Wednesday, March 28, 2012 (6:26 PM)
Kudos and plaudits
Congratulations to the following Ramblers who were selected as District 10 and Region 8 All-Stars: Sheldon Zablotny, Conor Colpoys, Chris Francis and Delton Williams. Erie Times-News District 10 Player of the Year
Sheldon Zablotny , Cathedral Prep
Erie Times-News All-District 10 Team
Sheldon Zablotny , Cathedral Prep, 11
Jaymon Mason ,General McLane, 11
Dillon King, Franklin, 12
Matthew Dogan, West Middlesex, 11
DeAndrye Henderson, Strong Vincent, 12 Region 8 All-Stars
First team
DeAndrye Henderson Strong Vincent 12
Denzel Jones Strong Vincent 12
Mike Beck McDowell 10
Sheldon Zablotny Cathedral Prep 11
Conor Colpoys Cathedral Prep 11
Second team
Marlon Richardson George Junior 12
Malquan Pullium Strong Vincent 11
Carson Lewis McDowell 11
Jarrett Koper McDowell 11
Chris Francis Cathedral Prep 11
Delton Williams Cathedral Prep 11
Omar Harrington George Junior 11
Region co-champions -- Cathedral Prep and Strong Vincent
Region Player of the Year -- DeAndrye Henderson, Strong Vincent - All-region teams based on voting by region coaches.
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Thursday, March 22, 2012 (9:55 AM)
Outmatched
The headlines would have read, "Prep stuns Lower Merion," or "Prep heads to Penn State," or "I don't believe what I just saw." Lower Merion's 79-48 rout of Prep was expected. Nobody is shocked the Ramblers got beat handily in the Final Four. What was not expected was that Prep would be there.
It is a weird loss. Why? Because I don't really think any Prep fan feels like they just got kicked in the stomach. If Prep would have lost to Central Catholic or Shaler in the closing seconds it would have hurt a lot more. Maybe it doesn't hurt has bad because Prep was not supposed to be there. Maybe it's because everyone on the team is coming back...everyone. Maybe it's because nobody gave Prep a chance to win the District 10 title let alone get to the Final Four.
I have a list of some personal memories from this season that have made these past few months very special. Here are my favorite:
- Watching Matt Hess and Conor Colpoys develop their all-around game over the course of
this season was special. Remember how much they struggled early in
the season -- missed shots, turnovers, lack of rebounding? At the end
of the year they were making big shots, grabbing boards and playing tremendous defense. This leaves me thinking these two might be the best all around players on the team come next year.
- Prep went 4-1 this year against McDowell and Vincent, and advanced
much further in the postseason than their local rivals. And Prep extended their win streak against the Trojans to six in a row.
- The fans. The Prep student section really made this run exciting. Mike White of the Post Gazette called them "The Best Student Section in the State." They truly are. It was amazing to see six bus loads of nearly 400 students travel to that game last night. Not only were the student fans great, but the parents and alumni were great...as always.
- There was something about this team that was just special. Maybe it was the fact they are all juniors and sophomores. They all just seem to get along and they all play with a lot of heart.
A big thanks to everyone in the Prep program this year for giving us a season of lifelong memories that the Prep faithful will never forget. If you see me 30 years from now I'll still talk about the 2011-12 Prep basketball season. I'll recall it fondly. Expectations were low, but because their 21-6 record, Region 8 championship, District 10 championship, Final Four appearance, team-oriented approach and their love of the game, the Ramblers exceeded those expectations. I also want to say thank you to everyone who made the Rambler Basketball website so enjoyable. It was amazing to see the amount of people that started reading the website during the playoff run, nearly 4,000 hits during the month of March. I won't be posting as frequently
during the off-season, but the site won't exactly be dead until next
November either. I'll dish out Prep news and rumors as I come across
them. If you hear a good one, please shoot me an e-mail.
Thanks again for being a part of one of the most memorable seasons in the long storied history of Prep basketball!
