John Heller, Post-Gazette Shaler's Nick Nelson, right, drives Frank Molinaro of Southern Regional out of bounds in the 145-pound final at the Powerade tournament Saturday. Nelson went on to post a 9-4 decision. Click photo for larger image. More Coverage: Wrestling standings: 01/01/07

The 40th annual Powerade Christmas Tournament, which concluded Saturday at Canon-McMillan High School, featured some of the best wrestlers in the country, but two of the WPIAL's best were conspicuously absent.

Trinity's Grant Lowther and West Greene's Kory Bissett had hoped to defend the Powerade titles claimed last year, but both were out with injuries.

Lowther, a senior, won the WPIAL Class AAA title and placed fifth in the PIAA at 125 pounds last season.

"Grant was injured at the beginning of the season," said Trinity coach Jeff Bricker, who did not elaborate on the injury. "We gave him a couple weeks off, then he aggravated the injury at the Beast of the East Tournament. If it was up to Grant, he would have wrestled this weekend, but I wouldn't let him. It's more important to have him healthy for the postseason tournaments."

Bissett, also a senior, won WPIAL Class AA and Southwest Region titles and placed third in the PIAA at 135 pounds last season, but has been out because of shoulder surgery.

"We will find out this week [about his return]," said West Greene coach Allen Hughes. "Kory has a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. He's been running to stay in shape, but hasn't been able to drill live. Kory has full range of motion without pain, but it's up to the doctor to decide his fate."

WPIAL team rankings
Class AAA
Rank, school	W-L
1. Hempfield	2-0
2. Connellsville	5-0
3. Penn-Trafford	4-0
4. Kiski Area	8-1
5. Waynesburg	7-1
6. Canon-McMillan	5-1
7. North Allegheny	4-0
8. Latrobe	5-3
9. McGuffey	3-1
10. Chartiers Valley	5-0
Class AA
Rank, school	W-L
1. Burrell	5-0
2. South Side Beaver	4-1
3. Mount Pleasant	9-1
4. Burgettstown	5-0
5. Shady Side Academy	5-0
5. Derry Area	4-1

Burrell's comeback kid

The most exciting match of the Powerade tournament came in the semifinals. Burrell senior Devon Maloney rallied from a 10-0 deficit to pin Tim Miles of Virginia's Christiansburg High with only four seconds left in their 140-pound semifinal.

"Devon was on his back most of the first period and the entire second period, but fought off the pin," said Burrell coach Chris Como. "He was losing 10-2 when the third period began. Devon caught him late in the period and scored the pin with only four seconds left. No lead is big enough in a tournament with this much talent."

It was the third pin of the tournament for Maloney, but his luck ended in the championship match, as Central Dauphin's Walter Peppleman recorded a 3-0 victory.

Team effort

Mount Union won the 30-team Southmoreland Holiday Tournament despite having only one finalist. The Trojans, a member of District 6, outscored Norwin 181-166 to claim the team title. Devon Smith (125) placed second for Mount Union.

Norwin had three wrestlers claim titles, including two-time champions Dennis Fix (145), and Mike Salopek (189). Joey Hawley (125) also won a title for the Knights.

WPIAL showdowns

All WPIAL teams resume section play Wednesday. Two matches stand out.

Sole possession of first place in Section 3-AAA will be on the line when Fox Chapel plays host to North Allegheny. Both teams are 4-0 in section.

First place will also be up for grabs in Section 3-AA when Burrell plays host to Shady Side Academy. The Buccaneers are 5-0 and the Indians are 4-0. Burrell has won section titles six of the last seven years.

On the tournament trail

South Side Beaver hopes to defend its team title at the Midwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, which will be this weekend at Ambridge. Also entered in the MAC Tournament are Blackhawk, Center, Hopewell, Freedom, Laurel, Mars, Montour, Moon, Summit Academy and West Allegheny. Trinity and Fort Cherry are host for 10-team dual tournaments Saturday.

Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Burrell, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Kiski Area, Laurel Highlands, Mount Pleasant, North Allegheny, and Trinity are entered in Trinity's Elite Duals.

Bethel Park, Chartiers-Houston, Chartiers Valley, Derry Area, Fort Cherry, Highlands, Peters Township, South Allegheny, Thomas Jefferson, and West Greene are entered in the Fort Cherry Duals.