Teams look to tourneys for final pre-section prep
CHARLEROI – With Christmas now in the past, it is time for the holiday basketball tournaments to commence with one of the longest-running staples taking place in Charleroi.
While it has had different official names through the years, the CFS Classic dates back to 1982.
Charleroi athletic director and boys head coach Bill Wiltz is proud of the event.
“It’s a good holiday event that provides kids something to do who come home from school or work,” he said. “It also gives our alumni the opportunity to visit with each other and watch exciting games.”
The Charleroi tournament runs Tuesday through Thursday with three games each night and a total of seven teams playing in the tournament.
Action kicks off at 5:30 p.m. today when Southmoreland (5-1) takes on Elizabeth Forward (3-3).
That contest will be followed by a matchup between Belle Vernon Area (2-2) and Ringgold (3-4) at 7 p.m., while the nightcap features the host Cougars (3-3) vs. Clairton (1-2).
Ringgold coach Phil Pergola likes the challenge the tournament provides.
“It is well-established and we have a tough matchup with Belle Vernon,” he said. “Then, win or lose, we will either get a talented Southmoreland team or an improving Elizabeth Forward team in the semifinals or losers bracket.
“This is not an easy tournament.”
Defending champion Yough (1-6) has a bye and opens up play Wednesday against the winner of the Charleroi and Clairton game.
“It prepares all of us for section play and is a strong tournament,” Wiltz said. “There is good competition and we will all improve because of it.”
McGuffey, one of two local undefeated teams and one of only seven unbeaten in the WPIAL, will be playing in the eight-team Avella Tournament that begins Wednesday afternoon. The Highlanders are 2-0 in Section 3-AAAA after an impressive 46-44 win at Uniontown Friday night.
At Avella, McGuffey will be the largest school playing in the tournament. It features four Class AAA teams, two from Double-A and the Class A and host Eagles. McGuffey will play South Side Beaver (2-5) in the first round Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. A victory would put McGuffey against the Frazier-Carlynton winner in the semifinals.
The other local unbeaten team is South Fayette (3-0). The Lions will be playing in the Peters Township tournament that begins tonight. The event at McMurray is not a true tournament as it has predetermined matchups each night. South Fayette will play the host Indians (6-2) in today’s 7:30 p.m. game. Washington (3-1) plays Upper St. Clair (5-2) in the 6 p.m. opening game. On Wednesday, South Fayette plays USC in the opener followed by Washington against Peters Township.
First Love Christian Academy, the small private school in Washington that has three Division I recruits – 6-7 Samson George (Iona), 6-8 Prince Oduro (Siena) and 6-3 David Collins (Youngstown State) – will be playing WPIAL competition this week at the Aliquippa tournament. First Love plays Philadelphia West Catholic in the tournament opener tonight and will play Aliquippa (2-3) Wednesday night.
West Greene (5-0) is one of two undefeated local teams and among the 10 WPIAL girls teams with perfect records. The Pioneers will play in the Bentworth tournament that begins tonight. West Greene plays Sto-Rox (2-2) in the 6 p.m. opening game that will be followed by Bentworth (0-6) against Mapletown (2-5).
The other area unbeaten is California, and the Trojans will be hosting an eight-team tournament that includes five local teams. California (6-0) plays in the final game of today’s opening round. The Trojans face Monessen (0-6) at 7:30 p.m. A win by Cal would set up a semifinal game against either Jefferson-Morgan (3-4) or South Allegheny (4-1).
There are two girls tournaments being played in California today and Wednesday.
At California University, an eight-team event over two days with predetermined matchups will be held. Trinity (6-1) will play Chartiers Valley (5-2) in the 7 p.m. nightcap. Canon-McMillan (3-3) faces Fairmont, W.Va., at 5 p.m. The first game of the day has Beth-Center (4-1) playing Carlynton (3-2) at 1 p.m. The others teams in the field are Brownsville (2-6) and Obama Academy (3-1).
On Wednesday, Trinity plays Carlynton, Canon-McMillan faces Obama Academy and Beth-Center battles Brownsville.
A complete list of holiday basketball tournaments involving local teams can be found on Page C-2.
Sports editor Chris Dugan contributed to this story.