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com
|
Monday, March 19, 2012 (8:32 PM)
Final Four preview: Prep vs. Lower Merion
From goerie.com
The Lower Merion Aces are big and athletic. The big three of Raheem
Hall (6 feet, 2 inches), B.J. Johnson (6-6) and Darryl Reynolds (6-7)
are tough matchups along with key players Yohanny Dalembert (6-7), Mike
Robbins (6-3), Justin McFadden (6-3) and JaQuan Johnson (5-10). Johnson
is Lower Merion’s leading scorer and was named Most Valuable Player of
the Central League. Reynolds is an experienced forward and a terrific
shot-blocker. He was referred to as maybe the best shot-blocker at Lower
Merion since Kobe Bryant by local media.
Here are a few links to playoff stories and video from Lower Merion’s last two games:
Lower Merion’s 67-49 win over Roman Catholic
Lower Merion’s 66-54 win against Easton Here is a link to the Aces' basketball website.
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Sunday, March 18, 2012 (8:20 PM)
Best in the West!
Prep is "Best in the West" after holding off Shaler 52-49 in the PIAA Elite 8 on Saturday afternoon in Sharon.
Technically yesterday's game was a "true" western final, because in the next round Prep will meet Lower Merion, who is from the east. A few years ago the PIAA made a change to the bracket by allowing east teams in the western part of the bracket. So while Wednesday's game will be the "western final," Prep is the only west team left. The west only received 8 out of the 32 spots in the tournament.
Once again Prep used aggressive man to man defense to help get the W. The defense allowed Prep to slow down the Titans and hold a team who was averaging 64.9 points a game to only 49. A major part of that was the lack of playing time by leading scorer Geno Thorpe (22.0 ppg). Thorpe received his second foul earlier in the 1st quarter and sat most of the first half, then he received his 3rd and 4th foul in the 3rd quarter which put him to the bench for most of the 2nd half. The Ramblers held Thorpe to a season low three points.
I posted about a month ago about one area of concern I had for Coach Majewski and the Ramblers, which was defense. The offense was on a few months ago, but one area that was lacking was defense. I said if the Ramblers want to go far in the tournament they will need to step up the intensity on defense and they have done just that during this tournament run.
You must give credit to Shaler for not backing down after having a lot obstacles thrown in their way. Despite having arguably their 2nd best player out with and injury and their leading scorer on the bench for most of the game the Titans didn't fold, they kept battling the entire way.
So now the Ramblers will face Lower Merion in the Final Four on Wednesday. The last time the Ramblers made it to the Final Four in 2005 they faced Lower Merion. The Aces won that game 65-54. The Final Four game is slated for Wednesday at Bald Eagle High School. Tip off is set for 7 pm.
I'll have a preview of Lower Merion tomorrow.
*Update (3/19): The Ramblers have moved up to No. 4 in the latest Harrisburg Patriot-News high school basketball rankings.
*Click here for stats from the game.
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Friday, March 16, 2012 (10:00 AM)
PIAA Elite 8 preview: Prep vs. Shaler
Tomorrow Prep
will meet Shaler in the PIAA Elite 8. This will be the 2nd straight top 10 match up for Prep. Shaler is ranked No. 4, while Prep sits at No. 10 in the Pennsylvania AAAA rankings. The Titans are led by Penn Sate bound junior Geno Thorpe, who is averaging 22.0 ppg. Tip off for tomorrow is set for 2 pm at Sharon High School. You can
purchase tickets in the Prep athletic office.By Mike White (Post Gazette): "Shaler is in the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. In
the second round, junior guard Geno Thorpe scored his 1,000th point at
Shaler the past two seasons. He played at Shady Side Academy as a
freshman. Without center J.P. Holtz (injured foot), Shaler has been at a
size disadvantage in the first two PIAA games, but Cathedral Prep's
tallest starter is only 6-3 Connor Colpoys. Sheldon Zablotny, a 5-11
junior guard who averages 17 ppg, is the only Rambler averaging in
double figures."
Scouting the Shaler Titans.....
