Peters, district settle lawsuit with parent
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
By Jonathan D. Silver, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Peters and its school district have settled a federal suit by a resident and former basketball coach who claimed her civil rights were violated when she was barred from her daughter's basketball practices and games.
As part of the settlement, approved Friday by U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan, insurers for the township and district will pay Diane Wickstrom and her daughter, Marissa, a total of $63,500.
Neither defendant admits any wrongdoing.
The Wickstroms' attorney, Thomas J. Farnan, claimed his client was wrongfully barred for almost two years under a "false premise" and said Tuesday that his clients are "vindicated."
The school board Monday night approved the settlement agreement by a 5-4 vote, with members Lori Cuervo, David Hvizdos, Lynn Erenberg and Cindy Golembiewski dissenting.
Ms. Wickstrom sued in October alleging defamation and violations of her right to free speech and equal protection.
She claimed she was singled out after sending a 2009 email to the township's parks and recreation board that raised concerns about her daughter's seventh-grade basketball team, part of the Peters Township Basketball Association.
A policy was enacted that banned parents from practices of the seventh-grade girls travel team, which was followed by a letter by the township to Ms. Wickstrom warning that she would be cited or arrested if she did not comply.
"This is a case of parents, in retaliation against a coach/parent for her complaints about their inappropriate behavior, seizing control of the instruments of legal authority in a small town and dramatically and vindictively retaliating against that coach/parent by implementing and enforcing petty ordinances against her," Mr. Farnan wrote in a motion.
Peters claimed that the exclusion policy was applied to all parents, and the sides disagreed about whether Ms. Wickstrom violated the policy.
On Nov. 21 Peters rescinded the ban on Ms. Wickstrom.
The township's insurer will be responsible for paying $55,000, and the school district's insurer will cover the remaining $8,500.
Peters Manager Michael Silvestri said the insurance company made the decision to settle and worked out the amount.
He said the only bite to taxpayers would be any deductible the township would have to pay. He could not cite a figure.
"The insurance company is the one that made the decision to settle as opposed to continue this in court," Mr. Silvestri said. "We still contend that there was no wrongdoing."
Jonathan D. Silver: jsilver@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1962.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12053/1211791-58.stm#ixzz1n799dXRs
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Charges possible against Woodland Hills player for fight: P-G 2-21-12
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
By Mike White and Janice Crompton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
California University of Pennsylvania police plan to meet with the Washington County District Attorney's office to decide whether to file criminal charges against a Woodland Hills High School basketball player who punched an opposing player in a WPIAL playoff game Saturday.
Shakim Alonzo, a star senior player at Woodland Hills, ran across the court and punched Peters Township's Gabe Pritz from behind in the fourth quarter of a Class AAAA first-round game at California's Convocation Center. Pritz fell to the ground, bleeding from his ear, and later received 11 stitches.
California University Police Chief Bob Downey said his office will consult with the DA's office some time this week about possible charges.
"We will file what they deem to be the appropriate charges, if any," Downey said.
Downey said summary charges of harassment could be filed, or possibly simple assault, which is a misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, Alonzo said Peters Township used a racial slur toward him during the game. "They did," said Alonzo, who is African-American. "But I can't really talk any more about the situation."
Peters Township coach Gary Goga denied any of his players used racial slurs during the game. But after the game, a California security worker claimed he heard Peters Township players using racial slurs about Woodland Hills in the locker room.
Goga acknowledged what the security worker reported.
"I wasn't in the locker room after the game," Goga said. "It was told to me by the security worker who overheard it. He told our athletic director [Brian Geyer] and we addressed it with the team. It has already been addressed."
Goga was visibly upset and highly emotional after the game. About one minute after the contest ended, Goga did an interview with Lanny Frattare and Mark Schaas, who were broadcasting the game on the Internet for MSA Sports. In the interview, Goga said, "Our kid gets sucker punched. [Alonzo] should lose his scholarship to Cincinnati. If I'm the Cincinnati football coach, I don't let him walk on my campus. That's a punk who should never be allowed to play."
Alonzo, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound receiver, said Cincinnati assistant football coach Don Mahoney called him this weekend about the incident, but there was no talk of Alonzo losing his scholarship.
"He just wanted to know what went on," Alonzo said.
