SPRING-FORD WINS STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Game highlights, including post-game medal ceremony (video by Darryl Grumling/edited by Frank Otto)

By Mercury Staff

sports@pottsmerc.com

Spring-Ford's girls basketball team is golden.

The Rams beat Cumberland Valley, Friday night, 60-45, for the PIAA Class AAAA championship.

It was the first basketball title for an area school since the Pottstown boys in 1993. It was the Rams' first ever trip to the title game.

For complete coverage by Don Seeley, Austin Hertzog and Darryl Grumling, click on the below links:

Spring-Ford wins first state championship

Dynamic defense lifts Rams to PIAA crown

Superb, selfless seniors carry Spring-Ford to PIAA title

Future looks bright for Rams

There is plenty of video here and on our YouTube page at youtube.com/pottsmercsports.

Don't miss Saturday's print edition of The Mercury, which includes a full photo page as part of five full pages of coverage.

Spring-Ford players receive their gold medals (video by Darryl Grumling)

Spring-Ford wins the PIAA Class AAAA Championship (Video by Darryl Grumling)

* * *

Below is video from tonight's game as it happened, courtesy of Darryl Grumling (@MercSmokinD), Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog) and Don Seeley (@DonSeeley1). Some clips are posted here, and all are available on our YouTube page at youtube.com/pottsmercsports.

After the jump you can find even more video.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: SPRING-FORD GOING TO STATE FINAL

By Mercury Staff
sports@pottsmerc.com


As you can see above, the Spring-Ford girls basketball team is headed for the state final after a 53-49 win over Cardinal O'Hara in the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals.

The Rams will play Cumberland Valley on Friday at the Giant Center in Hershey at 6 p.m.

We have three stories from the game, all linked below, as well as some video posted below and more video on our YouTube channel from the game.

Keep it here all week as we get you set for the Rams' date with Cumberland Valley, as they try to become the first area basketball team in 20 years to win a state championship (Pottstown boys, 1995).

Wednesday's Stories

• Spring-Ford heading for Hershey after Stipa's clutch free throws seal victory (by Don Seeley)
• Hungry Rams get over semifinal hump (column by Darryl Grumling)
• Finally faced with pressure, Rams pass their biggest test (by Austin Hertzog)

Follow us on Twitter @PottsMercSports, as well as writers Darryl Grumling (@MercSmokinD), Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog), Don Seeley (@DonSeeley1) for the very latest.

Below is ticket information we received from Spring-Ford late Tuesday night:

Advance reserved-seat tickets for the PIAA Class AAAA girls basketball championship game between Spring-Ford and Cumberland Valley will go on sale in the high-school athletic office 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, and again 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday while supplies last. Tickets are priced at $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for students.

Fan-bus information will be released by the school Thursday

WRESTLING: McGuigan has no need for fanfare on way to making states

Spring-Ford's Tyler McGuigan

 VIDEO: Watch the video of final period of Tyler McGuigan's 2-1 tie-breaker win in the 170-pound consolation final at the AAA Southeast Regional


By Austin Hertzog
ahertzog@pottsmerc.com

Tyler McGuigan was content watching the top billing, not being it.
Understandably interested in the marquee matchup of last weekend’s Southeast Regional between Boyertown freshman Jordan Wood and Coatesville’s Mike Boykin – much like the other 1,000-plus in attendance – the Spring-Ford senior took notice of a certain Mercury reporter in front of him taking video of the match.
Not aware of being overheard, McGuigan unsolicitedly shared with coach Tim Seislove that he didn’t wrestle for accolades or to be acknowledged by anyone else, headline writers, videographers or otherwise.
He was overheard.
McGuigan may not wrestle to be noticed, but everyone should have taken notice just minutes earlier when he met Glen Mills’ Shawn Croyle in the third-place match at 170.

( To read the complete story, click here )

ALL-AREA: Hill School’s Fabian named boys soccer Player of the Year

By Austin Hertzog
ahertzog@pottsmerc.com

Wyatt Fabian doesn’t play the flute. But if you ask Hill School boys soccer coach Chris Drowne about his standout junior center back, Fabian has made music on and off the soccer field since becoming a Blue.
“He is everything you would want to build, highlight and celebrate in your soccer program,” Drowne said. “He’s been a pied piper for us, not just in terms of teams wanting us on their schedule, other guys from club teams see Wyatt and are academic-minded see him and want that, too.”
Fabian’s tune isn’t rooted in bringing more players to The Hill or elevating the schedule – that’s just a byproduct. His song is about being team-first, being the best he can be every time out and hopefully helping his teammates be their best each time out, too.
It’s a mentality that paid off in a big way this fall when Fabian led the Blues to their second straight Mid-Atlantic Prep League championship, clinched in a 1-0 shutout of archrival Lawrenceville, a runner-up finish in the Pa. Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament and a 16-3-1 record.
Fabian’s skill, confidence and program-elevating play enabled the Blues to match a school record with 14 shutouts, netting him unanimous selection to the All-MAPL first team and now The Mercury’s All-Area Boys Soccer Player of the Year honor.

