Author: Bill Beckner Jr.


The Penn-Trafford girls basketball team prepares to put a fresh set of substitutes into the game Thursday night during the Section 1-5A opener in Harrison City.
Depth, relentless defense carry Penn-Trafford girls past Greensburg Salem for 7-0 start
December 12, 2024
With a rotation that serves up more reinforcements than the Christmas help at the mall, Penn-Trafford and its long bench are becoming more of a challenge for teams every time they take the court.

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Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Greensburg Salem coach Paul Sapotichne gets back in saddle
Paul Sapotichne said he didn’t sleep a wink the night before Friday’s opening game at the Hempfield tipoff tournament.

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Pine-Richland’s Lily Rosenwasser battles Latrobe’s Robin Reilly for a header during their WPIAL Class 4A first round playoff game on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Pine.
Soccer standouts Robin Reilly, Tyler Prex receive All-America recognition
December 11, 2024
Offensive stalwarts who scored goals as effectively as they created them, a pair of WPIAL soccer standouts received elite recognition Wednesday.

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Hempfield’s Mia Shipman fouls Norwin’s Lauren Palangio on Feb. 2, 2023.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Defense paying dividends for Hempfield
Hempfield’s girls know how tough Section 2-6A play is going to be, so they are ramping up by playing the best possible defense they can.

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Uniontown’s Calvin Winfrey III battles Penn-Trafford’s Derek Carr (11) and Nick Ponko (background) on Tuesday.
Uniontown survives scare from Penn-Trafford boys
December 10, 2024
Preseason No. 1 Uniontown was relieved to get out of Penn-Trafford with a win in the Section 1-5A boys basketball opener.

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Southmoreland coach Tim Bukowski relays instructions during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition in July.
Southmoreland football coach resigns after 4th straight playoff season, citing lack of support
At most of his football coaching stops, Tim Bukowski stayed seven years.

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Penn-Trafford’s Raya Johnson defends against Franklin Regional’s Katherine Yaniga during their game on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Murrysville.
Penn-Trafford girls lean on defense to keep record perfect with win over Franklin Regional
December 9, 2024
Common denominators in games help to reveal a team’s identity, and Penn-Trafford continues to build on its strengths.

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Hempfield girls basketball coach Bob Madison (center) talks to his team during a timeout Saturday at Greensburg Salem.
Strong defensive effort leads Hempfield girls past Greensburg Salem
December 7, 2024
Hempfield’s girls are starting to believe in the merits of team defense.

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Latrobe’s Robin Reilly will play college soccer at West Virginia.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Latrobe soccer player Reilly receives another honor
Add another postseason honor to Robin Reilly’s resume.

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Washington & Jefferson linebacker Justin Johns is a Franklin Regional graduate.
Franklin Regional grad writes name in Washington & Jefferson record book
As Washington &Jefferson football players filed into the locker room at halftime, Justin Johns knew he had broken the other team’s spirit, but was unaware he’d broken a team record.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Liam Gallagher (right) fights for a rebound with Franklin Regional’s Anthony Mitchell on Friday at Hempfield.
Greensburg Central Catholic holds on to beat Franklin Regional
December 6, 2024
One coach was concerned with how his team started. The other, with how his finished.

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Hempfield’s Drew Gordon defends on Greensburg Salem’s Ryan Burkhart during the 2022 Hempfield tipoff tournament.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Hempfield, Jeannette to host tipoff tournaments
December 5, 2024
The Hempfield Spartan Field House will be the site of six boys basketball games Friday and Saturday for the 20th Hempfield tipoff tournament.

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Hempfield’s Ella Berkebile celebrates her three-run home run against Seneca Valley on May 1.
Softball smarts lead Hempfield catcher Ella Berkebile to Bucknell
A cerebral leader behind the plate for Hempfield, Ella Berkebile has softball instincts that allow her to control the cadence of games.

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Penn-Trafford’s Torrie DeStefano (24) looks to get around Norwin’s Anna Fraser on Tuesday.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Penn-Trafford happy to have defensive spark plug back
December 4, 2024
Penn-Trafford learned how to play without Torrie DeStefano last season after the then-sophomore guard suffered a season-ending knee injury just six games into the schedule.

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Norwin’s ‘hidden gem’ Eliezer Nicolas verbally commits to St. Francis (Pa.) track team
December 1, 2024
Eliezer Nicolas bristles a bit when he is referred to as a late bloomer in the college track recruiting game.

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Carson Burgh of Franklin Regional scores during the WCCA volleyball all-star match on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Ligonier Valley.
Westmoreland high school notebook: County volleyball players selected for all-star match
The third annual We Serve First All-Star Girls Volleyball Classic is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at Kiski Area.

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Bentworth’s Ryan Moessner(10) celebrates with Ryan Colbert after scoring against Charleroi during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Bentworth’s Ryan Moessner earns 2024 Trib HSSN Boys Soccer Player of the Year honors
Trib HSSN Boys Soccer All-Stars

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Peters Twp. goalkeeper Molly Kubistek makes a save in front of Fox Chapel’s Madeline Grimsley during their game on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at Peters.
Peters Township’s Molly Kubistek named 2024 Trib HSSN Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Trib HSSN Girls Soccer All-Stars

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Penn-Trafford’s Alexis Brown works past Latrobe’s Alexa Yurko during their game on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Harrison City.
Penn-Trafford’s Alexis Brown earns 2024 TribLive Westmoreland Girls Soccer Player of the Year honors
November 30, 2024
2024 Girls Soccer All-Stars

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Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni celebrates after scoring against Bethel Park during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at Latrobe.
Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni named 2024 TribLive Westmoreland Boys Soccer Player of the Year
2024 Boys Soccer All-Stars

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Hempfield’s Henry Mutschler defends on a pass caught by Norwin’s Cooper Wilson on Oct. 4.
Norwin football moves forward with ‘chip on their shoulder’ after difficult season
Lucky bounces can help a football team go a long way. Coaches even say they are necessary to winning in the postseason.

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Franklin Regional’s Austin Kerns puts a hit on Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch causing Tatsch to fumble on Sept. 13.
Ankle injury just a temporary setback for Franklin Regional linebacker
Franklin Regional made the WPIAL Class 5A football quarterfinals without one of its top defensive players.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble dribbles past Serra Catholic’s Bri Battles on Jan. 29.
Starting 5s: Previewing girls high school basketball season in Westmoreland County
November 28, 2024
Starting 5s

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Braden Riley (15) fouls Jeannette’s Noah Sunder (24) late in the fourth quarter in a PIAA Class 2A second-round game Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Norwin.
Starting 5s: Previewing the boys basketball season in Westmoreland County
Starting 5s

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Riverview’s Katerina Tsambis defends on Springdale’s Hailey Marchlewski on Sept. 11, 2024 at Springdale High School.
49 players chosen for girls soccer coaches association all-star games
November 27, 2024
Forty-nine senior girls from the WPIAL will converge on the AHN Sports Complex at Cool Springs in Bethel Park Saturday for the Western Pennsylvania High School Girls Soccer Coaches Association all-star games.

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Robin Reilly (left) is Latrobe’s all-time leader in goals and assists.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Pair picked for all-state soccer squad
November 24, 2024
Latrobe senior Robin Reilly and Mt. Pleasant junior Morgan Gesinski were finalists for the Moe Rosensteel girls soccer award, but the local pair have something else in common.

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Fox Chapel’s Emily McKee works past Plum’s Catie Weiss during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, at Martorelli Stadium in Ross.
12 girls from WPIAL earn all-state soccer accolades
November 22, 2024
The Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association announced its all-state girls lists.

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Jeannette girls basketball coaches, assistant Arnold Lusby and head coach Jenna Lusby.
1st-year Jeannette girls basketball coach welcomes bigger roster
November 17, 2024
Jenna Lusby didn’t have to look far to find an assistant coach as she embarks on her first season as girls basketball coach at Jeannette.

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Jeannette’s Kymon’e Brown (bottom) attempts a layup through pressure from Fort Cherry’s Shane Cornail in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Peters Township High School.
Jeannette hopes success on football field carries over to basketball court
Waiting on 10 players to return from football season might seem like a burden to some WPIAL basketball coaches.

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Norwin’s Daniel Maddock works against Plum’s Marco Tommasino on Sept. 19.
Norwin notebook: Soccer standout headlines all-section list
November 16, 2024
Norwin boys soccer standout Daniel Maddock was named the player of the year in Section 1-4A by the Big 5/6 Conference, an online entity that covers the largest classifications in the WPIAL.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Gesinski works past Deer Lakes’ Olivia Shurina during their game on Sept. 30.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Moe Rosensteel Award winner to be revealed Monday
The winner of the sixth Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player of the Year for the top girls soccer player in the WPIAL will be announced at 5 p.m. Monday via social media.

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Thomas Jefferson’s Shepherd Turk sacks Aliquippa quarterback Marques Council during the fourth quarter of their WPIAL Class 4A semifinal last Friday.
Finalists announced for 6th annual Bill Fralic Memorial Award for WPIAL’s top 2-way lineman
November 15, 2024
The six finalists for the sixth annual Bill Fralic Memorial Award are competing to be named the best two-way senior football lineman in the WPIAL, and they still have work to do.

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Penn-Trafford’s Tasso Whipple drives to the goal line against Franklin Regional’s Jack Silvis (left) and Elijah Bennett on Oct. 11.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Colleges taking note of Penn-Trafford running back Tasso Whipple
November 14, 2024
Penn-Trafford senior Tasso Whipple is beginning to experience the college recruiting process.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jayla Peterson scores past Kennedy Catholic’s Madison Pfleger during a PIAA Class 2A semifinal last season.
Greensburg Central Catholic girls move up in class while hunting for another WPIAL title
Greensburg Central Catholic won’t get to defend its WPIAL 2A girls basketball championship.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Braden Riley looks to pass against Clairton on Jan. 12.
With deep roster, Greensburg Central Catholic boys have WPIAL title hopes
With the most seniors he’s had and what could be his deepest rotation, Greensburg Central Catholic boys basketball coach Christian Hyland expects his team to make another postseason run.

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Jeannette head coach Thomas Paulone talks with with his team during a timeout during their game against Clairton on Sept. 28.
Coaches from variety of backgrounds come together to lead Jeannette on playoff run
Jeannette first-year assistant football coach Dustin Shoaf is a school teacher at Yough, his alma mater and a place where he is the all-time leader in rushing yards.

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Franklin Regional’s Madison DeRiggi defends Plum’s Megan Marston on Dec. 18, 2023.
Strong returning cast sparks optimism in Franklin Regional girls program
November 13, 2024
The thought of hanging a section banner on the wall brings a smile to Bernie Pucka’s face. It almost makes him giddy. He hunts pheasant and deer, but he would love to bag a section.

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Jeannette’s Kymon’e Brown cuts back on GCC during the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals last Friday.
Upset-minded Jeannette to face toughest task yet in top-seeded Fort Cherry
If Jeannette can turn back Fort Cherry early like it has its past several opponents, the Jayhawks could have a shot at dethroning the top-seeded and defending WPIAL football champion Rangers.

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Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey scores between Latrobe’s JaTawn Williams (left) and John Wetzel on Feb. 2.
New-look roster to write next chapter for Franklin Regional boys basketball
The word “almost” gets thrown around a lot when people talk about the 2023-24 Franklin Regional boys basketball program.

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Penn-Trafford’s Kylie Anthony hits against Hempfield’s Preslee Horchak on Oct. 8.
Rosters set for WCCA all-star volleyball match
November 12, 2024
Rosters are set for the 3rd Westmoreland County Coaches Association All-Star Girls Volleyball Match, which will be played at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Ligonier Valley High School. The game features the top senior players in Westmoreland County.

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Latrobe’s Maddy Petruzzi (right) works against Plum’s Alexis Rodda during their game Oct. 2.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Big 5/6 recognizes area soccer, volleyball players and coaches
November 10, 2024
The Big 5/6 Conference, a web-based outlet that recognizes the achievements of the WPIAL’s largest classifications, announced its all-section teams for boys and girls soccer and girls volleyball.

