SATURDAY
BOYS
CLASS AA
Penn Cambria (6-1) vs. Greensburg Central Catholic (7-6)
Teams: Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (22-2); Penn Cambria Panthers (20-4)
Site, time: Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse, 4 p.m.
The coaches: Greensburg Central Catholic -- Greg Bisignani (89-18 in four years). Penn Cambria -- Jim Ronan (66-55 in five years).
Playoff path: Greensburg Central Catholic -- defeated Northgate, 52-38, in the District 7 second round; lost to Burrell, 67-63, in overtime in the District 7 quarterfinals. Penn Cambria -- defeated Ligonier Valley, 64-54, in the District 6 quarterfinals; defeated Bishop McCort, 44-40, in the District 6 semifinals; defeated Northern Cambria, 63-43, in the District 6 championship.
Starting lineups: Greensburg Central Catholic -- G Zach Herman (13, 6-0 sr., 20.6), G Brian Graytok (32, 6-1 jr., 20.8), G Christian Hyland (3, 5-10 jr., 5.8), F Tyler Swan (22, 6-1 sr., 6.3), F Collin Bisignani (5, 6-7 jr., 5.1). Penn Cambria -- G James Mardula (14, 6-0 sr., 2.3), G Mack Behe (4, 6-2 sr., 8.7), F A.J. Leahey (21, 6-7 sr., 20.8), F Nathan Keagy (34, 6-5 sr., 8.2), F Devin Lawhead (41, 6-2 sr., 9.2).
Key reserves: Greensburg Central Catholic -- F Corey Marshall (12, 6-0 sr., 4.6), F Zach Guiser (30, 6-1 sr., 2.2), G Romano Sebastiani (23, 6-2 so., 2.7). Penn Cambria -- G-F Chad Tsikalas (31, 6-2 jr., 3.1), G Jake Schwaderer (23, 5-10 sr., 2.5), G Mike Mardula (35, 5-11 so., 2.1).
Who they get: The winner plays the winner of the game between Lakeview (10-2) and Quaker Valley (7-4) on Wednesday.
Notable: This is the Panthers' first trip to states since 2003. The last time they won in the PIAA tournament was in 2002 under Bruce Frycklund. ... Penn Cambria has won 10 of its last 11. In that span, it's held nine opponents to under 50 points. ... The Centurions made it all the way to the PIAA championship game two years ago, where they lost to Imhotep Charter. Collin Bisignani is the son of Greensburg Central's head coach, while Tyler Swan is the son of Centurion assistant, Bill Swan, the former Hempfield head coach. Behe's 19 points against Northern Cambria in the District 6 championship game was a career high. Leahey also is averaged 11.5 rebounds per game and 2.4 blocked shots. Four Panthers are pulling down at least 4.0 rebounds per game.
Northern Cambria (6-2) vs. Apollo-Ridge (7-3)
Teams: Northern Cambria Colts (21-5); Apollo-Ridge Vikings (18-8)
Site, time: Central Cambria High School, Ebensburg, 7 p.m.
The coaches: Apollo-Ridge -- Matt Gourley (51-39 in four years). Northern Cambria -- Dan Weber (153-123 in 10 years).
Playoff path: Apollo-Ridge -- defeated Neshannock, 66-64, in the District 7 first round; defeated Sto-Rox, 56-52, in the District 7 second round; defeated Jeannette, 53-49, in the District 7 quarterfinals; lost to Beaver Falls, 71-39, in the District 7 semifinals. Northern Cambria -- defeated Richland, 71-66, in the District 6 first round; defeated Tyrone, 64-54, in the District 6 quarterfinals; defeated Bald Eagle Area, 59-54, in the District 6 semifinals; lost to Penn Cambria, 63-43, in the District 6 championship.
Starting lineups: Apollo-Ridge -- G Lucas Burrell (2, 5-11 sr., 11.0), G Tre Tipton (1, 6-1 so., 10.6), G Evan Davis (22, 6-0 sr., 8.3), G Josh Reynolds (33, 6-0 sr., 9.3), F Alex Smith (10, 6-1 so., 9.1). Northern Cambria -- G Derek Bearer (10, 5-8 sr., 4.4), G Adam Polites (23, 6-2 sr., 20.3), G Josh Bonatesta (33, 5-10 sr., 12.3), F Nick Lee (22, 5-11 sr., 7.3), F Jeff Hogan (35, 6-3 sr., 14.8).
Key reserves: Apollo-Ridge -- F Connor Billingsley (34, 6-5 sr., 5.3), F Cody Billingsley (42, 6-4 sr., 2.7), G Dominic Schrecengost (11, 5-11 jr., 0.9), F Mitchell Johnson (12, 6-0 jr., 2.5). Northern Cambria -- F Alex Atkins (30, 6-3 sr., 0.9).