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
|
12/9
|
Highland
|
W 77-54
|
|
12/10
|
Valley
|
W
77-37
|
|
12/13
|
Ambridge
|
W 77-23
|
|
12/16
|
North
Allegheny
|
L 75-69
|
|
12/20
|
Butler
|
W 68-40
|
|
12/22
|
Plum
|
W
67-53
|
|
12/27
|
Takoma Academy, Md.
|
W 64-53
|
|
12/28
|
Winston
Churchill, Md.
|
L 51-47
|
|
1/3
|
Central Catholic
|
W 72-63
|
|
1/6
|
Seneca
Valley
|
W
72-48
|
|
1/10
|
North Hills
|
W 69-51
|
|
1/13
|
Altoona
|
W
58-44
|
|
1/14
|
State College
|
W 50-41
|
|
1/17
|
Pine-Richland
|
W
61-38
|
|
1/20
|
North Allegheny
|
W 59-41
|
|
1/22
|
Princeton
Day, Md.
|
W
81-57
|
|
1/24
|
Butler
|
W 69-52
|
|
1/27
|
Central
Catholic
|
W
65-52
|
|
1/29
|
Lincoln Park
|
W 57-54
|
|
1/31
|
Seneca
Valley
|
W
62-60
|
|
2/3
|
North Hills
|
W 76-49
|
|
2/10
|
Pine
Richland
|
W
66-42
|
|
WPIAL Playoffs
|
2/22
|
McKeesport
(First Round)
|
W 50-47
|
2/25
|
Plum
(Quarterfinals)
|
W 57-48
|
2/29
|
Central Catholic
(Semifinals)
|
L 46-44
|
|
PIAA Play-In
Round
|
|
3/6
|
Strong Vincent
|
W 81-60
|
PIAA
Tournament
| |
3/10
|
Allderdice
(First
Round)
|
W
57-51
|
3/14
|
Gateway
(Second Round)
|
W 62-49
|
Roster
|
#
|
Name
|
Year
|
Height
|
Weight
|
|
1
|
Zack Taylor
|
Sr.
|
6-0
|
160
|
|
2
|
Lou
Ferraro
|
Jr.
|
5-9
|
165
|
|
5
|
Sean Gavin
|
Sr.
|
6-1
|
175
|
|
10
|
John
Holtz
|
Sr.
|
6-3
|
260
|
|
12
|
Sean Bittner
|
Sr.
|
6-1
|
170
|
|
21
|
Brian
Bittner
|
Sr.
|
6-1
|
170
|
|
22
|
Michael Titteringtion
|
Sr.
|
6-1
|
175
|
|
23
|
Geno
Thorpe
|
Jr.
|
6-2
|
175
|
|
25
|
Bill Reinhemier
|
Jr.
|
6-0
|
170
|
|
31
|
Ryan
Mincher
|
Sr.
|
6-1
|
175
|
|
32
|
Zack Weaver
|
So.
|
6-1
|
165
|
|
33
|
Greg
Lydon
|
Jr.
|
6-2
|
180
|
|
35
|
Steve Strackhouse
|
Sr.
|
6-2
|
180
|
|
41
|
Jake
Mathias
|
So.
|
6-3
|
180
|
| | |
Common Opponents...
(North Allegheny)
N. Allegheny 75, Shaler 69
Shaler 59, N. Allegheny 41
Prep 62, North Allegheny 54
______________________
(Central Catholic) Shaler 72, Central Catholic 63
Shaler 65, Central Catholic 52
Central Catholic 46, Shaler 44
Prep 50, Central Catholic 49 OT
_______________________
(Strong Vincent)
Shaler 81, Vincent 60
Vincent 60, Prep 59
Prep 60, Vincent 59
Prep 85, Vincent 43
|
WPIAL Section 3 Standings
|
|
Team
|
Conf.
