jones are in a D-10 title game for the first time since 1985 and apparently shooting for the program's first district crown in nearly 65 years. And to achieve that Jones believes his squad's success will hinge on one factor.
``It comes down to execution,'' Jones said. ``If we execute the fundamentals and our game plan, I feel very good about it. If we stray away and try to go faster than we're capable of or get a little careless, then they (Cambridge Springs) have the athleticism and capabilities of being the District 10 champs.''
In fact, Jones said looking at the Blue Devils is a lot like looking at his Trojans.
``Watching some film, it's like looking in the mirror, to be honest,'' Jones said. ``They don't seem to have somebody, like a dominating big man. They've had six different leading scorers during the course of the season. They don't have the so-called go-to guy. They're patient on offense, sound on defense and, we'd like to think, we're very, very similar in those capacities.''
Jones believes his team, relatively inexperienced when it comes to the playoffs, has nonetheless gained sufficient knowledge the last couple of weeks to, perhaps, carry them to victory.
``The kids now understand,'' Jones said. ``They know what they have to do to be successful; that it's necessary for us to sustain our effort for an entire ballgame when you get to this level of play. And in order for us to continue down the road, we simply can't have that up-and-down kind of performance, peaks and valleys. We have to play at a high level for the entire ballgame.''
Who: Greenville (21-5) vs. Cambridge Springs (21-5).
What: District 10 Class AA Championship
When: 6:30 p.m. today
Where: Edinboro University
How qualified: Greenville beat Union City, 49-39; Cambridge Springs beat George Junior, 58-48.
Top players: Greenville _ Ryan Oman, 6-6 jr. forward, 13.4; Adam Karson, 5-8 sr. guard, 11.7; Jeff Lewis, 6-0 sr. guard, 11.5; John Isacco, 6-2 sr. forward, 6.0; Joe Korcinsky, 5-10 jr. forward, 7.8; Jon Titzel, 5-7 jr. guard, 5.3. Cambridge Springs _ Mike Wilmoth, 5-10 sr. forward, 13.1; Ivan Cilik, 6-1 sr. forward, 12.2; Mike Mitchell, 6-0 sr. forward, 9.3; Adam Jardina, 5-11 jr. guard, 8.5; Brad Wheeler, 6-0 sr. forward, 7.7.
Winner will play: WPIAL No. 6 team and the loser plays District 6 No. 2 March 8 in the first round of the state playoffs.
Bonus shots: Greenville needs two more wins to match the school's record of 23 victories. ... The Trojans enter the game having won eight of their last 10 games. ... Oman has scored in double figures a team-high 19 times. ... Cilik, an exchange student from Slovakia, came off the bench for 16 points, including a trio of treys. ... Despite being relatively small team, the Blue Devils are active on the boards. ... Greenville won the Class AAA football title, and The Spa won the Class A football title, but the winner of this game will take the Class AA basketball crown. ... Greenville coach Kelly Jones guided the Trojans to the D-10 playoffs in the 1983-84 season as an interim coach for Fred Kiser who was on sabbatical.
CLASS A BOYS
West Middlesex vs. Saegertown
The Big Reds find themselves in a district championship game for the first time since a memorable matchup with Girard in 1990 at the Erie Civic Center before nearly 5,000 fans.
The way the season started for West Middlesex, which was 3-6 at one time, a berth in the 1997 district final might have been the furthest thing from many people's thoughts. Not, however, for head coach Larry Ellison.
``(Assistant) coach Chad Mild and I knew we were capable of playing at this level and were frustrated at the beginning of the year because weren't playing to our potential. But lately we have been near there and, in fact, the first half against Conneaut Valley may have been the best half we played the whole year.''
As far as the early-season loss to the Panthers, Ellison sees that as an advantage for his squad, whom he said is very ``excited, you can see it in their faces.''
``Right now I think it's going to help us, because in the kids' eyes there will be a little revenge factor,'' Ellison said. ``Just like against Conneaut Valley (who also beat WM earlier), it made it easier to get the kids ready.''
