D6SN District Six AA Boys Basketball Playoff Preview.

The Favorites - Bishop McCort and Penn Cambria look to be the top dogs coming into this playoff field. Bishop McCort is the two time defending District Champs, and the foundation for that success is still around in juniors Nemo Trexler and Billy Hipp. Team those two with a group that is accustomed to winning, and the Crushers certainly have the firepower to win another one. Penn Cambria has a veteran group that looks poised to make a run at a title. Led by senior AJ Leahey, the Panthers have a formidable squad. Mack Behe is a guy that will do all the little things. They have the size to take District Six after some early exits the past two years.

The Unknown - Bald Eagle enters the postseason with a gaudy record, a balanced scoring attack, and a big 6-7 man in the middle of it all. Still, it would be difficult to label this team as a favorite just yet. Bald Eagle is coming off an 11-12 campaign, and they do not have the playoff experience some other proven teams have. Dennis Fisher is going to be a tough match for anyone, and the Bald Eagles will not be an easy out.

The Other Defending Champs - Bishop McCort won the AA title last season, but they are not the only defending champion in the playoff field. The Northern Cambria Colts won the class "A" crown last season. They have an experienced crew led by Adam Polites and Jeff Hogan. They would love nothing more to show the area they are ready to compete with the AA field.

Dark horse Candidate - Cambria Heights may be able to spring some upsets. The Highlanders are a senior led team that has taken some lumps this year. They lost to some of the best teams in the LHAC, but those are all thrown out the window for the postseason. Isaac Vescovi is a versatile big man that is dangerous anywhere on the court. Nathan Bearer is another tough scoring option for coach Eric Nagel. Keep an eye out for the Highlanders.

Missing Pieces - Bellwood-Antis has had a tremendous season. The Blue Devils were certainly leaning on one player for success, and that was Noah Davis.  Davis is 6-4 athletic big man that will be taking his career to Division II Seton Hill next season. Arguably the best player in the district, Davis is leading the Blue Devils with 22 points and 10 rebounds per game. The problem is that Davis is down with an injury, and it is very unlikely he will be seen in the District playoffs. Bellwood still has some athletes, and they can certainly make things interesting without their star, but the odds are stacked against them.

Big Man's Game - It seems as though if you are going to win the title, it is going to be on the back of a talented big man. Check out some of the "big" stars of the postseason....

-- 6-4 Nemo Trexler leads Bishop McCort with 18 points, and 8 rebounds a game.
-- 6-7 AJ Leahey of Penn Cambria, averages 19 and 11.
-- 6-7 Dennis Fisher of Bald Eagle Area goes for 17 and 8 a night.
-- 6-4 Bellwood-Antis Center, Noah Davis was going for 22 and 10 before the injury.
-- 6-3 Jeff Hogan of Northern Cambria averages 13 a game.
-- 6-4 Isaac Vescovi of Cambria Heights averages 22 and 7.
--6-7 Alec Bloom from Ligonier paces the Rams with 16 and 9.

-- Road Trippin' - The deep field is very diversified with teams spanning from Indiana to Centre County.  Ligonier Valley and Marion Center from the West to Bald Eagle and West Branch in the East, and all spots in between. The area has very few sites where the games are played. Richland, Bishop Carroll, Central Cambria, Hollidaysburg's Junior and Senior Highs seem to be the most frequented gyms this time of the year. The Altoona Fieldhouse, Greater Johnstown HS, and Tyrone may also have to see some use.

First Round.  
1. Bald Eagle- Bye
8. Cambria Heights over 9. Marion Center
4. Tyrone over 13. West Branch
5. Northern Cambria over 12. Richland
3. Bellwood-Antis over Blairsville
6. Bishop McCort over Central
7. Penns Valley over 10. Ligonier Valley
2. Penn Cambria- Bye

Second Round
1. Bald Eagle over 8. Cambria Heights
5. Northern Cambria over 4. Tyrone
6. Bishop McCort over Bellwood-Antis
2, Penn Cambria over 7. Penns Valley

Semi Final Round
1. Bald Eagle over Northern Cambria
2. Bishop McCort over Penn Cambria

Championship
Bishop McCort over Bald Eagle Area.
Analysis- District 6 AA is deep, and strong. Bishop McCort has the two time defending factor to play off of, and their leading scorer from both of those runs is still around. Bellwood's Noah Davis could throw a wrench into things if he plays. Penn Cambria is also capable of winning it. Plenty of talent in this field.