Check Out Hockey Buzz for Pens News

Last night on RSW, I interviewed Brian Metzer of HockeyBuzz.com, you can read Brian's articles here:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/team/Pittsburgh-Penguins

Also check out his popular Penguin Podcast.

Tiger Woods is back - is the Golf Ready?

The top sports story of the day is Tiger Wood’s return to the PGA Tour. He’ll be competing for real today in the Accenture Match Play Championship, where he is the defending champion. Last year Tiger only played in 6 events, wining four and finishing in the top 10 in all six. All indications are Woods will be playing at a top level, since he’s been playing a lot of golf, just not in PGA tournaments. The big question is can he quickly rise to the top again or have other golfers raised their games. In Tiger’s quarter of the bracket there are a couple of guys who might be measuring sticks. He’s got a possible 2nd round match-up against Retief Goosen, but the real story will come in the quarterfinals. Potential long term challengers, Geoff Ogilvy (31) & Camilo Villegas (27) might be waiting to either make a statement or get crushed, we’ll see.

Pens Back on Track?

I don’t think many people expected the Penguins to be in their current position. However the pieces could be falling back in place after last night’s home victory over Montreal. First off they gained two points on three key teams ahead of them and there still is a lot of season to go. Most importantly they have Gonchar back, and Whitney is also getting healthy. The Pens probably believe they’re capable of anything if they can get into the playoffs. Though they probably want to avoid Boston and get at least sixth seed. The key might be this weekend’s two big games against, Philly and Washington. They must keep their momentum going. The big question will is do they make trade or go with the team they have. The next four games will probably determine were this team is headed.

Pirates Start Spring Training

The Pirates made only one significant off-season personnel move by bringing 3B/OF Eric Hinske from Tampa Bay. Spring Training should at the very least be interesting. Really no player from last year’s 67-95 team is much of a proven commodity. Position battles should be plentiful, and the search for a major league caliber pitcher is always fun to watch. The Pirates should give some young guys like Andrew McCuthen and Neil Walker an extended look. Last year, when the Bucs gave away, I mean traded away their two best hitters, they received a handful of players. Will any of those players make the opening day starting line-up? At the very least it means warmer weather is not far away.

WPIAL Basketball Playoffs - Ford City Out

Just like that the WPIAL Basketball playoffs are over for local teams. Especially heartbreaking for Ford City fans, as both teams were knocked out last night.

Boys
L – Ford City vs. Quaker Valley 54-55 ot
L – West Shamokin vs. Washington 31-48

Girls
L – Ford City vs. Jeannette 27-39
L- Apollo Ridge vs. Beaver 38-65

The lost also means, not PIAA playoffs for the Lady Sabers.

Lots to talk about tonight on RSW

We’ll have a lot to talk about tonight at 7:30 on Family-Life TV. I’ll be updating everyone on how the local high school teams are doing in WPIAL Basketball playoffs. Of course, we’ll talk about Pitt’s big win over UCONN last night! Is Pitt now the team to beat in college basketball? I’d like to hear your thoughts. Also, I’m sure a lot of you will have thoughts on the Penguins firing of Therrien and where the season is now headed. Another quick note: KHS wrestler and recent show guest Keith Cornman took 2nd place at the sections at 112 lbs. So,there is a lot talk about. I look forward to hearing from you tonight at 7:30. Don’t forget ifyou can’t watch on cable, we’ll be live on Familylifetv.com

Lindsey Vonn - Don't Ski and Drink

In a sports story you probably didn't hear; this news story out of the Alpine World Championships last week deserves a mention.  USA's Lindsey Vonn won gold in the down hill on Sunday.  Apparently the 24-year old Vonn didn't celebrate responsively as she cut her hand so bad on a champagne bottle Monday she needed surgery. 

But even with the bad hand she was able to win gold in Super Giant Slalom on Monday. She became the first American woman to two stand alone titles in a World Championship in 50 years.

Lindsey is really starting to make a case for best all-time America female skier.  Of course the one thing she's lacking is a gold medal, but she'll be the center of attention a year from in Vancouver. 

Ford City Boys Advance in WPIAL Playoffs

In the preliminary round of the WPIAL Basketball playoffs, the Ford City Boys were 59 – 49 winners over Avonworth. They’ll now face Quaker Valley at Shaler on Tuesday night. Ironically, the FC Girls will also be in action on Tuesday as they’ll meet Jeannette. The West Shamokin Boys were four-point winners over Fort Cherry and now they’ll face Washington. In girls’ basketball, Kittanning lost by 2 to McGuffey and Freeport was knocked out by Greensburg Catholic. The Apollo Ridge girls won, setting up a show down with top seed Beaver on
Friday.

Don’t forget about the big college basketball tonight as #4 Pitt travels to take on #1 Connecticut.
Pitt is actually ranked first in the famous RPI. The eyes of the college basketball world will be watching.

2009 WPIAL Basketball Playoffs

Friday with showcase most local teams

Girls
Kittanning vs. McGuffey @ Cornell on Friday at 6:30pm
Freeport vs. Greensburg Catholic @ Hampton on Friday at 6:30pm
Apollo vs. Brownsville @ Southmoreland on Saturday at 12:00pm

Ford City will not play until next Tuesday or Wednesday.


