District Six AA Boys Basketball Playoff Primer

Jim Hammett
D6SN Sports Editor
Follow me @JimHammett

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Credit: TyroneEagleEyeNews.com

The Favorite - Tyrone - Tyrone comes in with an impressive resume, and they seem to be the team to beat. The Golden Eagles are experienced and battle tested. The brunt of their attack stems from a pair of senior guards, Brandon Gripp (25 PPG) and Jordan Miller (12 PPG). The two sharp shooters are supported by a sophomore, Anthony Politza (8 PPG). Tyrone has two glue guys in Erik Wagner (6.2 rebounds per game) and Tristan Lingafelt (4 rebounds, 3 assists per game).  If you put that altogether, you have a team that brings scoring, rebounding, and some intangibles.

Nemo Trexler

The Challenger - Bishop McCort - The bracket could set up for a colossal semifinal game with Tyrone and McCort. The Crushers have had a hot hand through much of the second half of the season. McCort's push has been fueled by Nemo Trexler. The senior standout has been scoring in a variety of ways, and his 6-4 athletic frame makes him difficult to defend for just about anybody. Nathan Neiderhiser provides a good secondary option by averaging 11 points, 5 rebound, and 3 assists a night.  The Crushers are built a lot like Tyrone with senior role players like Tyler Rugg (6 points 5 rebounds) and Stephen Ingram (3 assists 2 steals) always making things happen. Trexler was a driving force in two district titles, and many of these seniors have played in big games. Despite the loss to Bishop Carroll, McCort is as dangerous as anyone in the field.


The Dark Horse - Bald Eagle Area -  Can the three seed be a dark horse? I am going to say they can, and here's why. Bald Eagle came in last year as the top seed, but had a less than ideal showing in the district playoffs.  Bald Eagle has two wins over the favorite Tyrone. Yet, still have some doubters out there, but take away an awful 0-3 week for the Bald Eagles, they have played some great basketball all year long. The doubt in this team obviously starts with how the postseason went for them last year. Can Bald Eagle make some more noise this time around? We will see, but by the looks of it, I think they can.


Mountain Madness - Four of the top seven call the Mountain League home, and it has been quite a ride this season. It seemed like the quadruplet of Tyrone, Bald Eagle, Penns Valley, and Central played in some magnificent battles. It also seemed that on any given night, one of these teams could beat the other. Each team managed some big wins against one another, and it will make for an even more exciting playoff run with the potential of a third, much more meaningful meeting between any of these schools.

Opening tip from Richland's 51-50 win

Rubber Match? -  Richland and Bishop McCort are on opposite sides of the bracket, but maybe a third instant classic could be on the way. Richland went down to Osborne Street and won for the first time in ten years, by a score of  51-50, and that came down to the buzzer.  McCort returned the favor against the Rams in their gym. McCort had a nice comfortable lead throughout, but Richland stormed back and took the lead eventually in overtime, but Nemo Trexler hit a three to tie, and a pair of free throws to ultimately win game.  Two games decided by three points, we can only wonder what a possible third meeting could bring.

Credit: Blairsville Facebook

What about us? - Blairsville enters with a gaudy 18-3 record, but are they for real?  The Blairsville strength of schedule is not much to speak of, but they did take care of business for the most part of this season. Blairsville has an impressive double digit win over Homer Center to their credit, but have lost two of their last three games coming into the tournament. It is still hard to get a full read on this team just yet. Junior Troy Williams is quite an athlete, and is one of the better players in the field. His running mate, Coltan McMillan is a solid senior guard as well. We will find out soon enough what they will do in the postseason.

Credit: EagleEyeNews

Living by the 3 - We know the old saying, but Tyrone may be good enough to live by the three the whole way through the tournament. Teammates, Brandon Gripp (56  3 pointers) and Jordan Miller (44 3's) have shot the Golden Eagle to a first round bye.  Having two senior guards that have been through the playoffs a few times should help Tyrone's chances. If both kids are on at the same time, it makes them a very difficult team to beat.







Reggie being Reggie - Central is always a tough out, and Reggie Nevins is a big reason why. The Dragons have a confident group, and they are coached very well by this longtime head coach. Some of these players helped Central bring home a football district title, and expect the Dragons to make some noise in the basketball bracket also.



2013 A thing of the past - Last year two veteran teams met for the district six championship, and Penn Cambria dispatched Northern Cambria 63-43. The main thing about that game is that ten of the starters were seniors, and have since graduated. Both teams failed to make the playoffs, and thus a new champion will be crowned in 2014.




Unknown Commodity - Juniata is in the playoff field, and no I'm not talking Juniata Valley.  Juniata High School is very near the District 4 border, and is definitely on the outer reach for District Six.  They have played only two playoff games against District 6 competition this year, and will get to meet 5th seeded Blairsville. Oh, and the distance between the two schools, 135 miles, or a 2 hour 32 minute trip. Luckily for Juniata, District Six uses neutral sites to save some distance.



Nothing Flashy - If there is one thing Penns Valley is known for, it is their defense. The Rams always plays a tough minded, deliberate game that can really frustrate opponents, and this year is no different. Terry Glunt's squad has won many games this season. In fact, 12 games opponents have failed to score more than 40 points against this defense. Penns Valley controls tempo better than most, and they can really take some high powered teams out of their rhythm.

Predictions

8. Marion Center over 9. West Branch

4. Penns Valley over 13. Cambria Heights 

5. Blairsville over 12. Juniata

7. Central over 10. Mt. Union

6. Bishop McCort over 11. Central Cambria

1. Richland over 8. Marion Center

4. Penns Valley over 5. Blairsville

2. Tyrone over 7. Central

6. Bishop McCort over 3. Bald Eagle

4. Penns Valley over 1. Richland

2. Tyrone over 6. Bishop McCort

2. Tyrone over 4. Penns Valley