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Southmoreland junior volleyball player Taylor Doppelheuer
Westmoreland/Alle-Kiski Valley athletes of the week: Southmoreland’s Taylor Doppelheuer, Latrobe’s Joey Crimboli
November 9, 2024
The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

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Jeannette’s Noah Sunder celebrates after dropping Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jackson McMullen for a safety during Friday’s WPIAL quarterfinals.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Upstart Jeannette takes cue from basketball team
If the basketball team could do it, so could the football team.

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Norwin’s Thomas Gaydos (2978) starts the boys Class 3A race at the WPIAL cross country championships Oct. 24.
Norwin notebook: Cross country teams place at states
Norwin came home from Hershey with more than candy wrappers.

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Norwin’s Daniel Maddock battles North Hills’ Alexander Perrotti for a header during their WPIAL Class 4A first-round playoff game Oct. 22.
Norwin’s championship defense ends in unexpected fashion
While the season didn’t end with another WPIAL championship, it did come with a bizarre ending for the Norwin boys soccer team.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne works against Moon’s Jon-Mark Balbach during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game Nov. 2 at Highmark Stadium.
Runner-up Franklin Regional takes pride in WPIAL final performance
After they received their silver medals and runner-up trophy, Franklin Regional boys soccer players sat in a circle on the turf at Highmark Stadium.

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Jeannette’s Kymon’e Brown cuts through the GCC defense during a WPIAL Class A quarterfinal Friday at Norwin.
Jeannette pulls another upset, knocks off Greensburg CC in Class A quarterfinals
November 8, 2024
Kymon’e Brown had not beaten Greensburg Central Catholic during his high school football career, but now Jeannette’s dual-threat quarterback can check the accomplishment off his bucket list.

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Avonworth senior Fiona Mahan
Avonworth’s Mahan chosen for All-American soccer game
Avonworth soccer standout Fiona Mahan missed most of her senior season with a torn ACL, but that didn’t stop her from making an elite roster.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne plays against Latrobe on Oct. 8.
Westmoreland County PIAA soccer preview capsule for Nov. 9, 2024
PIAA boys soccer playoffs

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Jeannette head coach Tommy Paulone watches from the sideline during a game against Clairton on Sept. 28, 2024, at Thomas Jefferson.
Jeannette’s Tommy Paulone takes pride in bringing alma mater back to prominence
November 7, 2024
From three wins, to seven, to eight, Jeannette football has climbed back to respectability in three short seasons under Tommy Paulone’s leadership.

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Franklin Regional goalkeeper Noah Walker makes a save against Mars during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal Oct. 28.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Franklin Regional appreciates trip to state quarterfinals
When Nick White was an assistant boys soccer coach at Fox Chapel, the Foxes made the PIAA playoffs once in his 10 years there.

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Jeannete head coach Tommy Paulone talks with with his team during a timeout during their game against Clairton on Sept. 28, 2024, at Thomas Jefferson.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Jeannette coach wins Steelers honor
Jeannette’s Tommy Paulone was selected as the Steelers High School Coach of the Week after his team’s 23-7 upset of Neshannock in the first round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs.

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Jeannette’s Kymon’e Brown attempts to stiff arm Riverview defender Johnny Bertucci on Oct. 26.
Jeannette, Greensburg Central Catholic add playoff stakes to spirited rivalry
November 6, 2024
Fresh off a head-turning upset of fourth-seeded Neshannock in the first round of the WPIAL football playoffs, Jeannette went back to work this week for its next challenge, and it is a dandy.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne scored the Panthers’ lone goal in the WPIAL championship game.
PIAA boys soccer playoff capsule: Game for Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024
November 4, 2024
PIAA boys soccer playoffs

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Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Gesinski led the WPIAL in goals during the regular season with 33.
High school notes: Mt. Pleasant’s Gesinski, Latrobe’s Reilly in contention for WPIAL soccer award
November 3, 2024
A local pair are among four finalists for the 6th Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player of the Year, presented to the top girls soccer player in the WPIAL.

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Franklin Regional’s Keaton Sheetz battles Moon’s Aedan Costa for possession during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
Franklin Regional turns attention to state playoffs after loss in WPIAL Class 3A title game
After they received their silver medals and runner-up trophy, Franklin Regional boys soccer players sat in a circle on the turf at Highmark Stadium.

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Moon’s Marc Haupt celebrates after scoring against Franklin Regional during the WPIAL Class 3A championship Saturday.
Moon wins WPIAL boys soccer championship over Franklin Regional
November 2, 2024
Moon hasn’t lost a soccer game in over a year.

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Penn-Trafford’s Derek Carr, running the ball in an October game against Latrobe, rushed for three scores Friday night in the Warriors’ WPIAL playoff victory against South Fayette.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Penn-Trafford peaks at right time
Penn-Trafford is playing winning football at the right time, and coach John Ruane credits preparation and an unheralded contribution from his backups for the consistency.

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Greensburg Central Catholic junior Ashlyn Black
Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Greensburg Central Catholic’s Ashlyn Black, Penn-Trafford’s Tyler Funk
The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

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Norwin’s Daniel Maddock works against Norwin’s Marco Tommasino on Sept. 19.
Norwin notebook: Soccer teams well represented on all-WPIAL lists
Norwin’s soccer teams were rewarded for strong regular seasons and playoff runs with postseason accolades.

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Norwin’s Tatum Casper scores against Penn-Trafford on Oct. 7.
Playoff season rejuvenates Norwin girls soccer program
After 110 minutes of playoff soccer and one round of penalty kicks, Norwin girls soccer players were wrung out with emotion.

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Franklin Regional goalkeeper Noah Walker makes a save against Mars during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at Dormont Memorial Stadium.
Franklin Regional boys string together upsets in WPIAL playoffs
Franklin Regional’s boys are making a habit out of upsetting teams in the WPIAL playoffs.

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Penn-Trafford takes the field for a playoff game against South Fayette on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
Penn-Trafford runs over South Fayette in football playoffs
November 1, 2024
Back-to-back losses to open the WPIAL football playoffs the last two seasons did not sit well with Tasso Whipple and his Penn-Trafford teammates.

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Franklin Regional’s Tyler Pipon (back) battles Mars’ Zack Angoff for a header during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal on Monday.
Top-seeded Moon expects to get all it can handle from underdog Franklin Regional in 3A boys soccer final
Franklin Regional might be the bottom dog in this matchup, but it is far from moonstruck.

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South Park’s Jack Ozimek celebrates with Danny Battista (10) after scoring against Quaker Valley during the 2023 WPIAL Class 2A championship game Thursday.
WPSCA announces all-state boys soccer selections
Thirteen players from the WPIAL were named to the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State list.

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Franklin Regional’s Cruise Lamanna celebrates after scoring against Mars during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal on Monday.
2024 WPIAL Class 4A boys soccer championship breakdown: Moon vs. Franklin Regional
WPIAL Class 3A boys soccer championship

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Belle Vernon soccer coach Al Yeschenko.
Belle Vernon soccer coach Al Yeschenko resigns
October 31, 2024
With his son, Brandon, set to begin his college soccer career, Al Yeschenko would have been torn between coaching Belle Vernon’s boys and following Pitt-Greensburg.

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Peters Township goalkeeper Molly Kubistek makes a save in front of Fox Chapel’s Madeline Grimsley during their game on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at Peters.
4 girls soccer finalists named for Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player of the Year award
For the sixth consecutive year, the Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player of Year award will go to the top girls soccer player in the WPIAL.

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Southmoreland’s Elliot Premus stiff-arms Elizabeth Forward’s Connor Stokes on Oct. 18.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Short-handed Southmoreland could be without 8 starters
Southmoreland could be down eight starters for Friday’s WPIAL playoff opener.

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Latrobe goalkeeper Reece DiCasolo makes a save under Franklin Regional’s Jovan Sankoorikal on Oct. 8.
Franklin Regional boys soccer notebook: Red card keeps key player out of WPIAL final
Franklin Regional will be without one of its top players in Saturday’s WPIAL 3A championship game.

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Franklin Regional goalkeeper Noah Walker makes a save against Mars during a WPIAL Class 3A semifinal Monday at Dormont Memorial Stadium.
Veteran goalkeeper gives Franklin Regional a puncher’s chance in WPIAL finals vs. Moon
Having already appeared in eight playoff games in his career, including a few as a defender, Franklin Regional goalkeeper Noah Walker brings experience to his first WPIAL soccer championship game.

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Franklin Regional goalkeeper Noah Walker makes a save against Mars during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal Monday at Dormont Memorial Stadium.
Franklin Regional boys soccer team going for WPIAL title under 1st-year coach
October 29, 2024
There wasn’t a specific moment, an omen or a sign that pointed to this playoff run.

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Fox Chapel’s Milo Chiu battles Seneca Valley’s Tyler Prex for a header Sept. 10.
Boys’ All-WPIAL soccer lists, players of the year announced
October 28, 2024
The start of WPIAL championship week began with postseason accolades.

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Gianna Revetta (front) and her Plum teammates will face Fox Chapel in the semifinals of the WPIAL girls Class 3A soccer playoffs.
Westmoreland high school notebook: PIAA berths on line for soccer, volleyball teams
October 27, 2024
The WPIAL soccer playoffs are winding into the semifinals, which means PIAA qualifying is imminent.

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Franklin Regional punter Joey Bayne punts during a game against Upper St. Clair on Sept. 6, 2024, at USC.
Franklin Regional’s Bayne takes hair-raising talent to boys soccer, football playoffs
Joey Bayne changed his hairstyle recently, going from wavy brown locks to a blond buzz-cut with dark tiger stripes.

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Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni battles Franklin Regional’s Keaton Sheetz for a header on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, at Latrobe.
Westmoreland County WPIAL soccer playoff capsule: Game for Oct. 28, 2024
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Burrell’s Makiah Buchak celebrates with Leah Waldsmith, Miley Kariotis and McKenna Miller after scoring during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal against Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Mt. Pleasant.
For 2nd straight year, Burrell shocks Mt. Pleasant in girls soccer playoffs
October 26, 2024
It happened again. And this playoff bracket-buster was even more impressive than the first one.

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Southmoreland’s Elliot Premus (right) has a shoulder injury and could be out for the Scotties’ first-round WPIAL playoff game.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Southmoreland’s postseason berth tempered by rash of injuries, illness
Southmoreland football coach Tim Bukowski was glad to hear his team had clinched a WPIAL playoff spot, but discouragement already had set in.

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Norwin’s Bella Furno (24) drives past Spring-Ford’s Christina Tiffan (24) to the basket during a PIAA Class 6A playoff game March 15 at State College.
Norwin notebook: Girls basketball standout headed to West Virginia Wesleyan
Norwin senior basketball player Bella Furno announced a commitment to Division II West Virginia Wesleyan.

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Captains for Greensburg Salem and Southmoreland meet at midfield before their game Friday.
Greensburg Salem beats Southmoreland, joins wild-card conversation
October 25, 2024
With its first winning season since 2011 secured, Greensburg Salem is ready to take the next step.

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Hempfield’s Lauren Howard batted .381 with 14 hits and a home run last season.
Hempfield’s Howard commits to Virginia softball team
Virginia, they say, is for lovers.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Gesinski works past Deer Lakes’ Olivia Shurina during their game on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in West Deer.
Westmoreland County WPIAL soccer playoff capsule: Game for Oct. 26, 2024
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Girls soccer players and coaches from Canon-McMillan (left) and Penn-Trafford meet with referees before Thursday night’s WPIAL 4A playoff game in Harrison City.
Canon-McMillan girls roar out of halftime break, get past Penn-Trafford
October 24, 2024
Canon-McMillan ordered personal pizzas from Pizza Hut for the drive home Thursday night from Harrison City.