Who they get: The winner plays the winner of the game between Conemaugh Township (5-1)/Westinghouse (8-1) and Brentwood (7-5) on Wednesday.
Notable: Colts are in the state playoffs for the fourth year in a row. They advanced to the second round in 2011. ... Northern Cambria is coming off its lowest-scoring game of the season. In fact, four of their five losses have come when the Colts have failed to reach the 50-point mark. Polites has 85 3-pointers. This is Apollo-Ridge's first interdistrict tournament game in 22 years. The Vikings only have been to states three times since 1970. The Vikings are 2-0 vs. Heritage Conference teams this year, beating Saltsburg, 70-41, and Penns Manor, 61-41. Northern Cambria won all four of its games against those teams by an average of 22.5 points.
GIRLS
CLASS A
Southern Fulton (5-2) vs. Juniata Valley (6-4)
Teams: Juniata Valley Lady Hornets (17-9); Southern Fulton Lady Indians (23-3)
Site, time: University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Sports Center, 4 p.m.
The coaches: Juniata Valley -- Rachelle Hopsicker (26-22 in two years). Southern Fulton -- Terry Bard (23-3 in one year).
Playoff path: Juniata Valley -- defeated Bishop Carroll, 53-40, in the District 6 first round; defeated Claysburg-Kimmel, 31-28, in the District 6 quarterfinals; lost to Portage, 54-41, in the District 6 semifinals; lost to Penns Manor, 62-42, in the District 6 consolation. Southern Fulton -- defeated Fannett-Metal, 68-57, in the District 5 quarterfinals; defeated Northern Bedford, 46-41, in the District 5 semifinals; lost to Conemaugh Township, 54-44, in the District 5 championship.
Starting lineups: Juniata Valley -- G Kerigan Ammerman (41, 5-4 jr., 9.4), G Faith Leri (5, 5-7 so., 2.8), G Haley Myers (11, 5-7 jr., 11.1), F Alexa LeCrone (14, 5-5 sr., 2.7), C Abbie Zinobile (31, 6-0 sr., 13.5). Southern Fulton -- G Taelor Morton (10, 5-4 sr., 13.5), G Macey Hollenshead (5, 5-6 jr., 17.8) F Kayla Chilcote (40, 5-7 sr., 6.5), F Kayla Wertz (24, 5-5 sr., 7.6), C Ashley Roman (50, 6-1 jr., 9.6).
Key reserves: Juniata Valley -- G Taylor Young (23, 5-5 jr., 1.5), G Sofia Varner (4, 5-5 so., 1.0), G Ellie Keller (21, 5-6 so., 1.1), F Michaela Smith (32, 5-7 fr., 1.0), F Rachael Johnson (12, 5-5 jr., 0.4). Southern Fulton -- G Allison Spade (14, 5-6 so., 2.3), F Morgan Strait (30, 5-5 sr., 1.7).
Who they get: The winner plays the winner of the game between Halifax (4-2) and Philadelphia Motivation (12-2) on Wednesday.
Notable: This is the second time these teams have played this year. Southern Fulton prevailed, 72-37, on Jan. 19 in Alexandria. Ammerman, Myers and Zinobile all are multi-year starters. The Lady Hornets also returned G Sam Anders (3, 5-8 sr., 4.5) coming into the season, but her year ended because of a knee injury in the second game. Juniata Valley is playing in the state tournament for the fifth time in program history. The Lady Hornets last made states in 2005, when they got all the way to the Class A quarterfinals. ... Hollenshead already is a 1,000-point career scorer. ... Zinobile is pulling down 9.7 rebounds per game to lead Juniata Valley and is second on the team at 1.6 steals. Southern Fulton won a PIAA first round game in 2009.
Portage Area (6-2) vs. Berlin Brothersvalley (5-3)
Teams: Berlin Brothersvalley Lady Mountaineers (22-4); Portage Lady Mustangs (22-3)
Site, time: Central Cambria High School, Ebensburg, 4 p.m.
The coaches: Berlin Brothersvalley -- Rachel Prosser (139-51 in seven years). Portage -- Lance Hudak (89-169 in 11 years).
Playoff path: Berlin Brothersvalley -- defeated McConnellsburg, 68-36, in the District 5 quarterfinals; lost to Conemaugh Township, 65-54, in overtime in the District 5 semifinals; defeated Northern Bedford, 52-45, in the District 5 consolation. Portage -- defeated West Branch, 58-50, in the District 6 quarterfinals; defeated Juniata Valley, 54-41, in the District 6 semifinals; lost to Bishop Guilfoyle, 61-36, in the District 6 championship.
