North East 49 Girard 32

I arrived just at the end of the 2nd quarter as Girard was under their hoop trying to score. I looked up to see the score was 16 -17 Girard. Wow. Close, low scoring game.

I found a seat in a packed McComb and waited for the second half to begin.

Girard started the half with the ball and turned it over. North East took a shot, but missed, Girard board, North East steal finished with a foul and 2 shots from the line - both made. Girard took the ball down and had a nice drive but was unable to come up with the points to finish it off. North East's next possession was a long 3 point attempt. Girard attempted thier own three only to see the ball go in and out. North East scored their first points from the floor as #00 Szwejbka hit for two inside. Girard called time with the clock reading 6:19. North East's #00 Szwejbka was called on a blocking foul. Girard's #54 McDonald put up another 3 only to see it go in and out. The Pickers were unable to score on their next two possessions, however, Girard hauled down both boards an thier #31 Droll finally connected from three point land and #23 Ferrick was called on a charge. This was Ferrick's 3rd foul, he came out with 3:43 left to play in the 3rd. The Jackets #15 Rickard hit for 2 points, which would be the last they were to score of the quarter. The Pickers answered with two of their own and then #00 Szwejbka hit a loooong 3. Timeout was called with 2:16 to play, score North East 25, Girard 22. The Jackets went to #15 Rickard for a 3 point attempt. The Pickers answered with 2. Girard then turned the ball over on a 5 second call on the inbounds. Girard timeout called at 1:15 North East 29, Girard 22. The Pickers next possession saw #3 Meehl hitting a trey. As the final seconds were ticking down the Pickers #10 Triana made an awesome heads up play. He stole the ball and as he was going out of bounds lobbed the ball forward to his own player who was breaking down the court to add the last 2 points of the quarter. North East outscored Girard by 8 in the 3rd and never looked back. Score at the end of three North East 29, Girard 22.

Girard's #23 Ferrick checked back in to start the 4th quarter. North East came out and made quick work of adding 4 more to their lead. Girard time out at 7:13. Score 38-22. #23 Ferrick at the line hit both shots. North East hit 2 points inside. The Pickers #00 Szwejbka was called on a foul away from the ball. North East timout at 6:05, score 40-26. Girards's #31 missed the next shot and North East came up with the board. North East's #00 Szwejbka was called on another foul away from the ball and came out with his 4th foul, teams 7th with 5:12 left to play. Girard's #15 Rickard hit both free throws. North East's # 3 Meehl hit yet another 3 pointer and the Picker fans went wild. Ferrick then committed his 4th foul and came at with 2:46 left to play. He came back in with just over 2 minutes left in the game. Girard's #15 Rickard hit a long 3 and Girard called time with 1:52 left on the clock, score 43-31. Girard's #23 Ferrick fouled out to a standing "O" from his fans with the clock reading 1:28. The last minute saw both teams letting their benches finish up the game. Final Score Northeast 49, Girard 32.

This was obviously a hard fought game in the first half. I don't know what the diffence was between the halfs as I missed the first but North East came out on top. I know Ferrick was in foul trouble in the middle of the 3rd quarter and they just couldn't get anything to fall. I love watching both of the teams play and have watched them so much I don't even need a program anymore!

I don't typically chose a player of the game, but tonight I would give the BigSkinny player of the game honors to The Pickers #10 Triana for that awesome steal and lob pass as he was going out of bounds. Wow! The Pickers whole team can be commended for their phenominal passing abilities. They really are fun to watch.

Good Luck!

Girard 64 Farrell 55

Out to the House of Thrills in Meadville tonight where Girard and Farrell met in an exciting AA Semi-Final match up. Intense sums this night up best, from the passionate fans to the action on the court. The Yellowjacket fans were out in full force tonight including the G I R A R D guys (I hope they had jackets and hopefully BIG got a picture of them).

Girard took the opening tip. The Yellowjackets #54 McDonald started off the scoring with 2 points in the paint at 7:31. The Steelers turned the ball over on thier first possession. Girard's #15 Rickard scored the first 2 of his 12 in the first quarter on a nice jumper from outside. Farrell's #3 Holden answered with 2 of his own and started the Steelers scoring at 6:26. The next six points were rattled off by Girard's #15 Rickard. Farrell time out at 4:43, score 10-2. Farrell came out, took the ball to the hoop and was fouled, hitting only the first from the line. Farrell showed a press which gave the Yellowjackets a little trouble but they were able to overcome and lead after 1 with a score 17-9.

Farrell came out shooting and scored the first 7 points of the second quarter, including a 3 pointer and one. Girards's #54 answered with threepointer of his own. The Yellowjackets next possession resulted in an over and back call as the Steelers defense was intense. Girard hit a trey at the end of the quarter to lead at half time 30-20.