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Greensburg Salem’s Keegan Young dives into the end zone after recovering a fumble to score against Ligonier Valley on Aug. 30.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Playoff races coming down to wire
The WPIAL football playoff picture won’t be in full focus for Westmoreland County teams until late Friday night or even Saturday afternoon.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Rylin Bugosh battles Burrell’s Katie Kohler for possession during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal last season.
Westmoreland County soccer notebook: Mt. Pleasant girls tackle rematch head on
Mt. Pleasant girls soccer players remember that sinking, helpless feeling that overtook them as Burrell’s golden goal hit the twine a year ago.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Rylin Bugosh celebrates with Morgan Gesinski after scoring against Deer Lakes on Sept. 30.
All-WPIAL girls soccer list announced
October 23, 2024
WPIAL and PIAA champions have not been crowned yet in girls soccer, but some of the talented players who will lead teams to titles were recognized by coaches in the district.

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Bethel Park’s Xavier Jackson celebrates after scoring in double overtime to defeat Latrobe, 2-1, in their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at Latrobe.
Bethel Park uses OT to get around upstart Latrobe
When Xavier Jackson took a tumble after getting fouled during the first overtime, he considered not going back into the game because he felt pain in his hip.

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Penn-Trafford’s Isabella Rager battles Norwin’s Alexa Kobus for possession Oct. 7.
Westmoreland County high school soccer playoff capsule for Oct. 24, 2024
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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North Hills’ Tyler Devlin celebrates after scoring against Norwin on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, at Norwin.
North Hills boys soccer unseats WPIAL champ Norwin
October 22, 2024
North Hills beat the buzzer, and the defending champs.

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Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni battles Franklin Regional’s Keaton Sheetz for a header on Oct. 8.
Westmoreland County high school soccer playoff games for Oct. 23, 2024
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Mt. Lebanon freshman goalkeeper made a save, and scored a goal in a penalty kick shootout on Monday night at Norwin.
Mt. Lebanon girls upset Norwin on PKs in 1st round of soccer playoffs
October 21, 2024
Mt. Lebanon didn’t get a golden goal, but it leaned on its golden freshman to survive and advance.

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Plum’s Marco Tommasino defends on Norwin’s Ryan Schoemer Oct. 10, 2024 at Norwin High School.
Westmoreland County WPIAL playoff soccer capsules: Games for Oct. 22, 2024
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Mt. Pleasant’s Grant Zahrobsky works against Belle Vernon on Sept. 3, 2024, at Viking Stadium.
Westmoreland WPIAL playoff soccer capsules: Games for Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
October 20, 2024
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Murrysville’s Brady Yarabinetz rips an RBI double int he fourth inning of the American Legion Junior Sta.te Championship Aug. 2, 2022at Homer City
Westmoreland high school notebook: Franklin Regional baseball player Yarabinetz commits to La Salle
When he was a freshman, Brady Yarabinetz began to see a growth spurt in his baseball skills.

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Latrobe soccer players (from left) Roman Agostoni, Reece DiCasolo and Warren Agostoni pose after their 2-0 win over Ringgold in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. It was the first playoff win in program history.
Latrobe boys soccer team notches 1st playoff win
October 19, 2024
Latrobe will remember its first playoff win in boys soccer for a number of reasons.

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Andy Tatsch and his Latrobe teammates are in contention for a wild-card playoff spot.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Latrobe’s big win changes wild-card picture
Latrobe threw the Big East Conference for a loop.

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Franklin Regional’s Eden Williams celebrates after scoring against Plum on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at Plum High School.
Westmoreland High School Athletes of the week: Week ending Oct. 20, 2024
The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne moves the ball against Latrobe during a game on Oct. 8, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne turning heads on football, soccer fields
Joey Bayne changed his hairstyle recently, going from long, wavy, brown locks to a blond buzz-cut with dark tiger stripes.

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Norwin’s Annie Czajkowski leads Latrobe senior Emerson Skatell near the mile marker at the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association cross country meet Oct. 9 at Westmoreland County Community College.
Norwin notebook: Knights sweep county cross country titles
Norwin doesn’t go to cross country meets to see the changing leaves and experience ambience.

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Norwin hockey coach Denny Zeravica
In 2nd stint with team, new coach wants Norwin hockey to push pace
Familiarity will not be a problem for Denny Zeravica, the new hockey coach at Norwin.

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Captains for Yough and Greensburg Salem meet at midfield Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Greensburg Salem routs Yough, steps toward playoff spot
October 18, 2024
Cole Savage was in the mood for a big-man touchdown. His team is in the mood to make the WPIAL playoffs.

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Latrobe’s Cameron Mikulsky gets past Penn-Trafford’s Ryan Geyer on Sept. 10.
Westmoreland County soccer playoff preview capsules for Oct. 19, 2024
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Greensburg Central Catholic girls soccer players huddle before Thursday night’s WPIAL Class A preliminary round game at California.
Greensburg Central Catholic beats California in WPIAL playoff battle of short-handed teams
October 17, 2024
Four soccer players, four cheerleaders, two cross country runners and two basketball players are moving on in the WPIAL girls soccer playoffs.

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Greensburg Central Catholic coach John Thompson talks to his team during the 2023 WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Latrobe.
Frazier calls off Friday night football game vs. Greensburg Central Catholic
Friday night’s Greensburg Central Catholic at Frazier Class A Eastern Conference football game has been postponed due to a shortage of players on the Frazier team.

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Franklin Regional’s Elijah Bennett steps through the tackle attempt by Penn-Trafford’s Jessie Lisbon on Oct. 11.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Teams close in on playoff berths
The WPIAL playoffs are drawing nearer, with the league set to release seedings and pairings Oct. 26.

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Jeannette quarterback Kymon’e Brown carries against Clairton on Sept. 28 at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Dual-threat quarterbacks give defenses fits in Westmoreland County
If they don’t beat you with their arms, they’ll beat you with their legs.

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Goalkeeper Rease Solomon and her Penn-Trafford teammates were seeded No. 4 for the Class 4A WPIAL playoffs and have a bye into the quarterfinals.
8 Westmoreland boys, girls soccer teams will start WPIAL playoffs at home
October 16, 2024
There is no place like home for eight local soccer teams.

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Belle Vernon’s Brandon Yeschenko watches his go-ahead goal during the second half against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Viking Stadium.
Westmoreland WPIAL soccer playoff capsules: Games for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Plum’s Noah Smith clears the ball against Norwin on Oct. 10, 2024 at Norwin High School.
Breaking down the 2024 WPIAL boys soccer playoffs
Here’s a look at the 2024 WPIAL boys soccer playoffs:

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Plum’s Andy Strasser (30) celebrates with Eli Wastchak after scoring against Norwin Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at Plum.
Trio of unbeaten teams earn top seeds for WPIAL soccer playoffs
Three undefeated teams earned No. 1 seeds in the WPIAL boys soccer playoffs.

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Franklin Regional’s Abby Paterline works against Plum’s Alexis Rodda on Sept. 18, 2023, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional girls embrace smooth style of play, enter playoffs on winning streak
Franklin Regional might allow a goal or two, but one thing the Panthers will not do in a game is disconnect.

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Latrobe’s Annalyse Bauer fights for the header with Penn-Trafford goal keeper Rease Solomon off of a corner kick Sept. 4 at Latrobe.
Annalyse Bauer joins Latrobe girls soccer’s pipeline to Division I programs
Latrobe junior Annalyse Bauer has played in various U.S. cities in travel soccer and internationally for a club showcase.

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Norwin’s George Bunovich (right) battles Plum’s Noah Smith for a ball during their match last week.
Defending 4A boys champ Norwin expecting similar draw in WPIAL soccer playoffs
October 15, 2024
Scott Schuchert expects his team to get a similar to draw to last season’s playoffs when Norwin ran the table as a No. 8 seed and won its first WPIAL championship in boys soccer.

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Greensburg Central’s Jackson Vacanti controls the ball during a game against Eden Christian on, Aug. 27, 2024, at Eden.
Jackson Vacanti grows into big-play threat for Greensburg Central Catholic boys soccer
From a 5-foot-3, 97-pound freshman to a senior who now stands 5-foot-7 and weighs 125 pounds, Jackson Vacanti has grown. But so has his game.

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Lindsay Reese (center) and her Norwin teammates, shown celebrating against Penn-Trafford, will learn their seed in the WPIAL playoffs Wednesday.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Hempfield’s DeMatt will join Bucknell
October 14, 2024
Allie DeMatt plans to compete in multiple track and field events in college.

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Westmoreland high school notebook: Puck drops for area’s PIHL teams
October 13, 2024
Hockey season has a way of sneaking up on people because it pops up late in the fall season. But the PIHL is back, and local teams already have played a few games.

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Rich Bowen coached several schools, including Hempfield and, most recently, Greensburg Salem.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Greensburg Salem honors Rich Bowen
October 12, 2024
Greensburg Salem wore special helmet decals Friday night to honor late assistant coach Rich Bowen, who died Tuesday after a battle with cancer.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Stephen Predajna (45) tackles Southmoreland’s Elliot Premus (10) during their game Oct. 11, 2024, at Mt. Pleasant.
Southmoreland’s Anthony Smith throws for 3 TDs as Scotties top Mt. Pleasant, move closer to title
October 11, 2024
Southmoreland moved closer to its first conference title since 1979 with a sound victory over rival Mt. Pleasant in the teams’ 50th meeting.

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Greensburg Salem will wear helmet decals to honor assistant coach Rich Bowen, who died Oct. 8, 2024.
Greensburg Salem to wear helmet decals to honor late assistant coach Rich Bowen
Greensburg Salem football players will wear special helmet decals on their helmets Friday night at Derry to honor assistant coach Rich Bowen, who died earlier this week after a battle with rectal cancer.

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Plum’s Marco Tommasino defends on Norwin’s Ryan Schoemer on Thursday at Norwin High School.
Plum outlasts Norwin to capture boys soccer section title
October 10, 2024
Plum seemed to have a lot going against it in the Section 1-4A boys soccer finale.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne kicks the game-winning field goal to beat Latrobe 3-0 on Sept. 13.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Kickers step into spotlight
In what has been the year of the kicker in the WPIAL, local legs are getting into the act.

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Yough and Mt. Pleasant girls soccer players line up for the national anthem Wednesday night at Viking Stadium.
Gesinski scores 6 goals, Mt. Pleasant girls cruise past Yough
October 9, 2024
A third straight section crown secured, title contender Mt. Pleasant displayed the offensive muscle and goaltending prowess it will throw at teams in the upcoming WPIAL girls soccer playoffs.

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Fox Chapel’s Carson Kittsley shakes hands with Peters Township’s Colton Lusk after finishing their round at the WPIAL Class 3A golf championship Oct. 1 at Oakmont Country Club.
2024 WPIAL team golf championships preview
WPIAL team golf championships

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In addition to competing for the track and field team in the spring, Derry’s Gabe Gess (left) also plays football and soccer and runs cross country in the fall.
Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Derry’s Gabe Gess a triple-threat
Derry four-sport athlete Gabe Gess has been showing what he can do juggling three sports in the same season.

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Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni celebrates after scoring the lone goal against Franklin Regional on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, at Latrobe.
Latrobe boys soccer earns 1st section title with shutout of Franklin Regional
October 8, 2024
Latrobe won’t have to share its first section championship.

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Rich Bowen coaches at a 2012 Hempfield practice.
Former Hempfield, Serra Catholic football coach Rich Bowen dies at age 60
Rich Bowen was never a fan of attention. Not as a star football player or a championship coach. Not as a good-natured husband and father, handyman or athletic director.

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Plum’s Kent Holmes battles Norwin’s Daniel Hartman for a header during their game Sept. 19.
Norwin boys in position to make late-season magic again
Norwin was banged up and flirting with missing the WPIAL boys soccer playoffs last year when everything began to click at just about this same point in the season.

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Norwin’s Lindsay Reese is mobbed by teammates after scoring against Penn-Trafford during the second half on Monday.
Westmoreland County girls soccer notebook: Norwin peaking at right time
Norwin went from wanting to make gradual improvements to taking a giant leap forward.

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Norwin’s Siena Ali celebrates her goal against Penn-Trafford during the second half Monday.
Norwin girls avenge loss to Penn-Trafford, stay in section title hunt
October 7, 2024
Norwin watched film Sunday to get ready to play rival Penn-Trafford.

