Girls rule in D6

[psycho]

Just looked at the statewide high school basketball rankings for the first time all season. To my surprise not one boys team is listed in the top 10 or honorable mention for any classification. However, on the girls side there are NINE teams listed from D6 --- In AA Ligonier Valley, Southern Huntingdon, North Star and Marion Center. In A -- BG, Williamsburg, Conamaugh Valley, Northern Cambria and Tussey Mountain. WAY TO GO GIRLS. I know rankings are almost meaningless because of the limited reliable information the Patriot News has on teams out here -- remember they get alot of their info from the Westpac Tribune Democrat sports department -- but you'd have thought at least ONE boys team would get a ranking somewhere.

Boys should take a lesson from the girls and GET COMPETITIVE. Boys hoops is hyped top death around here but clearly takes a back seat to the girls.

[zonebreaker]

your point is correct. and this isn't anything new. girls bball is very strong in d6. they repeatedly whip d7 in A and AA.

one small note though: homer-center boys are honorable mention in A.

[pats39]

what does everyone attribute this to? I would say alot of it may have to do with the fact that AAU seems a lot bigger with the females in D6/5. Also need to take into consideration wrestling is pretty big in alot of schools around here, so losing those athletes hurts.

[usatf oldguy]

Girls teams are definetly better in the area.We have to consider the BG girls in single "A" as a little out of place.I think the fact that they have had success and the recruiting area (altoona holidaysburg) will continue to give them great teams.Northern Cambria has a great group of female athletes, dunchack, rocco and company will be sorely missed soon.These girls aren't only good basketballers but also volleyballers and track athletes.A very high quality group of kids indeed.There are quite a number of other girls teams who are decent williamsburg, tussey and southern huntingdon also come to mind.I have to agree with pats I think wrestling is alot bigger in this area.Alot of quality athletes go there.However I think a few of the single "A" district 5 boys teams are being overlooked for state ranking purposes.Tussey who has everything back from a team that made a deep run into the playoffs before bowing out to the staterunnerups in a very close game should be mentioned.There are also a few others who may surprise some people if they can make out of districts.Southern Fulton,Fannet Metal,Forbes Road,Shade and even possible NBC could give anybody fits when playing well.I guess we will see.

[Tussey Mt. fan]

Just looked at the statewide high school basketball rankings for the first time all season. To my surprise not one boys team is listed in the top 10 or honorable mention for any classification. However, on the girls side there are NINE teams listed from D6 --- In AA Ligonier Valley, Southern Huntingdon, North Star and Marion Center. In A -- BG, Williamsburg, Conamaugh Valley, Northern Cambria and Tussey Mountain. WAY TO GO GIRLS. I know rankings are almost meaningless because of the limited reliable information the Patriot News has on teams out here -- remember they get alot of their info from the Westpac Tribune Democrat sports department -- but you'd have thought at least ONE boys team would get a ranking somewhere.

Boys should take a lesson from the girls and GET COMPETITIVE. Boys hoops is hyped top death around here but clearly takes a back seat to the girls.

Just for the record: Tussey Mountain and North Star are District 5.

[lakersfan24]

Not to bring race into this.. but that's the reason. Look at college basketball and the NBA.. most players are black. Look at the best basketball teams in the state.. mostly black. Basketball isn't the predominant sport in our area, it's just the facts. We will never compete with the WPIAL and Philly bball teams again, EVER. Our schools are mostly white, middle class, and suburban. Now you can say what you want that a white player can be good.. but more and more that is becoming the exception (like a good black quarterback).

I know I probably opened a can of worms with this post.. but the facts are there.

[abpk2903]

That is not the reason what so ever. The biggest problem that is faced in a lot of sports in D5 and D6 is the accessibility to year around league and facilities. I once seen a state that in average D7 basketball player plays like 150 non-PIAA league games between basketball seasons. How many non-PIAA league games are played for players in our area? Even if they are playing in a lot of leagues, what is the quality of the competition? There just isn't a large enough population base in many areas throughout D5 and D6 to get enough good leagues formed.

[Portage Alum]

Lakers,

So how do you explain the race factor when it comes to girls basketball in District 6? Across the state, District 6 is known for girls basketball...period. Boys basketball is a joke. Football is extremely weak compared to the rest of the state. Softball and baseball are horrendous. Wrestling, track, cross country, and girls volleyball are respectable at times. District 6 is represented statewide by girls basketball, it has been that way for nearly 30 years.

In addressing your race comment, why does District 6 continue to rule in girls basketball? The girls are mostly white, middle class, and suburban like you mentioned. Women's major college basketball and the WNBA are dominated by female black athletes, that doesn't seem to matter when District 6 competes in the PIAA playoffs.

My take, girls basketball has continued to get stronger and stronger because of the competition that is found in District 6 and 5. These programs battle each other from the early elementary grades in recreational leagues, the girls play together on strong AAU teams, and many have committed to private lessons and other skill type camps. All of this is necessary to compete on the varsity level in District 6, and be successful.

Boys in District 6 rely on athletic ability to be successful. The skill is just not there and competition is weak overall. The boys programs in District 6 and 5 are not established like the girls programs. This may allow for success around here, but it won't cut it on the state level. This has nothing to do with race.

~PA

[lhacbigfan]

Lakers,

So how do you explain the race factor when it comes to girls basketball in District 6? Across the state, District 6 is known for girls basketball...period. Boys basketball is a joke. Football is extremely weak compared to the rest of the state. Softball and baseball are horrendous.

~PA

Softball and baseball are horrendous? Maybe you're stuck only watching Portage and the rest of the West-Pac play but D6 has been very strong lately in these two sports. To think of a few off the top of my head, Philipsburg and Bald Eagle have won softball state championships in the last few years. Somerset was in the state finals two years ago in baseball. McCort, Bellefonte, and Mount Union baseball teams made the state semifinals last year. I would say those two sports are D6's strongest two. Girls basketball is close though with BG, Northern Cambria, and Westmont all making state finals appearances in the last five years.

[usatf oldguy]

Bg is the prominent district 6 power,they are known as girls bball power and recruit the altoona, holidaysburg area.I think that and the fact they play single"A" has alot to do with that sucess!