PA – Central Athletic League | Archive | January, 2017

Lower Merion defender Sam Pitonyak is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

Posted on 10 January 2017 by ldevlin.

A junior alternate captain, Pitonyak is considered the leader of Lower Merion ice hockey team’s defense, leading the team in minutes played and playing in all situations, power play and shorthanded especially. Last winter, as a sophomore, Pitonyak was voted the club’s Most Valuable Defenseman.  He is also a defenseman and alternate captain for his AAA hockey team, the Jr. Flyers, for whom he has scored seven assists and three goals (as of the beginning of January).  He also has served as an ice hockey referee for a season, and last spring was the only referee for the all-day ice hockey fundraiser supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand, volunteering his time to work  the six youth hockey games throughout the day. Off the ice, Pitonyak also plays lacrosse for Lower Merion, where he takes all honors  or AP classes this year and has been an honor roll student every semester of high school.

Fun facts – Sam Pitonyak

Favorite book: A Farewell to Arms.

Favorite author: Ernest Hemingway.

Favorite TV show: The Office.

Favorite movie: Dazed and Confused.

Favorite athlete: Wayne Simmonds.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Leave by Post Malone.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Flyers.

Favorite place to visit: Vermont.

Favorite pre-game meal: Angel hair with olive oil and chicken.

Favorite color: Blue.

Birth date: March 23, 2000 in Wynnewood.

Family: Will (brother), Ellen (mom), John (Dad).

Click HERE to read the full article.

Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

Girls Basketball: McNichol twins have birthday date against each other

Posted on 10 January 2017 by ldevlin.

Kylynn and Kacy McNichol are throwing each other a birthday party in a very cool way Tuesday night. The twins will celebrate their big day on opposite sides of the scorer’s table when Kylynn’s Springfield team hosts Kacy’s Harriton squad. It’s the first time the McNichol sisters will coach against each other at the varsity level.

“We’re really excited,” Kylynn said last week after the Cougars’ victory at Penncrest. Springfield has won seven in a row entering the week, second place in the Central League.  “It happens to be our birthday, too. So you have twin sisters celebrating their birthday playing each other. You can’t ask for more than that.”

While Kylynn is in her third season directing the Cougars, Kacy is a rookie head coach with the Rams. The sisters both played under their mom, Mary Beth, at Academy of Notre Dame. They were assistant coaches at Notre Dame and have coached for several years in the Comets organization. Kacy most recently served as an assistant coach at University of the Sciences before taking the job at Harriton.

“Since we’ve been on the same team our whole life, this is a special opportunity to coach against my twin sister and friends, It is great for both schools,” Kacy said. “Since we can read each other like a book, I’m sure it will be a game of adjustments.”

Springfield and Harriton are also fighting for a good cause. Part of the proceeds from the game will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“Kacy and I are really looking forward to the matchup. It’s going to be a memory,” Kylynn said. “Win or lose, at the end of the day we’re sisters and it’s going to be a great memory for ourselves and our family. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be playing my sister on my 31st birthday, so it’s going to be fun.”

Click HERE to read the full article.


Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

Girls Basketball: Borcky and McAteer stand tall for Garnet Valley girls

Posted on 09 January 2017 by ldevlin.

by Kate Harman, STAFF WRITER

“Look at this kid,” he said almost under his breath but loud enough for the people immediately around him to hear. Some sound effects went along with his amazement.

“Oh!” he said, his eyes transfixed on what No. 42 was doing on the basketball court. The grandfather of a Haverford player, the fan wasn’t there to see Brianne Borcky and root on her Garnet Valley squad. But he couldn’t help himself as he sat in the second row of the bleachers, just behind the scorer’s table.

“Oh!” he repeated, as the sophomore got a rebound and effortlessly dribbled down the court, putting the ball through her legs before letting a nice pass fly that led to a basket.

Look at her indeed. That’s been the sentiment following Borcky and Emily McAteer for a while now. Before, the looks were because of their height – six or seven inches taller than the next girl – when they first starting playing together in 4th grade. They are still tall. Each stands at 6 feet. But now people stop and watch because of other things, such as the way they move around the floor for the Jaguars. McAteer leads Garnet Valley (8-0) in scoring, averaging 15 points a game, while Borcky isn’t too far behind at 11.

