PIAA-AAAA girls championship pick

Spring-Ford girls basketball coach Jeff Rinehimer (center), an Alvernia grad just like the Poopster's owner, leads the Rams into Friday's PIAA-AAAA girls basketball championship against Cumberland Valley at 6 p.m. at Hershey's Giant Center.

By the Poopster
@BigPoppy_G on Twitter

It all comes down to this.
Spring-Ford. Cumberland Valley.
The PIAA-AAAA girls basketball championship on the line.
Hershey's Giant Center. Friday night. 6 p.m. Broadcast statewide on the Pennsylvania Cable Network.
The District 3 No. 5 seed Eagles (26-6) can scorch the basket thanks to the triple threat of 6-footers Jackie Falconer, Maddie Torresin and Kelly Jekot.
The Pioneer Athletic Conference and  District 1 champ Rams (31-2), meanwhile, play defense like they're guarding gold at Fort Knox.
Sammy Stipa, Shelby Mueller, Sarah Payonk, Brittany Moore, Sammi Haas, Courtney Hinnant, Maggie Locke and Co. have made a memorable and methodical march through March, and no situation can better prepare a squad for a state championship than Tuesday's epic 53-49 semifinal win over Cardinal O'Hara.
Cumberland Valley is a dangerous squad getting hot at the right time. But the Poopster doesn't quite think they are battle-tested enough to take down Spring-Ford. Defense wins championships, and nobody in the state plays it better than the Rams .... Spring-Ford 56-48.

Last round: 2-0.
Overall: 20-10.

PIAA-AAAA girls semifinal picks

Sammy Stipa and District 1 champion Spring-Ford face a stiff challenge from District 12 champ Cardinal O'Hara in Tuesday's PIAA-AAAA girls basketball tournament semifinal, set for William Tennent at 7:30 p.m.

By the Poopster
@BigPoppy_G on Twitter

The road to the state championship gets harder by the round, and so does the pickin' for the Poopster. The PIAA Class AAAA semifinals take place Tuesday, and here's his take on the Final Four:

Spring-Ford (30-2) vs. Cardinal O'Hara (24-5), at William Tennent, 7:30 p.m.
Two things that irritate the Poopster's ears are the screamo music his owner will sometimes blare and the sound of too many whistles during a playoff basketball game. Let 'em play, he says. This will no doubt be the toughest postseason challenge for the Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1 champ Rams against a battle-tested Lions outfit rife with height, talent and experience. That said, seniors Sarah Payonk, Brittany Moore, Courtney Hinnant, Sammi Haas and the rest of the Rams have been waiting to get back to this stage since falling to Archbishop Carroll in last year's semis. This one could go either way, but as long as there's no funny business from the guys in stripes, the Poopster says ... Spring-Ford 48-44.

Cumberland Valley (25-6) vs. Chartiers Valley (22-7), at Altoona, 7 p.m.
The District 3 No. 5 seed Eagles, who start two sophomores, one freshman and just one senior, are maturing in a hurry and getting hot at the right time. They took out North Penn 53-36 in the quarterfinals, and have two victories over District 1 runner-up Mount St. Joseph Academy to their credit. The District 7 runner-up Colts, meanwhile, dispatched traditional power Mount Lebanon 48-37 in the quarters despite being without starters Mariah Wells (13 ppg) and Jenne Devinney due to injury. Interestingly enough, Chartiers Valley faced Spring-Ford in the KSA Classic in Orlando back in December, falling 43-37. ... Cumberland Valley 51-48

Last round: 2-2.
Overall: 18-10.

PIAA-AAAA girls quarterfinal picks

Shelby Mueller (5) and District 1 champion Spring-Ford take on District 3 No. 4 seed Dover in a PIAA-AAAA quarterfinal Friday at 6 at Garden Spot.

By The Poopster

@BigPoppy_G on Twitter

Had it not been for a couple of double-digit blown leads, the Poopster would have gone 7-1 in his second-round picks. Alas, like the Poopster's owner's old college buddy (who happens to coach Spring-Ford) told him the other night, "Hey, it's states. Nobody's going to stop playing."

In that spirit, the Poopster will not stop picking. Here's his take on Friday's PIAA-AAAA girls basketball quarterfinals.

Spring-Ford (29-2) vs. Dover (27-3), at Garden Spot, 6 p.m.

Though the Rams' defense has been a constant, their offense hasn't quite been clicking over the first two rounds. The Poopster believes that will change and the PAC-10 and District 1 champs will get a big effort from their bigs, Sarah Payonk and Shelby Mueller, against the District 3 fourth seed Eagles, who are led by junior guard Alayah Hall (15 ppg). ... Spring-Ford 66-43.

Cardinal O'Hara (23-5) vs. Central Dauphin (22-6), at Governor Mifflin Intermediate, 7:30 p.m.

The District 12 champion Lions, who have won 14 straight, got 11 points from 6-foot-4 La Salle University-bound Lisa Mintzer in Tuesday's 47-32 second-round victory over C.D. East. The District 3 runner-up Rams rallied from 10 down to top defending state champ Archbishop Carroll 56-44 thanks to 24 points from Precious Martin. The Poopster doesn't have a real good feel about this one, but is going to say ... O'Hara 49-46

North Penn (24-5) vs. Cumberland Valley (24-6), at Garden Spot, 7:30 p.m.

