www.jeannettejayhawksfootball.blogspot.com

Change in the schedule:

Today's Lady Jays softball game against Mt. Pleasant, will be played at Mt. Pleasant instead of at home.

Don't forget, starting today and running thru April 1st, 20% of your meal cost at TGIF (Greensburg Location Only) goes towards the Lady Jays Softball team. But you'll need a coupon to give to your waitress and you can get those right here or by asking any member of the team.

Most college students head south for spring break, to the beautiful beaches of Florida or Cancun, not Terrelle though.


Terrelle spent last week at Hall's Gym here in Jeannette, working out with the Hawks and preparing himself for the season ahead at OSU.

The Columbus Dispatch has a great article on the determination of Terrelle in today's paper and you can read it online right here.

Today I experienced the true meaning of the phrase "Takes a little bit more, to be a Jayhawk". I witnessed first hand, how a true champion is shaped and molded.

I spent the afternoon at Hall's Gym, while the Jayhawks worked out with OSU quarterback and X-Jayhawk, Terrelle Pryor. But this posting isn't about Terrelle, Terrelle was just a Jayhawk today, lifting with friends.

No, this posting is all about the importance of a new weight room, for the Jayhawks. And you'll see exactly why, when you view the photos below.

For the past 13 years, Coach Hall has demonstrated the importance of implementing a serious weight program, into high school football. And it was a severe loss against New Brighton, (Jeannette had their "you know whats" handed to them) that convinced him that a weight program was vital to high school football. About 95% of the equipment you see in these photos was purchased by Coach Hall himself, and some was donated, this is to show you how serious he is about the program.

Today there was only 27 kids lifting, but normally there is no less than 45 kids, but on average there are 50 to 60 kids on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays all getting ready for opening night at McKee Stadium.

I got a strong feeling of Jayhawk pride, when I entered the garage. There are signs and reminders all over the walls of exactly why you are there, one in particular stated, "Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard". And on the far wall hung the members of the 300 club. (yes Terrelle is a member), but there are other greats on there as well, guys like Mike Matt who tops the list at 405, (look at photos for the complete list). Coach Hall told me these guys still come down to lift weights even though they are off in college.

So to sum this up, Coach Hall has dedicated his life and his garage to producing talented and strong athletes, so we can all cheer them on and be proud on Friday nights. And nobody told him he had to do this, this is simply how Hugh, Coach Hall's heart is.

So after 2 years of pure determination, the boosters have reached their goal in the amount of money needed to start construction of a new weight room facility for the Jayhawks. Construction is scheduled to start next month I'm told. The new weight room will be built across from the concession stand at McKee stadium. But with any construction job, comes what they call "overruns". Unforeseen expenses that may arise during construction.

This is where you can show how Hugh your heart is. Please read the letter from the Jayhawk Football Boosters below, it explains in full what you can do to help out this project.

The Jayhawk Varsity Baseball team is selling the GOLF WESTMORELAND coupon book.  The courses included are: Hannastown, Champion Lakes, Cedarbrook, Indian Lake, The Links, Glengary, Manor Valley. Mannitto, Valley Green, Norvelt and Cherry Creek. 

 

You will receive four, 2 for 1 greens fees at each course, for only
$20.00. 

 

Quantities are limited, so don't delay, contact Chris Smith @
               724-523-0918, or stop by any Home Game.

Here's a interview with Jordan I came across. He talks with www.elevenwarriors.com a site dedicated to Ohio State Football/Basketball. Needless to say, some good reading!

Why not head out to dinner and help the Lady Jays, all in one shot? The softball parents have come up with a great plan to help you do just that.

Below is a coupon for TGI Fridays (Good only in Greensburg, Pa.), print this coupon out, get off your butts and take your better half out to dinner on March 30, 31 or April 1. Present this coupon to your lovely waitress and 20% of your meal money will go towards helping out the Lady Jays softball team. It's that easy!!!

Printer broke? Well then, just see any member of the Lady Jay's softball team, (players or coaches) and they'll hook you up with one of these. They will have them at the home opener also on March 31, when Jeannette host Mt. Pleasant.

Click on the arrow beside "MORE" to access the print option.

You ever hear the phrase, "Wake a sleeping giant"? Obviously that's what happened today as the Lady Jays destroyed the Lady Gators of Geibel by a final of 19-0.