Girard opened the second half with a missed shot from 3 point range. The Steelers made quick work of feeding #2 Stubbs a nice lob pass - scoring 2 uncontested. Girard turnover, ended with the Steelers at the line for 2. Score 30, 24. Girard's #10 was called on a foul on a loose ball. The next points came from the foul line with Girard's #23 Ferrick hitting 2 and Farrell's #3 Holden making one. Girard turned the ball over again, finished by a nice layup from the Steelers. Girard called time with 5:20 on the clock, score 32-28. Girard didn't score on their possession, however Farrell's #3 Holden sank a 3. Girard and Farrell changed possession with no points. Girard then committed back to back turnovers on walking calls. Meanwhile, the Steelers #21 Jackson was hit with his 4th foul at the 3:31 mark and was taken out. Girard called time with 1:54 left to play, Steelers now up 32-33. Farrell was called on a charge with about 1 minute to play in the 3rd quarter. Intense. No points for Girard on their next possession. The Steeler's #2 had a sweet move underneath and finished at the line for one. Girard's first bucket from the field came as time ran out in the 3rd, with a nice dump to #23 Ferrick. The Steelers outscored the Jackets by 9 in the 3rd, but Girard was still up by 1. Score 38-37

Farrell's ball to start the 4th. #22 Johnson missed a shot from 3 point range but was fouled on the play. He made all 3 foul shots. Score 38-40. Girard's #23 Ferrick had a chance to tie it up from the line but missed both shots. Farrell had a huge rebound, took the ball down and #2 Stubbs hit a 3. Girard's #15 Rickard anwered with 3 of his own. Farrell called time with 6:08 left to play. Score 41-43 Farrell. Farrell came out and added to their lead with nice jumper from #4 Platterborze and the foul. Girard's #15 Rickard answered with another 3. Farrell and Girard both turned the ball over of their next possessions. Girard's turnover ending in a layup from Steelers #2 Stubbs. Girard time out, score 44-48. #23 Ferrick took it to the hoop and was fouled, however he missed the foul shot. The Steeler's #21 Jackson came back into the game at the 4:31 mark. Stubbs then hit a loooooong 3 pointer. Steelers up 47-51. Girard's #31 Droll nailed a 3 pointer followed by #15 Rickard adding another trey. Farrell turnover and timeout with 2:46 left to play, score 53 - 51 Girard. Farrell came out pressing and Girard turned the ball over. The play ended with Girard's #23 committing a foul and the Steelers at the line - only picking up 1 as the first shot was missed. Farrell was called for a foul and #23 Ferrick knocked both shots down. Farrell missed thier next attempt and Girard came up with the board. #23 Ferrick hit for 2 uncontested down low. Farrell turned the ball over and fouled on their next possession, which Girard converted into 2 points from the line, score 59-52. Although the final score was 64-55 this game came down to the wire. Farrell fouled towards the end for possession sake.

The Steelers were led by #2 Stubbs with 20 points while #3 Holden added 15 of his own. #15 Rickard led the scoring for the Yellowjackets with 29 with his teammate #23 Ferrick adding 15. This game was intense.

More pictures here. http://www.bigskinnyonline.com/GirardFarrell.htm

North East 66 Mercyhurst Prep 41

Towards the end of the first game I decided I needed a program. I sent my husband, Kevin out to find one so I would not miss a minute of the action. He returned sometime later with a very defeated look and I knew the mission had been a failure. All the programs had been sold out. What? He said he even looked in the tops of garbage cans. I don't know how many of these were in print, but definately not enough, as these were a hot commodity.

The North East Fans came out in droves tonight. They packed one whole side of the Hammermill Center and had fans on the other side of the gym. We were lucky enough to sit by some great Grapepicker fans tonight, they were very friendly and helped me with their players names due to my no progam problem. Thank you! They even wrote their starters down for me!

The Prep fans added to their numbers when the Girard fans joined them.

I had not seen Mercyhurst all season and I had not seen North East since the tipoff tournament in Saegertown. I was very impressed with how they worked together as a team so early in the season - without a doubt they have built on what I had previously seen.

The Grapepicker starters were Szwejbka, Kirsch, Rowe, Trianna and Meehl. The Lakers started N. Arrigo, Hvedzda, Crane-Huston, Chojnacki and Macrino. Not having a program and the specific stats it appeared to me that The Lakers may have had the size advantage over the Pickers.

