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PT's Wilcox prefers hardwood to soccer field
Thanks to a deft scoring touch, Nick Wilcox earned all-state accolades during his senior season on the Peters Township boys soccer team.
A 6-3 frame, skills and family history - his older brother Chris plays soccer at the University of Pittsburgh - would indicate Nick Wilcox plans to play the sport at a Division I program in 2009.
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Wilcox, however, has other plans.
"Coach says I can be a Division I soccer player," Wilcox said as Peters Township made a run to the 2008 PIAA Class AAA championship match. "But I love basketball. I'm a basketball player."
Through seven games, Wilcox looks equally skilled at both sports and he's coming off a 40-point performance last week in a two-point win against McKeesport. A win Monday over East Allegheny improved Peters Township's record to 7-1.
Waynesburg University men's assistant coach Lynford Lynch watched the performance but a lot of schools were absent as Wilcox, a member of the Observer-Reporter's all-district first team last year, had a career game before injuring his left ankle with 55 seconds remaining.
"Mostly, I'm getting looks from schools in the PAC," said Wilcox, who is averaging 22.6 points per game. "There's a few other that I've talked to, like Penn State-Behrend."
He's hoping the McKeesport game raises his profile and possibly lands him at a Division II program. Beth-Center senior Ryne Niemiec recently signed with California University and Canon-McMillan graduate Charles Murphy - last year's Observer-Reporter Player of the Year - is being redshirted at Clarion.
"I hope this helps," Peters Township coach Gary Goga said. "People around here, they know that Nick can play. The rest of the WPIAL, I don't know if they know about Nick. He can do a lot of things on the basketball court."
A better play
Ringgold's victory over Elizabeth Forward on Friday, Sept. 26 did more than lift the Rams to 4-1 overall and help pave the way for a Class AAA playoff appearance, it provided one of the more memorable plays of the WPIAL season.
Quarterback Shane Mountain avoided several pass rushers and hit running back Simon Bekavac on a slant. Bekavac cut back toward the Rams' sideline, avoided a few tackles and helped Ringgold to a 26-20 win.
The play also won $2,000 for Ringgold High School as it was selected the Play of the Season by Michelin in its "A Better Way. A Better Play" high school football program.
High schools from around the Pittsburgh area had opportunities to compete. Hopewell, North Allegheny and Pine-Richland were the other finalists.
Ringgold plans a check presentation sometime after New Year's Day and the winning play can be seen by visiting www.ABetterPlay.com.
All-state, All-WPIAL volleyball
Bentworth placed three players on the WPIAL Class A volleyball team and Jefferson-Morgan also had a representative.
Bentworth freshman Haley Wilson, a 5-10 middle hitter, made the first team. Senior outside hitter Amanda Kennedy and freshman outside hitter Melissa Schumacher were second-team selections.
Jefferson-Morgan sophomore Morgan Olson made the third team as a setter.
Wilson was the only local player to earn a spot on the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class A All-State team.