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Braden Riley and the Greensburg Central Catholic boys golf team will begin play in the WPIAL Class 2A tournament this week.
Westmoreland high school notebook: WPIAL team golf tournaments tee off
October 6, 2024
WPIAL golf this week shifts to team competition for the postseason.

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Franklin Regional’s Jammier Austin runs down Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch after a long run and strips the ball and was recovered by Franklin Regional Friday Sept. 13, 2024 at Franklin Regional High School.
Latrobe standout Tatsch done for season because of shoulder injury that requires surgery
Latrobe will play the rest of the football season without its star running back and linebacker.

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Penn-Trafford senior Alexis Brown
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Penn-Trafford’s Alexis Brown, Franklin Regional’s Colin Holt
October 5, 2024
The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Landon Honick, shown last season, contributed a catch that covered more than 30 yards in Friday’s win against Jeannette.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: GCC comes together in win over Jeannette
Greensburg Central Catholic proved Friday night it is more than a one-man team. It is more than junior quarterback Samir Crosby. A lot more.

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Iowa’s Michael Kemerer wrestles Penn State’s Carter Starocci faces at the 2021 Big Ten Wrestling Tournament.
Franklin Regional grad Michael Kemerer joins Minnesota coaching staff
Former All-American wrestler Michael Kemerer will join the University of Minnesota coaching staff this winter.

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Norwin’s Adalena Robb hits her tee shot on No. 15 during the 2023 WPIAL Class 3A girls golf championship at Diamond Run Golf Club.
Norwin notebook: Adalena Robb tees it up at WPIAL tournament
For the third time in her golf career, Norwin junior Adalena Robb advanced through sectional qualifying then moved on to the final round of the WPIAL championship.

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Franklin Regional’s Abby Paterline controls the ball against Plum on Sept. 18, 2023.
Franklin Regional soccer standout Abby Paterline taking talents to Edinboro
Just like when she helps to create offensive opportunities for Franklin Regional, Abby Paterline was methodical with the college recruiting process.

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Captains for Greensburg Central Catholic and Jeannette meet at midfield before their game Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
Samir Crosby accounts for 5 TDs, propels Greensburg Central Catholic past Jeannette
October 4, 2024
If Greensburg Central Catholic was looking for momentum heading into halftime against rival Jeannette, it found it in a flurry.

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Norwin (left) and Gateway players and coaches meet with referees before Thursday night’s Section 1-4A boys soccer game in Monroeville.
Norwin remains in boys soccer section title hunt with gritty win over Gateway
October 3, 2024
It has been said sophomore Chase Molinaro has a nose for the soccer ball.

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Hempfield’s Brock Heisler
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Offers coming in for Hempfield lineman
Connections can mean a lot in college football recruiting.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Samir Crosby pulls in a touchdown pass as Jeannette’s Kymon’e Brown watches during last year’s meeting between the teams.
‘Best friends’ collide when Jeannette, Greensburg Central Catholic QBs meet
When Kymon’e Brown and Samir Crosby played on the same youth football team with the Jeannette Midgets, they accounted for more than 50 touchdowns in one season.

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Hempfield pitcher Julia Varhola delivers against Seneca Valley on Apr. 10, 2024, in Jackson.
Hempfield junior chooses James Madison for softball
October 2, 2024
Hempfield junior softball pitcher Julia Varhola can bring it on the radar gun, reaching upwards of 65 mph on her fastest deliveries.

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Norwin girls soccer players celebrate after a 3-0 victory over Latrobe on Wednesday night at Norwin Knights Stadium in North Huntingdon.
Norwin girls log another shutout, this time beating Latrobe
Momentum continues to build at Norwin as the girls soccer team returns to relevance.

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Jeannette quarterback Kymon’e Brown carries against Clairton on last Saturday.
Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2024 Week 6
Here’s a look at the don’t-miss matchups for Westmoreland County in Week 6 of the 2024 season:

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Latrobe’s John Massaro battles Franklin Regional’s Jovan Sankoorikal for possession Sept. 12.
Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Franklin Regional in the hunt
Four straight section wins and a five-game unbeaten streak overall have Franklin Regional in the hunt for the Section 3-3A title.

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Latrobe and Belle Vernon boys soccer players go through the handshake line Tuesday.
Latrobe boys soccer shuts out section foe Belle Vernon
October 1, 2024
If Latrobe is going to live up to the potential and expectations it has set for itself, the team knows it has to handle its business, like winning games it is “supposed” to win.

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Penn-Trafford goalkeeper Rease Solomon celebrates with Gaby Michael after defeating Latrobe, 2-1, on Sept. 25.
Westmoreland County girls soccer notebook: Injuries can’t derail Penn-Trafford
Penn-Trafford has a unique dynamic going on around the program this season.

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Franklin Regional soccer player Allyssa Velasquez recovers from surgery after an accident in gym class in August.
Franklin Regional girls soccer forward on the mend after violent gym class collision
It was Aug. 27, the fourth day of school.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Rylin Bugosh celebrates with Morgan Gesinski after scoring against Deer Lakes on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in West Deer.
Top-ranked Mt. Pleasant girls soccer chasing elusive WPIAL title
This is the year. It has to be, right?

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Peters Twp.’s Ellie Benson watches her fairway shot on Hole 16 during the WPIAL Class AAA girls golf championship on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at Butler Country Club.
Peters Township junior, Shady Side Academy freshman dodge raindrops to win WPIAL golf titles
September 30, 2024
Alyssa Zhang took up golf just four years ago.

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Franklin Regional’s Liam Copeland hits on No. 18 during the WCCA golf championships Aug. 30, 2023, at Latrobe Elks Lodge Golf Club.
Westmoreland high school notebook: County players advance to WPIAL golf final round
September 29, 2024
The fields are set for the final round of the WPIAL boys and girls golf championships.

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Elizabeth Forward’s Mya Morgan watches her tee shot on Hole 17 during the WPIAL Class 3A girls golf championship on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at Diamond Run Golf Club.
WPIAL to crown 2024 boys, girls individual golf champions
Boys

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Mt. Pleasant’s Jarrett Garn
Mt. Pleasant’s Jarett Garn has SportsCenter moment
September 28, 2024
From triple coverage to national attention.

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Yough quarterback Raidon Kuroda completed 16 of 33 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns Friday.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Yough’s Kuroda stands out in loss
Raidon Kuroda is a unique name. You remember it after you hear it.

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Southmoreland senior soccer player Aubrey Seder
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Southmoreland’s Aubrey Seder and Mt. Pleasant’s Aiden Johnson
The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

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Norwin senior Thomas Gaydos
Norwin notebook: Cross country teams sweep at Blue Devil Invitational
The Norwin boys and girls cross country teams captured championships at the Blue Devil Invitational at Buhl Park in Sharon.

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Players from Yough (left) and Mt. Pleasant meet for the coin toss before their game Sept. 27, 2024, at Yough’s Cougar Mountain.
Mt. Pleasant gets back on top with close win against Yough
September 27, 2024
Another week, another Mt. Pleasant squeaker.

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Captains for the Franklin Regional and Penn-Trafford boys soccer teams meet at midfield before Thursday night’s match.
Franklin Regional boys soccer pushes past Penn-Trafford with 2nd-half surge
September 26, 2024
Concerned but not flustered after letting up a goal just before halftime, Franklin Regional rallied for three second-half goals and ripped past Penn-Trafford, 3-1, in Section 3-3A boys soccer Thursday night at Panther Stadium.

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Southmoreland’s Anthony Smith throws during the Willie Thrower quarterback camp in May.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Southmoreland freshman hits ground running
Anthony Smith’s progression has been fast, his development swift, as the freshman quarterback leads the Southmoreland football team in his first season.

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Penn-Trafford’s Alexis Brown works past Latrobe’s Alexa Yurko during their game on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Harrison City.
Penn-Trafford’s Alexis Brown has full-circle performance 1 year after injury in win over Latrobe
September 25, 2024
Almost one year to the day — on the same field, against the same opponent — Alexis Brown had a full-circle experience.

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Franklin Regional’s Danny Christafano
Westmoreland County boys high school soccer notebook: ‘Great goals’ boost Franklin Regional
Connecting on crisp passes is the key to any good build-up at any level of soccer.

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Senior goalkeeper Rease Solomon helped Penn-Trafford to a 5-0 start in Section 1-4A.
Westmoreland girls soccer notebook: Penn-Trafford rolling through Class 4A
September 24, 2024
So much for that difficult transition going from Class 3A to 4A.

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Southmoreland’s Jack Smith and Mt. Pleasant’s Gavin Rummel battle for possession during a game Sept. 17, 2024, at Southmoreland.
Resurgent Westmoreland County soccer teams reaching rebound goals
An energetic group jogs onto the field as one practice ends and another begins at Russ Grimm Field.

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Players from Greensburg Central Catholic (left) and Riverview meet before Monday’s Section 4-A game in Carbon.
No. 2 Riverview survives test from shorthanded Greensburg Central Catholic
September 23, 2024
Greensburg Central Catholic only had 11 players for most of the night, but that didn’t stop the Centurions from pushing No. 2-ranked Riverview to the limit in their latest Section 4-A girls soccer matchup.

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Greensburg Salem freshman Luke Sikora hits a chip shot on No. 8 on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at Latrobe Elks Golf Club during the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association tournament.
Westmoreland high school notebook: WPIAL individual golf competitions get underway
September 22, 2024
The WPIAL golf individual postseason gets serious this week with the start of the championship rounds.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Gesinski battles Southmoreland’s Kayla Ladowitz for possession during their game on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Viking Stadium.
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Gesinski, Latrobe’s Jack Sacriponte
September 21, 2024
The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

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Franklin Regional’s Heath Sliva breaks up a pass intended for Latrobe’s Andy Tatsch during their Sept. 13 game. Latrobe has scored only 17 points combined over its past two games.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Latrobe focused on minimizing gaffes on offense
Latrobe’s offense was hitting on all cylinders in the first three games as the Wildcats put up 41, 32 and 42 points in wins over Connellsville, Plum and Norwin.

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Players from Armstrong (left) and Latrobe meet at midfield for the coin toss before their game Sept. 20, 2024, at Latrobe.
Latrobe finally ends scoreless skid, shuts out Armstrong in Big East win
September 20, 2024
Scoreless for nearly 7 1/2 quarters, Latrobe finally found the end zone. It was a good thing: The Wildcats were growing tired of these three-and-out defensive struggles.

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Charleroi’s Dylan Klinger (10) walks through the handshake line Thursday night after a 4-2 victory over host Mt. Pleasant. Klinger had a hat trick as the Cougars remained undefeated.
Late arrival no problem as unbeaten Charleroi boys top Mt. Pleasant in key section showdown
September 19, 2024
With Charleroi decidedly controlling possession in the first half, Mt. Pleasant’s scoring chances were slim at best.

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Franklin Regional’s Jammier Austin runs down Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch after a long run and strips the ball last Friday.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Top teams looking to shake off losses
A number of Westmoreland County teams are looking for a bounce-back week after losses last Friday, some of whom suffered their first setback of the season.

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Steve Scorpion coaches Franklin Regional during a 2019 game.
Woodland Hills provides ‘right situation’ for Steve Scorpion’s 2nd chance as head coach
September 18, 2024
His checkered past behind him, Steve Scorpion said faith led him back to the WPIAL head coaching ranks.

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Mt. Pleasant girls soccer coach Rich Garland talks to his team at halftime Thursday night at Yough. The Vikings won, 3-0.
2nd-half surge helps Mt. Pleasant past improving Yough
An uninspired first half meant a stern halftime talk from the coach.

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Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni celebrates after scoring his first goal against Franklin Regional on Sept. 12.
Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Latrobe still fine-tuning game
Latrobe coach Jake Rice will take a win any way he can get it, but he thinks his team is capable of more.

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Westmoreland County girls soccer notebook: Norwin making steady progress
September 17, 2024
Norwin sent dangerous shot after dangerous shot at Latrobe goalkeeper Gianna Trunzo, but the first-year netminder either made a terrific save or the ball whizzed by the skin of the post.