Starting lineups: Berlin Brothersvalley -- G Marah Riley (22, 5-5 sr., 8.2), G Gina Trulick (4, 5-3 jr., 4.3), G Aleesa Fieg (30, 5-6 jr., 13.7), F Erica Craig (12, 5-8 jr., 11.6), F Shelby Coughenour (23, 5-10 jr., 9.8). Portage -- G Emily Chobany (13, 5-5 jr., 15.3), G Paisley Zatek (22, 5-1 so., 5.4), F Candice Ramus (14, 5-5 sr., 2.0), F Emily McCabe (5-5 sr., 5.0), C Olivia McCabe (2, 6-1 jr., 16.5).
Key reserves: Berlin Brothersvalley -- F Schylker McClusas (40, 5-9 so., 5.0), G Rachel Luprek (21, 5-5 fr., 1.0). Portage -- G Katie Nolan (3, 5-1 fr., 5.8), G Lexi Wozniak (12, 5-4 fr., 4.7), F Kaitlin Jubina (10, 5-7 jr., 1.2), F Kacie Baker (24, 5-10 fr., 1.2).
Who they get: The winner plays the winner of the game between Vincentian (7-1) and Keystone (9-3) on Wednesday.
Notable: Portage is making its first appearance in the PIAA tournament since 1992, when the Lady Mustangs dropped a 54-53 decision to Cranberry in the opening round as the District 6 Class AA consolation game winner. ... This is the third meeting between these teams this year. Berlin handed Portage its first loss, 49-40, on Jan. 2. The Lady Mustangs returned the favor in the WestPAC championship game, 52-49. Berlin is making its third straight trip to the PIAA tournament and sixth under Prosser. Olivia McCabe leads Portage in rebounding (11.8), blocks (3.5) steals (3.0). Three Lady Mustangs enter the contest with at least 20 3-pointers. Nolan tops the team with 25, followed by Wozniak with 24. Because two teams from the conference are playing each other, the WestPAC is guaranteed to have a team in the second round for the fifth year in a row.
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic (6-1) vs. Johnsonburg (9-4)
Teams: Johnsonburg Ramettes (17-8); Bishop Guilfoyle Lady Marauders (24-2)
Site, time: Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse, 5:30 p.m.
The coaches: Johnsonburg -- Mike Zilkofski (87-78 in seven years). Bishop Guilfoyle -- Mark Moschella (500-129 in 21 years).
Playoff path: Johnsonburg -- defeated Elk County Catholic, 39-32, in the District 9 quarterfinals; lost to Clarion, 58-48, in the District 9 semifinals; lost to Keystone, 52-46, in the District 9 consolation. Bishop Guilfoyle -- defeated United, 53-27, in the District 6 quarterfinals; defeated Penns Manor, 53-17, in the District 6 semifinals; defeated Portage, 61-36, in the District 6 championship.
Starting lineups: Johnsonburg -- G Rhianon Fowler (2, 5-8 sr., 7.6), G Kathryn Polaski (34, 5-6 jr., 6.2), F Chelsea Benson (12, 5-7 jr., 10.7), F Kassa Kocjancic (13, 5-6 jr., 7.3), C Brittany Watts (21, 5-10 sr., 11.3). Bishop Guilfoyle -- G Brittany Boslet (22, 5-8 sr., 6.8), G Kayla Bates (12, 5-8 sr., 10.2), G-F Halee Adams (44, 5-8 sr., 15.9), F Devin Stessney (24, 5-9 sr., 8.7), F Elyssa Ehredt (5, 5-7 sr., 7.3).
Key reserves: Johnsonburg -- F Ashley Imbrogno (4, 5-6 so., 2.0), C Brianna Cardoni (25, 5-8 so., 0.4). Bishop Guilfoyle -- F Kristen Miller (35, 5-9 sr., 3.8), G Alexis Craig (4, 5-4 sr., 2.9).
Who they get: The winner plays the winner of the game between Serra Catholic (7-2) and Cochranton (10-2) on Wednesday.
Notable: Lady Marauders are seeking their 34th win in 36 PIAA first-round games. The last time Johnsonburg made it into the PIAA field was more than 20 years ago. The Ramettes haven't reached a district final since 1979. Guilfoyle's only losses have been to Hollidaysburg and Altoona, both Class AAAA teams. ... In six games against Class A teams this year, BG is allowing an average of 22.5 points. Guilfoyle has held 19 opponents to 40 points or fewer, including 13 to under 30 points. ... Adams, Ehredt, Bates and Stessney are all three-year starters who opened in the 2011 state championship game against Steelton-Highspire. ... Boslet has an equal number of 3-point field goals and 2-point field goals, 33 apiece.
-- Philip Cmor
