LHAC dumping BC after next year

[SportsFan96]

Berlin wants ridge in the westpac, but the other schools don't to play a AA school.

Well it's a great rivalry. Next door neighbors

As a Ridge fan, I don't mind the independent schedule. Yeah the travel can suck, but I think being independent allows them to play bigger schools than if they were in the ICC or WestPac. IMO it allows them to play a tougher schedule with good competition, which ultimately can only help at playoff time. If they were to get in to the MAC it wouldn't be bad either, since the majority of their schedule the last couple of years has been against MAC schools.

[youngbuck]

Berlin wants ridge in the westpac, but the other schools don't to play a AA school.

Well it's a great rivalry. Next door neighbors

As a Ridge fan, I don't mind the independent schedule. Yeah the travel can suck, but I think being independent allows them to play bigger schools than if they were in the ICC or WestPac. IMO it allows them to play a tougher schedule with good competition, which ultimately can only help at playoff time. If they were to get in to the MAC it wouldn't be bad either, since the majority of their schedule the last couple of years has been against MAC schools.

What level of success has this helped them to achieve?    

[CrimsonLion]

Leechburg would never join the Westpac, can you imagine in basketball season two hour bus rides in a blizzard. They were an hour even from Heritage schools and they're closer.

West Shamokin was hesitant due to the other sports, they were always very competitive in the WPIAL in Girls Volleyball and such.., Crazy how Elderton always had a wrestling team they combine with Shannock Valley to make West Shamokin and their wrestling program disbands.

[SportsFan96]

Well it's a great rivalry. Next door neighbors

As a Ridge fan, I don't mind the independent schedule. Yeah the travel can suck, but I think being independent allows them to play bigger schools than if they were in the ICC or WestPac. IMO it allows them to play a tougher schedule with good competition, which ultimately can only help at playoff time. If they were to get in to the MAC it wouldn't be bad either, since the majority of their schedule the last couple of years has been against MAC schools.

What level of success has this helped them to achieve?    

No where in my statement did I say anything about them being some powerhouse caliber team with state championship success (which is what I think you were trying to imply with your comment).Nor did I say it would lead to some kind of great state playoff run, merely that it doesn't hurt them. My statement said that it can only help them, whereas playing smaller schools, IMO, would not. I understand making it  deep in to the state playoffs is the ultimate success that every team strives for, but having a chance to try and win their 4th district title in 5 years is something I would consider a success. In 2014, when they beat a Bedford team that was probably one of the best in the LHAC that year, it was a success that I don't think would have happened if they hadn't played an independent schedule. I don't think being a bigger school playing smaller schools helps. I was merely stating my thoughts and wasn't trying to get in to a d:%k measuring contest about whose team is better or how one conference is better than another and I wasn't trying to brag up a team I like (which unfortunately on this forum happens way too much).