Carmody likely faces two-game suspension

Mars star learns fate Thursday

Michael Carmody’s status for the PIAA basketball playoffs is in the hands of the WPIAL, but Mars won’t find out until Thursday whether Carmody can play.

Carmody, Mars’ standout senior center who averages 19 points and 19 rebounds a game, had a hearing Wednesday with the WPIAL over a twogame suspension he is facing because of his actions after the WPIAL Class 5A championship game Friday.

Mars will play in the first round of the PIAA playoffs Friday.

The WPIAL informed Mars Monday that it was levying a two-game suspension on Carmody. But Carmody, his parents and Mars requested a hearing in front of the WPIAL board of directors to discuss the suspension and for Carmody to apologize for his actions.

Mars lost to Laurel Highlands, 52-51, in that championship game.

After the game, Carmody ran toward an official and complained about the lack of a foul call on a last-second shot that Mars’ Mihali Sfanos missed.

Carmody then kicked the basketball to half court into celebrating Laurel Highlands players. Carmody (6 feet 7, 290 pounds) also was called for an intentional foul during the game for throwing an elbow towards Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher.

Amy Scheuneman, associate executive director, said the WPIAL couldn’t reveal the board of directors ruling on the suspension because it is a matter of student discipline.

The WPIAL will send a letter to Mars administrators Thursday morning informing them of the league’s decision.

Mars coach Rob Carmody, Michael’s father, said Mars will wait to get the letter before it responds.

But judging from comments from Scheuneman and WPIAL executive director Tim O’Malley, it sounds like Carmody will be suspended.

“What was done there [at the game] was universally accepted as being unacceptable,” O’Malley said. “Something happened that shouldn’t have happened. So the board had to respond to it.”

Goga to resign

The Peters Township High School boys basketball team’s season isn’t finished, but Gary Goga has decided his time as head coach is over.

Goga has decided to resign, effective at the end of the season. Goga has been the coach for 15 seasons and guided the team to the WPIAL quarterfinals the past two seasons.

He still will coach Peters Township when it plays McDowell in a PIAA Class 6A first-round playoff game Saturday at Edinboro University.

“The last 15 years have been the best years of my life, but it’s time for a change,” the longtime coach said.

“It’s a good time now with the new [Peters Township] school opening next year.”