Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 25

PITTSBURGH POST-OAZnTTF THURSDAY. FFBRUARY 4. 1999 HIGH SCHOOLS ATHLETES OF THE WEEK i Panlhcrs' '99 class is solid PITT FROM PAGE C-l None of the recruiting gurus will put Pitt's class in the top 25, but top 50 is realistic. "What they're doing is laying a foundation," said Hick Kimbrcl of Prep Star. "They were able to get in Western Pennsylvania again and get probably the two best players there." Kimbrcl was speaking of Rutherford, who selected Pitt over Penn State, and Perry teammate Robb Butler, a defensive back-receiver.

Overall, Pitt signed seven players from Western Pennsylvania, this was not considered a good year in Western but Pitt was able to keep most of the best players at home. "M'p'pp trvina tn hnilH nmo inviK. I. v' Tony Tyu Posl-GJottn McGuffey's Jim Hanning, top, gets the upper hand against Upper St. Clair's John Moeslein in a 1 45-pound match last night at McGuffey.

Geibel girls clinch 'A' playoff berth Di'fciKliiiii'dlassAAcliampion lops Moi lessen, nears section lille ERNIE CHMIEL SCHOOL: Central Catholic. WHO IS HE? A 180-pound junior defense-man and one of the best players in the in the WPIHL. SEASON: Chmtel has 18 goals and 29 assists. He is the sixth leading scorer in the WPIHL and SHIHL. CAREER: Chmiel is a three-year starter.

AN OFFENSIVE DEFE-SEMAN: Chmiel leads Central Catholic in scoring from his blue-line position. "I'm not big on defensemen jumping up on the play, but I live with it because he produces," Central Catholic Coach Kevin Zielmanski said. "If he has chances, I let him go. He begs me to play forward. But it would take away from pur defense if we moved him up.

It's harder to defend when you're coming from behind. It's not the same when we don't have him controlling; things back there." TRAVELIN' MAN: Chmiel plays for the Pittsburgh Hornets, a team that travels all over North America for tournaments. Chmiel and his teammates are currently in Quebec, Canada. Balancing high school and club hockey has its ups and downs. "It's real tough," Chmiel said.

"I missed a very important game against North Allegheny this week. It's real tough with all the practices between the two." Chmiel is pursuing a shot at Junior A hockey next season. He would have to leave Pittsburgh, live with a host family and attend a new high school. "That's my goal right now," Chmiel said. ANOTHER SHOT? Central Catholic lost in the state championship game last season.

Zielmanski graduated 1 4 players from that team but the Vikings are 16-1 this season. "We're doing real well," Chmiel said. "We're winning close games. That's what's helping. We don't have the talent we had last year.

But we're a hard-working team." pointers Jeremy Phillips added 1 1 West Greene's last victory was against Cameron, WVa 15. 1997. Its most recent win over a WPIAL foe was against Chartiers-Houston, Nov 30. 1996. Royal comeback: WPIAL Class A No 2 Vmcentian (16-3, 8-1) responded from a three-point halftime deficit to rout visiting Monaca.

81 -57 Jon Wallace led the Royals with 36 points. WRESTLING Raiders KO'd: Iniury-depleted Waynesburg (9-2. 6-1), 8 WPIAL Class AAA. was upset at unranked Keystone Oaks in Section 5 38-32 The victory kept Keystone Oaks faint hopes alive for qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs for the 15th consecutive season. Staying spotless: No 5 Kiski Area (10 0, 7-0) remained unbeaten with an easy 60-10 romp over visiting Highlands in Class AAA Section 4 HIGHLIGHTS section title, have won 44 league games in a row.

Monessen was the last team to defeat Geibel in the section. Dec. 13. In other girls' action, Class AA West Greene (18-2) had a 10-game winning streak snapped at Class AAA Waynesburg, 57-43, in a non league game. Amy Strosnider led the winning Raiders (9-10) with 17 points and eight rebounds.

