Sylba, Freeport ready for move to Class AAA

Paul Sylba is an optimist, especially when it comes to coaching girls basketball.

But the new Freeport coach is more of a realist when it comes to his team's place in WPIAL realignment.

Freeport will play in Class AAA next season after making the playoffs three of the past five years in Class AA.

Sylba was quick to point out there are no private or parochial schools in Class AAA, however, he knows there will be challenges.

He hopes a defensive philosophy eases the transition.

"I am more of a man-to-man coach," said Sylba, who coached the Riverview girls from 2001-09. "We want to put more pressure on the ball. There may be times when I call on (former Freeport coach) Burkart and some of the things he did. He had the confidence he could make things happen and wasn't afraid to take risks."

Sylba was an assistant at Freeport last year, and had the same position at Kiski Area for two years prior.

"You want to create your own name," he said. "Hopefully, we'll play a more uptempo style. I will take from (former Kiski Area) coach (Chris) Kallock a little there.

"There are a lot of quality players on this team, and our kids played some Class AAA schools last year. Will we be able to compete night-in and night-out• That's going to be the test. The kids in triple-A are a little bigger and a little faster."

Sylba said Freeport could face Riverview twice, in one another's tip-off and holiday tournaments.

Top camp at Valley

The New Level Athletic Elite 7-on-7 football passing camp will be at Valley High School this weekend. The camp, run by Valley grad B.J. Flenory, is rated as one of the top talent camps in the country and is recognized by rivals.com, scout.com and ESPN.

There will be 40 prep-level teams from across the country competing Saturday and Sunday. The event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday.

One player to watch is De LaSalle Collegiate (Mich.) quarterback Shane Morris, a junior who has committed to Michigan. The zinging lefty blue-chipper is ranked No. 3 in the country by ESPN among pocket passers.

The camp is invitation only, but local athletes can get information about attending by emailing bflenory@newlevelathletics.com .

Friendly rivals

Fox Chapel junior catcher Elly Wagner is headed to North Carolina to play college softball.

One of her close friends, sophomore basketball standout Erin Mathias, already has committed to play at Duke.

It should go without saying — the needling already has begun between the future rivals.

"I will cheer for UNC in everything, except for women's basketball," Wagner said. "I love Erin. She's great. I was joking with her about March Madness since Duke lost in the second round."