Who: West Middlesex (17-9) vs. Saegertown (22-4).
What: District 10 Class A Championship
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Grove City College
How qualified: West Middlesex beat Conneaut Valley, 76-46; Saegertown beat Kennedy Christian, 56-53. Top players: West Middlesex _ Steve Bowers, 6-3 sr. forward, 20.5; Todd Kiester, 6-5 sr. forward 9.0; Dave Jennings, 6-0 jr. guard, 8.4; Derek Gearhart, 5-9 jr. guard, 8.9; Marc Bator, 6-1 jr. forward, 4.4; Beau Hollowell, 5-11 jr. guard, 4.6; Tim Van Buren, 5-10 jr. guard 5.4.Saegertown _ Jason Shea, 5-9 jr. guard, 12.0; Justin Johnson, 6-2 sr. forward, 15.3; Dave Hart, 6-2 sr. forward, 11.0; Keith Grubbs, 5-10 sr. forward, 8.3; T.J. Sisley, 6.0; Jason Edge, 6-3 jr. guard, 4.7.
Winner will play: the WPIAL No. 5 team and the loser will play the WPIAL No. 3 team March 7 in the first round of the state playoffs.
Bonus shots: The two teams met earlier in the season with Saegertwoncopping a two-point, 55-53 victory at West Middlesex. ... Saegertown enters the game having won seven of its last eight games. ... West Middlesex enters the game having won eight of its last nine games. ... Bowers has 22 double-digit games on the season, including 24 against Conneaut Valley. He has 534 points on the year and 988 for his career.
CLASS A GIRLS
Kennedy Christian vs. Youngsville
The Kennedy Christian matchup against Youngsville on Saturday for the Class A title comes as no surprise to Lady Golden Eagles coach Father Rick Tomasone.
``This is the championship game that I thought would happen, even at the beginning of the year,'' said Father Rick, pointing out that both teams lost only one starter since their playoff meeting last season, won by Kennedy.
``I like our chances. We played this team last year so we're a little a bit familiar with them.''
The Lady Golden Eagles haven't really been tested in the playoffs as they dominated their previous opponents, Conneaut Lake and Sheffield. Part of the reason is the KC schedule.
``We played some really good teams during the season,'' said Father Tomasone, ``Slippery Rock twice, McDowell twice, Girard, Franklin ... and we played in some tough arenas, places where it's tough to play. We play plenty of teams capable of beating us; I'm not so sure Youngsville can say the same about their schedule.''
One of the keys to Kennedy's success has been the progress of its ``Kiddie Korps'' of sophomores. ``This year some of our younger kids have really stepped it up and played well,'' said Father Tomasone. ``I think that Jamie Cicuto has been very solid all year and Tara Stephens and Sara Laslow have made a lot of progress.''
To beat Youngsville, Kennedy will need to overcome the opponent's pressing defense. ``They're going to press us, so we have to break the press,'' said Father Tomasone. ``Teams that press, usually have an ebb and flow, sometimes getting a couple of quick baskets. I tell our kids that they just need to keep their composure.''
Who: Kennedy Christian (21-5) vs. Youngsville (24-2).
What: District 10 Class A Championship
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Grove City College
How qualified: Kennedy defeated Sheffield, 64-32; Youngsville defeated Linesville, 47-44.
Top players: Kennedy _ Melanie Giordano, 5-0 sr. guard, 6.5; Colleen Hough, 5-2 sr. guard; Jamie Cicuto, 5-11 so. center, 14.2; Katie Meier, 5-2 jr. guard; Sara Laslow, 5-6 so. forward; Tara Stevens, 5-8 So. forward. Youngsville _ Julie Nansen 5-8 sr. guard, 15.0; Melissa Maze, 5-11 sr. forward, 13.3; Amy Nansen, 6-1 so. forward, 13.2; Erin Hodak, 5-6 sr. forward, 5.3; Jen Crawford, 5-6 fr. guard.
Winner will play: the WPIAL No. 5 team and the loser will play the WPIAL No. 3 team March 8 in the first round of the state playoffs.