BOYS' BASKETBALL Drought over: While the West Greene girls had a winning streak end. the West Greene boys ended a two-year, 52-game losing streak with a 61-51 victory at home over Mapietown in Class A Section 2 Brandon Hewitt led the Pioneers (1-19. 1-7) with 29 points, including five 3- Fiom local Geibel has won five WPIAL girls' basketball championships in the past six years, all in Class AA. The Gators (18-1, 9 0) dropped to Class A this season and are the heavy favorite to add another WPIAL crown to their trophy case. No.

1 -ranked Geibel clinched a berth in the WPIAL playoffs after a 53-18 victory last night at Monessen (16-4, 7-2) in Class A Section 2. Erica Hogan led Geibel with 14 points. Jill Tummons and Siobhan Zerilla added 12 points each. Monessen's Latitia Williams led all players with 26 points and 13 rebounds. The Gators, shooting for their 10th consecutive RESULTS, High scorers (KAl April Smith 20 (L Jen Sobota 24 Loren Mueseler 1 3 WPIAL CLASS AA SECTION 1 Sprlngdale 31, Freeport 17' Freeport 2 2 7 6 17 Springdale 6 8 10 7 31 Hiqh scorers (F) Sarah Haynes 5 ISl Jodie Jackson 10 WPIAL CLASS A SECTION 2 Geibel 53, Monessen 48 Geibel 15 12 14 12 53 Monessen 10 14 9 15 48 Highscorers Erica Hogan 14 JillTummons 12 Siobhan Zerilla 12 (M) Latitia Williams 26 OTHERS Frazier 49, Jefferson-Morgan 26 Jefferson-Morgan 7 5 7 7 26 Frazier 10 9 19 1149 High scorers UM) Anna Mane Sevenni 1 1 (F) Becky Slahl 20 Amy Kara 1 1 Waynesburg 57, West Greene 43 West Greene 6 14 11 12 43 Waynesburg 13 15 13 16 57 Highscorers (WG) Lauren Hull 19 Vicki Martin 12 (W) Amy Sliosnider 17 Amy Fox 16 Danielle Humiston 16 Westlnghouse 44, Klttannlng 38 Westinghouse 20 14 4' 6 44 Klttannlng 8 10 8 12 38 Highscorers (W Korri Hicks 13 Sameera Philyaw 11 (K Lori Emminger 12 Alicia Burden 12 West Middlesex at Farrell HOCKEY WPIHLCLASSA Shady Side Academy 6 Quigley 0 WRESTLING WPIAL CLASS AAA Section 1 Indiana 29 Latrobe 28 Section 2 Ringgold 49 McKeesport 16 I iblo walls around this community," Harris said.

Woodland Hills defensive back William Ferguson is another one of the best players from Western Pa. who chose Pitt. The Panthers also got Plum's Matt Morgan, who was a highly recruited offensive lineman even though mononucleosis slowed him much of the season. Outside of Western Pitt's top recruits appear to be Cox, Millville, N.J., defensive back Taron Gray and Passaic, N.J., linebacker Gerald Hayes. this Pitt class also did not have a junior-college player.

Harris' first two classes were heavy on junior-college transfers. The knock against this class, though, is that it has too many players who weren't highly recruited. Pitt beat Mid American Conference schools for some recruits. Also, even Harris admitted he would have liked more help on the defen-- sive line. That's why he said most of Pitt's offensive linemen will also be tried on the defensive line in spring drills.

"We feel like we've been able to get some good players perception-wise," nan is saiu. vve aisu leei UKe mere some good players who maybe some people don't perceive to be." RECRUITING Here are players who have either signed or made oral commitments to Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia. Also listed are WPIAL and City League players who have committed to Division l-A schools: PITT (24) Antonio Bryant, Miami (WR, 180) Robb Butler, Perry Traditional Academy (DB-WR, 6-0. 185). Justin Coyer Iowa City, Iowa (FB.

6-0 225) Tome Cox, 'Miami (RB. 5-9. 185) Vince Crochunis, Schuylkill Haven. Pa (DE 6-4, 245). Chris Curd.

Youngstown (WR, 6-3. 195). William Ferguson. Woodland Hills (DB, 5-10. 175) 'Taron Gray.