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Coach Steve Scorpion yells instructions to his Franklin Regional team in a game at Shaler in 2019.
Woodland Hills set to hire former Franklin Regional basketball coach
Woodland Hills will vote Wednesday night to hire Steve Scorpion as its head boys basketball coach, according to the board agenda.

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Norwin is counting on Daniel Maddock (above) to help replace graduated stars Owen Christopher and Anthony Scalise.
Westmoreland County soccer teams working hard to fill shoes of graduated stars
Winning a championship with bedrock players like midfielder Owen Christopher and goalkeeper Anthony Scalise was invigorating for Norwin last season.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Kiersten O’Connor
Latrobe’s Bell, Mt. Pleasant’s O’Conner commit to D-I schools
September 16, 2024
A pair of local swimming standouts have made commitments to NCAA Division I programs.

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Ligonier Valley’s Addy Witcoski carded a 3-over-par 38, a program record for the Rams.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Addy Witcoski sets Ligonier Valley golf record
September 15, 2024
Addy Witcoski went to the golf course Tuesday like she would for any match, unaware she was about to make history.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne kicks the game winning field goal to beat Latrobe 3-0 Friday Sept. 13, 2024 at Franklin Regional High School.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Franklin Regional’s Bayne bides his time
September 14, 2024
Joey Bayne sat out the final 10-plus minutes of a boys soccer game against visiting Latrobe on Thursday with cramps in his leg.

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Latrobe runs drills early Monday morning on the first day of high school football practice Aug. 12, 2024.
Latrobe football advances in T-Mobile school spirit competition; ‘multi-million-dollar’ grand prize at stake
Latrobe wants fans from all over town to show their school spirit and turn this football season into one big pep rally.

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Norwin’s Kendall Berger fights for a loose ball with Chartiers Valley’ Ava Shazer during a PIAA Class 5A playoff game last season.
Norwin notebook: Pair of basketball standouts headed to Clarion
Call it a package deal.

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Norwin cross country runner Annie Czajkowski
Norwin uses pack mentality to take place among WPIAL cross country contenders
Based on returning athletes, Norwin is the top contender in Class 3A to regular frontrunner North Allegheny in WPIAL boys and girls cross country.

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Franklin Regional’s Andrew Devola
Franklin Regional notebook: Devola brothers team up for Panthers
Franklin Regional senior lineman Andrew Devola experienced a special moment with his two brothers in the second game of the football season at Hempfield.

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Penn-Trafford junior tennis player Mia Williams
Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Penn-Trafford’s Mia Williams, Greensburg Salem’s Luke Sikora
The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

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Players from Seneca Valley and Norwin meet at midfield for the coin toss before their game Sept. 13, 2024, at Norwin Knights Stadium.
Short-handed Norwin no match for Seneca Valley in conference opener
September 13, 2024
Norwin might be improved, but the third-ranked Knights found out the hard way that nothing is going to come easy in Class 6A.

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Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni (right) celebrates his second goal against Franklin Regional with Brady Kring on Thursday.
Agostoni’s highlight-reel goals carry Latrobe to boys soccer win over Franklin Regional
September 12, 2024
The soccer ball left Latrobe defender Brady Kring’s foot and sailed high into the night sky like a punt at Panther Stadium.

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Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Jeannette, Ligonier Valley players suspended
Jeannette and Ligonier Valley will be down two players each for the next two games because of ejections that happened last Friday night.

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Latrobe goalkeeper Gianna Trunzo made seven saves Wednesday night in a 1-0 victory over Norwin at Rossi Field in Latrobe.
Trunzo, Latrobe defense stiffen for tight win over Norwin
September 11, 2024
Several Latrobe girls soccer players sang the national anthem Tuesday night before a boys home soccer game.

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Penn-Trafford’s Landyn Stikkel takes down Norwin quarterback Tristan Tavares on Aug. 23 at Norwin.
Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2024 Week 3
Here’s a look at the don’t-miss matchups for Westmoreland County in Week 3 of the 2024 season:

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Monessen’s Tyler Caterino practices in 2017.
Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Former Monessen standout, 25, takes WPIAL coaching job
California has one of the youngest coaches in the state — and one of the better goal scorers in recent Monessen history.

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Penn-Trafford’s Chad Pusateri takes out Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni on Tuesday.
Latrobe makes 1st-half goal stand up in boys soccer win over Penn-Trafford
September 10, 2024
Latrobe strengthened its lead in Section 3-3A boys soccer with a first-half goal and steady play from its defense.

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Upper St. Clair coach Jim Render eyes his sideline during a home game against Peters Township in 2018.
7 from WPIAL nominated for National High School Football Hall of Fame
Fifty-four players, seven coaches and three teams have been nominated for the third class of the National High School Football Hall of Fame.

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Greensburg Central Catholic-Clairton football game to be played Friday at Clairton
The Greensburg Central Catholic-Clairton football game will be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Clairton’s Neil C. Brown Stadium instead of noon Saturday at Thomas Jefferson Stadium as previously scheduled.

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Latrobe’s Annalyse Bauer fights for a header with Penn-Trafford goalkeeper Rease Solomon off of a corner kick Wednesday.
Westmoreland County girls soccer notebook: Penn-Trafford, Latrobe getting used to life in Class 4A
Penn-Trafford and Latrobe are adjusting to life in WPIAL Class 4A.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Aidan Johnson battles for possession against Belle Vernon on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Viking Stadium.
Mt. Pleasant boys soccer prepares to move forward after injury to top player Johnson
September 9, 2024
Mt. Pleasant is dealing with the loss of one of its top boys soccer players, but the Vikings are moving forward with an all-hands-on-deck approach.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Braden Riley was runner-up at the 2023 WCCA boys golf championship.
Westmoreland high school notebook: WCCA boys golf tournament set for Thursday at Latrobe Elks
September 8, 2024
The Westmoreland County Coaches Association will host its annual boys golf championship Thursday at Latrobe Elks Golf Course.

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Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch escapes from Norwin defender Jackson Huss during a play Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Tatsch a force in Latrobe’s ground game
September 7, 2024
Alex Tatsch might be heading to Penn State to play linebacker, but the Latrobe senior made it clear this summer he had plenty to give the Wildcats as a running back.

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Norwin’s Gemma Moffatt gets to the ball against Kiski Area on Sept. 3 at the Ellen Toy Grass Court at Kennedy Park.
Norwin girls volleyball working to make strides
Norwin girls volleyball finished 3-11 overall and 1-7 in Section 3-4A, which put the Knights in last place.

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Franklin Regional’s Danny Christafano
Franklin Regional notebook: Boys soccer team opens section schedule with win
A matchup of first-year coaches in Section 3-3A boys soccer went to Franklin Regional’s Nick White, whose Panthers rang up three second-half goals to pull past Ryan Hankey’s Penn-Trafford team, 3-1, in the section opener Aug. 29.

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Captains for Greensburg Salem and Valley meet at midfield before their game Friday.
Sizzling Greensburg Salem rolls past Valley, off to best start since 2011
September 6, 2024
Greensburg Salem honored its conference championship football teams from 2003 and ’04 before Friday night’s kickoff.

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Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni (center) prepares to fist-bump a referee before a pregame meeting Thursday night at James Weir Stadium in Belle Vernon.
Agostoni gets hat trick, Latrobe keeps rolling vs. Belle Vernon
September 5, 2024
On a night when shots were plentiful and goals piled up, Latrobe was more impressed by its defensive play and limiting Belle Vernon’s potent offense in its latest soccer victory.

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Monessen’s TyVaughn Kershaw carries against Charleroi on Aug. 23.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Monessen sends scoreboards spinning
Monessen is the highest-scoring team in WPIAL football through two weeks with a brow-raising, 60.5-point average.

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Penn-Trafford’s Avery Bosack celebrates with Tori Yurt (27) after Yurt’s first goal against Latrobe in the first half Wednesday at Greater Latrobe High School.
Freshman lights fuse for Penn-Trafford girls in win over Latrobe
September 4, 2024
Freshman Tori Yurt said she wanted to be more “useful” to the Penn-Trafford girls soccer team after a slow start to the season.

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Hempfield boys soccer revels in streak-snapping win
When Derry scored two goals to pull even with Hempfield, Michael Crowe, Hempfield’s coach, just let it roll.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Aidan Johnson battles for possession against Belle Vernon on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Viking Stadium.
Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Aidan Johnson sparks Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant is off to a strong start to the season.

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Jeannette’s Lexi Bair (foreground) and her six teammates in attendance run sprints at the end of a practice Aug. 28 at McKee Stadium. The team had only eight players and had yet to play a game.
Jeannette girls soccer players determined to keep season going despite low numbers
September 3, 2024
When Billy Bryant went to Jeannette, he was the Jayhawk mascot.

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Westmoreland girls soccer notebook: Yough lighting up scoreboards
Yough has struggled with low roster numbers in recent seasons, and with standout Youngstown Stat commit Kendalyn Umbel choosing not to play prep soccer this year and in 2023, the Cougars appeared headed for an uphill climb.

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Franklin Regional’s Gianna Johnson is the defending champion at the WCCA golf tournament.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Croushore leaves WPIAL committee
September 2, 2024
Jim Croushore played 18, then went one more.

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Greensburg Central Catholic girls golf coach Anthony Santilli.
New coach Santilli well aware of expectations for Greensburg Central Catholic girls golf team
Golf professional Anthony Santilli knew the expectation when he took over as the girls golf coach at Greensburg Central Catholic.

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Hempfield quarterback Dom Detruf can only watch right now during the WCC 7on7 July 18, 2024 at Greater Labrobe High School.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Hempfield’s Dom Detruf shines in return
August 31, 2024
Hempfield took the field Friday night in its home opener with a surprise starter at quarterback.

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Hempfield soccer player Jiana Patterson
Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Hempfield’s Jiana Patterson, Latrobe’s Roman Agostoni
Jiana Patterson

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Franklin Regional’s Abby Paterline heads the ball over Plum’s Ava Weleski during a 2022 game.
Veteran lineup has Franklin Regional girls in position to succeed
Good things can happen when most of your returning starters are seniors.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne battles Plum’s Tyler Yurisinec for possession last season.
After productive summer, Franklin Regional boys soccer ready to roll
Franklin Regional boys soccer’s third coach in four years is getting the response he wanted from his players.

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Norwin’s Annie Czajkowski runs at the WCCA championship last year.
Norwin notebook: Junior takes cross country title
Annie, get your run.

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With deep roster, Norwin girls soccer sets sights on playoff return
If Norwin gets back to the WPIAL girls soccer playoffs after a two-year hiatus, it will be a group effort.

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Norwin’s Daniel Maddock battles for possession against Warwick during a PIAA Class 4A first-round playoff game last season.
‘Strongest core of seniors’ has Norwin boys soccer ready for run at repeat
With an experienced group of seniors as a pillar, Norwin has its eyes on a WPIAL Class 4A repeat.

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Football players from Franklin Regional (left) and Hempfield line up for the coin toss before their game Aug. 30, 2024, at Hempfield.
Franklin Regional rides all-around performance past Hempfield; Detruf returns
August 30, 2024
Classic ingredients can go a long way on a high school football Friday night.

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Franklin Regional soccer players warm up before Thursday night’s game at Penn-Trafford. The Panthers won, 3-1.
Franklin Regional boys soccer team tops Penn-Trafford in early season section showdown
August 29, 2024
A matchup of first-year coaches in Section 3-3A boys soccer went to Franklin Regional’s Nick White, whose Panthers rang up three second-half goals to pull past Ryan Hankey’s Penn-Trafford team, 3-1, in the section opener Thursday night in Harrison City.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne kicks a game-tying field goal against Latrobe in 2022.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Top kickers give their teams a leg up
Kickers rarely get much limelight. Their extra points are often taken for granted, and casual fans don’t give kickoffs that sail out of the end zone a second thought.

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Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Super start for Southmoreland
August 28, 2024
Southmoreland picked a fine way to open the boys soccer season: by winning a championship.

