TONIGHT
BOYS
CLASS AA
Conemaugh Township (5-1) vs. Northern Cambria (6-2)
Teams: Northern Cambria Colts (22-5); Conemaugh Township Indians (24-3)
Site, time: Richland High School Sports Center, Johnstown, 7 p.m.
The coaches: Northern Cambria - Dan Weber (154-123 in 10 years). Conemaugh Township - Chuck Lesko (90-34 in five years).
Playoff path: 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; defeated Apollo-Ridge, 58-53, in the PIAA first round. Conemaugh Township - defeated Tussey Mountain, 68-55, in the District 5 semifinals; defeated Northern Bedford, 75-29, in the District 5 championship; defeated Westinghouse, 54-44, in the District 5-8 subregional play-in game; defeated Brentwood, 53-49, in the PIAA first round.
Starting lineups: Northern Cambria - G Derek Bearer (10, 5-8 sr., 4.5), G Adam Polites (23, 6-2 sr., 20.1), G Josh Bonatesta (33, 5-10 sr., 12.5), F Nick Lee (22, 5-11 sr., 7.3), F Jeff Hogan (35, 6-3 sr., 14.8). Conemaugh Township - G Austin Speigle (12, 6-1 jr., 3.6), G Josh Burns (44, 5-9 sr., 11.5), G Dillon Boyer (30, 6-0 sr., 14.2), G-F Jeremy Sotosky (40, 6-3 sr., 11.1), F Jeff Fisher (32, 6-1 sr., 12.7).
Key reserves: Northern Cambria - F Alex Atkins (30, 6-3 sr., 0.9). Conemaugh Township - F Jeff Callihan (14, 6-1 jr., 5.4), G Jake Formica (24, 6-1 jr., 1.8), F Luke Maurer (10, 6-1 so., 3.1), G Evan Steeves (20, 6-1 so., 1.7).
Who they get: The winner plays the winner of the game between Bishop McCort (6-3) and West Middlesex (10-1) on Saturday at a site to be announced.
Notable: This is the Colts' second trip to the second round of interdistricts in three years. The only other time Northern Cambria advanced to the second round or beyond was when it won the PIAA title in 1965. Both teams defeated WPIAL opponents in the opening round. District 7 teams were 2-5 in the first round of the tournament. Township was 2-2 to start the year. The Indians have won 22 of the last 23 games. Northern Cambria has made 157 3-pointers this season, compared to 94 for Township. Township defeated the District 6 runner-up last year, Bellwood-Antis, before falling against Beaver Falls in the quarterfinals. The teams have four common opponents from this season. Conemaugh Township is 6-0 against Blacklick Valley, Portage, Richland and Penn Cambria. Northern Cambria is 2-2 against those teams.
GIRLS
CLASS A
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic (6-1) vs. Serra Catholic (7-2)
Teams: Serra Catholic Lady Eagles (24-3); Bishop Guilfoyle Lady Marauders (25-2)
Site, time: Indiana High School, Indiana, Pa., 7:30 p.m.
The coaches: Serra Catholic - Bill Cleary (524-165 in 26 years). Bishop Guilfoyle - Mark Moschella (501-129 in 21 years).
Playoff path: Serra Catholic - defeated Jefferson Morgan, 85-45, in the District 7 second round; defeated Rochester, 61-42, in the District 7 quarterfinals; defeated Pittsburgh North Catholic, 56-45, in the District 7 semifinals; lost to Vincentian, 53-46, in the District 7 championship; defeated Cochranton, 67-43, in the PIAA first round. 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; defeated Johnsonburg, 47-26, in the PIAA first round.
Starting lineups: Serra Catholic - G Katie Sieg (5, 5-6 so., 11.5), G Jessie Manfredi (14, 5-6 sr., 5.9), G Leslie Hoye (21, 5-6 jr., 9.7), G Megan Sieg (34, 5-7 jr., 12.7), C Nicole Pero (24, 6-0 jr., 10.1). Bishop Guilfoyle - G Brittany Boslet (22, 5-8 sr., 6.6), G Kayla Bates (12, 5-8 sr., 10.1), G-F Halee Adams (44, 5-8 sr., 16.1), F Devin Stessney (24, 5-9 sr., 8.5), F Elyssa Ehredt (5, 5-7 sr., 7.2).
Key reserves: Serra Catholic - G Lauren Czerwien (3, 5-5 jr., 2.3), F Lindsay Muschar (15, 5-9 sr., 5.7), G Danielle Dindak (22, 5-8 jr., 6.8). Bishop Guilfoyle - F Kristen Miller (35, 5-9 sr., 3.8), G Alexis Craig (4, 5-4 sr., 2.8).
Who they get: The winner plays the winner of the game between Conemaugh Township (5-1) and Clarion (9-1) on Saturday at a site to be announced.
Notable: Although both programs have been very successful, this is the first time they've played each other since the Lady Marauders beat the Lady Eagles in a state first-round game at Bishop Carroll in 1989. ... This is the first time Serra has made it to the PIAA tournament since losing in the first round to Saltsburg in 2008 and the first time the Lady Eagles have gotten beyond the first round since 2006. Serra was the PIAA Class A champion in 2005. Two of Serra's losses are to Vincentian. The other is against Belle Vernon. Manfredi, who averages 6 assists, is going to Chatham. Pero and Muschar combine for 12 rebounds per game. Guilfoyle was eliminated from the playoffs in the second round last year by Fort Cherry. The Lady Marauders still have advanced from this round 21 times in 32 trips. Adams is leading the Lady Marauders with 6.6 rebounds per game and assists with 3.8.
- Philip Cmor