Millville. (DB. 5-10. 180) Brian Guzek, South Park (LB-FB, 6-3. 220) Claude Harriott, Palm Beach, Fla.

(DE, 6-3. 210). Gerald Hayes, Passaic. (LB. 6-1 220).

Corey Humphries, Columbus. Ohio (DB. 6-2. 185) Jason Jamison, Millville. (LB-DE 6-3 220) Dan LaCarte, Charleroi (TE-LB, 6-4 240) Darrell McMurray.

Akron (OL-DL. 6-4. 285) Matt Merford. Cincinnati (OL. 6-4.

275) Lewis Moore. Cape May Court House (TE-LB. 6-3. 250) Matt Morgan. Plum (OT, 6-7 290) Lousaka Polite, Woodland Hills (FB 6-1 218) Rod 'Rutherford.

Perry Traditional Academy (QB-DB. 6-3. 200) Jon Schall. Cincinnati (OL. 6-5, 280) Penny Semaia, Utica.

(OL. 6-4 320). Lamar Slade. Fork Union, Va (WR. 6-3.

190) Kris Wilson, Lancaster (LB 6-2 220) PENN STATE (10) Gmo Capone "North Schuylkill, Pa (FB-LB. 6-3. 230) Dave Costlow, Lansdale Pa (DL. 6-4, 255) Horace Dodd Hamden, Conn (RB-DB, 6-2, 205), Keith Jenkins, Chardon, Ohio (DL 6-4. '275) Bryant Johnson Baltimore (WR b-4, 2US) uamone jones, rnnaaeipnia (ul-'DL 6-5, 315) Bryan Scott, Buckingham Pa.

(WR-DB. 6-2 205) Deryck Toles, War-, ren, Ohio (RB-DB, 6-1 200) Ricky Upton Tenn (RB. 5-11 225), Yaacov 1 Yisrael. Palatine, III (WR-DB, 6-2. 175) WEST VIRGINIA (20) Tim Brown.

Har-1 nsburg (OL 6-5 308) Joe Chaparro. Gut-i-tenberg. NJ (TE-DE 6-4 245). Jason Davis, Fort Lauderdale Fla (DL. 6-5.

280) Elance Frazier Delray Beach Fla. (DB. 5-9 180) Tim Frost, Youngstown Ohio (LB-TE 6-4, 250) Shawn H-jCkett. Lackawanna Ju- nior College Pa (DB. 6-1 190) Justin Johnson.

Ripley WVa (DT 6-4 280) Brian King. Damascus Md (DB 6-0, 185) Geoff Lewis. Fairview Pa (OT 6-4 300) Scott 'McBnen Hyattsville Md (QB, 6 2. 185) Cortez McNeil Montgomery College (DL 6-3, 275) Greg Mittleider Bethel Park (OL 6-4, 300) Anthony Nolen McKeesport (DB 5-11 180) John Paricka Iowa Central "Community College (DL 6-3 275), Shaun Piper Columbus Ohio (LB 6-2. 225) Cas- sell Smith Milford Academy (DB, 6-0 205) Nick Sparks Flint, Mich (QB, 6-3, 190) Qoo T.mmnnc f.hannn Falls Ohio (OT-DT 270) Grant Wiley.

Collegeville. Pa (LB 6-1 212) Oumcy Wilson Weirton WVa (RB 5-10 200) AKRON Bates Szakos Greensburg Catholic (WR 6-4. 185) Alex Williams. Penn Hills (WR 6-2 180) BUFFALO AlanSteinman Greensburg Central Catholic (WR-DB 5-10 175) KENT STATE Janus Acie Shady Side Academy (WR-DB, 5-10 168) Kenan Arkan Peters Township (OL, 6-7 270) Scott Booker Shady Side Academy (DB, 6-'2 185) Adam Frederick Shady Side Academy (QB 6-2 200) Maurio Medley, Shady "Side Academy (WR, 6-6 195) James RhaHu Rifle Academv (NG-FB 6-2 y.VW w. .230) MARYLAND Nick Fisher Mars (OL, 6-7 324) Jeff Dugan Central Catholic (DL- OL.