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Burrell’s McKenna Miller (3) and Parker Moore celebrate after defeating Mt. Pleasant in overtime 2-1 in a WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal last season.
Some high school soccer coaches in favor of giving overtime the boot
August 27, 2024
When there was chatter about the PIAA eliminating overtime from regular-season soccer games this offseason, many coaches smiled with optimism.

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Latrobe’s Ava Yurko (right) and Maddy Petruzzi (left) are one the watch list for the Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player Award.
Westmoreland girls soccer notes: County well represented on Moe Rosensteel award watch list
Twelve of the 49 players on the Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player Award watch list play for Westmoreland County teams.

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Plum’s Emily Grubich celebrates with Allison Porter (left) after scoring a second-half goal against Franklin Regional on Monday.
Plum girls thinking Bigger after shutout win over Franklin Regional
August 26, 2024
Olivia Bigger kicks extra points for the Plum football team.

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Franklin Regional junior Ayden Hudock
Former Franklin Regional standout Hudock recovering nicely after scary motorcycle accident
August 25, 2024
He doesn’t remember much from the night he almost died, but Ayden Hudock uses words such as “lucky” and “blessed” a lot more since he wrecked his motorcycle.

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Latrobe’s Luke Nipar-Smith scores during the first inning against Montour in their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal in May. Latrobe is moving up to 5A this spring.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Baseball, softball teams on move in realignment
Local baseball and softball teams did some shuffling in WPIAL spring sports realignment for 2025.

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Brothers Brody Chismar (left) and Peyton Chismar both will play quarterback at Greensburg Salem this season.
Chismars put aside sibling rivalry, share QB duties at Greensburg Salem
Sometimes, the Chismar brothers’ car rides home from practice are animated and loud. Other times, post-workout trips back to the crib are quiet.

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Coaches and players from Franklin Regional (left) and Norwin have a pregame meeting with referees Saturday at Norwin Knights Stadium in North Huntingdon. Norwin won the season opener, 2-0.
Norwin boys soccer shuts out Franklin Regional to open season
August 24, 2024
Norwin continues to row in the right direction.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Samir Crosby rushed for 341 yards on 21 carries and completed 7 of 12 passes for 136 yards Friday.
Westmoreland County football notebook: GCC’s Samir Crosby accounts for 6 TDs
Samir Crosby had an impressive performance in a wild opener for Greensburg Central Catholic at Shady Side Academy. The Centurions rallied to win 46-40 as the junior quarterback accounted for six touchdowns.

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Captains for Jeannette and Mt. Pleasant meet at midfield Friday.
Late TD pass lifts Jeannette past Mt. Pleasant in comeback victory
August 23, 2024
Mt. Pleasant appeared to have Jeannette right where it wanted it. A seven-point lead with three minutes and change remaining and a fresh turnover in their hands.

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Watch list announced for Moe Rosensteel girls soccer award
Forty-nine of the top girls soccer players in the district made the Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player Award watch list.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Gesinski celebrates her goal with Rylin Bugosh during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal against Freeport on Oct. 29, 2022.
Westmoreland County girls soccer preview: Mt. Pleasant motivated to make title run
August 22, 2024
Mt. Pleasant is going into a new girls soccer season with a mind eraser.

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Jeannette’s Markus McGowan carries the ball during a game against Riverview last season.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Small schools make best of bare-bones rosters
Teams in the WPIAL Class A Eastern Conference have something in common on the eve of a new football season: low roster numbers.

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Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch controls the ball against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Westmoreland boys soccer preview: Belle Vernon ready for challenge of jump to 3A
August 21, 2024
A jump in classification can be less daunting if a team has a lot coming back.

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Jeannette coach Tom Paulone during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition in July.
Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2024 Week Zero
Here’s a look at the don’t-miss matchups for Westmoreland County in Week Zero of the 2024 season:

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Southmoreland football player Ethan Shawley
Tackling machine Ethan Shawley brings snarl to Southmoreland defense
Southmoreland’s senior tackling savant makes backyards look nicer in the summer as a landscaper. Come the fall, he demolishes backfields.

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Avonworth’s Fiona Mahan controls the ball in front of Central Columbia’s Haley Bull during the 2023 PIAA Class 2A championship game.
WPIAL girls soccer preview: Defending state champ Moon again among teams to beat
August 20, 2024
WPIAL girls soccer preview

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The late Ron Bukowski with his son, Southmoreland coacn Tim Bukowski
Southmoreland’s Tim Bukowski to coach opener with late father in mind
August 19, 2024
Third-year Southmoreland football coach Tim Bukowski will lead the Scotties in their season opener Friday night with a heavy heart after the death of his father.

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Fox Chapel’s Pablo Linzoain battles Norwin’s Tanner Schneck for a header during the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals Oct. 31, 2023, at Hampton.
WPIAL boys soccer preview: Norwin, South Fayette, South Park, Bentworth out to defend titles
WPIAL boys soccer preview

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Norwin senior football player Colin Bruno
Lineman Colin Bruno wants to put signature on final season at Norwin
His football card collection means a lot to him, as does his assortment of professional sports autographs.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Samir Crosby throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Greensburg Central Catholic primed to follow Samir Crosby’s lead
Reaching the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class A playoffs was a highlight for Greensburg Central Catholic coach JT Thompson in his first season.

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Latrobe linebacker Alex Tatsch, coach Ron Prady and quarterback John Wetzel
Thanks to program’s revival, ‘People are talking about Latrobe football’
August 18, 2024
Mention Latrobe and football in the same breath and, to most people, Pittsburgh Steelers training camp comes to mind.

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Belle Vernon’s Parker Lind throws during the 2024 season.
Belle Vernon pitcher wowed by Kent State baseball program
August 17, 2024
Parker Lind was on a campus visit when the magic happened. When he saw his baseball future flash before his eyes.

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Southmoreland quarterback Anthony Smith throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition in July.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Southmoreland QB situation settled
Caden Matthews, a junior who was competing with freshman Anthony Smith for the starting quarterback spot at Southmoreland, left the team during the first week of full-padded training camp.

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Norwin’s Averi Brozeski shoots a 3-pointer against North Allegheny last season.
Norwin notebook: Girls basketball standouts catch eye of college coaches
A pair of incoming senior Norwin basketball players are on the radar of NCAA Division II college coaches.

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Elizabeth Forward’s Mya Morgan celebrates after winning the WPIAL Class 3A girls golf championship Oct. 4, 2023, at Diamond Run Golf Club.
WPIAL girls golf preview: 3A champ Mya Morgan back for Elizabeth Forward
August 15, 2024
WPIAL girls golf preview

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Peters Township’s Colton Lusk watches his drive on No. 17 at Latrobe Country Club during the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A championship Sept. 25, 2023.
WPIAL boys golf preview: Peters Township out to defend WPIAL, PIAA titles
WPIAL boys golf preview

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Latrobe senior lineman Cody Krall
Latrobe lineman knows now’s the time for Wildcats to strike
Hype at Latrobe began with the players long before the community began to stir.

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Southmoreland’s Jackson Mickens pulls in a touchdown pass during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Playmakers abound as Southmoreland continues hunt for elusive playoff win
Editor’s note: Trib HSSN will publish team-by-team previews for one conference per day until the start of the high school football season Aug. 23. Due to a conflict in publishing schedules, the Elizabeth Forward preview will appear next week.

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Greensburg Salem’s Anthony Matthews dives for an interception during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Greensburg Salem aims to stay healthy, use balanced offense
Balance gives Greensburg Salem the best chance to win, second-year coach Ty George said.

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Norwin’s Carter Breen (6) turns with the ball against Franklin Regional in 2017.
Norwin honors soccer stars in hall of fame Class of 2024
August 14, 2024
The 2024 Norwin Athletic Hall of Fame class shines a light on the school’s propensity for producing soccer talent.

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Hempfield football player Owen Buchholz returns for his senior season after playing with a broken thumb in 2023.
After answering call to arms, Hempfield senior develops into difference maker
August 13, 2024
Football found Owen Buchholz. It wasn’t the other way around like most high school players.

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Cam Auld on the Greensburg Salem sidelines in 2023.
New Norwin boys basketball coach happy to give back to his alma mater
August 12, 2024
While he stops short of “dream job” territory, Cam Auld admits the idea of coaching at his high school alma mater crossed his mind before.

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Latrobe’s Lucas Kolenc (left) and Tim Myers go at it during practice early in the morning on the first day of high school football camp Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Crack of pads, warmth of turf signal start of high school football around Westmoreland County
As a two-time defending WPIAL and PIAA champion, Belle Vernon football must have opened full-contact training camp Monday morning with a sense of entitlement, right?

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Greensburg Salem senior football player Dom Rosensteel
Dom Rosensteel becomes a leader on offense, defense for Greensburg Salem
Dom Rosensteel is ready to move the sticks.

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Greensburg Central Catholic junior football player Jerry Davis
400-meter champ Jerry Davis adds speed to Greensburg Central Catholic roster
August 11, 2024
Jerry Davis played at Serra Catholic the past two football seasons but did not experience the WPIAL playoffs.

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Greensburg Salem boys basketball coach Cam Auld talks to his squad during a game last season at Southmoreland.
Norwin grad Cam Auld set to be named boys basketball coach at alma mater
August 10, 2024
It looks like Cam Auld is coming home.

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Franklin Regional quarterback Chase Lemke throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Latrobe in July.
7-on-7 competition goes well for Franklin Regional
Franklin Regional coach Lance Getsy isn’t making any preseason predictions based on his team’s performance in 7-on-7 passing competitions, but he sees progress in the repetitions and value in the effort.

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Greensburg Salem coach Ty George talks with the offense during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition last summer at Latrobe.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: With pads on, ‘it’s the start of a new year’
After a week of “heat” practices and noncontact drills, WPIAL football teams can begin hitting in full pads Monday with the official start of practice.

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Hempfield quarterback Dom Detruf can only watch right now during the WCC 7on7 July 18, 2024 at Greater Labrobe High School.
Hempfield QB Dom Detruf hoping to be cleared after checkup by cardiologist
Hempfield senior quarterback Dom Detruf will see a cardiologist Tuesday for further evaluation of his acute myocarditis, an inflamed heart condition that could limit his participation in training camp and beyond.

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Coach Kyle Martin (left) and his PA U16 team won a sixth straight championship at the USA Wrestling National Championships in Fargo, N.D.
Norwin coach leads title-winning U.S. effort at Fargo nationals
Kyle Martin doesn’t make the annual trek to Fargo, N.D. for the scenery, the Badlands or props from a movie with the town’s namesake.

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Norwin girls soccer coach Ashley DeVito talks with players during a conditioning workout this week at Norwin Knights Stadium.
New coach DeVito eager to build up Norwin girls soccer team
August 8, 2024
While she grasps for similarities between the girls soccer programs at Penn Hills and Norwin, Ashley DeVito continually finds herself recognizing the differences.

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Latrobe’s Andy Tatsch pulls in a catch during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition in July.
Resurgent Latrobe has star power for move back to Class 5A
Editor’s note: Trib HSSN will publish team-by-team previews for one conference per day until the start of the high school football season Aug. 23.

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Greensburg Central Catholic sophomore baseball player Anthony Grippo.
Greensburg Central Catholic baseball player Anthony Grippo commits to Penn State
August 7, 2024
A new NCAA recruiting rule kicked in earlier this month.

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The Norwin boys soccer team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating North Allegheny in penalty kicks in the Class 4A final Nov. 4 at Highmark Stadium.
Norwin boys soccer team gets to work in defense of WPIAL championship
August 6, 2024
Veteran boys soccer coach Scott Schuchert had a message for his Norwin players when they lined up to run sprints during a conditioning workout this week at the Turner Valley Soccer Complex.

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Norwin quarterback Tristyn Tavares throws during WCCA 7-on-7 competition July 18 at Latrobe.
Led by QB Tristyn Tavares, Norwin returns to Class 6A
A summer paving project caused some temporary parking inconveniences at Norwin Knights Stadium.

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Hempfield’s Jack Kopas makes a catch during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition July 18 at Latrobe.
Hempfield set to take on Class 6A schedule again
Year 2 appears to have greeted Nick Keefer with more structure and the feeling of a greater sense of eagerness among his lot of 80-plus football players.

