Westmoreland County high school notebook: Greensburg Central Catholic volleyball stars named all-state

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Greensburg Central Catholic junior Ashlyn Black was named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class A All-State Team for the second time in her prep career.

Black, a right-side hitter, powered the Centurions to their fourth WPIAL championship and third PIAA title.

She wasn’t the only player from Westmoreland County to receive all-state recognition.

Three of her teammates joined her in senior outside hitter Eva Denis, senior middle hitter Erin Grace and senior setter Maura Oslosky.

Penn-Trafford senior outside hitter Kylie Anthony was selected in Class 4A. The Warriors also were a WPIAL playoff team.

Crosby POY

Greensburg Central Catholic junior football standout Samir Crosby was named offensive player of the year in the WPIAL Class A Eastern Conference.

Crosby, who has multiple Division I scholarship offers, was one of the WPIAL’s top dual-threat quarterbacks this season. He completed 81 of 146 passes for 1,483 yards and 20 touchdowns.

He also rushed for 1,060 yards and 18 scores.

Another D-I offer

Robert Morris became the second NCAA Division I school to offer Franklin Regional senior football player Austin Kerns an opportunity to play at the next level.

Kerns, a 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker, also has an offer from St. Francis (Pa.).

Bryant steps down

Facing an uphill climb with consistently low roster numbers, Jeannette girls soccer coach Billy Bryant resigned.

Bryant gave it his best over four seasons, seeing his initial class of freshmen through to the end of their prep careers.

Jeannette only had eight players this past season and only played 12 games, going 1-11.

In 2023, Jeannette broke a 52-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over Valley, its first taste of winning since 2019.

Alumni game

Greensburg Salem will continue a tradition by hosting an alumni ice hockey game at 6:10 p.m. Dec. 27 at Kirk Nevin Arena in Greensburg.

The school and team are encouraging former and current players, fans and followers to attend the event.

Williams rated

Franklin Regional baseball standout Luke Williams was among Perfect Game’s “Finest in the Field” for the Class of 2026.

Williams, a rangy shortstop who hits for power, was selected as a utility player.

The Virginia commit clocked a 6.3-second 60-yard dash over the summer and threw 98 mph from the outfield.

Recruiting

• Penn-Trafford senior Brayden Stone will continue his baseball career at Seton Hill. Stone, who recently signed with the Griffins, helped the Warriors win their first WPIAL championship last spring. The team’s leadoff hitter, he batted .371 with 26 hits, 20 runs and 16 RBIs and led the team with eight doubles. Stone also had three triples, a home run and nine stolen bases.

• Katie Dolinski, a senior at Hempfield, signed to continue her track and field career at Point Park. Dolinski throws the shot put and discus.

• Hempfield football player Aidan Allison now has three Division II scholarship offers after Wheeling extended one his way. Wheeling joins Lock Haven and West Virginia State as suitors for Allison (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), a senior wide receiver and defensive back.

• Senior Tyler Turgeon of Norwin committed to swim at Gannon. Turgeon this season has achieved WPIAL cut times in the 100-yard backstroke and 200 individual medley.

• Norwin senior Luke Simpson will continue his track and cross country career at High Point.

• Brynlee Baluh of Mt. Pleasant will play golf at Westmoreland County Community College.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Mt. Pleasant, Penn-Trafford