A strong performance on the mound from Katherine who only gave up 1 hit, home runs from Chelsea and Samantha, a triple from Corinn and a double from Kirstie was more than Geibel could handle.

The Lady Jays will take a long break and return to action next Tuesday the 31st, for the home opener against Mt. Pleasant, (this is subject to change).

MSA Sports has released a list of "Ones to watch" for the 2009 baseball/softball season, and a few Jayhawks have made the list:

Baseball - Brett Elliott (Brett is listed in the AA Class)

Softball - Kirstie Cortazzo, Lauren Maline and Katherine Fey

The Lady Jays were only able to arrange 2 hits in yesterday's "rusty looking" 7-0 season opener loss to Leechburg. Kirstie continued the hot bat however, with a double over center and Desi with an infield slap single.

The girls will travel to Geibel on Monday for a 4:15 start.

Michael Mash recorded 7 strikeouts on the mound, and then resorted to his bat in the top of the 7th inning, with a shot into center field to bring home Jordan Ault for the go ahead run, as the Hawks rallied to overcome East Allegheny by a final of 2-1.

The Hawks stranded a total of 10 runners in the season opener, but with some outstanding defensive work from short stop Brett Elliott and catcher Nick Campbell, with a Hugh peg out at second, they were able to help maintain control of the game. Nick finished 3-4 at bats, and recorded the game tying RBI in the top of the 6th inning.

The Hawks will host Vincentian this Thursday the 26th, first pitch set for 4:15.

Below is the order form for this years softball apparel, all info needed to order this fine apparel, is located on the form. You can click on the "more" link to print this form out.

Due to the PIAA AAA semifinal basketball game pairing up Greensburg Salem and Hampton at Gateway tonight, the Lady Jays softball scrimmage game against Greensburg Salem today, was cut short to only 3 1/2 innings, to allow G.S. fans enough time to make it into Monroeville.

Today's scrimmage was the first time the Lady Jays have seen live pitching this season, and this could have been the problem for some of the Lady Jays as G.S. struck out the first 4 batters to approach the plate.

The Lady Jays eventually found an answer for G.S.'s pitching but were unable to capitalize leaving 2 runners stranded in the top of the 2nd and two more again off a line drive single to left center from Kirstie Cortazzo, in the top of the 3rd.

Greensburg Salem was able to score 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, to finish off the game at 2-0.

Tomorrow the Lady Jays will scrimmage against Highlands and open the season this Friday at Leechburg with a 4:00 start.

The Hawks baseball season got underway with a very impressive 14-2 scrimmage win over the Clairton Bears today.

One highlight was new "big gun" freshman, Mark Herman, who tied the game 1-1 for the Hawks with a solid, (and I mean solid), RBI double into deep center. Other Jayhawk runs were scored off the bats of returning starters: Brett, Chris, Brian, Jordan, and a 2 run homer into opposite field, from starting pitcher Mike Mash.

The Hawks hope to carry this great start, into the season opener this Friday against non-section, East Allegheny. First pitch is set for 4:00.

Just wanted to bring to your attention, some changes on the site here. Now that basketball is over I've been making room for baseball and softball. Kind of "out with the old and in with the new". I've moved the stats to the media site, all with the exception of boys basketball, which is gonna be moved very soon, also.

You can access the Lady Jays basketball stats here, and I'm hoping to get more complete ones soon. And the 2008 football stats can be seen here.

The full schedules for baseball and softball can both be seen here, also on the media site, or if you just want to get a quick view of some upcoming games, just press F1 on your keyboard, and a panel will slide onto your screen from the left with that info for you.

The close of the Jayhawk basketball season is only a sign that baseball and softball are just around the corner. Practice has already begun, and scrimmages are scheduled for later this week.

And the 2009 season brings a couple new changes for Jeannette. First being the drop down in class for the Jayhawks. Last season the Hawks finished 9-10 overall in section 4 (Class AA), and this season they hope to improve that record in their new section, 5 (Class A).

This however won't be an easy task for the Hawks. Dropping down into Class A brings a few obstacles of it's own. Also in section 5 with the Hawks, are powerhouse Serra Catholic. Serra Catholic's bats carried them into the PIAA semifinals last season, where they lost to Carmichaels by a final of 6-2. And you can bet that Serra has all intentions of making a return trip to the playoffs.