Bonus shots: The Lady Golden Eagles are looking to avenge a 45-36 loss to Saegertown in last year's final. ... Cicuto has scored in double figures 23 times this season, including a 19-point, 12-rebound performance against Sheffield. ... Kennedy forced Sheffield into 28 turnovers en route to the win. ... In its past two playoff games, the Lady Eagles have outscored their opponents by 32 points.
OHIO DIVISION III DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP
Brookfield vs. Champion
Who: Brookfield (16-7) vs. Champion (16-6).
What: Ohio Division III District Championship
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Pymatuning Valley High School
How qualified: Brookfield, by defeating Pymatuning Valley, 60-39; Champion, by defeating Cardinal, 58-55 in overtime.
Top players: Brookfield _ Emily Pasquerilla, 5-9 sr. forward, 12.3; Christy Reiser, 5-6 sr. guard, 10.2; Tiffany Kirila, 5-7 sr. forward; Shelley Lucas, 5-5 jr. guard, 6.5; Erin Estergren, 5-8 jr. forward; Nadine Bayus, 5-5 jr. guard, 9.9; Shanice Chambers, 5-5 jr. forward; Champion _ Kelly Sescourka, 5-10 so. center, 12.0; Denise Cox, 5-5 sr. guard, 9.4; Erin Kish, 5-7 jr. guard; Becky Barber, 5-7 sr. forward, 5.7; Kristen Granata, 5-10 jr. forward, 8.4; Amanda Wolfe, 5-4 sr., 3.2; Teresa McCready, 5-8 jr., 3.2.
Winner will play: Mount Union College Regional, March 8.
Bonus shots: The Lady Warriors advanced to the district championship game by handing fifth-ranked Pymatuning Valley (21-1) its first loss of the season. ... Pasquerilla followed up a 24-point effort against Burton-Berkshire, with nine points against PV. ... Nadine Bayus led the Lady Warriors against the Lakers with 14 points, including four consecutive 3-pointers. ... Champion, coached by Renea Ackerman, ended 9-5 in the TAC-8. ... Cox's trey at the buzzer sent the Cardinal game in OT, as Champion rallied from a 30-14 halftime deficit.
CLASS AA BOYS CONSOLATION
George Junior Republic vs. Union City
Who: George Junior (15-11) vs. Union City (24-2).
What: District 10 Class AA Consolation
When: 8:30 p.m. today
Where: Gannon University
How qualified: George Junior lost to Cambridge Springs, 58-48, Union City lost to Greenville, 49-39.
Top players: George Junior _ Cliff Bradley, 5-10 fr. guard, 10.6; Jamal Benjamin, 6-4 so. forward, 19.9; Shane Keen, 6-5 so. center, 5.3; Mike Brown, 6-2 sr. forward, 8.7; DeAvery Lyons, 6-0 jr. guard.
Union City _ Ashley Orris, 6-0 sr. guard, 19.2; Bill McKinney, 5-11 jr. guard, 13.0; Keith Anthony, 6-2 sr. forward, 9.4; Ben Shreve, 5-11 sr. forward, 8.6; Tom McCall, 5-8 jr. guard, 7.9.
Winner will play: District 6 champion and the loser will play the WPIAL champion March 8 in the first round of the state playoffs.
Bonus shots: Prior to its loss to Greenville, Union City's only other defeat came at Cambridge Springs, 60-55. ... Orris is Union City's career scoring leader with more than 1,400 points. ... George Junior is the defending PIAA Class AA champion. ... Brown came off the bench to score seven points against Cambridge Springs after previous reports had him being suspended for the remainder of the season.
CLASS AAA GIRLS CONSOLATION
Slippery Rock vs. Harbor Creek
Who: Slippery Rock (20-5) vs. Harbor Creek (19-8)
What: District 10 Class AAA Consolation
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Grove City College
How qualified: Slippery Rock lost to Ft. LeBoeuf, 56-36; Harbor Creek lost to Oil City, 51-24.
