AAA Boys Playoffs Open Thread.

[zonebreaker]

Nice to see Indiana excelling. I used to think they should drop the WPIAL and join d6 (and still not for sure), but they view WPIAL as more of a gold standard, helping their athletes reach the next level and making each game more meaningful. You can argue it either way (because if in an easier district more chance for local success which can beget more success and then state success as compared with the doldrums they have experienced in tougher spot in some sports). There's something to be said for not going the easier route (which would obviously produce more district hardware).

[dougkeklak]

There has long been chatter about Indiana joining the LHAC and at least for football I think another AAA squad would be welcomed. However, I'm just not sure what's really in it for them if they would move. If you look at who they play in football and basketball I don't see any great travel advantage moving into D6. Sure they have a few outposts like Gateway and Mars but take those away and give them schools like Central Cambria, Bishop Carroll, etc, that's a wash.

Whereas when Johnstown left the WPIAL (and remember, they were football-only) they traded those bus rides to schools in Westmoreland and Fayette Counties for schools literally in their own backyard like McCort, Westy, Richland even Forest Hills.

[WPIALD7]

New Castle and Indiana tomorrow should be a dandy. I like the Hurricanes.

[BasketballFan1214]

It's a joke that the winner of the Indiana/New Castle game will most likely have to play Archbishop Carroll in the Quarterfinals. Forget the Private school argument, these teams will have to travel a long way for a quarterfinal game. We need the true East/West format again. Crowds at these games are sad mainly because people can't get there in time. Isn't the PIAA all about making money. Luckily these game would be on Friday, but the student athletes won't get home until like 2 or 3 in the morning, because they are student athletes right?

As for the Indiana/ New Castle game it should be a very good game. Can New Castle makes threes or can Indiana take advantage of their size. Whatever teams does this best will win. You would think New Castle would be a lot more athletic than Indiana, but Indiana was every bit athletic as Beaver Falls.

[upnorth]

I get what you are saying, but I am not sure you can ever truly mitigate travel times from this point of the tournament forward nor how you can have a true East/West bracket configuration when there are 69 AAA schools in the West (39 in the WPIAL alone) and 115 in the East. It is even more lopsided for AAAA boys where there are 40 schools in the West (29 WPIAL) and 142 in the East.

I'll be pulling for Indiana all the way. They would have a great shot to make the finals if Carroll weren't on their side of the bracket.

[Crimson's Ghost]

My picks for the night.

Neumann-Goretti (25-2) vs. Manheim Central (24-4)
Bishop McDevitt (21-5) vs. Allentown CC (15-10)
Scranton Prep (24-3) vs. Imhotep Charter (20-9)
Susquehanna Township (21-6) vs. Pottsville (28-0)


Steel High (23-5) vs. Archbishop Carroll (20-6)
New Castle (21-5) vs. Indiana (25-2)
Beaver Falls (23-2) vs. Mars (25-2)
Ambridge (17-8) vs. Erie Cathedral Prep (20-6)

[Crimson's Ghost]

Round 3 Pairings.

Neumann-Gortetti (26-2) vs. Bishop McDevitt (22-5)
Imhotep Charter (21-9) vs. Susquehanna Township (22-6)

Archbishop Carroll (21-6) vs. New Castle (22-5)
Mars (26-2) vs. Cathedral Prep (21-6)