6-4 250) NAVY Ben Matthews Mt Lebanon (FB-LB. 6-1 205) NORTH CAROLINA Ian Alexander Shadv Side Academy (LB 6-3, 210) 'NORTHWESTERN Jaison Cook Duquesne (DB 6-1 183) OHIO Mike Patitucci Brownsville (DB-QB, 6 0, 180) TOLEDO Pat Cam New Castle (TE 6-4 220) Brandon Hefflin Penn Hills (WR. 6-1 175) Ray Turner Clairton (FB-LB 6-2 '215) TULSA Ron Frederick Southmoreland (OL 6-5 305) Tony Katie Freeport (TE 260) SCHEDULE Section 3 Butler 57 Ouiqley 3 Seneca Valley 23 EllwoodCity 13 Blackhawk 6 Hampton 27 North Allegheny 31 North Hills 54 Shaler 63 Section 4 Fox Chapel 39 Kiski Area 60 Plum 34 Woodland Hills 42 Hiqhlands 10 Penn Hills 25 Central Catholic 27 Section 5 Section 6 Keystone Oaks 38 Waynesburg 32 Montour 18 Moon 3 Charters Valley 51 irimrybu WPIAL CLASS AA Section 2 Burgettstown 52 Chartiers-Houston 19 Section 4 Steel Valley 45 Youghl7 OTHERS Baldwin 39 Elizabeth Forward 35 Brownsville 39 Greensburg CC 33 Elflerton48 Jeannette27 Fort Cherry 45 Bentworth27 Freedom 53 Laurel 4 Jetlerson Morgan 36 Southmoreland 21 Mars 60 Carlynlon17 Norwm 44 Gateway 25 Riuerview 33 South Fayelte 27 THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE BOYS' BASKETBALL WPIAL CLASS AAA Section 1 "Hampton at Knoch Section 3 Burrell at Valley WPIAL CLASS A Section 2 California at Carmichaels OTHERS Beaver Falls at New Castle Fori Cherry at Jetlerson-Morgan Washington at Trinity Yough at Waynesburg GIRLS' BASKETBALL WPIAL CLASS AAAA Section 1 Kiski Area at Norwm Latrobe at Franklin Hegional Penn-Traftord at Indiana Section 2 McKeesport at Laurel Highlands Ringgold at Albert Gallatin Uniontown at Keystone Oas Section 3 North Hills at Hopewell Seneca Valley at North Allegheny Section 4 Galeway at Penn Hills Highlands at Oanland Catholic Plum at Fox Chaiel 1. Upper St. Clair 2.

North 3. Oakland Catholic 4. Latrobe 5. Mt. Lebanon 1.

Blackhawk 2. North Catholic. 3. 4. Hampton 5.

