My official state finals predictions that are sure to be wrong

I won't pat myself on the back too much, but prior to last year's state tournament I had a conversation with a former two-time PIAA champion from District 4 and told him I believed both Zack Strickand and Ryan Hembury from Muncy could win state titles. He lightly scoffed at me, and for good reason. Both had qualified for the state tournament as juniors the year prior without placing.

But I liked Hembury's athleticism even if he had to face Commodore Perry's returning state champion Stephen Cerremuga. And I liked how stingy Strickland was with giving up points from his feet and how capable he was scoring on top or just riding out a period.

Well, now I'll pat myself on the back and say that I was right. Muncy hadn't had a state champion in over 50 years before both Hembury and Strickland won titles a year ago. That being said, here's my predictions for the 2012 Class AA tournament that are sure to go wrong (but I will gladly take heaped on amounts of praise if they're right).

106: Darian Cruz, Bethlehem Catholic over Korbin Myers, Boiling Springs

113: Jason Nolf, Kittanning over Joey Byers, Boiling Springs

120: Nick Roberts, North Star over Jarray Norris, Sharon

126: Jimmy Gulibon, Derry Area over Arty Walsh, Schuylkill Valley

132: Dylan D'Urso, Reynolds over Colt Cotten, Benton

138: Michael Racciato, Pen Argyl over Austin Matthews, Reynolds

145: Zach Beitz, Juniata over Kyle Barnes, Hughesville

152: Cody Copeland, Greenville over Ryan Preisch, Milton

160: Kurt Meske, Central Columbia over Ty Walter, Mifflinburg

170: Troy Hembury, Muncy over Tristan Sponseller, Bermudian Springs

182: Wes Phipps, Grove City over Dakota DesLauriers, Burrell

195: Ryan Solomon, Milton over Brandon Smith, Lewisburg

220: John Rizzo, Richland over Eric Laytos, Lackawanna Trail

285: Quinton Hixson, Northern Bedford over Nazar Mironenko, Mifflinburg