When contacted Monday, Goga backed off of some of his comments about Alonzo.
"I was just really emotional and worried about my player after the game," Goga said. "It was a choice of words that was extremely harsh and I understand that. In regards to the incident, I feel it was a violent attack. In regards to his scholarship, that's none of my business."
WPIAL executive director Tim O'Malley said the league will not look at the case until after both schools review it and send reports to the league office. The WPIAL might choose to do nothing if they believe both schools thoroughly investigated and took disciplinary action, if needed.
"We are not policemen," O'Malley said. "When a kid misbehaves at school, that's the school's issue to discipline him. If a student misbehaves at an interscholastic event, the responsibility of discipline is delegated to the school.
"We are not an investigative body. ... This occurred during the course of a game and officials dealt with it. What we have to do as a league is make a determination of whether the schools' actions are appropriate."
George Novak, football coach and athletic director at Woodland Hills, said school officials will meet with players today about the game and the incident, and will file a report with the WPIAL later this week.
"We won't make any comments or decisions until we get statements from everyone involved," Novak said.
The WPIAL Board of Control also meets today. The board's next meeting is March 19. Peters Township will play Central Catholic Saturday in the WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinals.
The loss to Peters Township ended Woodland Hills' season. The start of the game was delayed 45 minutes because Woodland Hills' team bus first went to IUP. It was a baffling mistake because California is 63 miles from IUP, according to mapquest.com.
Novak said a bus was ordered to go to California. Novak also said when Woodland Hills coach Mike Decker got on the bus Saturday, he asked the driver if he knew how to get to California.
"The guy said he knew how to get there," Novak said. "Mike isn't familiar how to get there because he has never been there."
Novak said Woodland Hills was on IUP's campus before it realized it was in the wrong place.
"It was just a bad day overall," Novak said.
For more on high school sports, go to "Varsity Blog" at www.post-gazette.com/varsityblog. Mike White: mwhite@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1975. Twitter @mwhiteburgh. Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com.
Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/12052/1211541-361.stm#ixzz1n1MCf6gL
By Mike White and Janice Crompton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
California University of Pennsylvania police plan to meet with the Washington County District Attorney's office to decide whether to file criminal charges against a Woodland Hills High School basketball player who punched an opposing player in a WPIAL playoff game Saturday.
Shakim Alonzo, a star senior player at Woodland Hills, ran across the court and punched Peters Township's Gabe Pritz from behind in the fourth quarter of a Class AAAA first-round game at California's Convocation Center. Pritz fell to the ground, bleeding from his ear, and later received 11 stitches.
California University Police Chief Bob Downey said his office will consult with the DA's office some time this week about possible charges.
"We will file what they deem to be the appropriate charges, if any," Downey said.
Downey said summary charges of harassment could be filed, or possibly simple assault, which is a misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, Alonzo said Peters Township used a racial slur toward him during the game. "They did," said Alonzo, who is African-American. "But I can't really talk any more about the situation."
Peters Township coach Gary Goga denied any of his players used racial slurs during the game. But after the game, a California security worker claimed he heard Peters Township players using racial slurs about Woodland Hills in the locker room.
Goga acknowledged what the security worker reported.
"I wasn't in the locker room after the game," Goga said. "It was told to me by the security worker who overheard it. He told our athletic director [Brian Geyer] and we addressed it with the team. It has already been addressed."
Goga was visibly upset and highly emotional after the game. About one minute after the contest ended, Goga did an interview with Lanny Frattare and Mark Schaas, who were broadcasting the game on the Internet for MSA Sports. In the interview, Goga said, "Our kid gets sucker punched. [Alonzo] should lose his scholarship to Cincinnati. If I'm the Cincinnati football coach, I don't let him walk on my campus. That's a punk who should never be allowed to play."
Alonzo, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound receiver, said Cincinnati assistant football coach Don Mahoney called him this weekend about the incident, but there was no talk of Alonzo losing his scholarship.
"He just wanted to know what went on," Alonzo said.
When contacted Monday, Goga backed off of some of his comments about Alonzo.
"I was just really emotional and worried about my player after the game," Goga said. "It was a choice of words that was extremely harsh and I understand that. In regards to the incident, I feel it was a violent attack. In regards to his scholarship, that's none of my business."