“Last year, we were forwards and centers,” Borcky said. “We were just getting used to it. Now we know what the competition is, how well we play together. I feel like we just have to make sure to play our best every game. The expectations, well, there is always pressure. But we are also having fun. I enjoy it. I don’t make it more than it has to be.”

McAteer’s mom, Meg, was their first coach together. Then they played on the Brandywine Youth Club A Team and were clad in blue, yellow and white jerseys. Borcky remembers McAteer being “really good at basketball,” while McAteer remembers that team being the start of Borcky playing the game. Different levels. Different experience. They had one thing in common.

“I remember it being, ‘Hey, we are the same height. We’re a lot taller than everybody else,’ and that’s pretty much how we became friends,” McAteer said. “We bonded over that.”

These days, their height isn’t the only thing the pair have in common.

“It’s kind of weird how we are so similar,” McAteer said. “Exact same height. Same position. Mentality. We are like the same player. It’s always been that way.” “Always” meaning around seventh and eighth grade and playing for St. Thomas. As freshmen last season, both players worked their way into the starting lineup quickly and became impact players almost just as fast.

“I don’t know how it worked out,” Borcky said of being in the starting five for the first game. “It just did.”

That’s an understatement.

Click HERE to read the full article.

Garnet Valley's sophomore duo, Brianne Borcky (left) and Emily McAteer (right), bring the ball downcourt against Haverford January 3, 2017. TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer

Garnet Valley’s sophomore duo, Brianne Borcky (left) and Emily McAteer (right), bring the ball downcourt against Haverford January 3, 2017. TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer

Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

Wrestling: Livingston, Upper Darby making it look easy

Posted on 05 January 2017 by ldevlin.

SPRINGFIELD >> Max Livingston is doing something a little different this year.

No, it’s not winning. The All-Delco wrestler has done that quite a bit during his career at Upper Darby. He has 91 wins following Wednesday’s pin at 160 pounds as the Royals remained undefeated with a 57-12 Central League victory over Springfield. Livingston is not sweating out matches the way he did a year ago, when 13 of his 47 decisions were by two points or less, including 10 of his 35 wins.

The victory over Tyler Bennett was a perfect example of how things have changed for the senior. He needed only 55 seconds to pick up win No. 10 on the season and help the two-time defending Central League champion Royals (3-0 league and overall) extend their league winning streak to 22 matches. Four of his five wins by fall have been under one minute and all have come in the first period.

“This year I’ve been working on scoring points and getting pins, and it’s been working,” Livingston said.

Call it a lesson learned from what he went through last season.

“Last year really showed me my heart and what I’m capable of doing,” Livingston said. “A lot of people get tired and give up, but I knew to just keep fighting. When you go into those deep waters, you really find out a lot about yourself.”

Click HERE to read the full article.

Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

Girls Basketball: Harriton High School’s Sophie Grady joins 1,000 point club

Posted on 04 January 2017 by ldevlin.

Rosemont – What was supposed to be an evening to celebrate with Harriton High School senior Sophie Grady netting her 1,000th career point turned bittersweet when her team dropped a key Central League match-up against Marple Newtown High School. Needing seven points to become just fourth player in the history of the girls basketball program to reach 1,000 career points, Grady helped her squad get off to a quick start by scoring six of her team’s first 11 points.

With 45 seconds remaining in the first quarter, sophomore Christina Brown began to drive the lane before finding Grady behind the arc. As she has done many times throughout her career, Grady pulled up and drained the three-pointer for career points 1,000, 1,001 and 1,002.

“It feels good to score 1,000 career points,” Grady said following her team’s difficult 57-50 overtime loss. “I feel very grateful to be I the position I have been thanks to my coaches and my teammates to get where I am in today.”

Harriton’s first-year coach Kacy McNichol said, “Unfortunately, things did not fall the way we would have hoped, but I have to give Marple credit for going to a box-and-one defense. We have to have more kids step up and score. The kids are playing hard but we just haven’t been able to get the job done. I was hoping to celebrate two things tonight – getting a big Central League win and Sophie Grady scoring her 1,000th career point.”

