A top-10 list is traditional when talking about the end of the year, but, let’s face it, there were more than 10 great stories in local sports in 2013.
So, for this year’s format, I’ve decided to go with just one “top” story, followed by the, rest, in no particular order, that captured our imagination over the past year.
Also, you will see an additional list capturing the top games/individual moments of 2013.
So, without further ado, here are the top local sports stories spanning McKean, Potter, Elk and Cameron counties in 2013.
The Top Story — Johnsonburg Rams
Any time a team from our area makes it to the state finals in any sport, it’s a huge deal. Well, the Johnsonburg Rams did it twice, in both basketball and baseball. The basketball team finished just short of Pennsylvania gold, but the baseball squad, with many of the same players, went all the way.
It’s hard to say which run was more impressive, but let’s start with basketball.
The Rams eased past D-10 foe Eisenhower in the first round of the PIAA playoffs, followed by a five-point win over Shade and then a 11-point win over fellow D-9 team Smethport (the third time the two teams met during the season).
What followed, perhaps was one of the most shocking results in PIAA basketball history — a 59-53 win over Lincoln Park in the semifinals. The Leopards trotted out four Division I recruits, including Pitt commit Maverick Rowan.
Johnsonburg would lose in the state title game to Vaux, a team led by Rysheed Jordan, who is currently starting for St. John’s as a freshman, but their magical run was far from over.
In baseball, their PIAA run started with a 5-0 win over Western Beaver in the first round. The Rams run looked like it may come to an end in the quarterfinals, but they stunned Bishop McCort with a dramatic, 11-inning comeback win.
From there it was a 8-1 win over California, capped off by a 5-0 shutout of Canton in the title game, a game that featured Cole Peterson throw just the sixth complete-game shutout in PIAA championship history.
What a ride the Rams took us on in 2013!
Bradford girls basketball
It was another banner season for the Lady Owls, as they captured their second-straight D-9 Class AAA title. Along the way, they finished with a 21-3 overall record, making them 45-4 over the past two seasons. Ali Rinfrette and Kassera Owens were both named first-team all-district selections.
Nick Budd (Port Allegany), Evan DeLong (Kane), Kyle Bova (Coudersport) advance to state wrestling finals
What a year it was for the AMWL, capped off by these three making it all the way to the championship matches in their respective weight classes at the PIAA wrestling championships. Bova (152), DeLong (160) and Budd (285) all lost by two points each in the finals, but gave fans a run to remember, and their towns responded in kind with welcome home receptions worthy of their champion wrestlers.
Bradford boys track does it again
Led by seniors Aziz Yousif, Brandon Teribery, David Ackerman, Pat Asinger, Ty Riley and James Manners award-winner Matt Yurkewicz, the Owls captured their astounding 15th straight District 9 Class AAA title under legendary coach Tom Tessena.
Bradford boys basketball
It seems as if Brian Hobbs-coached teams always play their best basketball at the end of the season, and 2013 was no different, as the Owls once again topped Punxsy for the District 9 Class AAA crown. They were led by seniors Mike Wilber, Anthony Zimbardi, Tyler Wilber, David Ackerman, Ty Riley and Matt Yurkewicz.
Kane football
The Wolves, led by a stout defense and balanced offense, went unbeaten during the regular season and won the AML championship by defeating Sheffield. The Wolves were 11-0 before falling to Karns City in the District 9 Class AA title game.
Pennsylvania State Little League Tournament comes to Bradford
Under the guidance of Barry Bacha and Jim Newhouse, Bradford secured the rights to host the 2013 Pennsylvania State Little League Tournament, hosting the top little league teams in Pa. for the right to advance to regional play.
The event was a huge success, drawing many fans, both local and out of area, to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for the week-long event.
It was not only a huge boom for the local economy, but also for all those who love baseball.
Lionville edged Ridley Area in the championship game, and went on to finish just one win shy of making it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport.
Port Allegany girls basketball
The Lady Gators, led by the inside tandem of Becca Lathrop (first-team all-district selection) and Brooke Roys, advanced to the D-9 Class A championship game. They also won a state playoff game, defeating Penns Manor 52-45. With many of their key players back, the Lady Gators once again look poised for a deep run.
Bradford volleyball
The Lady Owls capped off their second-straight unbeaten regular season while capturing the District 9 Class AA title over Punxsutawney. They also won the PIAA District 5-6-8-9 Sub-Regional for the first time in program history. Seniors Ali Rinfrette, Alyssa Ekas, Haley Vinelli and Linsday Rinfrette all finished their careers holding one or multiple school records. Rinfrette and Vinelli were also named all-state selections.