WPIAL executive director Tim O'Malley said the league will not look at the case until after both schools review it and send reports to the league office. The WPIAL might choose to do nothing if they believe both schools thoroughly investigated and took disciplinary action, if needed.
"We are not policemen," O'Malley said. "When a kid misbehaves at school, that's the school's issue to discipline him. If a student misbehaves at an interscholastic event, the responsibility of discipline is delegated to the school.
"We are not an investigative body. ... This occurred during the course of a game and officials dealt with it. What we have to do as a league is make a determination of whether the schools' actions are appropriate."
George Novak, football coach and athletic director at Woodland Hills, said school officials will meet with players today about the game and the incident, and will file a report with the WPIAL later this week.
"We won't make any comments or decisions until we get statements from everyone involved," Novak said.
The WPIAL Board of Control also meets today. The board's next meeting is March 19. Peters Township will play Central Catholic Saturday in the WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinals.
The loss to Peters Township ended Woodland Hills' season. The start of the game was delayed 45 minutes because Woodland Hills' team bus first went to IUP. It was a baffling mistake because California is 63 miles from IUP, according to mapquest.com.
Novak said a bus was ordered to go to California. Novak also said when Woodland Hills coach Mike Decker got on the bus Saturday, he asked the driver if he knew how to get to California.
"The guy said he knew how to get there," Novak said. "Mike isn't familiar how to get there because he has never been there."
Novak said Woodland Hills was on IUP's campus before it realized it was in the wrong place.
"It was just a bad day overall," Novak said.
For more on high school sports, go to "Varsity Blog" at www.post-gazette.com/varsityblog. Mike White: mwhite@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1975. Twitter @mwhiteburgh. Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com.
Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/12052/1211541-361.stm#ixzz1n1MCf6gL
Monday, February 20, 2012
Police consider charges after WPIAL playoff punch: P-G 2-20-12
Monday, February 20, 2012
By Janice Crompton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Police at California University of Pennsylvania said today they are considering filing criminal charges against a high school basketball player over a punch thrown during a playoff game at the university Saturday.
University police Chief Bob Downey said his office will consult with the Washington County District Attorney's office this week to determine whether to file charges against Woodland Hills standout Shakim Alonzo, a senior ejected from a WPIAL Class AAAA first-round playoff game Saturday against Peters for throwing an elbow in the fourth quarter and then punching Peters's Gabe Pritz in the head.
"We will file what they deem to be the appropriate charges, if any," Chief Downey said.
After being blindsided by the punch, Mr. Pritz lay on the court for several minutes, bleeding from the ear. Team Trainer Andrew Traber said he was later taken to the hospital, where he received 11 stitches.
Mr. Pritz did not suffer a concussion, Mr. Traber said, and returned to the game and finished with a game-high 30 points for the Indians, who won the game, 67-56.
Chief Downey, who had three officers at the game and two outside of the university's Convocation Center, said Mr. Pritz's family indicated to one of his officers that they would like to pursue charges.
He said his officers conducted interviews and a brief investigation on Saturday.
Woodland Hills coach Mike Decker said Mr. Alonzo, a University of Cincinnati football recruit, was "out of control."
"I'm completely embarrassed by the situation," Mr. Decker said. "That's not the way I coach and that's not the image I want my team to portray."
Peters Township coach Gary Goga was surprised at Mr. Alonzo's behavior.
"I saw my player get blatantly hit with as cheap of a shot as I've ever seen," he said.
In his two years on the job, Chief Downey said he never recalled filing criminal charges against an athlete for an incident during a sporting event, but said the issue could "get a little sticky."
Summary charges of harassment could be filed, Chief Downey said, or possibly simple assault, which is a misdemeanor.
"That's why we're consulting with the DA," he said.
Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com or 412-851-1867.
Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/12051/1211492-100.stm#ixzz1mwxqmIVJ
By Janice Crompton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Police at California University of Pennsylvania said today they are considering filing criminal charges against a high school basketball player over a punch thrown during a playoff game at the university Saturday.
University police Chief Bob Downey said his office will consult with the Washington County District Attorney's office this week to determine whether to file charges against Woodland Hills standout Shakim Alonzo, a senior ejected from a WPIAL Class AAAA first-round playoff game Saturday against Peters for throwing an elbow in the fourth quarter and then punching Peters's Gabe Pritz in the head.