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Norwin’s Bailey Snowberger has commited to play her college softball at the University of Maine.
Norwin softball standout rolls with changes, commits to Maine
August 5, 2024
The build-up to the decision was stressful. The reasoning behind it, though, made perfect sense.

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Greenburg Salem players take part in a preseason practice last season.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Football season begins with ‘heat week’
August 3, 2024
A PIAA custom since its inception in 2013, “heat week” is the unofficial start to high school football training camp, and it opens Monday around the state.

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Franklin Regional boys soccer coach Nick White
New Franklin Regional boys soccer coach focuses on building rapport, fitness
July 30, 2024
When Nick White was an assistant boys soccer coach at Fox Chapel, the Foxes took late-summer trips to team camps.

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Latrobe’s John Wetzel carries past Aliquippa’s Shamar Underwood during their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Aliquippa.
2024 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Latrobe’s John Wetzel
July 29, 2024
A team that didn’t have a playoff win for 54 years has two in the past two seasons, and John Wetzel has a lot to do with it.

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Seneca Valley baseball coach Eric Semega wears a communication device in April during the first season such devices were allowed. The PIAA could adopt a rule to allow electronics in softball games next year, as well.
Westmoreland high school notes: Softball could adopt communication devices
July 27, 2024
A key rule change could alter the way coaches and catchers communicate on the softball field.

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Erica Gribble (right) is a key returner for Greensburg Central Catholic’s girls basketball team.
Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball ready for new class
July 26, 2024
Greensburg Central Catholic was a class above the competition in WPIAL Class 2A last girls basketball season when it captured its sixth district championship.

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Hempfield quarterback Dom Detruf watches during the WCCA 7-on-7 July 18, 2024, at Greater Labrobe High School.
Hempfield QB Dom Detruf sidelined with heart condition, vows to return this season
July 23, 2024
As his teammates ran routes, threw and caught passes and defended throws, Dom Detruf looked on with interest.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Samir Crosby runs against Clairton in their game Sept. 29, 2023, at Clairton.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Samir Crosby set to take control of offense
July 22, 2024
Samir Crosby could have a special season in store for the Greensburg Central Catholic football faithful.

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Pitcher Noah Czajkowski, a Norwin grad, has entered the transfer portal after two seasons with St. Bonaventure.
Norwin grads climbing college baseball ladder via transfer portal
July 20, 2024
A pair of former Norwin baseball players from the class of 2022 are changing college programs.

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Franklin Regional’s Austin Kerns takes down Hempfield’s Daniel Katonka on Oct.14, 2022.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Pair of players earn camp honors
Two local football players were named most valuable players at the 2Tenths Speed & Agility Top 150 Camp last weekend at Shady Side Academy.

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Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch carries past Aliquippa’s Beno Williams during a WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal Nov. 10, 2023.
2024 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch
July 19, 2024
Alex Tatsch essentially has more stars in his recruiting rating (four) than he does years of high school football.

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Latrobe’s John Wetzel defends against Penn-Trafford’s Jessie Lisbon during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Larry Sellitto Memorial 7-on-7 on Thursday.
Penn-Trafford wins WCCA 7-on-7 football tournament
July 18, 2024
The championship plaque and the balance of power at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Larry Sellitto Memorial 7-on-7 football passing tournament are back in the hands of Penn-Trafford.

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Franklin Regional designated hitter Darren DeRiggi lays down a bunt single against West Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 5A third-place game May 29.
Franklin Regional designated hitter emerges as all-state performer
July 14, 2024
Surprised wasn’t the right word, but Darren DeRiggi did not fully expect to have all-state honors arrive on his doorstep at the conclusion of high school baseball season.

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Steel Valley’s Donald Barksdale carries for a touchdown against Beaver Falls during the 2023 WPIAL Class 2A championship game at Acrisure Stadium.
2024 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Steel Valley’s Donald Barksdale
July 13, 2024
Get this.

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Hempfield coach Nick Keefer watches a 7-on-7 competition last summer at Mt. Lebanon.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Hempfield football assembles eclectic coaching staff
Hempfield second-year football coach Nick Keefer has assembled a unique mix of assistants for a new season.

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Ligonier Valley boys basketball coach Dante Porter
Experienced assistant ready to move into head coaching role with Ligonier Valley boys
July 12, 2024
Ligonier Valley’s new boys basketball coach could feel a magnetic pull, almost a calling to be the loudest voice from the bench.

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Belle Vernonճ Anthony Crews dives into the end zone to score during the PIAA Class 3A state championship game against Northwestern Lehigh on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Cumberland Valley.
Belle Vernon braces for life after Quinton Martin
July 11, 2024
Begrudgingly, Belle Vernon braced for the departure of No. 25. When Quinton Martin’s high school playing days were over.

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Alayna Williams, a Derry senior, committed to play college soccer at Robert Morris.
Derry senior doesn’t need high school soccer to earn scholarship to Robert Morris
July 9, 2024
Derry doesn’t have a girls soccer team. But the school has at least one outstanding girls soccer player.

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Norwin quarterback Tristyn Tavares set the school’s single-season passing yardage record.
Norwin dual-threat QB Tristyn Tavares is ‘just a gamer,’ coach says
July 7, 2024
Norwin has a new boxed-in monitor to watch replays from its sideline camera during games.

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Hempfield’s Maggie Howard was named to the first team in Class 6A by the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association.
High school notebook: Westmoreland players included in all-state softball, baseball selections
July 6, 2024
Westmoreland County had impressive representation on the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association All-State teams.

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In three years as Norwin’s boys basketball coach, Lance Maha was 31-33 and led the Knights to the WPIAL playoffs twice.
Lance Maha hired as West Mifflin’s athletic director, resigns as Norwin boys basketball coach
July 4, 2024
Lance Maha is as West Mifflin as Kennywood. So, him staying home to be the high school’s athletic director should not come as a surprise.

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Scott Giacobbi (bottom left) compiled a career record of 246-192 at Mt. Pleasant.
Mt. Pleasant’s Scott Giacobbi retires after 19 seasons coaching girls basketball
July 2, 2024
A military man, Scott Giacobbi is saluting the Mt. Pleasant girls basketball program one last time.

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Franklin Regional coach Jesse Reed talks with his team during a timeout in their PIAA Class 5A state semifinal against Moon on March 18.
Franklin Regional notebook: Panthers to move into new-look basketball section
June 30, 2024
The WPIAL announced its winter sports realignment for the next two-year enrollment cycle.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tyree Turner (5) reacts after drawing an and-one call on Jeannette’s Elijah Jones (4) in a PIAA Class 2A second-round game Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Norwin.
Greenburg Central Catholic competitor Tyree Turner named TribLive Westmoreland boys athlete of the year
June 29, 2024
While he lives in Indiana, Tyree Turner often feels more like a Greensburg kid because he spent so much time in and around the city.

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Yough’s Terek Crosby flies past the Deer Lakes defense to make a layup Dec. 8, 2023.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Latrobe girls golf to debut; Terek Crosby picks Saint Vincent
The new fall season will come with a new varsity sport at Latrobe.

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Mt. Pleasant softball coach Chris Brunson
Championship softball coach Chris Brunson leaving Mt. Pleasant for Waynesburg University
June 28, 2024
Championship softball coach Chris Brunson is making the jump to the college level as he leaves the Mt. Pleasant high school team to head to Waynesburg University.

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New Highlands boys basketball coach Bill Flow
Highlands goes with the Flow, finds new boys basketball coach teaching English class
Highlands likes to play fast, up-tempo basketball. It always has, even when a new coach took over.

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Southmoreland quarterbacks Caden Matthews (left) and Anthony Smith.
Fierce QB competition brewing at Southmoreland between Caden Matthews, Anthony Smith
June 27, 2024
There is a good old-fashioned quarterback competition brewing in Alverton, and the top preseason storyline for Southmoreland football already has people chewing the fat at gas stations and mini-marts.

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Latrobe quarterback John Wetzel scores on a reception against Aliquippa during their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal Nov. 10, 2023, at Heinz Field.
Latrobe QB/DB John Wetzel verbally commits to Marshall for football
June 25, 2024
Rising senior John Wetzel has seen first hand the resurgence of the Latrobe football program.

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Penn-Trafford goalkeeper Rease Solomon made more than 35 saves in a 1-0 overtime loss to top-seeded Mars in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.
Penn-Trafford soccer goalie Rease Solomon commits to Robert Morris
June 23, 2024
Rease Solomon will be stopping shots in the Horizon League.

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Westmoreland H.S. notebook: Latrobe’s Andy Tatsch receives offer from West Virginia
June 22, 2024
College football recruiting has become a perpetual motion machine in the Tatsch household.

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Ligonier Valley’s Cheyenne Piper pitches against South Park during a WPIAL Class 3A softball semifinal Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Penn-Trafford High School.
Ligonier Valley’s Cheyenne Piper selected Tribune-Review Westmoreland Softball Player of the Year
“Fight, fight, fight!”

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Jeannette girls basketball coach Jenna (Cole) Lusby
Former Norwin star Jenna Lusby hired as Jeannette girls basketball coach
June 17, 2024
When her playing career ended, Jenna Lusby often played pickup to satisfy her basketball needs.

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Franklin Regional’s Andrew Cohen participates in the Class AAA discus at the 2004 PIAA Track and Field Championships.
Class of 2024 to be inducted into Franklin Regional Athletic Hall of Fame
June 16, 2024
The Class of 2024 is set for the Franklin Regional Athletic Hall of Fame.

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The Norwin boys soccer team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating North Allegheny in penalty kicks in the Class 4A final on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Championships highlight banner school year for Norwin sports
June 15, 2024
It started with a bang in the fall. It ended with a surprise in the spring.

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Chuck Tragesser hits a tee shot during the 2020 WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship at South Hills Country Club.
Murrysville Star notebook: Franklin Regional grad finds game at WPGA event
After changing his college allegiances, Franklin Regional graduate Chuck Tragesser continues to sharpen his golf game over the summer.

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Westmoreland County high school notebook: Franklin Regional cornerback pops up on Division I radar
Jaymier Austin transferred to Franklin Regional when he was a freshman, leaving Penn Hills to play at another WPIAL Class 5A program.

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Jeannette’s Eli Jones drives against Westmont Hilltop’s Jack Wesner at the third annual Tre Cunningham Memorial Tournament last June.
4th Tre Cunningham Memorial Basketball Tournament is biggest yet
Tre Cunningham’s memory gleams on in Jeannette, and the summer varsity basketball tournament in his name keeps growing because of it.

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Former Norwin football player Josiah Pastories was killed in a one-vehicle accident Thursday in Butler County.
GoFundMe posted for former Norwin football player Josiah Pastories, who was killed in auto accident
June 14, 2024
A GoFundMe page is set up for the family of Josiah Pastories, a Norwin graduate and former football player and wrestler who was killed in a one-vehicle accident Thursday morning in northern Butler County.

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New Yough boys basketball coach William "Boo" Sherbondy
Longtime assistant promoted to 1st head coaching job with Yough boys
June 11, 2024
Yough on Tuesday night promoted junior varsity coach Will “Boo” Sherbondy to head varsity boys basketball coach.

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Rosters announced for new Western PA Senior Softball All-Star Game
June 10, 2024
Rosters are set for the inaugural Western PA Senior Softball All-Star Game at 8 p.m. June 18 at Plum.

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Hempfield’s Hannah Uhrinek competes in the girls 200 freestyle during the 2022 WPIAL Class 3A swimming championships.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: WCCA hands out scholarships
June 8, 2024
The Westmoreland County Coaches Association announced its latest scholarship winners.

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Notre Dame golfer Palmer Jackson tees off on the 18th hole during a 2019 tournament in Vero Beach, Fla.
Palmer Jackson wraps up decorated career at Notre Dame
When Palmer Jackson tapped in for par on the ninth hole at Omni La Costa North Course in Carlsbad, Calif., at the end of May, he brought an end to a shining college golf career at Notre Dame.