|
Overall
|
|
1. Shaler
|
11-1
|
24-3
|
|
2. North Allegheny
|
8-4
|
16-7
|
|
3. Central Catholic
|
6-6
|
16-11
|
|
4. Seneca Valley
|
6-6
|
15-11
|
|
5. Butler
|
6-6
|
13-13
|
|
6. North Hills
|
3-9
|
8-13
|
|
7. Pine-Richland
|
2-10
|
6-16
|
|
Leading Scorers
|
|
# Name
|
PPG
|
|
#23 G. Thorpe
|
22.0
|
|
#1 Z. Taylor
|
10.1
|
|
#10 J. Holtz
|
9.6
|
|
#22 M. Titterington
|
7.0
|
|
#21 B. Bittner
|
6.6
|
|
Leading Rebounders
|
|
# Name
|
RPG
|
|
#10 J. Holtz
|
6.2
|
|
#21 B. Bittner
|
3.9
|
|
#1 Z. Taylor
|
3.4
|
|
#31 R. Mincher
|
3.4
|
|
#23 G. Thrope
|
3.2
|
|
|
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Thursday, March 15, 2012 (10:05 AM)
Survive and advance
The game plan come PIAA Tournament is simple, but hard to execute. Survive and advance. It doesn't matter if you cruise by 20 plus points or if you turn the ball over 18 times, shoot 3-for-10 from three, shoot the worst percentage from the free throw line all season and then have to rely on a last second desperation drive to win the game at the buzzer. Just survive and advance.
Many fans around me where baffled as why Prep could not adjust to Central Catholic's stifling full court press all game. Well it's not that simple. Yes, Prep has found a way around full court presses all year, but the only adjustment Prep could have made last night was growing about 2 or 3 inches taller. With Central Catholic's size last night the Prep guards we force to dribble to the side line, while Chris Francis and Sheldon Zablotny were forced to start the offensive about 25-30 feet away from the basket (which really took Prep out of their rhythm). The only guys that where open on the press where down the floor and the Prep guards would have to pass the ball over much taller defenders down the floor where 6'6" center Matt Hoge would be defending.
Besides being a bit more calm with the ball, there was nothing else Coach Majewski could do. Majewski (plus 1,000 of his closest friends in the gym) held their breath and counted on the Prep defense to hold off Central Catholic just long enough for the Ramblers to get the ball back to hit the game winning shot to survive and advance.
I think myself and everyone else at that game last night is happy we have a two-day rest before the Elite 8 game on Saturday. I think we could all use it. Looking throughout the crowd, I think some fans were just as sweaty and tired as the players were.
I'll have a complete preview of Shaler tomorrow.
*Click here for stats from the game.
*Click here for photos from the game.
*Click here for the story from the Erie Times-News and here for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
*Click here for the 2012 PIAA Tournament bracket.
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Monday, March 12, 2012 (5:24 PM)
PIAA Sweet Sixteen preview: Cathedral Prep vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic
On Wednesday Prep will meet Central Catholic in the PIAA Sweet Sixteen. This game will be a rematch of the 2009 Sweet Sixteen when Prep beat Central Catholic at Sharon 60-58. Prep is 3-1 all-time against Central Catholic in the PIAA Tournament. In the latest Harrisburg Patriot-News high school
basketball rankings Central Catholic is ranked No. 9 and Prep at No. 10.Tip off for Wednesday is at 7 pm at Sharon High School. You can purchase tickets in the Prep athletic office. *Update (3/13): Pittsburgh Post Gazette writer Mike White predicted in his blog today that Prep will beat Central Catholic.
Scouting the Central Catholic Vikings...
Central Catholic Schedule (16-11)
Date
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
12/9
|
Gonzaga, D.C
|
L 74-64
|
12/10
|
John
Carroll. Md.
|
L 67-41
|
12/11
|
St. Rita Cascia. Ill.
|
L 40-37
|
12/13
|
Oliver
|
W
75-35
|
12/16
|
Seneca Valley
|
W 67-47
|
12/19
|
Shawnee,
Okla.
|
W
94-57
|
12/20
|
Ralston Valley, Colo.
|
W 69-57
|
12/21
|
Fairview,
Colo.