"We will file what they deem to be the appropriate charges, if any," Chief Downey said.
After being blindsided by the punch, Mr. Pritz lay on the court for several minutes, bleeding from the ear. Team Trainer Andrew Traber said he was later taken to the hospital, where he received 11 stitches.
Mr. Pritz did not suffer a concussion, Mr. Traber said, and returned to the game and finished with a game-high 30 points for the Indians, who won the game, 67-56.
Chief Downey, who had three officers at the game and two outside of the university's Convocation Center, said Mr. Pritz's family indicated to one of his officers that they would like to pursue charges.
He said his officers conducted interviews and a brief investigation on Saturday.
Woodland Hills coach Mike Decker said Mr. Alonzo, a University of Cincinnati football recruit, was "out of control."
"I'm completely embarrassed by the situation," Mr. Decker said. "That's not the way I coach and that's not the image I want my team to portray."
Peters Township coach Gary Goga was surprised at Mr. Alonzo's behavior.
"I saw my player get blatantly hit with as cheap of a shot as I've ever seen," he said.
In his two years on the job, Chief Downey said he never recalled filing criminal charges against an athlete for an incident during a sporting event, but said the issue could "get a little sticky."
Summary charges of harassment could be filed, Chief Downey said, or possibly simple assault, which is a misdemeanor.
"That's why we're consulting with the DA," he said.
Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com or 412-851-1867.
Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/12051/1211492-100.stm#ixzz1mwxqmIVJ
Sunday, February 19, 2012
PT boys take foe's best punch, win on points: O-R 2-19-12
PT boys take foe's best punch, win on points
2/19/2012 3:32 AM
CALIFORNIA - They have been playing high school basketball in this corner of Pennsylvania for more than 100 years, but there has not been a playoff game in that span with all the interesting elements of the one Saturday afternoon between Peters Township and Woodland Hills at California University.
It started with a directionally challenged bus driver who took the Woodland Hills team to the wrong college campus - two counties away - resulting in a 46-minute delay before play began. After the lengthy wait, the game was stopped twice in the first two minutes, once for a malfunctioning scoreboard then for the college shot-clock buzzer sounding.
That, however, was nothing compared to the chaos of the fourth quarter. After Peters Township had forged an eight-point lead with less than four minutes left, Woodland Hills' Shakim Alonzo, a 6-5 senior, triggered a melee that left Peters Township's Gabe Pritz lying on the court for 10 minutes and bleeding from his left ear.
The fourth quarter alone included five technical fouls, two ejections and 24 free throws attempted by Peters Township.
Somehow, through all the delays and turmoil, Peters Township displayed enough poise and character to wipe away a double-digit first-half deficit and stun Woodland Hills, the Section 2 champion, 67-56, in a Class AAAA first-round game.
"What happened at the end doesn't take away anything from the win. This was a great team win," said PT coach Gary Goga.
The win sends Peters Township (12-11) to next weekend's quarterfinals against Central Catholic (13-10), a 70-44 winner over Hempfield. The Indians, however, will be without senior guard Trent McPherson, who was ejected for throwing the basketball at Alonzo during the fourth-quarter melee. As per WPIAL rules, players who are ejected must sit out their team's next game.
The contest turned ugly when, with Peters Township leading 52-44 and 3:38 remaining, Alonzo was called for an intentional foul away from the ball and immediately ejected.
"The referees said the initial ejection was for throwing an intentional elbow," Goga explained. "I'm not sure because I didn't have a clear line of vision on it."
Alonzo, a University of Cincinnati recruit, had to be restrained by his mother, who ran onto the court, and Woodland Hills head coach Mike Decker. Meanwhile, players from each team began going nose-to-nose at midcourt before the coaching staffs could attempt to restore order.
Alonzo then broke free of Decker's grasp, sprinted from near the foul line across midcourt and landed a punch to the side of the head of Pritz, who didn't see Alonzo approaching.
"It was a blatant sucker punch," Goga said. "One of the worst things I've seen. It was right in front of me. He got away from his coaches and ran up and punched my player in the side of the head. ... I saw him wind up, and Gabe had his back turned, of course, and (Alonzo) cheap-shotted him. That's what it was."
