Alle-Kiski Valley notebook: Freeport’s Borghol out indefinitely

By: Doug Gulasy
Sunday, April 7, 2019 | 5:53 PM

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Already without key pieces because of graduation, Freeport’s softball team is dealing with the loss of one of its most productive returners.

Sophomore outfielder Maya Borghol is out indefinitely after an injury ordeal caused her to undergo spinal fusion surgery in late August.

Borghol felt pain at an Ohio Outlaws recruiting camp early in the summer, and it progressed to severe leg pain by late summer. A pediatric orthopedic surgeon diagnosed her with spondylolisthesis — a slipping of the vertebra — and a herniated disk in her lower back, and she had surgery soon afterward, getting four screws and two rods inserted into her spine for stabilization.

The sophomore returned to the softball field after four months — well ahead of the typical recovery timetable — and played in Freeport’s two scrimmages, batting leadoff, but lingering pain caused her to stop playing.

“Right now, she’s sat out for two weeks, and she feels good because she hasn’t been practicing,” said Kelly Borghol, Maya’s mother. “We’re just trying to give her some rest.”

Kelly Borghol said the family isn’t sure when the herniated disc first occurred, but what happened at the recruiting camp might have exacerbated it.

“We have faith she’s going to recover,” she said. “It’s just still early. I think she needs a little bit more time. We’re just keeping it low-key and not pushing it, not rushing it to get her back on the field.”

Borghol batted .405 as a freshman, leading Freeport with eight stolen bases in eight attempts and finishing second on the team with three home runs and third with 14 RBIs. She helped the Yellowjackets win the Section 1-3A title and reach the WPIAL semifinals.

3-on-3 for 2

A pair of top junior basketball players with Alle-Kiski Valley ties will test their skills against talent from around the country this weekend in Colorado.

Highlands’ Luke Cochran and North Catholic’s Tess Myers, a Lower Burrell native, were selected to play in the USA Basketball 3×3 U-18 National Championships at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Players were picked either through a qualifying tournament or by invitation.

District boys set to play are Butler junior Ethan Morton, who will suit up for Team Pursuit, sophomores Joey Petash of Pine-Richland and Brayden Reynolds of Chartiers Valley (Team Cure), and Cochran, Shenango’s Colin McQuiston, Latrobe’s Michael Noonan and Patrick Shanahan of Pine-Richland (Cubs Hoops).

WPIAL girls include juniors Jordan Kauffman of Butler, Maddie Dziezgowski of Bethel Park and Isabella Pelaia of Mars (Team Bruins); and juniors Kylee Lewandowski , Myers of North Catholic and Jayla Wehner of Norwin, plus sophomore Lizzy Groetsch of North Allegheny (Team Western PA Elite).

The two-day competition begins Saturday. Teams will be seeded out of Saturday pool play.

Most teams have four players, but a few only have three. There are 22 states represented on the girls side and 10 on the boys side. Pennsylvania has the most players with 19.

All players will be evaluated for possible selection to the USA 3×3 U-18 World Cup Teams.

Rules include a 10-minute game clock and a 12-second shot clock. The first team to 21 points, or the team ahead at the end of regulation, wins.

All Starr

Kiski Area track and field standout Jean Starr broke a longstanding school record Saturday.

The Penn State recruit’s discus throw of 125 feet, 10 inches at the Knoch Relays surpassed the 1998 mark of 124-5 set by Suzanna Klingensmith.

Mock up

Burrell baseball player Tyler Mock made his college decision, committing to Washington & Jefferson.

Mock bats cleanup and plays catcher for Class 3A No. 3 Burrell (3-1). He was hitting .333 with a double and two RBIs entering Friday.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. You can contact Doug at 412-388-5830, dgulasy@tribweb.com or via Twitter .

Tags: Burrell, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, North Catholic