The opening tip went to Prep but resulted in a turnover. The first points of the game came at 7:22 from Prep. Northeast was called on an over and back much to the dismay of their fans. The refs conveened, met breifly with the coaches and the called was overturned. North East was then called on a foul at 6:36, the Laker missed one, score 0-3 Lakers. North East's first points came at 6:03 and would not stop as they continued to take the ball to the hoop the rest of the half. The Pickers threw a press at the Lakers half way through the first quarter. Prep quicly called a timeout with the score 9-7 Northeast. Mercyhurst turned the ball over on thier next possession and North East converted 2 with a fast break. I am amazed by North East no look pass skills. Mercyhurst had the ball for the last shot, but missed. Score at the end of one, 15-8 North East. For all you stat people there were 4 attempted 3 pointers 3 from Prep and 1 from North East - all missed (0%). Mercyhurst hit 3 from 2 point range, attempting 6 (50%) where North East tried 14 making 7 (50%).

The second quarter started with a missed 3 point attempt by Mercyhurst. The first points came on a turn around jumper from Northeast at 7:24. Mercyhurst next two possessions ended in turnovers, which the Pickers turned into 5 points. Timeout Lakers at 6:20, score 22-8 North East. Out of the time out - another Laker turnover resulting in North East #50 LaFuria dunk - and the fans went wild! Thanks to the Picker fans again for helping with LaFuria's name. The Picker defense held the Lakers scoreless for well over 2 minutes into the second quarter. #50 LaFuria came up big again with an awesome blocked shot and then he hit the ball off a Laker player to go out of bounds. What a heads up play! North East had a not so typical turnover which the Lakers were unable to convert to points and the Pickers called time out at 2:49, score 26-15. The Pickers were called on back to back fouls and the half came to a close with some ribbing of the officials over a questionable no call commited on North East. Officiating is a tough job. Stats, Prep was 3 for 5 from 2 point range, 1 for 2 from 3 point range. North East was 6 for 10 and 1 for 1 respectively. Score at the end of two 30-16 Northeast.

Halftime - I spotted a program rolled up in someone's back pocket and thought briefly how nice it would be to have. Rest assured I did not take it and resigned myself to scour the stands at the end of the game for any remains of a program I could get my hands on. It is always nice to know the players names and stats. It was great to meet some more of the North East fans. I spoke with several of them at the half. One of them asked what other games we were covering tonight. I responded just the one before this, but failed to say why. Big and Skinny were busy tonight working at the BIGskinny Hot Dog Shop, which opens February 22nd.

North East started the second half with the ball and scored at 7:16, 2 points and the foul. Mercyhurst was unable to score on their possession. North East took the ball down and hit a trey. Mercyhurst commited a charge at 6:06, I am sure the North East player will be feeling that today. The Pickers started to pressure the inbounds pass, Mercyhurst timeout at 5:05, score 37-16. Mercyhurst's first points of the quarter came at 4:04. North East called timeout at 2:31 after Prep made a shot plus the foul. During the timeout I spotted a program laying down by the concession area - it looked to be just left there. Score! I leaned over to tell my husband it was there but it was gone before he even saw it. Uuuugh! Stats North East went 3 for 8 from 3 point land and 3 for 7 from two point range, Mercyhurst went 1 for 3 and 3 for 6 respectively. The quarter closed with a score 46-26.

North East started the 4th quarter with the ball, took a charge, called timeout at 6:55 and then committed 4 straight turnovers which converted to fouls on #50 LaFuria and #10 Traina. This was LaFuria's 4th foul and he came out of the game, he ended up fouling out with 2:46 left to play in the game. It looked like Mercyhurst was going to the foul tactic and committed some very hard fouls on the Pickers, however with just under 2 minutes left to play in the game both teams went to their benches. Great moments for younger players to build on. Stats North East went 14-17 from the charity stripe while Mercyhurst only hit 2 for 9 in the last quarter. Meryhurst went 3 for 7 from 2 point range and 2 for 4 from 3 point range. The Pickers went 3 for 4 and 0 for 2 respectivley. There were over 20 fouls in the second half between both teams. The final score was North East 66 Mercyhurst Prep 41.

Let The Program search begin. We sat towards the top of the arena - surely we could spot some tattered program left behind from up there. None. I finally resigned myself to never knowing all the stats on these players. We began our descent and then like a ray of sun beating down, I saw it - a program laying on top of one of the brightly colored seats in the lower section. Would it be there by the time I got there? Yes! Finally I was in possession of The Program, thank you to whomever left it behind. Thank You!

Mercyhurst was led by #12 Hvezda with 26 points. The Lakers #14 Chojnacki added 7 more. The team shot 42% for the game. I wish I would have seen the Lakers in action before tonight. The Pickers just proved to be too much for them tonight. North East was led by#10 Triana with 22 points. The Pickers #20 Rouse added 19 and #00 Szwejbka added 10. Northeast was very impressive at the beginning of the season and looked great tonight. They are a fun team to watch. I love the no look passes and the players tipping the ball to their teamates on loose balls and rebounds. The Lakers numbered was Picked tonight. Outsized or not The Pickers came up with a great win tonight. Good Luck!