Pritz, a 6-5 junior who scored a game-high 30 points and was a thorn in the side of Woodland Hills all day, lay on the court for 10 minutes while being attended to by trainers. Pritz was bleeding from his left ear.
Meanwhile, Cal security and WPIAL officials cleared the court.
"I just saw a guy (Alonzo) out of control," Decker said. "I'm completely embarrassed. I talked to Gary and apologized. That's not how I coach or how my players are taught to play basketball. It's completely out of character for our team.
"I feel terrible for (Pritz). That's not the image that I want to portray, not only of my teams but also Woodland Hills. I don't know what else to say. I'm sick to my stomach over what happened and feel embarrassed. That's not who I am and who my teams are. ... Nothing good can come out of this."
Pritz, according to Goga, had cartilage torn from his ear by the punch. Pritz eventually went to the locker room. He returned shortly after play resumed, with a bandage wrapped around his head.
Woodland Hills (17-6) made one final surge and pulled to within 57-51 with two minutes left, but RJ Pfeuffer made four free throws around two by Pritz to seal the victory.
Pritz was the key to the win. In addition to his scoring, Pritz grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and blocked six shots.
The Indians, who trailed 16-4 after one quarter, opened the second quarter with a 12-0 run, sparked by a defensive change. The Indians extended their 2-3 zone defense to trap the Woodland Hills guards. The Wolverines scored only five second-quarter points.
Peters Township also took advantage of the Wolverines switching on all ball-screens, which left Pritz one-and-one inside against smaller defenders. The Indians mounted the comeback by getting the ball inside to Pritz, then built their lead with a flurry of three-pointers from Pfeuffer and Dakota Norton.
"They were able to spread us out and get the ball inside to Pritz," Decker said. "They controlled the tempo. We didn't make shots, so we couldn't pressure them with our defense. We played Peters Township's pace and style of game."
Pfeuffer finished with 15 points. Norton and Kevin Glod each scored 10 for PT.
Alozno led Woodland Hills with 15 points. Jeremy McMunn had 13 and Tom Greene 10.
The start of the game was delayed 46 minutes because Woodland Hills' bus driver took the Wolverines to Indiana University instead of Cal.
"I make no excuses. Peters Township beat us," Decker said. "But if you ask me if I'd like to go to Indiana on the way to Cal, I'll say no.
"When I got on the bus, I said Cal U., you have directions? The driver said he did. Then the coaches started talking game plan, and I looked up and saw signs for Indiana. It was 11 o'clock."
Decker admitted he thought Woodland Hills might have to forfeit.
"I didn't know what the rules are," he said. "You can imagine what was going through my mind at that point. Gary Goga and I are friends, so I called him, then started getting in touch with other people here."
The Woodland Hills players put on their uniforms and warmups while on the bus. The players were dropped off at the Convocation Center's loading dock and immediately went on the court to warm up.
"That situation is no excuse," Decker said. "Peters Township just beat us." Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
2/19/2012 3:32 AM
CALIFORNIA - They have been playing high school basketball in this corner of Pennsylvania for more than 100 years, but there has not been a playoff game in that span with all the interesting elements of the one Saturday afternoon between Peters Township and Woodland Hills at California University.
It started with a directionally challenged bus driver who took the Woodland Hills team to the wrong college campus - two counties away - resulting in a 46-minute delay before play began. After the lengthy wait, the game was stopped twice in the first two minutes, once for a malfunctioning scoreboard then for the college shot-clock buzzer sounding.
That, however, was nothing compared to the chaos of the fourth quarter. After Peters Township had forged an eight-point lead with less than four minutes left, Woodland Hills' Shakim Alonzo, a 6-5 senior, triggered a melee that left Peters Township's Gabe Pritz lying on the court for 10 minutes and bleeding from his left ear.
The fourth quarter alone included five technical fouls, two ejections and 24 free throws attempted by Peters Township.
Somehow, through all the delays and turmoil, Peters Township displayed enough poise and character to wipe away a double-digit first-half deficit and stun Woodland Hills, the Section 2 champion, 67-56, in a Class AAAA first-round game.
"What happened at the end doesn't take away anything from the win. This was a great team win," said PT coach Gary Goga.