The Poopster has mucho respect for veteran Maidens coach Maggie deMarteleire and American-bound 6-2 forward Lauren Crisler, but he's still trying to figure out how the District 1 No. 6 seeds stormed back from a 10-point halftime deficit to stun vaunted Wilson 56-49 Tuesday. District 3 No. 5 seed Cumberland Valley, meanwhile, cruised to a 55-39 victory over Manheim Township, as University of Pennsylvania-bound Jackie Falconer scored her 1,000th career point. Another toughie for the Poopster. ... North Penn 46-45.

Mount Lebanon (24-3) vs. Chartiers Valley (21-7), at North Hills, 8 p.m.

This will be the fourth meeting of the WPIAL Section 4 foes. The District 7 No. 4 seed Blue Devils took the two regular-season meetings by scores of 48-45 and 49-40, but the District 7 runner-up Colts got a measure of payback in a 31-27 win in the district semis. The Poopster expects another tight, low-scoring affair. ... Mt. Lebanon 39-34.

Last round: 5-3. Overall: 16-8.

PIAA-AAAA girls second round picks

The Poopster likes Spring-Ford in Tuesday's PIAA-AAAA girls basketball tournament second-round game against Wallenpaupack, set for Bethlehem Freedom at 6 p.m.

By The Poopster
@BigPoppy_G on Twitter

Since I went 11-5 in my first-round picks of the PIAA Class AAAA Girls Basketball Tournament, @MercSmokinD said he will let me finish up the bracket. So here is my take on Tuesday's second-round action.

Spring-Ford (28-2) vs. Wallenpaupack (21-5), at Bethlehem Freedom, 6 p.m.
The Poopster isn't sure about the status of Rams starting guard Sammi Haas, who suffered an injury to her rib area in Friday's 59-41 first-round win over Hershey. But he knows Sarah Payonk, Brittany Moore, Courtney Hinnant, Shelby Mueller, Sammy Stipa and the rest of the District 1 champions are on a mission. The District 2 champ Buckhorns are led by 6-1 center Alexix Roman, who averages 16.9 points per game. ... Spring-Ford 57-34.

Dover (26-3) vs. Nazareth (22-5), at Reading High, 5 p.m.
The District 3 No. 4 seed Eagles are coming off a miraculous 54-53 first-round win over Bayard Rustin in which they rallied from a 16-point deficit. The Poopster thinks they won't be so fortunate against the District 11 champ Blue Eagles. ... Nazareth 47-43

Cardinal O'Hara (22-5) vs. C.D. East (21-6), at Governor Mifflin Intermediate, 6 p.m.
The Poopster heard the District 3 third seed Panthers were the beneficiaries of some curious whistles in the closing seconds of their 58-56 first-round win over C.B. West. They will need a lot more than that to knock off the District 12 champ Lions, who advanced with a 46-34 win over Methacton. ... O'Hara 50-36

Archbishop Carroll (18-7) vs. Central Dauphin (21-6), at Governor Mifflin Intermediate, 7:30 p.m.
In the second leg of this Philly/Mid-Penn challenge of sorts, the Poopster is going to give a slight nod to the defending state champ and District 12  No. 3 seed Patriots against the District 3 runner-up Rams. ... Carroll 51-49.

Wilson (27-2) vs. North Penn (22-5), at Coatesville, 7:30 p.m.
The District 3 champ Bulldogs got a big scare in their first-rounder, when they trailed by a point to heavy underdog Garnet Valley before coming away with a 41-34 victory. The District 1 sixth seed Knights took down District 11 runner-up Pocono Mt. West, but the Poopster doesn't see another upset in the cards. ... Wilson 55-41.

Cumberland Valley (23-6) vs. Manheim Township (23-5), at Lebanon, 7 p.m.
These squads met just two games ago, when the Eagles downed the Blue Streaks 40-28 in the District 3 fifth-place game. The Poopster expects more of the same in the rematch. ... Cumberland Valley 39-33.

Mount Lebanon (23-3) vs. Penn Trafford (19-6), at Baldwin, 7:30 p.m.
The Poopster was quite proud of himself for correctly picking the District 7 No. 4 seed Blue Devils to knock off District 7 champ Bethel Park in the first round (which they did 37-34). He's going to keep riding the Mt. Lebo train against the District 7 No. 5 seed Warriors, who took out District 6 champ Hollidaysburg in the opening round. ... Mount Lebanon 49-44.

Chartiers Valley (20-7) vs. Gateway (20-6), at Hempfield Area, Greensburg, 6:30 p.m.
The District 7 runner-up Colts (who routed District 8 champ Taylor Allderdice 70-41 in the first round), hung tough with Spring-Ford in a 43-37 loss in Orlando in December. That's good enough for the Poopster to take them against the District 7 No. 3 seed Gators, who barely got by District 10 champ McDowell in their opener. ... Chartiers Valley 40-34.