Top players: Slippery Rock _ Jamie Dick, 5-3 jr. guard, 14.2; Erica Youngman, 5-7 jr. guard, 12.7; Marisa Taylor, 5-8 sr. forward, 12.8; Kristen Hogg, 5-5 jr. guard, 3.5; Crystal Geraci, 5-3 jr. guard; Whitney DiFrischia, 5-8 jr. forward, 4.9. Harbor Creek _ Sarah Roseto, 5-7 sr. forward, 12.7; Jen Resinger, 6-2 sr. center, 10.5; 5-6 sr. guard, Andrea Stadler, 6.8; Shayla Sawyer, 5-11 so. forward, 6.7; Colleen Wells, 5-10 so. forward; Heidi Bogt, 5-7 jr. guard.
Winner will play: WPIAL runner-up March 8.
Bonus shots: Slippery Rock's loss to Ft. LeBoeuf was its first in six games. ... The Lady Rockets' 20-point loss to LeBoeuf was its worst of the year. ... Dick has 61 3-pointers on the season and she has at least one in every game. ... Harbor Creek finished third in the Erie County League.
CLASS A BOYS CONSOLATION
Kennedy Christian vs. Conneaut Valley
Who: Kennedy Christian (18-8) vs. Conneaut Valley (13-13).
What: District 10 Class A Consolation
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Grove City College
How qualified: Kennedy lost to Saegertown, 56-53; Conneaut Valley lost to West Middlesex, 76-46.
Top players: Kennedy Christian _ Carlos Oatis, 5-7 jr. guard, 7.3; Lamar Jefferson, 5-8 jr. guard, 4.6; Erik Hemsing, 6-0 sr. guard, 13.2; Damon Clayton, 6-4 jr. forward, 11.8; Justin Green, 6-3 jr. forward, 9.0; Mike Scullin, 6-0 sr. forward; Conneaut Valley _ Eric Mead, 6-0 sr. forward, 16.2; Travis Matera, 5-7 jr. guard, 14.3; Jason Blood, 6-0 jr. forward, 10.6; Scott Kaczmorski, 5-10 jr. guard, 9.6; Todd Nicholls, 5-11 sr. forward, 5.0; Craig Joslin, 5-11 jr. forward, 4.0.
Winner will play: the WPIAL champion March 7.
Bonus shots: Kennedy was the defending Class A D-10 champ. ... Prior to their loss to Saegertown, the Golden Eagles had won nine of their previous 10 games. ... Clayton has only played in 13 games after recovering from a broken foot. ... Hemsing has scored in double figures 18 times.
CLASS AA GIRLS CONSULATION
Lakeview vs. Saegertown
Who: Lakeview (21-5) vs. Saegertown (22-4).
What: District 10 Class AA Consolation
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Grove City College
How qualified: Lakeview lost to Girard, 53-38; Saegertown lost to Cranberry, 45-40.
Top players: Lakeview _ Casey Spence, 6-0 jr. center, 11.4; Shannon McCurdy, 5-3 so. guard, 9.5; Crystal Spangler, 5-8 so. guard, 6.7; Brooke Barthen, 5-11 jr. forward, 8.9; Retta Zahniser, 5-4 so. forward, 5.9. Saegertown _ Amanda Scott, 6-0 sr. center, 16.5; Jessica Williams, 5-10 sr. forward, 9.3; Sue Soltis, 5-10 jr. guard, 8.2; Katie Manuel, 5-3 sr. guard, 5.3; Adrienne Scott, 5-10 jr. forward, 6.6.
Winner will play: the District 6 champion and the loser will play the WPIAL champion March 7 in the first round of the state playoffs.
Bonus shots: Lakeview's loss to Girard was its third-consecutive to the Yellowjackets. ... The Lady Sailors' loss also snapped an eight-game winning streak. ... Scott is a Division I recruit and will matriculate at Youngstown State University.
Herald sports writer Ed Farrell and sports editor Lynn Saternow contributed to this story.
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Updated Feb. 28, 1997
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