The win sends Peters Township (12-11) to next weekend's quarterfinals against Central Catholic (13-10), a 70-44 winner over Hempfield. The Indians, however, will be without senior guard Trent McPherson, who was ejected for throwing the basketball at Alonzo during the fourth-quarter melee. As per WPIAL rules, players who are ejected must sit out their team's next game.
The contest turned ugly when, with Peters Township leading 52-44 and 3:38 remaining, Alonzo was called for an intentional foul away from the ball and immediately ejected.
"The referees said the initial ejection was for throwing an intentional elbow," Goga explained. "I'm not sure because I didn't have a clear line of vision on it."
Alonzo, a University of Cincinnati recruit, had to be restrained by his mother, who ran onto the court, and Woodland Hills head coach Mike Decker. Meanwhile, players from each team began going nose-to-nose at midcourt before the coaching staffs could attempt to restore order.
Alonzo then broke free of Decker's grasp, sprinted from near the foul line across midcourt and landed a punch to the side of the head of Pritz, who didn't see Alonzo approaching.
"It was a blatant sucker punch," Goga said. "One of the worst things I've seen. It was right in front of me. He got away from his coaches and ran up and punched my player in the side of the head. ... I saw him wind up, and Gabe had his back turned, of course, and (Alonzo) cheap-shotted him. That's what it was."
Pritz, a 6-5 junior who scored a game-high 30 points and was a thorn in the side of Woodland Hills all day, lay on the court for 10 minutes while being attended to by trainers. Pritz was bleeding from his left ear.
Meanwhile, Cal security and WPIAL officials cleared the court.
"I just saw a guy (Alonzo) out of control," Decker said. "I'm completely embarrassed. I talked to Gary and apologized. That's not how I coach or how my players are taught to play basketball. It's completely out of character for our team.
"I feel terrible for (Pritz). That's not the image that I want to portray, not only of my teams but also Woodland Hills. I don't know what else to say. I'm sick to my stomach over what happened and feel embarrassed. That's not who I am and who my teams are. ... Nothing good can come out of this."
Pritz, according to Goga, had cartilage torn from his ear by the punch. Pritz eventually went to the locker room. He returned shortly after play resumed, with a bandage wrapped around his head.
Woodland Hills (17-6) made one final surge and pulled to within 57-51 with two minutes left, but RJ Pfeuffer made four free throws around two by Pritz to seal the victory.
Pritz was the key to the win. In addition to his scoring, Pritz grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and blocked six shots.
The Indians, who trailed 16-4 after one quarter, opened the second quarter with a 12-0 run, sparked by a defensive change. The Indians extended their 2-3 zone defense to trap the Woodland Hills guards. The Wolverines scored only five second-quarter points.
Peters Township also took advantage of the Wolverines switching on all ball-screens, which left Pritz one-and-one inside against smaller defenders. The Indians mounted the comeback by getting the ball inside to Pritz, then built their lead with a flurry of three-pointers from Pfeuffer and Dakota Norton.
"They were able to spread us out and get the ball inside to Pritz," Decker said. "They controlled the tempo. We didn't make shots, so we couldn't pressure them with our defense. We played Peters Township's pace and style of game."
Pfeuffer finished with 15 points. Norton and Kevin Glod each scored 10 for PT.
Alozno led Woodland Hills with 15 points. Jeremy McMunn had 13 and Tom Greene 10.
The start of the game was delayed 46 minutes because Woodland Hills' bus driver took the Wolverines to Indiana University instead of Cal.
"I make no excuses. Peters Township beat us," Decker said. "But if you ask me if I'd like to go to Indiana on the way to Cal, I'll say no.
"When I got on the bus, I said Cal U., you have directions? The driver said he did. Then the coaches started talking game plan, and I looked up and saw signs for Indiana. It was 11 o'clock."
Decker admitted he thought Woodland Hills might have to forfeit.
"I didn't know what the rules are," he said. "You can imagine what was going through my mind at that point. Gary Goga and I are friends, so I called him, then started getting in touch with other people here."
The Woodland Hills players put on their uniforms and warmups while on the bus. The players were dropped off at the Convocation Center's loading dock and immediately went on the court to warm up.