Boys
Ford City vs. Avonworth Antelopes @ Knoch on Friday,at 8:00pm
West Shamokin vs. Fort Cherry @ Northgate on Friday, at 8:00pm

Kittanning Boys & FC Girls Armstrong County Basketball Champions

Six years ago I created a formula for ranking all seven Armstrong County high school basketball teams, essentially creating a mythical County Championship. This year’s section realignment created some dramatic games. The Ford City girls finish the season 10-0 against county teams, including two narrow victories over 2nd place Apollo Ridge. The playoff bound KHS Girls took third, unfortunately for them didn’t have the opportunity to face FC or Apollo, which is just plain stupid. In boys, section champion Ford City could only secure 2nd place. Kittanning showed there is a huge difference between “AAA” and “AA”, as they defeated both Ford City and West Shamokin on the road in their only match-ups. It’s Kittanning’s first every title, boy or girls and the fourth straight the FC Girls. Congratulations!

Here are the final rankings of 2008-09

Boys
1. Kittanning - 157
2. Ford City - 156
3. West Shamokin - 147
4. Freeport - 85
5. Apollo Ridge - 80
6. Leechburg -30
7. Elderton - 27

Girls
1. Ford City - 193
2. Apollo Ridge - 156
3. Kittanning - 126
4. Freeport - 93
5. Elderton - 69
6. West Shamokin - 58
7. Leechurg - 19

WPIAL Basketball Playoff Tonight on RSW.

Tonight on RSW we’ll welcome the playoff bound Kittanning High School girls to the show. The Lady Wildcats won their last three section games to earn a trip to the “AAA” playoffs. I’ll be speaking about the season and the upcoming playoffs. The WPIAL will be announcing the playoff pairing tonight’s so there will be plenty to talk about. Both Ford City’s girls and boys’ teams won their section titles this season, and will be headed to the playoffs. The West Shamokin boys and the Freeport and Apollo Ridge girls will also be headed to the playoffs. With all the local teams in the playoffs I hope to hear your thoughts and opinions tonight at 7:30 on FLTV.

Kittanning vs. West Shaomkin Tonight

Two area coaches led their teams to exceptional seasons.

Tonight’s West Shamokin at Kittanning Boy’s Basketball game will showcase two local coaches who’ve done great jobs this season. West Shamokin’s Mike Nagy is no stranger to winning basketball games, but very few people would have predicted this year’s squad to finish the regular season with a 17-4 record. The Wolves’ defense has only given up 40 points a game, as they prepare for another trip to the WPIAL playoffs. In his second year at Kittanning, head coach Bill Henry has made the Wildcats a threat to win on any night. An 8-13 overall record is a huge step forward for the Wildcat’s program. A win tonight in their final game would give Kittanning a strong case for top team in Armstrong County.

Also I'll be covering the game for WTYM radio 1380 am. The can be heard Tuesday morning.

Ford City vs. West Shamokin Basketball: Game of the Decade?

Tonight’s Ford City vs. West Shamokin game is certainly the most anticipated boys’ high school game of year. I can’t remember a game involving two Armstrong County schools in boys’ basketball since the turn of decade, where more was on the line. If Ford City wins, they’ll win the Section Title outright. A West Shamokin victory would give them a share of their first ever basketball Section Title. Ironically enough, tonight’s game won’t decide a county basketball Champion, we’ll have to wait until Monday’s West Shamokin vs. Kittanning finale to decide it officially. The game starts at 7:30 at West Shamokin H.S. It’s truly a rare occasion to have two schools playing for the Section Title on final night of section schedule. It will no doubt be a historic night for local high school basketball.

Armstrong County Basketball Rankings

Here are this week's ranking as we finish up the season. In Girls FC has another title locked-up even if it isn't official yet. Boys Basketball is where all the excitement is, with three teams; Ford City, Kittanning, & West Shamokin fighting to the finish.

Boys:
1. West Shamokin - 152
2. Ford City - 143
3. Kittanning - 120
4. Apollo Ridge - 85
Freeport - 85
5. Leechburg - 32
6. Elderton - 28

Girls:
1. Ford City - 188
2. Apollo Ridge - 159
3. Kittanning - 121
4. Freeport - 91
5. West Shamokin - 61
6. Elderton - 58
7. Leechburg - 20

Ford City Girls Eye Section & WPIAL Titles

The Ford City Lady Sabers will lay claim to their first section title in 10 years with a win tomorrow night against West Shamokin. Ford City cleared their final hurdle by defeating Burrell, (the only section team to defeat them) 49-38 at home on Monday. Right now the 18-2 Lady Sabers are on a seven game winning steak. Ironically on Saturday they'll host the only other team to beat them, class "A" Mt. Alvernia. However a playoff warm-up against Kittanning would be a lot better to see instead. With the realignment of GCC, a Saber Section Title was expected, the real goal for this team is the WPIAL Title. With a lack of a clear favorite in “AA” Ford City fans are once again thinking about the elusive WPIAL Title.

Super Bowl & H.S. Basketball talk Tonight on RSW

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won their sixth Super Bowl and we'll be talking about the super Steelers tonight on Rizzo Sports Weekly. I'd like to hear you're thoughts on the Steelers' championship season. Also we're down to the final week of the basketball season, with Ford City and West Shamokin battling it out for a section title. It will be the most exciting six days in West Shamokin basketball history as they will play Riverview tonight, Apollo Ridge Wednesday, Ford City Friday, and travel to Kittanning on Monday. A clean sweep would give them a section and an Armstrong County Boys Title. However Ford City and Kittanning have their own objectives. Lots to talk about tonight at 7:30, I hope to hear from you!

Steelers Super Bowl Six Pack Commercial

Pittsburgh Steelers Win Super Bowl 43 !!!



The guys from the Davison Video Department sent this short Steeler video.