Canevm Section 5 Mt Lebanon at Canon-McMillan Trinity at Montour Upper St Clair at Baldwin WPIAL CLASS AAA Section 1 Burrell al Hampton Knoch at Mars Valley al Deer Lakes Section 2 Ambndge at Blackhawk. Beaver at Pine-Hichland Ellwood City at New Brighton Section 3 Greensburg Salem at Mount Pleasant Jeannetle at Yough Southmoreland at Belle Vernon Section 4 Elizabeth Forward at Thomas Jetlerson Steel Valley at McGutley West Mittlin at Brownsville Section 5 Canevm at Moon North Catholic at Peters township West Allegheny at Chartiers Valley WPIAL CLASS AA Section 1 Ford City at Greensburg Central Catholic Freeport at Apollo-Hidge Sormgdale at East Allegheny Section 2 Beaver Falls at Laurel Mohawk at Quaker Valley South Side Beaver at Neshannock Section 3 Freedom at Carlynton Northgate at Sto-Ho Rochester al Aiiguippa Section 4 Fort Cherry at Chartiers-Houston South Fayette at Burgettstown Washington at Brentwood Section 5 Bntworth al Calilorma Beth-Center at Charleroi Carmichaels at Fraier WPIAL CLASS A Section 1 Sewickley Academy at Farrell Shady Side Academy at Monaca Western Beaver at Ouigiey Section 2 Jefferson Morgan at Geibel Maple-town al Clairton Monessen al Avella Section 3 Avonworth at Mount Alvernia Our Lady ol the Sacred Heart at Wilkinsburg Serra at Vincentian Section 4 EWerton at Riverview Shannock Valley at Leechburg St Joseph at Dayton OTHERS Center at Hiversirie Connellsville at Bethel Park Hickory at Grove City Mercer at Greenville New Castle al Hempfield Seton-LaSalle at South Park Sharpsvilleat Kennedy Christian Shenangoat Union South Allegheny al Duguesne West Middlesex at Commodore Perry Wilmington al Reynolds Woodland Hills at Allderdice (7pm) NOTICE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE CHANGES Athletic directors and coaches are urged to call the Post Gazette with any schedule changes caused by weather conditions as soon as dates are finalued Call 4 1 2-263-1 621 or lax to 4 1 2 263-1 926 SWIMMING HONOR ROLL To be included in Sunday honor roll coaches in Class AAA should call top limes lo Belhel Park Bill Kennedy at 412 833 5005 extension 8018 no later than 8 45 a Friday Coaches in Class AA should call Moon Jamie Morion 412-262 9040 extension 222 WHEN TO FIND IT In addition lo high school highlights results and schedule found in the Post-Gaette every day other intormation lor winter sports can be lound on a weekly basis on the tollowing days Sunday "tJoys and girls basketball standings Monday Hockey standings, scoring leaders and rankings wrestling news and rankings Wednesday Heads Up (athletes to watch) and Data Way (athletics by the numbers) Thursday Athletes ol the week boys and girls basketball rankings and scoring leaders notebook Sunday in the Post-Gazette John G. Craig Jr. Forum Click Clack Weekly Stocks Real Estate Mortgage Rates Dave Molinaril Hockey Paul Meyer I Pirates WEDNESDAY BOYS' BASKETBALL WPIAL CLASS AAAA SECTION 4 Central Catholic S3, Plum 38 Central Catholic 7 10 15 21 53 Plum ..9 10 7 12 38 High scorers (CC) Jim Horan 15 Mike Lukcic 12 Gabe Skrinjar 12 Dan Klipa 13 WPIAL CLASS AA SECTION 2 Farrell 83, Aliquippa 59 Aliquippa 7 17 20 1559 Farrell 28 12 26 17 83 High scorers (A) Bernard Lay 18 Robert Crute 12 Willie Clark 10 Jackson Jones 21 Demond Bell 17 Urbie Flint 16 Richard Young 12 SECTION 3 Sto-Roi 62, Northgate 39 Northgate 7 5 10 17 39 Sto-Rox 14 17 14 17 62 High scorers INI Jason Myers 12 (SR) Eddie Peterson 12 Frank Mosely 12 Chuck Landa 10 Keith Tosadori 10 WPIAL CLASS A SECTION 1 Vincentlan 81, Monaca 57 Monaca 10 18 14 15-57 Vincentlan 13 12 33 23 81 Highscorers (Ml Noah McKay 17 Matt Lewicki 1 5 Matt Costana 1 1 (V) Jon Wallace 36 MikeCorr19 Brian Werner 12 SECTION 2 West Greene 61 Mapietown 51 Mapietown 11 11 16 13 51 West Greene 9 13 21 18 61 High scorers (Ml Dawid Bridge 15 Chris Bennett 1 1 (WG) Brandon Hewitl 29 Jeremy Phillips 1 1 OTHERS Bethel Park 76, South Park 70 (OT) South Park 13 23 12 15 7 70 BethelPark 13 13 13 24 13 76 High scorers (SP) Reqqie Wells 26 James Pinkston17 (BP)SteveBrodmski21 Jamie Powell 18 Gambridge 15 Linsly School 60, Kiski School 58 Llnsly School 17 9 15 19 60 Kiski School 10 21 18 9 58 High scorers (LS) Brian Banal 17 Buster Neu-bauer 16 (KS) Mike Peck 18 Jon Washington 13 Sean Regan 10 North Allegheny 53, Penn-Trafford 32 North Allegheny 9 9 21 14 53 Penn-Trafford 8 7 7 10 32 Highscorers (NA) Shawn Hartle 13 MattHrenka-bich '11 MarkSperrylO (PTI Jeremy Munson 9 Reynolds 44, Laurel 39 Shady Side Academy 63, Perry 49 Perry 12 14 5 18 49 Shady Side Academy 12 9 24 1 8 63 High scorers (P) Rod Rutherford 16 Ray Cathie 11 (SSA) Mark Lovett 19 Oumcy Curry 18 South Allegheny 62, Monessen 56 South Allegheny 20 11 12 19 62 Monessen 12 13 18 13 56 High scorers (SA) Brian Jackowski 25 Ed Camic 17 Ryan Galiyas 14 (M) Chase Helton 19 Rob Garolalo12 Chuck Keller 10 Trinity Christian 60, Beaver Valley Christian 56 Trinity Christian 18 12 16 14 60 Beaver Valley Christian 11 9 21 15 56 Highscorers (TC) Wes Parsons 19 Mike Parsons 15, John Patterson 12 (BVC) Terry Hubbard 22 Gallo 18 Justin Hare 10 Upper St. Clair 50, Carrlck 32 Carrlck 6 7 10 9-32 Upper St.