"That situation is no excuse," Decker said. "Peters Township just beat us." Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
Peters Basketball player punched during game: P-G 2-19-12
WPIAL Boys Playoffs: Peters Twp. scores upset
Punches thrown; Woodland Hills loses
2/19/2012 12:22:00 AM
From local dispatches
Peters Township upset No. 4 seed Woodland Hills, 67-56, in a WPIAL Class AAAA first-round playoff game Saturday at California University, but the outcome of the game was not the big story.
Woodland Hills standout Shakim Alonzo was ejected for throwing an elbow in the fourth quarter and then punching Peters Township's Gabe Pritz in the head before being restrained by Woodland Hills coaches and administrators, as well as California University security.
"What I saw was a guy out of control and I'm going to leave it at that," Woodland Hills coach Mike Decker said. "I'm completely embarrassed by the situation. That's not the way I coach and that's not the image I want my team to portray."
Alonzo, a senior, is a University of Cincinnati football recruit.
The incident occurred with 3:38 remaining in the game and Peters Township holding a 52-44 lead.
After the punch, Peters Township's Trent McPherson was called for a technical foul for throwing the ball at a Woodland Hills player.
Pritz laid on the court bleeding from his ear for several minutes.
"I saw my player get blatantly hit with as cheap of a shot as I've ever seen," Peters Township coach Gary Goga said.
Pritz returned and finished with a game-high 30 points for the Indians (12-11), who rallied from an early 15-2 deficit.
Peters Township made 19 of 24 free throws in the fourth quarter and 26 of 31 for the game.
Woodland Hills (17-6), which was seeking its first playoff win since 1995, finished 4 of 9 from the line. Alonzo scored a team-high 15 points.
The playoff game began 45 minutes late after the Woodland Hills team bus mistakenly drove to IUP, instead of California.
Punches thrown; Woodland Hills loses
2/19/2012 12:22:00 AM
From local dispatches
Peters Township upset No. 4 seed Woodland Hills, 67-56, in a WPIAL Class AAAA first-round playoff game Saturday at California University, but the outcome of the game was not the big story.
Woodland Hills standout Shakim Alonzo was ejected for throwing an elbow in the fourth quarter and then punching Peters Township's Gabe Pritz in the head before being restrained by Woodland Hills coaches and administrators, as well as California University security.
"What I saw was a guy out of control and I'm going to leave it at that," Woodland Hills coach Mike Decker said. "I'm completely embarrassed by the situation. That's not the way I coach and that's not the image I want my team to portray."
Alonzo, a senior, is a University of Cincinnati football recruit.
The incident occurred with 3:38 remaining in the game and Peters Township holding a 52-44 lead.
After the punch, Peters Township's Trent McPherson was called for a technical foul for throwing the ball at a Woodland Hills player.
Pritz laid on the court bleeding from his ear for several minutes.
"I saw my player get blatantly hit with as cheap of a shot as I've ever seen," Peters Township coach Gary Goga said.
Pritz returned and finished with a game-high 30 points for the Indians (12-11), who rallied from an early 15-2 deficit.
Peters Township made 19 of 24 free throws in the fourth quarter and 26 of 31 for the game.
Woodland Hills (17-6), which was seeking its first playoff win since 1995, finished 4 of 9 from the line. Alonzo scored a team-high 15 points.
The playoff game began 45 minutes late after the Woodland Hills team bus mistakenly drove to IUP, instead of California.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Lockdown drill and Search at PTHS: 2-6-12
Safety Update from PTHS
This morning, the High School conducted a lockdown drill and a routine canine locker search throughout the building. Please note that this is not in response to an event or threat of any kind, but rather a proactive approach to eliminating unwanted or illegal items in our schools. The District wants to convey a strong message concerning the use or possession of illegal substances or weapons. Throughout the school year, we have been practicing our safety procedures and working in conjunction with our local first responders to review our safety plans. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the High School Administration at 724-941-6250.
This morning, the High School conducted a lockdown drill and a routine canine locker search throughout the building. Please note that this is not in response to an event or threat of any kind, but rather a proactive approach to eliminating unwanted or illegal items in our schools. The District wants to convey a strong message concerning the use or possession of illegal substances or weapons. Throughout the school year, we have been practicing our safety procedures and working in conjunction with our local first responders to review our safety plans. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the High School Administration at 724-941-6250.
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