(For entire story, click here ... )

For The Mercury's Pinterest All-Area Athletes' board, click here

ALL-AREA: BOYS SOCCER TEAMS

Pottsgrove's Rushawn Larmond.

FIRST TEAM
Tyler Collins, Boyertown
Senior forward followed up a quality junior season with an even better final season, leading the Bears with 15 goals to go with five assists for the PAC-10 champions. Collins, who scored the overtime game-winner in the Bears’ 2-1 win over Spring-Ford in the league final, carried Boyertown to a 17-4 record and berth in the District 1-AAA playoffs.
Taylor Dempsey, Owen J. Roberts
Senior forward returned to the Wildcats for his final scholastic campaign after playing the previous year with the Philadelphia Union Academy and came away with 11 goals and eight assists on the season. Helped OJR to a 7-5-1 record in the league.
Wyatt Fabian, Hill School
Junior defender has elevated the entire Hill program in his three years and the technical and poised Fabian was at his best for the Mid-Atlantic Prep League champions while recording a school record-tying 14 shutouts. A three-time All-Area first team choice, Fabian guided the Blues to the final of the Pa. Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament and a 16-3-1 overall record.
Colten Habecker, Hill School
Junior forward once again showed a nose for goal but also a knack for setting up teammates as evidenced by his 12-goal, 15-assist season. Habecker, a Douglassville native, led the Blues to a 16-3-1 record, a second straight Mid-Atlantic Prep League title and trip to the final of the PAISAA Tournament.
Rushawn Larmond, Pottsgrove
Sophomore forward staked his claim as being one of the best in the area, running away with the area’s top scoring honors with 33 goals and 15 assists. A PSCA All-State selection and two-time All-Area first teamer, Larmond helped the Falcons to the PAC-10 semifinals, the final of the District 1-AA playoffs and a 11-7-2 record.

(For complete story, click here ... )
 
For a Pinterest board of All-Area Players of the Year, click here

ALL-AREA: OJR’s Morgan joins rare company as two-time Player of Year

By Austin Hertzog
ahertzog@pottsmerc.com


BUCKTOWN — Being the best player on one of the four best teams in all of Pennsylvania wasn’t enough.
Emily Morgan still had a senior season to play, and she was determined to be even better.
How much more could she give after being the motor in the center of midfield for an Owen J. Roberts team that made an emotionally-charged run to the PIAA semifinals, rallying around one another in the wake of teammate Kelsey Kramer’s untimely death?
The ‘D’ in Morgan’s DNA stands for defense, her ability to tackle, dispossess an opposing player, and positional intelligence second to no one in the area for quite some time. So in her final scholastic season Morgan decided she needed to go on the attack.
“I said to my mom at the start of the year, ‘I want to score goals.’ Last year I had around seven goals and, not that a midfielder is supposed to be the leading goalscorer or be the biggest presence in attacking, but at the same time you (need to be influential).
“My main focus was working on my attacking game. I feel like I can always do better, but I did better than last year.”
Morgan brought her usual defensive excellence as a senior and contributed 11 goals and eight assists — reaching double-digit goals like she hoped — to a Wildcat team that finished 17-4-2 this season.
“That was a luxury — every time we stepped on the field we knew we had the best player on the field,” OJR coach Joe Margusity said. “Everything flowed through her during the game.”
The abundant team success of her junior season couldn’t be matched in her senior season, but Morgan brought what she does best and more to solidify her place as one of the finest players to come through the highly-successful Owen J. Roberts program.
Morgan’s spot as one of the area’s best is now solidified on the short list of players to be named The Mercury All-Area Girls Soccer Player of the Year twice. She joins past OJR standouts Laura Kane (1998, 2000) and Jen Michewicz (1999, 2001) as a rare two-time recipient.

(For complete story, click here ...)

ALL-AREA: GIRLS SOCCER TEAMS

Phoenixville senior Maddie Fritsche (16) and Upper Perkiomen junior Kayla Smith have been selected to the All-Area girls soccer first team. (File photo by Barry Taglieber)

FIRST TEAM
Emily Diehl, Boyertown
Junior forward recorded her third straight double-digit goal season — 14 goals, 6 assists — as the Bears’ unwavering frontline presence. ... Propelled Boyertown to a second straight PAC-10 championship and the second round of the District 1-AAA playoffs while amassing a 16-2-2 record.

Maddi Fritsche, Phoenixville
Senior defender made it possible for the Phantoms’ strength to be defense, helping her team reach the PAC-10 playoffs and the semifinals of the District 1-AA playoffs. ... Led Phoenixville to a 10-7-2 record, its best mark in five years.

Danielle Lentz, Boyertown
Senior midfielder was a four-year starter and leader in the middle for the Bears while recording six goals and one assist. ... Scored the game-winning penalty kick in Boyertown’s PAC-10 title game win, and the defensive-minded midfielder was integral in her team’s stunning 16-game shutout streak on the way to the District 1-AAA quarterfinals and 16-2-2 overall record.