The Lady Jays have also started to practice and will scrimmage Greensburg Salem this Tuesday. But when the home opener on March 31st takes place against Mt. Pleasant, it will take place on a brand new field.

The new field, located behind the high school, is ready for action! The Lady Jays are also looking to improve on last years record of 8-9 overall, and perhaps the new field will help them achieve just that.

Good luck to both teams this season!

For both schedules, Jayhawks (Baseball) and Lady Jays (Softball), click here.

Photos from last nights game against Beaver Falls, can be seen here.

"All good things must come to an end", but this wasn't the ending the Hawks were looking for.

Beaver Falls knocked the Jayhawks out of the PIAA playoff race by a final of 60-52 tonight, and will advance to meet the Washington Prexies in the quarterfinal round this Saturday.

Jordan Hall, one of seven seniors to play their last high school game tonight, scored game high of 17 for the Hawks. Senior Greg Williams, fresh off the injury, landed 2 three pointers in his late season return. Great to see you back Greg, win or lose!

Congratulations to the Hawks on yet another outstanding and exciting season of Jayhawk basketball! And the best of luck to the departing seniors:

• 1-Jordan Hall
• 11-Cameron Baraziej
• 15-Lamar Grant
• 20-Dane Vaughan
• 22-Brandon Hamilton
• 23-Moziah Harris
• 24-Greg Williams
  

Sorry guys I've been out of town the past couple days and I knew I wouldn't be back until about now. At least I did get back in time to listen to the Hawks and Beaver Falls game! I'm gonna listen to it right here with Brent and Don, why don't you join me!

The pregame show has just got under way and tip off is set for 8:00

Looks like the Hawks are traveling back down to the A.J. Palumbo Center this Wednesday for the second round match up against Beaver Falls. Tip off set for 8:00pm.

The winner of this round will advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday and play the winner of the Quaker Valley/Washington game.

Good Luck Hawks!!

Make it a full day at the Palumbo center:

5:00 - Quaker Valley/Washington

6:30 - Aliquippa/Central Cambria

8:00 - Jeannette/Beaver Falls

If the Hawks didn't learn anything else today, they should at least learned that "Anything is Possible".

Whether you mean to do it, or whether it just simply happens on it's own, this doesn't matter. What matters, is that it happens.

What I think the Hawks meant to happen today was winning the first round playoff game, call it destiny if you want. What I think happened on it's own was, Dane Vaughan, with a phenomenal defensive game, scoring game high of 20 points. Anything is possible!

Out of pure determination and a strong desire to succeed, the Hawks came from behind twice in the 4th period, after trailing the entire game, to secure a second round spot in the PIAA playoffs this Wednesday the 11th. Reynolds turned the ball over a whopping 31 times and shot an amazing 59% from the field, and still never relinquished the lead until the 4th period. (Maybe it is destiny!)

The Hawks will face Beaver Falls who earlier today, knocked Cambria Heights out of the race, by a final of 69-48.

Hover over the Playoff tab on the right to see the rest of the scoring from today's game.

The Lady Jays run for state gold may have ended last night but the Hawks is just beginning today.

Tune in here, to listen live as the Hawks battle Reynolds, with SAM FM and MSA, pregame starts at 12:30 with a 1:30 tip off.

The run may have ended tonight against a very good Bishop McCort team, but this talented group of girls, pictured above, will be back next year, and you can bank on that!

Bishop McCort's game plan was to shut down Jeannette's top scorer Kayla Cook, everything else would just fall into place for them. And that's exactly what happened. Kayla was held to just 8 points tonight while Kirstie Cortazzo was able to achieve game high of 11. Shavon was able to sink 5 and Lauren Maline landed 3. Shanice, Lauren B., Tanesha, Samantha and Dominique each added 2 a piece to bring the final to 37.

Look for the final season stats on the Lady Jays, next week.

Congratulations Lady Jays on an outstanding season, I'm already looking forward to next year!

7:28pm

FINAL SCORE

Bishop McCort - 67
Lady Jays - 37

7:23pm

Bishop McCort - 67
Lady Jays - 37

1::13 left in the 4th

7:04pm

Bishop McCort - 58
Lady Jays - 28

end of 3rd period

7:00pm:

Bishop McCort - 54
Lady Jays - 21

in the 3rd period

6:39pm:

Bishop McCort - 36
Lady Jays - 13

Halftime

6:23pm - Here's some updates from the game tonight:

Bishop McCort - 16
Lady Jays - 5

end of first period

This Friday the 6th, the Lady Jays be heading into the first round of the PIAA Playoffs, to face District 6 AA Champs, Bishop McCort (22-4).