Harriton teammate Meg Wilcox, who has grown up with Grady since before they could walk, added, “It’s pretty weird considering we have grown up together for so long. We started from like zero basketball to this so to see her become the fourth player in school history is crazy. I am so happy for her.”

Grady and Wilcox have played together at Harriton for three years but they grew up together and have known each other since before they could walk. Prior to Harriton, the pair also played together for two years at St. Margaret’s. Knowing she was seven points away from joining Heather Barrie, Kate Melvin and Sabrina Tabasso as the only players in Harriton girls’ basketball history to reach 1,000 points for their career, Grady certainly felt the nerves until tip-off.

Click HERE to read the full article.

Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

Girls Basketball: Hopkins’ low-post play powers streaking Springfield

Posted on 04 January 2017 by ldevlin.

MIDDLETOWN >> Amanda Hopkins had reached double figures in scoring once in Springfield’s first eight games of the season. The senior forward and co-captain has the potential to cause havoc with her defense and low-post scoring ability.

“We’ve been working hard in practice with our inside-out game,” Hopkins said. “We have been focusing on that a lot and telling our teammates to pass it in the middle. Even if I’m not open, we can get great shots from the outside, too.”

Tuesday night, everything clicked for Hopkins, who matched a season high with 10 points as she helped Springfield to a 42-31 victory over Penncrest. Hopkins netted six points in the opening quarter by driving to the basket and using a quick post-up move.

“We want to get Amanda involved. She has a great (short-range) jumpshot and she can make those baskets,” Springfield coach Kylynn McNichol said. “She can get to the basket, and she’s been working hard at it in practice. She’s had a great start to her season.”

Hopkins faced off with Penncrest junior forward Grace Harding. As the Lions’ top scorer, alongside sophomore swing player Megan Arndt, Harding is a big target for any forward to try and defend. Hopkins held her own Tuesday.

“I’m one of the only posts on the team, and I know I have to get better at guarding the inside and everything else,” said Hopkins, who added three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

While Harding paced the Lions with 11 points, Hopkins played a role in limiting her to zero points in the second half.

“It was a great matchup for both of them tonight and I think Amanda did a nice job of defending her,” McNichol said. “We talked about it at halftime that Grace was having a great first half and we asked Amanda to shut her down in the second half.”

Springfield was the frontrunner the entire way. Buoyed by a pair of 3-point field goals from senior Maggie O’Connell, the Cougars (8-1 overall, 4-1 league) sprinted to an 8-0 lead. Harding and Arndt (nine points, four rebounds, one block) helped pull the Lions (7-2, 4-1) within five points midway through the second quarter, but back-to-back 3-pointers from Belle Mastropietro and Erika Biehl extended the Cougars’ lead to 11 points. Springfield opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run and opened a 15-point advantage after three quarters.

Click HERE to read the full article.

Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

Field Hockey: All Main Line Teams

Posted on 03 January 2017 by ldevlin.

The 2016 Main Line high school field hockey season included some outstanding teams. Conestoga (22-2) captured the Central League title and advanced to the PIAA Class AAA state quarterfinals. Other strong teams in the Central League included Harriton (10-7), Haverford (12-8 overall, 10-1 Central League) and Lower Merion (11-7-1). The All-Main Line high school field hockey teams are selected by the coaches. Because Main Line Media News covers 19 high schools, the Main Line Media News sports staff limits the number of spots available to first team, second team and honorable mention — but follows the priority of coaches’ selections.
The following players from the Central League were named to the All Main Line teams.

FIRST TEAM

Charlotte de Vries, Conestoga – Sophomore midfielder scored 44 goals in 24 games and dished out 20 assists. A first team All-Central League selection, she was voted the Pioneers’ most valuable midfielder. Is a U17 National Team member.

Meredith Ross, Conestoga – Senior forward and captain averaged two goals per game, scoring 48 goals in 24 contests. A two-time first team All-Central League selection, she was voted the Pioneers’ offensive MVP. Scored more than 100 career goals for Conestoga. Will play at Michigan State next fall.