|
L 72-67
|
12/23
|
North Hills
|
W 72-67
|
1/3
|
Shaler
|
L 72-63
|
1/6
|
Wheeling C.C. W.Va
|
W 75-34
|
1/7
|
Pine-Richland
|
L
50-45
|
1/10
|
North Allegheny
|
L 73-72
|
1/13
|
Butler
|
W
78-49
|
1/20
|
Seneca Valley
|
L 48-47
|
1/21
|
Quality
Education Academy, N.C
|
W
64-62
|
1/24
|
North Hills
|
W 62-47
|
1/27
|
Shaler
|
L 65-52
|
1/31
|
Pine-Richland
|
W 48-36
|
2/3
|
North
Allegheny
|
L 68-59
|
2/7
|
Butler
|
W 57-42
|
2/13
|
North
Catholic
|
W
57-42
|
|
WPIAL Playoffs |
|
2/18
|
Hempfield
(First
Round)
|
W
70-44
|
|
2/25
|
Peters Township
(Quaterfinals)
|
W 55-47
|
|
2/29
|
Shaler
(Semifinals)
|
W
46-44
|
|
3/3
|
Gateway
(Championship)
|
L 49-39
|
|
PIAA Tournament
|
|
3/10
|
State College
(First Round)
|
W 57-43
|
|
|
Roster
|
|
#
|
Name
|
Year
|
Height
|
|
2
|
Christian
Jonier
|
Sr.
|
5-10
|
|
3
|
Peter Kush
|
Sr.
|
6-1
|
|
4
|
Clade
Scott, Jr.
|
Sr.
|
6-6
|
|
5
|
Lincoln Davis
|
Sr.
|
6-1
|
|
12
|
Joe
Marchione
|
Jr.
|
6-3
|
|
15
|
Michael Anselmo
|
Sr.
|
6-0
|
|
21
|
Rashaad
Sanders
|
Jr.
|
5-10
|
|
22
|
Garrett Vrbanic
|
Jr.
|
6-0
|
|
24
|
David
Urso
|
Jr.
|
6-2
|
|
30
|
Patrick Drake
|
Sr.
|
6-3
|
|
31
|
Jordan
Edmunds
|
Sr.
|
5-10
|
|
32
|
Sam Calhoun
|
Jr.
|
6-4
|
|
33
|
Casey
DiBasilio
|
Jr.
|
6-4
|
|
43
|
Robbie McGann
|
Jr.
|
6-2
|
| | |
Common Opponents...
(North Allegheny)
N. Allegheny 73, Central Cat. 72 N. Allegheny 68, Central Cat. 59
____________________
Prep 62, North Allegheny 54
|
WPIAL Section 3 Standings
|
|
Team
|
Conf.
|
Overall
|
|
1. Shaler
|
11-1
|
24-3
|
|
2. North Allegheny
|
8-4
|
16-7
|
|
3. Central Catholic
|
6-6
|
16-11
|
|
4. Seneca Valley
|
6-6
|
15-11
|
|
5. Butler
|
6-6
|
13-13
|
|
6. North Hills
|
3-9
|
8-13
|
|
7. Pine-Richland
|
2-10
|
6-16
|
|
Leading Scorers
|
|
# Name
|
PPG
|
|
#5 L. Davis
|
19.7
|
|
#4 C. Scott, Jr.
|
10.2
|
|
#32 S. Calhoun
|
8.3
|
|
#24 D. Urso
|
5.8
|
|
#15 M. Anselmo
|
5.8
|
|
Leading Rebounders
|
|
# Name
|
RPG
|
|
#4 C. Scott, Jr.
|
6.1
|
|
#32 S. Calhoun
|
6.0
|
|
#5 L. Davis
|
4.0
|
|
#15 M. Anselmo
|
3.1
|
|
#45 M. Hoge
|
2.9
|
|
|
| |
Gateway vs. Central Catholic WPIAL Championship
|
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Sunday, March 11, 2012 (11:04 AM)
Ramblers roll into the Sweet Sixteen
After Prep rolled over Obama Academy 79-57 in the PIAA Tournament first round, the Ramblers are now one of sixteen teams left in the state.
If I asked you what is the key stat from yesterday, it would be hard to choose. Here are some of the stats that stick out to me...
*Matt Hess scored a career-high 17 points.
*Chris Francis scored a season-high 14 points.
