Oct 22, 2024 By Rob Burchianti 4 min read

Frazier has one of the most respected girls volleyball programs in the WPIAL so it wasn’t a shock when the Lady Commodores were awarded the No. 1 seed in the Class A playoff bracket.

Frazier coach Mandy Hartman, who has guided her squad to a pair of WPIAL championships and to its 17th section title this season, felt the Lady Commodores (12-3) had the inside track to the top spot.

“I knew that the only thing that might have cost us was the losses but I was hoping that they would recognize that they were all to bigger schools and early in the season,” Hartman said.

The Lady Commodores fell to unbeaten Class 2A Waynesburg Central and two Class 3A teams in playoff qualifier Laurel Highlands and Trinity.

“The other factor I think was that so many of these teams played each other,” Hartman said. “Eden Christian and Greensburg Central Catholic both played each other twice recently.”

The two teams split those meetings. The Lady Centurions were swept by the Lady Commodores and finished second to them in Section 4.

“I think that makes seeding a lot easier when teams play each other out of section in the regular season,” Hartman said. “I think that was the other contributing factor.”

Eden Christian was seeded second and GCC third.

Frazier hosts No. 16 Rochester in a first round game at 7 p.m. tonight.

“We’re healthy and ready to go,” Hartman said. “Knock on wood, we haven’t had much to deal with in the injury department. They really train hard in the summer time so I think we’re seeing the benefits of that. They came in really strong and healthy and with a lot of stamina.”

No regrets

Connellsville finished its first season as a football independent with a 3-6 record after earning a 27-6 win over Uniontown at Bill Power Stadium Friday night.

The Falcons had improved from a winless season in Class 5A in 2021 to 2-8 in 2022 and 5-5 last year in two seasons at the Class 4A level before being informed they would be moving back up to 5A for 2023. The school then opted to become an independent team for at least the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Jace McLean, who serves as one of the Falcons three head coaches along with Mick Lilley and Chad Lembo, feels the school made the best decision for the program.

“Overall, we think we made the right choice,” McLean said. “I know there are a lot of naysayers out there but we were able to compete every week this season.

“We were in every game at halftime and had a couple come down to the last drive. And that’s what we wanted. We didn’t want to be involved in these 50-0 games where your kids don’t really gain anything.

“Going independent was the best choice for us.”

No easy ride

Uniontown, also an independent football team, has a 3-5 record heading into its final game against Southern Garrett at Bill Power Stadium but don’t think the Red Raiders have had a breeze of a schedule.

“Northern Garrett was really good and we’ve played a couple 5A teams in Connellsville and Allderdice,” Uniontown coach Keith Jeffries said. “We’ve played a couple 4A teams in Perry and AG. It’s not like we’re just seeking out bad single-A schools to play.

“There’s been other schools looking into the independent thing that have been trying to get some information from us.”

One of the toughest aspects of being an independent is putting together the schedule, Jeffries said.

“We’re not quite 100 percent with our schedule for next year yet,” Jeffries said. “But we’re getting close.”

Age just a number

Beth-Center coach Tony Ruscitto is 84 years old but still feels fine roaming the sidelines.

“I feel great,” Ruscitto said. “I’ve worked hard and long hours all my life. I’ve coached 50 years and I’ve been in the construction business for 65 years.

“The Lord has been good to me as far as my body.”

The Bulldogs have struggled to a 1-7 record so far this season. As Ruscitto pointed out, though, B-C has one of the youngest lineups in the WPIAL with nine freshmen either starting or getting significant playing time.

Beth-Center closes its season at home against West Greene.