Molly McDonough, Harriton – Junior center defender and captain, a first team All-Central League selection, was considered the anchor of the Rams’ defense, and was Harriton’s Defensive MVP. Posted five defensive saves, she was flyer on defensive corners, and is noted for her great speed and intensity.

Carly Gannon, Haverford High – Sophomore center forward/middie was a first team All-Central League pick and was voted the Fords’ Offensive MVP, scoring nine goals in 20 games and dishing out seven assists.

Lea VanLuvender, Haverford High – Senior center defensive back and captain was a first team All-Delco pick and first team All-Central League selection. She was voted the Fords’ Defensive MVP, anchoring a defense that posted five shutouts and providing some offensive punch as well this fall.

Samantha Scimeca, Lower Merion – Senior defensive center mid anchored a strong Aces’ defense. Her fine all-around consistent play this fall earned her a selection for first team All-Central League.

Page Lowry, Radnor – Sophomore forward was a prolific scorer for Radnor, leading the Red Raiders in goals scored this fall.

SECOND TEAM

Conestoga – Kiley Allen, junior midfielder; Grace McEvoy, junior midfielder; Stephanie Hamilton, senior defender.
Harriton – Sophie Grady, senior left midfielder; Meg Willcox, junior right midfielder.
Haverford High – Laura Winters, senior center middie; Megan Phillips, sophomore right middie/right defensive back.
Lower Merion – Samantha Bruttomesso-Clarke, senior center forward; Eleanor Gaddy, senior center back.
Radnor – Hope Smith, senior back; Barbara Civitella, freshman forward.

HONORABLE MENTION

Conestoga – Madison Rogalski, senior defender; Sophie Grove, senior defender; Emma McGillis, junior forward.
Harriton – Katelin Williams, sophomore center forward; Sarah Marks, junior center midfielder.
Haverford High – Sydney Corcoran, sophomore forward; Kelsy Knapp, sophomore forward; Brynn Thiel, senior left middie; Francesca Truax, senior left defensive back.
Lower Merion – Annie O’Connor, senior center mid; Sophie Shaffer, junior left mid; Ashley Roberts, junior right forward; Danielle Geis, junior left forward.
Radnor – Brigid Lowry, freshman forward; Emma Majercak senior midfielder; Natalie Junior, senior back; Sydney Aljian, senior back.
fh- con ross

Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

Golf: DLN ALL-AREA: Conestoga sophomore Yao peaked in postseason

Posted on 03 January 2017 by ldevlin.

TREDYFFRIN >> Conestoga High School sophomore Samantha Yao, the Daily Local News’ 2016 All-Area Girls Golfer of the Year, had a tremendous postseason this fall, finishing in first place at just about every stop. At the Central League Championships, she shot her best round of the season, a three-under-par 69 at Turtle Creek Golf Course, to finish first. Yao then finished first at the District 1 Championships, also at Turtle Creek, shooting 79-72-151 to win the title by four strokes. The Conestoga sophomore moved on to the PIAA Eastern Regional Championship, where she shot one-under-par 71 at Golden Oaks Golf Club to finish first by four strokes. Her round included six birdies.

At the PIAA Clss 3A Championships, she opened the two-day tournament with a first-round 72 that left her in a tie for the lead. In the second round, she hit a rough patch, carding two double bogeys on the first five holes, but battled back to within two strokes of the lead to finish second with a 72-74-146 total.

“On the second day, my swing wasn’t working for me and I was missing a lot of greens, even from easy distances,” said Yao. “The easy route would’ve been to give up and finish in a not-so-great position, but I kept myself together and really battled to make some pars and birdies. That was something that I was very proud of myself for and I ended up second, which I was very excited about.”

Conestoga golf coach John Jones said, “Samantha had a phenomenal year. During the postseason, she displayed her competitive spirit and drive to win. She has the ability to raise her level of play and take it to another level in big tournaments.” Yao says her favorite golfer is Jason Day: “He’s very humble which is a great quality to have, and is very well-rounded in his golf game. He has no big weakness in his game.”

Like Day, Yao has a solid all-around game — and constantly works to keep it that way.

Click HERE to read the full article.


Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

« Newer Entries

Alerts