Gabby McKee, Owen J. Roberts
Junior defender continued to show her poise and quality, leading the Wildcats back line for the third straight year. ... Her ability on free kicks helped her tally seven goals and seven assists, huge numbers for a defender. ... A two-time Mercury All-Area first teamer, McKee led OJR to a 17-4-2 record, the PAC-10 final and the District 1-AAA quarterfinals.

Lauren Mengel, Boyertown
Senior defender provided consistency and mental toughness from the left back position for the Bears’ record-setting defensive effort this season. ... Her and the PAC-10 champion Bears surrendered just six goals all season while rattling off a 16-game shutout streak, the second-best run in state history. ... Two-sport standout who will continuer her soccer and lacrosse careers at the University of Bridgeport.

Emily Morgan, Owen J. Roberts
Senior midfielder pulled the strings in the middle again for the Wildcats while getting more involved in the attack in her final year, amassing 11 goals and seven assists. ... The rare two-time Mercury All-Area Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Morgan was selected to the PSCA All-State team after leading OJR to the PAC-10 title game, the District 1-AAA quarterfinals, and a 17-4-2 record.

Juliana Provini, Owen J. Roberts
Junior forward was the area’s most dynamic attacking threat, leading the Wildcats with 24 goals and 10 assists. ... Selected as an NSCAA Region II All-American, Provini helped OJR to a 17-4-2 record while reaching the PAC-10 final and the District 1-AAA quarterfinals.

Kayla Smith, Upper Perkiomen
Junior forward was the key offensive difference maker for the Indians, leading the team in goals (10) and assists (7). ... Led Indians to the PAC-10 semifinals, a berth in the District 1-AA playoffs, and a winning record in the 14 games she played (missed six games due to injury).

Simone Stewart, Spring-Ford
Senior forward led the rising Rams in scoring with seven goals. ... Led Spring-Ford to a win in the District 1-AAA playoffs after earning the No. 11 seed and an impressive 12-5-3 record.

Sammy Stipa, Spring-Ford
Junior midfielder was the Rams’ top facilitator while scoring four goals, her athleticism aiding why the Rams were one of the league’s most dangerous teams. ... A multi-sport standout who was an all-state selection in basketball a year ago, she helped the Rams to a 12-5-3 record and win in the District 1-AAA playoffs.

Sarafina Valenti, Boyertown
Freshman goalkeeper played well beyond her years and came away with an unforgettable season in recording 16 straight shutouts — the second-best streak in state history. ... Allowed just six goals all year and led the Bears to victory in penalty kicks in the PAC-10 title game. ... Along with the PAC-10 championship win, helped the Bears finish 16-2-2 and reach the District 1-AAA quarterfinals.

(For complete story, click here ... )

Walking Into a Winter Wonderland

We have spent this fall giving you the best high school football coverage around here at Mercury Sports Live. And you have hopefully found our new site to be the perfect source for all your sports needs.

Now that winter is upon us, it's time to expand.

We hope to make Mercury Sports Live your one-stop shop all season long for coverage of every winter sport. Whether it's Don Seeley's wrestling insights, a trip onto the basketball court with Jeff Stover and Darryl Grumling, or jumping into the swimming pool with Rosemarie Ross', you'll find it all here at MSL.

On the right and left side of thispage, you'll see "Labels" for all the Winter Sports, as well as your favorite schools and our sports staffers. By clicking any of those labels, you'll see the most recent posts for that sport, that school or by that specific writer.

We also plan to provide exclusive content each weekday (and maybe more) that you won't find on PottsMerc.com or in the print edition.

Do you have an idea for what you might want to see on MSL? Let us know by commenting here, or mention us on Twitter @PottsMercSports.

Buckle up, because the winter sports season kicks off tonight, and it should be a heck of a ride.

Fast start doesn’t do Falcons any favors

Pottsgrove's Tory Hudgins is off to the races during Friday night's game against Henderson. (Photo by Tom Kelly III)

By Austin Hertzog
ahertzog@pottsmerc.com

LOWER POTTSGROVE — First quarters and the Pottsgrove football team haven’t gotten along so well in more than a handful of games this season.

A game’s first 12 minutes have served as a feeling-out process, if you will.

The next 36 minutes of the clock, that’s when the Falcons made it much more of a ‘Feel This!’ process in running up an 11-0 record and earning the top seed in the District 1-Class AAA playoffs,

It wouldn’t be out of line to call the first quarter of Friday night’s district semifinal against West Chester Henderson a surprising twist.

(For complete story, click here...)

Video from Pottsgrove-West Chester Henderson

Austin Hertzog and Don Seeley are at Pottsgrove for tonight's District 1-AAA semifinal matchup between No. 1 Pottsgrove and No. 4 West Chester Henderson. Video will be posted here, with the most recent clip at the top:

Brennan runs it in to put Falcons back on top:

Hudgins to Fowler inside the 5 sets up a TD:

Video from Pottsgrove/Strath Haven

Austin Hertzog will be providing video all night from the Pottsgrove vs. Strath Haven playoff game. The most recent highlights will be at the top.

Pottsgrove wins, 32-14:

Hudgins with another keeper for a touchdown: