Lake Fong, Post-Gazette photos Schenley's D.J. Kennedy, Jamaal Bryant and DeJuan Blair celebrate.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 1. Pride of the City

The Schenley boys' basketball team becomes the first from the City League in 29 years to win a PIAA championship in the largest classification. The Spartans dominated throughout the PIAA tournament and the starting five of DeJuan Blair, D.J. Kennedy, Jamaal "Onion" Bryant, Deandre Kane and Greg Blair made for a team that is considered possibly one of the top 10 or 15 in the history of Western Pennsylvania.

2. Star shot

Aliquippa basketball star Herb Pope, a Parade All-American, is shot four times at a party in Aliquippa and spends more than a week in the hospital, recovering from his wounds. A gunshot wound to his wrist left leaves his basketball future in doubt.

3. Out and then in

Highly successful Chartiers Valley boys' basketball coach Tim McConnell (four WPIAL championships) is fired. But after a public outcry, McConnell gets his job back a few days later when four school board members change their vote. McConnell claims chool board member Tony Moses led the charge to get him fired because his son rarely played. Moses later lost his seat on the school board when he finished last in the school board election.

4. In the fast lane

Since the PIAA went to metric distances in 1979, Laurel Highlands sprinter Breehana Jacobs becomes only the second girl in PIAA history to sweep the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes at the championship meet in Shippensburg.

5. Check the film

A few days after Shenango quarterback Rocco Colavecchia threw for 457 yards against Mars, it is revealed Colavecchia's father, Frank, was caught secretly filming Mars' defensive practice. Mars coach Scott Heinauer claimed Colavecchia's father gained entrance to Mars' practice by posing as a scout for Ohio University.

6. No more Dukes

The state decides to close Duquesne High, putting an end to a school with a rich sports tradition. The Dukes had won 12 WPIAL basketball titles, second-most in league history, and four football championships.

A stunned Jonathan Baldwin and Aliquippa in State College. Click photo for larger image.

7. Small town boost

Leechburg, a small school in Armstrong County, wins a WPIAL boys' basketball title for the first time in school history. The folks of Leechburg go nuts over the team, decorating the town in blue and white and using police escorts to take the team to and from games.

8. Quips collapse

In one of the biggest collapses in PIAA basketball championship history, the powerful Aliquippa boys' team blows a 14-point lead in the final 3:50 and loses to Philadelphia Prep Charter, 68-66. The Quips also are reprimanded by the WPIAL for poor sportsmanship during the medal ceremony after the game.

9. Buffaloed

In a highly controversial move, standout tight end Rob Gronkowski transfers from a school in Buffalo, N.Y., to Woodland Hills, shortly before the start of the season. Gronkowski, one of the top tight ends in the country who would eventually sign with Arizona, was ruled ineligible by the WPIAL, but the PIAA overturned the decision.

10. One to remember

In what is considered one of the top WPIAL basketball championship games in recent history, Aliquippa defeats Jeannette, 73-69.

11. W. Allegheny uprising

Two West Allegheny teams pull off memorable feats. The boys' basketball team is the No. 16 seed for the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, but comes alive to win the championship. A few months later, the school's baseball team becomes only the third since 1979 to win a WPIAL title with an undefeated record.

12. Three of a kind

Hopewell's Becky Novacek wins a PIAA high jump championship to cap off a golden career. The PIAA does not keep records, but Novacek might be the first girl in state history to win three PIAA gold medals in three different sports. She also won championships in volleyball and basketball.

13. No ordinary Joe

Blackhawk defeats Hampton in the WPIAL football playoffs and Blackhawk's Joe Hamilton becomes only the second football coach in WPIAL history to win 300 career games.

14. Perfect storm

The Upper St. Clair football team goes 16-0 to win the PIAA Class AAAA championship with an easy 47-13 victory against Bethlehem Liberty. USC holds Liberty to two first downs. It is the third year in a row a WPIAL team wins the AAAA title in a blowout.

15. Into the Hall

The WPIAL starts a Hall of Fame and inducts 14 individuals and two teams in the inaugural class.