Mount Carmel prepares for the Crusaders

Video and pictures of Mount Carmel's practice at Shamokin

Mount Carmel practiced at Shamokin Area on the turf on Tuesday evening. Despite cold temperatures and snow squalls, the Red Tornado practice looked very crisp.

Hard to believe we are 35 years removed from the annual Mount Carmel-Shamokin game for the Coal Bucket played on Thanksgiving Day. Does anyone have any fun stories from the blizzard in 1971? The snow fell on Wednesday and the game was cancelled until Saturday.

Lourdes, Southern, and Shamokin women in action today.

If you are making the trip to Marywood University today for Lourdes Regional for the games scheduled at 4:30 and 6:00 pm, here are the direcitons from I-81:

11:
Merge onto I-81 N via EXIT 260B on the LEFT toward WILKES-BARRE.
35.5 miles
Map
12:
Take EXIT 187 toward I-84 E / MT POCONO / I-380 S / MILFORD / US-6 E / CARBONDALE.
0.2 miles
Map
13:
Take the DRINKER ST exit- EXIT 186.
0.2 miles
Map
14:
Turn LEFT onto E DRINKER ST.
1.4 miles
Map
15:
E DRINKER ST becomes ELECTRIC ST.
0.2 miles
Map
16:
Turn RIGHT onto JEFFERSON AVE.

17:
Turn LEFT to stay on JEFFERSON AVE.
0.2 miles
Map
18:
Turn LEFT onto COLLEGE AVE.

19:
Turn RIGHT onto ADAMS AVE.
20:
End at 2300 Adams AveScranton, PA 18509-1514, US

Will this Southern Area fan be lurking at New Oxford today

Due to the weather last night, several area teams will be opening the state playoffs this afternoon and evening. Not much is expected out of area teams, but they play the games for a reason.

Southern Area have their hands full this afternoon down at New Oxford High School against Delone Catholic. Here is a PIAA rule I don't like. Unless your a number 1 seed coming out of the district, you shouldn't have a game in your back yard. More often than not this game is slanted toward the Hersheypark Arena or Giant Center.

Lourdes Regional boys and girls go up against Old Forge boys and girls. For years Old Forge and the former Bishop O'Reilly dueled for supremacy in District 2 A along with Bishop Hannan. Both Bishops are gone and have passed the torch to Old Forge. Out of District's 2, 4 and 11 in men, I give the Blue Devil boys the best chance of going deep in the state playoffs. Lourdes girls traditionally handled themselves against the District 2 champs (namely Forest City and the former Seton Catholic in recent years. They probably have the best chance of advancing.

Shamokin Area girls gave Selinsgrove Area all they could handle last week. A win by the Lady Indians would be their first state playoff win. They are going up against a new Catholic merger which the former was a regional power. With two freshman starters and plenty of talent coming back, Shamokin's better days are ahead. Good luck to the Lady Indians this afternoon.

Schuylkill League streak comes to an end!!!!

Well, this past weekend saw a streak come to an end. A girls team from Schuylkill League will not have a representative in the PIAA finals for the first time since 1986. From 1987 to 2006 the league has at least sent one team to the finals. Nativity was upended by Bishop Guilfoyle and Marian was beaten by Bishop O'Reilley.

A couple of things took place with the streak ending. With District 12 (Philadelphia) being added District 11 (primary the Schuylkill League) lost a place winner in the state tournament. Also Nativity had to tangle with Guilfoyle. As District 11 is to Eastern A girls basketball, Guilfoyle and Bishop Carrol are usually powers out West in single A. The streak is even more impressive when you go back to 1984 and find out that only 1986 is the only year with a gap. O'Reilley's win over Marian was the one that stands out. Last time a District 2 team reached the final was Bishop Hoban in 2000. Last District 2 team to reach a state final in A was Mid-Valley in 1981.

Ironic?

The streak ends the first year the Bryce Jordan Center is hosting the PIAA championships. The streak is ended by Bishop O'Reilley playing in their final season before a merger next year between themselves, Bishop's Hafey and Hoban.

Teams

Here is a look at the teams that made the finals from the league over that span. The records are not perfect but all have one championships at one time or another:

Mahanoy Area
Lourdes Regional
North Schuylkill
Nativity BVM (Pottsville Nativity)
Marian
Pine Grove

Note: Schuylkill Haven made it and one in 1985. Minersville made some eastern finals but came up short.