Clair 20 4 5 21 50 High scorers (C) Todd SchulU 9 (USC) Brad Bonenberger 15 Brendan McAllister 13 GIRLS' BASKETBALL WPIAL CLASS AAAA SECTION 1 Latrobe 63, Kiski Area 45 Kiski Area 12 12 13 8 45 Latrobe 17 11 22 13-63 PG BASKETBALL RANKINGS BOYS GIRLS WPIAL CLASS AAAA 1. New Castle 18-0 2. Woodland Hills 18-1 3. Mt. Lebanon 19-2 4.

Uniontown 12-5 5. Penn Hills 14-5 ERICA HOGAN SCHOOL: Geibel. WHO IS SHE? A 5-foot-6. senior guard and one of the best players in WPIAL Class A. LAST WEEK: Hogan scored her point in-an 86-29 victory over Avella.

She became the 12th player in the history of the school to score 1.000 points. SEASON: Hogan is aver- aging 18 points per game for the Gators, the Post-Gazette's No. 1 team in Class A. CAREER: Hogan is. a three-year starter and has 1 ,052 career points.

THE MOVE: Hogan started at point guard as a sopho--more and junior, but she moved to shooting guard this season. The move has paid off. Hogan is averaging almost seven more points per -game than last season. "The biggest difference is the move from the point to shooting guard," Coach George Bortz said, "That opened her up for more shots. She wasn't much of a scorer her first two seasons.

But she has worked hard in the off-season. She improved a lot. She can use her left hand much better now. She is able to take her jump shot off the dribble now. That's not something she was able to do as a sophomore.

"Her hard work over the years is starting to come to the forefront." THE FUTURE: Bortz said Division II and III schools are showing interest in Hogan. By Ray Fittipalclo WPIAL CLASS AAA 1. Blackhawk 18-2 2. Chartiers Valley 14-6 3. Pine-Richland 14-3 4.

Hopewell 18-3 5. Brownsville 18-3 WPIAL 1. Quaker Valley 19-2 2. Shady Side Academy 3. Aliquippa 10-8 4.

Farrell 15-3 5. Brentwood 13-4 CLASS AA 1. East Allegheny 2. Carlynton 3. Seton-LaSalle 4.

Ford City 5. Greensburg CC. WPIAL CLASS A 1 Vincentian 14-3 1 Geibel 2. Duquesne 15-4 2. Serra 3.

O.L. Sacred Heart 10-7 3. Avonworth 4. Sewickley Academy 14-5 4. Monessen 5.

St. Joesph 15-3 5. Vincentian CITY LEAGUE LPeabody 16-4 1. Westinghouse. 2.

Oliver 16-4 2. Schenley 3. Perry 11-8 3. Perry (Records do not Include last night's games)..