Girard 77 Reynolds 48

I arrived at the Hammermill Center to find the first game of tonights double header underway. Reynolds must have come out shooting as the first quarter was about half way over and they were up six nothing. Girard kicked it into gear and end the first quarter up 13 - 8. Reynolds would never regain the lead.

Reynolds started with the ball the second quarter but came up empty. #31 Droll for Girard opened the scoring by hitting a trey. Reynolds answered quickly with a three pointer of thier own. After exchanging 2 point baskets, Girard's #23Ferrick fed #15 Rickard an awesome back door pass. The Girard fans loved it. Reynolds called a timeout with the clock reading 4:11, the score was Girard 24, Reynolds 13. Reynolds called another timeout at 1:33 with Girard up 30 - 13. The half time score was Girard 33, Reynolds 13.

Reynolds came out in the third and started with a nice alley oop. However the Raiders called time with the clock at 3:07 as the Yellowjackets had outscored them by 10 points. Score 50 -20. Three pointers were plentiful from a host of Yellowjackets in the third quarter. Score at the end of three saw the Jackets on top 57-29.

Reynolds did not throw in the towel and their #23 Laverty had several long three pointers in the second half. A timeout was called at 6:28 in the 4th quarter with the score 59 - 35. Girard was forced to call timeout at 2:33 as they couldn't get the ball in bounds. The last minutes of the quarter saw several players come in off both benchs. The final score was Girard 77 and Reynolds 48.

I was unable to get a picture of the book so unfortunately I don't have the high scorer information. I am sure Reynold's #23 Laverty was right up there, he barely missed from beyond the 3 point line. The Raiders center, #20 Conley added a few 3 pointers of his own.

I really enjoy watching Girard's #23 Ferrick. He is definatley a force to be reckoned with. He's a rebounder, sets the pick to make the roll happen and just all out hustles. His presence is felt when he is on the court. Girard is playing well together as a team and has a great group of fans supporting them. Good luck!

General McLane 60 Meadville 57 - What Happened In the 4th Quarter?

I travelled out to Meadville to see the Bulldogs host the General McLane Lancers in what I anticipated to be a great rematch. These two teams met on January 10th were the hosting Lancers won 58-69. The teams both entered tonights match up with winning records in Region 5, Meadville 6-1, their only loss was to the Lancers while the Lancers stood at 7-0. I arrived to see the last quarter of the JV game in which the Lancers had no problems with the Bulldogs. Lancers 70- Meadville 48.

To my surprise it was Senior night in Meadville. Meadville not only honored each of their senior players, cheerleaders and managers but also acknowledge each of the senior members of the Lancers team. Nice touch and best wishes to all the seniors!

Meadville's student body was only the second I have seen this year that came ready for a great game. Sorry no pictures, Big had the camera at Cambridge's Senior Night.

The opening tip went to the Lancers as did the whole first half at the packed House Of Thrills. The first points of the night came from McLane's #41 Walker in the paint. Meadville had a very difficult time inbounding the ball off the Lancers made shots. Several balls thrown in were picked off by the Lancers or were stolen off the press. Meadville did seem to make some adjustments and were able to get the ball up the court, however it seemed as though when they did they couldn't buy a basket. They had some nice drives and turnaround jumpers, but nothing was falling through the hoop. The score at the half was McLane 37 Meadville 22.

Seeing these two teams play before I had hopes that the second half would bring out a fired up Bulldog team. They managed to play with the Lancers in the third quarter, but were unable to make much of a dent in the Lancer lead. Due to my motherly duties, children at grandma's and school tomorrow, I decided to leave at the end of the third quarter. The score was McLane 49 Meadville 35.

What happened in the 4th quarter? I was shocked when I caught the scores on the news and found I may have missed one of the best quarters of basketball so far this season (double OT in the Cambridge Saegertown matchup was good too). Meadville managed to come back, but fell short by 3 points. I knew Meadville could play with McLane and was upset that I had left. It is never over till it's over.

The Lancers played like a well oiled machine. They have great passing, can take the ball to the hoop but can also shoot from outside. Their press was tough to deal with and was part of the difference in the first half. The Lancers had four guys with double digits, Walker with 17, Mulligan with 12, DiVito with 11 and Wreh-Wilson with 10.

Meadville had some great moments. #24 had an awesome block that had everyone in the gym in awe. It came towards the end of the first half and put some energy into the team. It was awesome to hear the crowds response. Freshman #23 Hamilton is a huslter and made some things happen while on the court. The Bulldogs were led by Phillips with 20 points, while Hamilton added 14 and Barton 13.

I can't wait for the playoffs to start. I won't be leaving early again!