ECC’s Weisner, St. Marys’ Gennocro win PIAA gold
For the second consecutive season, Weisner and Gennocro took home state titles.
Weisner, now a senior, won gold in the Class AA 1600 meter run at the PIAA Track and Field Championships with a time of 5:01.14, as well as the 800 in a time of 2:13.27.
Gennocro, meanwhile, captured gold in the Class AA 3200 run with a time of 10:37.90, and was second in the 1600 and 5:06.38. She is now a freshman running for the University of Louisville.
Smethport boys basketball
The Hubbers had a season to remember, led by first-team all-district selection Zach Smith (now at Pitt-Bradford) as well as Clay Schuler. They won their first state playoff game in program history against Bishop Guilfoyle 63-52 and then followed that up by shocking Clairton 37-35. They finished with a record of 24-4, a run that included a 21-game winning streak.
Port’s Kysor becomes first four-time 1st team Big 30 all-star
Kysor hit .531 as a senior with five home runs, 19 RBIs and 28 runs scored. He will begin his collegiate career this spring for Division I South Carolina Upstate.
Bradford boys soccer
The Owls won District 10, Region 4 for the first time in school history, knocking off traditional power Warren in the process. They capped off their season by capturing their second-straight District 9 Class AA title by beating Punxsutawney.
Pitt-Bradford women’s soccer and softball
Led by Offensive Player of the Year/Newcomer of the Year Melissa Smitha, as well as AMCC all-conference first-team members Maggie Boehler and Tess Follman, the Panthers advanced to the AMCC championship game before falling to Penn State Behrend 2-1. They finished with a record of 13-6-1.
The softball team, paced by Pitcher of the Year Sydney Mosby and Coach of the Year Tina Phillips, also advanced to the AMCC finals, where they fell to Penn State Altoona.
Ridgway boys golf
The Elkers finished with an unbeaten season and capped that off with an astounding 38-stroke win in the D-9 Class AA team championships.
Logue wins D-9 golf title
The senior who goes to Austin and competed for Cameron County as part of a co-op shot a final round 75 to edge Elliott Struble of Elk County Catholic one-stroke, finishing with a two-day total of 153.
Bradford girls golf/Colella
The Lady Owls finished unbeaten in the regular season for the second straight season, capped off by the District 9 Class AAA team title. Senior Kate Colella finished her brilliant career by shooting a 76 to win the D-9 Class AAA individual title, winning by 11-strokes.
Bradford boys golf/Faulkner
The Owls won the District 9 Class AAA team title by edging Punxsutawney by three-strokes. Sophomore Mitch Faulkner followed that up by shooting a two-day total of 154 to edge Punxsutawney senior Brandon Mancuso (158) for the District 9 Class AA individual crown.
Bradford girls cross country
Led by Makaila Banka (3rd), Riley Crissman, Mackenzie Race, Sarah Eaton, Ashley Colosimo, Morgan Whitlow and Kristen Gardner, Bradford edged Punxsutawney, 41-44 to capture the District 9 Class AA title.
Kane girls golf
The Lady Wolves captured the District 9 Class AA team title, beating second-place A-C Valley by 20 strokes. They were led by Sarah Szymanski, Megan Durante, Erin Paulson and Ellie Tunall.
First for Smethport girls golf
Smethport’s Laura Alfieri finished fourth in the Class AA individual tournament at districts, becoming the first Smethport girls golfer to coach Kurt Weaver’s knowledge to advance to regionals.
Kane boys track
The Wolves captured their third District 9 Class AA team title in the last four seasons.
Nick Conway-Port Allegany boys track
Conway capped off a brilliant senior season by finishing fourth at the PIAA state meet in both the 110 and 300 hurdles, both events in which he holds school records. He also finished tied for 10th in the high jump.
He is currently a freshman on the St. Francis University (Pa.) Track and Field team.
Walker breaks Oswayo Valley home run mark
Tommy Walker set the Green Waves’ career home run mark, surpassing Brian Stavisky, who held the previous record with 19.
Stavisky played parts of nine seasons in the Athletics, Angels and Phillies minor league systems, while also starring collegiately at Notre Dame.
Port Allegany boys soccer
The Gators, led by record-setting goal-scorer Tyler Kittlison, advanced to the District 9 Class A championship game, before falling to three-time defending champion Brockway.