*4 Ramblers were in double figures
*And maybe the most interesting stat from last night is not a number, it's the fact they won a PIAA Tournament game by 22 without a starter. Delton Williams who has really stepped up in the second half of the season is a major reason the Ramblers are on a 10 game winning streak. Williams will be back for Wednesday's game.
*Click here for complete stats from last night.
During their 10-game winning streak the Ramblers have been without starters in four games. Fort LeBoeuf (Zablotny), Central Tech (Zablotny), Strong Vincent (Zablotny), and Obama Academy (Williams). Yes, I am counting the Vincent game when Zablotny got hurt early in the game.
Prep will take on Central Catholic in the second round. The Vikings are 16-11 this year. I will have a complete preview of the game tomorrow.
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com
|
Thursday, March 8, 2012 (7:35 PM)
Post Gazette picks Prep, calls student section "best in the state" again
During their weekly Varsity Xtra video, Mike White and Terry Shields of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette broke down the PIAA Tournament first round games. Both White and Shields picked Prep to defeat Obama Academy on Saturday. While talking about the Prep game Mike White exclaimed "they by far have the best student section in the entire state!" Shields also added how it is a "tradition." (Go to the 6:30 mark of the video to see the Prep vs. Obama Academy preview.)
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 (9:29 PM)
Prep to face Obama Academy in first round
Tonight the Obama Academy Soaring Eagles defeated Butler in a PIAA play-in game 56-54 on a last second shot. With the win the Soaring Eagles earned the right to play Prep this Saturday in the PIAA Tournament first round.
Scouting the Obama
Academy Soaring Eagles...
Obama Academy Schedule
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Outcome
|
|
12/9
|
Strong Vincent
|
L
91-88
|
|
12/10
|
Hopewell
|
W 53-44
|
|
12/16
|
Oliver
|
L
66-64
|
|
12/20
|
Westinghouse
|
W 72-54
|
|
12/23
|
Bishop Canevin
|
W 51-43
|
|
12/27
|
Riverside
|
W 62-53
|
|
12/28
|
Penn-Trafford
|
L
75-51
|
|
12/29
|
Shady Side Academy
|
L
56-50
|
|
1/4
|
Brashear
|
W 76-64
|
|
1/6
|
Allderdice
|
L
53-52
|
|
1/10
|
Perry Traditional
|
W 55-52
|
|
1/13
|
Carrick
|
W 66-44
|
|
1/18
|
Langley
|
W 90-49
|
|
1/20
|
Oliver
|
W 64-35
|
|
1/24
|
Westinghouse
|
W 85-44
|
|
2/1
|
Brashear
|
W 71-64
|
|
2/3
|
Allerdice
|
W 69-64
|
|
2/7
|
Perry Traditional
|
W 66-56
|
|
2/9
|
Carrick
|
W 71-60
|
|
2/14
|
Langley
|
W 83-52
|
|
Pittsburgh City League Playoffs
|
2/21
|
Brashear
(Semifinals)
|
W 82-63
|
2/25
|
Allerdice
(Championship)
|
L
56-49
|
|
PIAA Play-In
|
|
3/6
|
Butler
|
W 56-54
|
|
Common Opponents...
(Strong Vincent)
Vincent 91, Obama Academy 88
__________________________
Vincent 60, Prep 59
Prep 60, Vincent 59
Prep 85, Vincent 43
|
Pittsburgh City League Standings
|
Team
|
Conf.
|
Overall
|
1. Allderdice
|
13-1
|
18-6
|
2. Obama Academy
|
12-2
|
16-6
|
3. Carrick
|
7-7
|
8-14
|
4. Oliver
|
7-7
|
7-16
|
5. Westinghouse
|
5-9
|
7-17
|
6. Brashear
|
5-9
|
6-16
|
7. Perry Traditional
|
4-10
|
5-17
|
8. Langley
|
3-11
|
4-15
|
|
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 (4:59 PM)
Burger King Classic teams: Where they are now...
