Basketball, Archery Teams Continue to Impress

Vol. 4, No. 26

Recent Results/Upcoming Games (Through Sunday, Feb. 20)

Men's BasketballOverall record: 15-8 Final CCAC regular-record: 13-5

Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Penn State-McKeesport, L, 97-55 Saturday, Feb. 19 host Penn State-McKeesport, W, 82-81 Saturday, Feb. 23 CCAC first-round playoffs at Penn State New Kensington, 2 p.m.

Women's Basketball Overall record: 18-8 Final EPCC regular-season record: 13-5 Final CCAC regular-season record: 9-4

Monday, Feb. 14 host Penn State Scranton, W, 70-45 Tuesday, Feb. 15 EPCC first-round playoff; host Harrisburg Area Community College, L, 84-74 Monday, Feb. 28, or Tuesday, March 1 CCAC first-round playoffs at Penn State York or Penn State Hazleton, TBA

Archery Jan. 29 at Pennsylvania State Indoor Championships, won three individual state championships and two team state championships March 11-13 at U.S. Indoor Eastern Regional Championships (James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.)

'Cat Tales Men's Basketball Ken Vialet (Manhattan, N.Y.) scored 24 points and Dawan Moore (Buffalo, N.Y.) 12, but it wasn't enough to keep Penn College from losing its first of two back-to-back regular-season ending games to Penn State-McKeesport.

In leading the Wildcats to a school-record 15th win, Vialet was fouled while attempting a 3-point shot from midcourt as time was expiring, then calmly sank three free throws with no time remaining to give his team a one-point victory in its rematch against Penn State McKeesport. Vialet ended with 33 points while Moore had 14 and Greg Davis 11.

"(Saturday) we executed very well as far as breaking their press, getting into our half-court offense and executing," coach Gene Bruno said. "My kids really elevated their level of play, and that's what it took. It was a nice win for the kids."

The 15 wins in a season eclipsed the old mark of 14 set in 1980-81 and tied in 2001-02.

Penn College now advances to the first round of the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference playoffs Saturday at Penn State New Kensington.

Women's Basketball Brittany Blessard (Bucktail) scored 30 points and hauled in 10 rebounds while Natalie Plavi (Elderton) chipped in with 22 points and handed out seven assists as the Penn College women's basketball team wrapped up its regular season with a 70-45 win over Penn State Scranton.

One night later, the Lady Wildcats hosted Harrisburg Area Community College in the first round of the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference playoffs at Bardo Gym, and, despite building a 22-point first-half lead and still on top by 16 at the half, lost by 10.

Katlyn Stupar (State College) finished with 30 points and Blessard added 18, but foul trouble in the second half took its toll.

The Wildcats now await the start of the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference playoffs on Feb. 28 or March 1.

Archery "This group of young archers is the best I've ever coached. I look for this to be one of our better years," said Pennsylvania College of Technology archery coach Chad Karstetter after learning that the Wildcats dominated last month's Pennsylvania State Indoor Championships by producing three individual champs and winning two team titles.

Karen Morse of Canton, in leading the team to a state title in the female compound division, finished first and set a new state record by scoring 562 points during the Jan. 29 competition in Taylor.

"Anytime that you can take a record of any kind, anywhere, that is major; it's great!" Karstetter said. "She shot great. She seems to have matured a little bit (since last year). She put it together," the coach added.

Beth Robinson of Williamsport placed second in female compound and Michelle Wright of Kendall, N.Y., was third, helping the Wildcats to a team total of 1,673 points. Penn State was second with 977 points.

Karstetter thinks that all three will continue to get better.

"Being that they're within a point or two apart, they push each other to keep improving and improving. Each one of them wants to be on top and it pushes them to be a little bit better, to try a little bit harder in practice and keep focused," he said.

Also for the Penn College women, Sarah Wilson of Tyrone finished first in female recurve.

Leading the Wildcats male compound team to a state title was Ryan Benny (Burnham), who placed first individually. Right behind were teammates Ryan Romberger (Pillow) and Jonas Glick (Lewistown) in second and third, respectively.

"Ryan Benny definitely has improved since last year. Last year he was nipping at the heels of Ryan Romberger, now it's the other way around. I look for Ryan and Ryan to stay neck-and-neck throughout the rest of the year," said Karstetter.

Teamwise, the Penn College men scored 1,720 points, while Stevens Trade School was second with 1,665 and Penn State third with 1,660.

"They did excellent as a team. Anytime you can get three guys together who all come out with at least a 570, it's pretty tough to compete against," Karstetter said.

Also for Penn College, Jason Kornbau of Red Lion placed third in the male recurve division.