Bishop McCort's last loss was back on January 31 when Bishop Guilfoyle upset them by a final of 50-31. Since that loss the Lady Crushers have won 10 straight games in their quest to be District 6 Champions. The game to claim that honor came at the hands of Southern Huntingdon last Friday, who lost by a final of 58-37.

In this 10 game winning streak, the Lady Crushers have outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 248 points. Doing a large part of this damage is 5'11" senior forward/guard, Sarah Pastorek. Sarah scored game high 24 points in the championship game against Southern Huntington, 20 points in the semi final game of that tournament with a 67-55 win over Marion Center. And 21 points in the quarterfinal game with a 62-31 win over Cambria Heights.

Pastorek however, is not a one girl wrecking crew. Senior Maria Felton, junior Emily Basile, and 6'0" senior center Lindsay Buchan, all are capable of reaching double digits in the scoring column, with the Jr. Basile, being extra dangerous from the 3 point range.

You don't want to miss this match up! Lady Jays vs Lady Crushers at Richland High School, 6:00 tip off. For a Lady Crushers roster, click here.

The Jeannette Boy's Basketball team will play Reynolds this Saturday in the first round of the PIAA, AA, Basketball Tournament. Reynolds is the number 3 seed from District 10 and, while I don't want to jinx the Hawks, Jeannette has owned D10 of late.

This will be the 8th time Jeannette has played a team from District 10 in the state playoffs over the last five years. In the previous seven games, the Jayhawks are 7-0 and have outscored District 10 opponents by an average of 18 points per game. Below is a look at how Jeannette has fared against District 10 teams in the last five years.

2008

vs. 2 Seed Girard 67-35 W PIAA 2nd Round

vs. 1 Seed North East 75-66 W PIAA Semis

2007

vs. 3 Seed Farrell 64-51 W PIAA 1st Round

vs. 1 Seed North East 60-57 W (2OT) PIAA Quarters

2006

vs. 1 Seed Mercyhurst Prep 56-42 W PIAA 1st Round

2005

vs. 2 Seed Union City 73-43 W PIAA 2nd Round

2004

vs. 1 Seed Union City 80-58 W PIAA 1st Round

**Jeannette is 0-3 in regular season play against District 10 with losses to Erie McDowell in 2006, Kennedy Catholic in 2005, and Kennedy Catholic in 2004**

Under the direction of head coach Scott Weaver, and with some help from 6'-9" center, Senior Russ Conley (pictured on the left), the Reynolds Raiders (23-2) have proved themselves to be strong contenders in the playoffs. With a 10-0 home record, a 8-1 road record and a 5-1 on neutral sites record, it would be safe to say, don't take them lightly.

While Jeannette was battling it out with North Catholic for the WPIAL gold, District 10 Reynolds, were having their way with Wilmington to punch their ticket into the PIAA playoffs. Reynolds however, has had their way with Wilmington on 3 separate occasions this season. A 52-50 win back on 1/16/09, a 55-53 win back on 2/3/09 where 6' guard Chris Laverty buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the win and the most recent "come from behind" win this past Saturday, 59-57.

Reynolds rallied a 20 point 4th period effort to secure their spot in the state playoffs. Chris Laverty did most of the damage with game high of 20 points, while 3 other Raiders landed in the double digits also. Conley - 10, Galus - 10 (including two 3 pointers), and Martin with 12. Wilmington led 33-27 at halftime and 48-39 after 3 periods. But Chris Laverty of Reynolds tied the game at 57-all with 34 seconds left, then drove inside and scored with 3.8 seconds left, leading the Raiders past the Hounds.

Reynolds two losses on the season come at the hands of West Middlesex where they lost by 1 point, 46-45 and the second from Fairview 43-38. Fairview controls the top spot in district 10, and West Middlesex unfortunately didn't make the cut.

The Jayhawks play Reynolds this Saturday at North Allegheny High School for a 1:30 tip off, and the Lady Jays face Bishop McCort on Friday at Richland High School for a 6:00 tip off. Click on link above for the complete list of pairings.