*Milton (Classic Champion): The Milton Eagles (26-4) recently beat North Gwinnett 80-58 in the Georgia Class AAAAA Elite Eight. The win marks the 4th year in a row the Eagles will make a Georgia Final Four appearance. Milton is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation and is in serious contention for a National Championship. However the big story is not that Milton is in the Final Four again, it's that they will be without standout guard Charles Mann. Mann was thrown out of the Elite Eight game after receiving two technical fouls.
Due to a Georgia state rule, Mann must sit out for two games, which would be the Final Four game
and the Championship if they should advance. Many believe the two
technical fouls where "the worst calls they have every seen."
*Jamesville-Dewitt (Classic Runner-up):
Jamesville-Dewitt (20-2) is looking to capture their 5th straight New York
Class A State Championship. The Red Rams, who are led by Syracuse bound
center DeJuan Coleman, are currently in the first round of the New York Class A Tournament and will play on Wednesday.
*Niagara Falls (4th place): The Wolverines (17-4) are currently in the New York Class AA Tournament Elite Eight and will play this Saturday.
Other notes: *Butler will take on Obama Academy tonight in the PIAA play-in game. The winner will face Prep on Saturday in the PIAA First Round. Check back tonight to see the who the Ramblers will face this Saturday.
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com
|
Monday, March 5, 2012 (5:30 PM)
PIAA Tourney First Round news and notes
*Tickets are now on sale for Saturday's PIAA Tournament first round. Saturday's tip off is set for 7 pm at Gannon University. You can purchase tickets at the Prep athletic office. Prep will face the winner of Tuesday's play-in game between Butler (WPIAL #3) and Obama Academy (District 8 #2). *Click here for the 2012 PIAA Tournament bracket *If the Ramblers win, they will advance to the sweet sixteen and face either Central Catholic (WPIAL #2) or State College Area (District 6 #1) on Wednesday, March 14th.
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
Friday, March 2, 2012 (11:35 AM)
Prep blows out Vincent, wins 2nd straight District 10 championship
Imagine if some guy came up to you right before last night's Prep vs. Vincent game and whispered, "Psst, hey buddy! Wanna make a bet? You can earn
$50k easy. Here's the deal: You put in 50 grand and I'll put in 50, too.
Winner takes all $100k. The cherry on top is that I bet you that Prep wins by 30 or more. It's a no-brainer, pal."
While you're pondering the offer, the guy offers up these facts going into the game:*The Ramblers and Colonels both split in their regular season meetings both by the same score of 60-59.
*Vincent was named the pre-season favorite to win the District by the Times-News
*They both finished 5-1 in the Region.  *In the last five District 10 championships that Prep has won, the margin of victory adds up to 31 over five games.
The numbers, the stats, the trends -- they're all saying to lay down the
$50k and you'll be getting double your money right after the game. "What's it gonna be, buddy? You in?"
I hope you didn't take that bet. After Prep's 85-43 destruction of Strong Vincent in the District 10 championship last night, you'd be paying. I can't figure it out either. I just hope the same things happen next Saturday when Prep starts PIAA Tournament play.
PIAA Tournament first round: (Update: 3/3)*Butler will take on Obama Acadamey in a play-in game for the right to play Prep. That play-in game is set for on Tuesday. *Click here for stats from last night's game. *Click here for photos from the game.
Dominic Sansone is the editor for Rambler Basketball. He can be reached at dsone0011@gmail.com |
| | |
Mar. 21
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Final
|
Prep
|
14
|
9
|
17
|
8
|
48
|
Lower Merion
|
15
|
23
|
18
|
23
|
79
|
|
| |
A tradition of champions...
Pennsylvania State Champions
|
|
1953, 1954, 1968, 1971, 1980, 1993
|
PIAA Tournament Finals
|
|
1980, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1996
|
PIAA Tournament Final Four
|
|
1978, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2005, 2012
|
PIAA Tournament Elite Eight
|
|
1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1993, 1994,
1995, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2012
|
PIAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
|
|
1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1988,
1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
|
PIAA Tournament Appearances
|
|
1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983,
1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997,
1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
|
PIAA District Ten Champions
|
|
1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997,
1998, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012
|
League Champions
|
|
1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1959, 1960,
1962, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984,
1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
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