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Penn-Trafford third baseman Tyler Freas tag outs Lower Dauphin’s Casey Westerberg during their PIAA Class 5A state playoff game Monday.
PIAA Class 5A baseball quarterfinals preview: Penn-Trafford vs. Hollidaysburg
June 5, 2024
PIAA baseball playoffs

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Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor breaks away from Beaver Fall’s Todd Thomas on a 55-yard touchdown run during the 2007 WPIAL Class AA championship game.
Terrelle Pryor, Dick Hoak, Joe Mucci to enter National High School Football Hall of Fame
A hall of fame enshrinement ceremony this weekend one state over will include three Jeannette football legends.

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Penn-Trafford’s Tyler Freas celebrates his double against Lower Dauphin during their PIAA Class 5A state playoff game on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Plum.
Penn-Trafford baseball team enjoying PIAA playoff ride
June 4, 2024
The Road Warriors are ready for their next excursion.

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Penn-Trafford’s Ian Temple smiles after driving in the go-ahead run against Lower Dauphin during their PIAA Class 5A state playoff game on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Plum.
Penn-Trafford baseball warms up in time to win PIAA opener
June 3, 2024
Maybe Penn-Trafford expected a slow start in the PIAA baseball playoffs.

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Latrobe’s Mya McHugh applies the tag to Penn-Trafford’s Ella Mains during the WPIAL Class 5A consolation game Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Gateway High School.
Westmoreland County PIAA softball playoff capsules: Games for Monday, June 3, 2024
June 2, 2024
PIAA softball playoffs

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Penn-Trafford catcher Mackenzie Keenan tags out Franklin Regional’s Toryn Fulton in the second inning Monday, April 8, 2024, at Penn Trafford High School.
Penn-Trafford softball team hopes to follow in footsteps of 2019 state champs
Penn-Trafford senior catcher Mack Keenan remembers watching the team bus follow a fire truck escort back to Harrison City in 2019 after the Lady Warriors softball team won the PIAA championship.

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Norwin’s Bailey Snowberger tags out Seneca Valley’s Emry Rice on a steal attempt during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Friday at Lilley Field.
Season turns out unforgettable for Bailey Snowberger, Norwin softball team
June 1, 2024
Leadoff hitter Bailey Snowberger doubled to open the WPIAL 6A softball championship Friday at Cal (Pa.).

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Latrobe’s Mya McHugh scoops up a ball against Penn-Trafford during the WPIAL Class 5A third-place game Tuesday at Gateway High School.
Return to state playoffs a learning experience for Latrobe softball
There were a lot of empty seats on the Latrobe softball team bus Tuesday after the Wildcats lost to Penn-Trafford in the WPIAL Class 5A third-place game at Gateway.

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Southmoreland’s Ty Keffer (11) drives to the hoop during a game against Greensburg Salem on Dec. 5, 2023 at Southmoreland.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Southmoreland star picks Pitt-Greensburg
Ty Keffer has been a dynamic, three-sport athlete at Southmoreland.

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Penn-Trafford’s Cam Ponko drives in the go-ahead run against Bethel Park during their WPIAL Class 5A playoff game on Monday, May 13, 2024, at West Mifflin.
Westmoreland County high school athletes of the week: Penn-Trafford’s Cam Ponko, Hempfield’s Peyton Murray
Cam Ponko

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Norwin notebook: Lacrosse players earn all-section honors
A number of Westmoreland County players were selected for the WPIAL all-section girls lacrosse teams.

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“Yes, we butt heads,” Ligonier Valley catcher Sydnee Foust said of pitcher Cheyenne Piper. “But we keep each other focused.”
Battery mates Cheyenne Piper, Sydnee Foust to lead Ligonier Valley into PIAA 3A playoffs
May 31, 2024
Softball pitchers get all of the credit when they throw no-hitters, while their catchers humbly remove their masks and pads and wander off into obscurity.

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Seneca Valley celebrates with the trophy after beating Norwin in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Friday at Lilley Field.
Seneca Valley fights off Norwin upset bid to win 4th WPIAL softball championship
CALIFORNIA — Caught in the throes of a surprising three-run deficit against the underdog of these playoffs, Seneca Valley sprang to life late and reprised its role as the top dog in WPIAL 6A softball.

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Norwin pitcher Brookelyn Kotch delivers against Pine-Richland during their WPIAL Class 6A playoff game on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Gateway.
Norwin uses additional day to prepare for WPIAL Class 6A softball title game
May 30, 2024
As some dust kicked up from a light breeze, Norwin softball coach Brian Mesich sent a pop fly to shallow center field.

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Penn-Trafford’s Cam Ponko tags out Latrobe’s Corrine Wright during the WPIAL Class 5A third-place game Tuesday at Gateway.
Penn-Trafford regroups, defeats rival Latrobe in Class 5A 3rd-place game
May 28, 2024
While the pressure was far from what Penn-Trafford felt in the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals, the desire to play well in the third-place game and build momentum for a state playoff run was high on the Warriors’ priority list.

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Ligonier Valley’s Cheyenne Piper celebrates her two-run double against Avonworth during the WPIAL Class 3A third-place game Tuesday at Gateway.
Ligonier Valley bounces back with Cheyenne Piper shutout in 3rd-place game vs. Avonworth
With the state playoffs coming up, Mark Zimmerman had his Ligonier Valley softball team practice over the Memorial Day weekend.

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“I think we can win it if we keep the same mindset we’ve had,” Norwin senior pitcher Brookelyn Kotch said.
Norwin not backing down against Lexie Hames, Seneca Valley in WPIAL 6A softball finals
Norwin did not fear Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball semifinals, and the Knights claim they will not back down from star pitcher Lexie Hames in the championship, either.

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Franklin Regional’s Luke Williams high-fives coach Bobby Saddler after the Panthers defeated Connellsville in their WPIAL Class 5A playoff game May 15.
WPIAL Class 5A baseball consolation game capsule: Franklin Regional vs. West Allegheny
WPIAL baseball playoffs

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Seneca Valley’s Olivia Herrem rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Shaler on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Shaler.
2024 WPIAL Class 6A softball championship preview: Norwin vs. Seneca Valley
2024 WPIAL Class 6A softball championship

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Ligonier Valley’s Zoe Plummer tracks down a ball hit by Ellwood City’s Ellie Kalantzis during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal playoff game May 16.
WPIAL third-place game playoff capsules: Games for Tuesday, May 28, 2024
May 27, 2024
WPIAL softball playoffs

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Norwin’s Josey Michalski rounds the bases after hitting a 2-run homer against Hempfield during the first inning of their WPIAL Class 6A semifinal. The Knights face Seneca Valley in the final Wednesday.
Seniors on Norwin softball team vow not to back down from Seneca Valley in WPIAL final
Norwin has only three seniors, but they weren’t ready to turn in their softball uniforms before they donned their caps and gowns.

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Results, top scorers, MVPs from the Roundball Classic
Results and top scorers from the 20th Roundball Classic all-star basketball games held over the weekend at North Allegheny:

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Norwin senior pitcher Brookelyn Kotch
Westmoreland high school athlete of the week: Norwin’s Brookelyn Kotch and Penn-Trafford’s Brandon Roher
May 25, 2024
Brookelyn Kotch

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Penn-Trafford first baseman Erin Drotos celebrates after getting a double play against Bethel Park during a WPIAL Class 5A playoff game May 13.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Softball all-star game in the works
An all-star game for the top senior softball players in the WPIAL is in the works.

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Ed Mailliard | Allegheny Athletics
                                Norwin grad Declan O’Brien had a record-breaking career as a receiver at Allegheny.
After prolific career at Allegheny, former Norwin receiver moving up to Division I FCS level
Record-breaking wide receiver Declan O’Brien isn’t done catching passes yet.

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Paul Schofield | TribLive
                                “It’s been amazing. I never thought it would turn out like this,” Norwin’s Luke Denny said.
Norwin notebook: Football standout earns ‘surprise’ track gold
Norwin senior Luke Denny was a threat in the Knights’ football offense not only because he could catch passes, but also for what he could do after he caught them.

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Submitted
                                New Franklin Regional hockey coach Brian Bearley with his son Damian
New coach plans to carry on ‘winning mentality’ with Franklin Regional hockey
Brian Bearley understands the assignment.

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Norwin’s Josey Michalski rounds the bases after hitting a 2-run home run against Hempfield during the first inning of their WPIAL Class 6A semifinal on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Gateway.
Norwin stuns defending champion Hempfield in Class 6A softball semifinals
May 22, 2024
To Norwin, the signs were there.

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South Park’s Sydney Sekely pitches against Ligonier Valley during a WPIAL Class 3A softball semifinal Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Penn-Trafford High School.
South Park’s Sydney Sekely throws perfect game to win duel with Ligonier Valley’s Cheyenne Piper
May 21, 2024
Make it four consecutive no-hitters for Ligonier Valley. Only the fourth one belongs to the other team.

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Penn-Trafford’s Cam Ponko celebrates with pitcher Allyson Paulone after defeating Bethel Park in their WPIAL Class 5A playoff game on May 13.
Westmoreland County WPIAL softball playoff capsules for Wednesday, May 22, 2024
WPIAL softball playoffs

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North Catholic’s Alayna Rocco celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Highlands on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at Highlands.
20 years later, Roundball Classic continues to evolve
It’s a banner year for the Roundball Classic and Allen Deep couldn’t be more grateful.

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Norwin’s Bailey Snowberger slides safely into second base under Hempfield’s Allie Cervola last season.
Norwin softball grateful for another shot at powerhouse Hempfield
To have another chance — that is all Bailey Snowberger could ask for.

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Penn-Trafford’s Ethan Septak rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Fox Chapel during their WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Gateway.
Westmoreland County WPIAL baseball playoff capsule for Tuesday, May 21, 2024
May 20, 2024
WPIAL baseball playoffs

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Montour pitcher Maddox Tarquinio pumps his fist after defeating Latrobe in their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal on Monday.
Montour bounces back from rough 1st inning to top Latrobe in wild 4A quarterfinal
When things went sideways for Montour in what would become an excruciatingly long first inning, coach Bob Janeda didn’t fret.

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Penn-Trafford’s Erin Drotos connects during the sixth inning against Bethel Park during their WPIAL Class 5A game on May 13.
H.S. softball notebook: Section 2-5A teams representing in WPIALs
Section 2-5A, it’s your time to flex.

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Ligonier Valley starting pitcher Cheyenne Piper delivers against Ellwood City during the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals Thursday at Plum.
Westmoreland high school softball playoff preview capsules for May 21, 2024
WPIAL softball playoffs

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Penn-Trafford’s Chuck Fontana celebrates his RBI triple against Moon during their WPIAL Class 5A playoff game.
Westmoreland baseball notebook: Section 1-5A provides intrigue
May 19, 2024
Section 1-5A was an anomaly.

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Penn-Trafford’s Lorryn Sepe celebrates after the Warriors scored the go-ahead run against Bethel Park during their WPIAL Class 5A playoff game on Monday, May 13, 2024, at West Mifflin.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Softball tripleheader on tap at Gateway
May 18, 2024
Local softball fans will get a treat Wednesday if they make a trip to Monroeville. There will be a playoff tripleheader at Gateway.

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Norwins’ Bailey Snowberger hits a home run against Hempfield last season.
Norwin notebook: Baseball, softball players earn all-section honors
The Big 5/6 Conference, which covers the top two classifications in WPIAL sports, released its all-section softball and baseball teams.

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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
                                Mike Feorene coaches Franklin Regional’s girls volleyball team in 2019.
Coach ready to build Franklin Regional boys volleyball program from ground up
It looks like Franklin Regional found the perfect man for the job.

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Pittsburgh Steelers newly signed quarterback Russell Wilson speaks with reporters during an NFL news conference March 15, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Wilson will be a guest speaker Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at RIZE Sports in Leetsdale.
Steelers QB Russell Wilson to speak at Rising Stars underclassmen basketball practice
May 17, 2024
New Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will be a guest speaker for a large group of boys underclassmen basketball players Tuesday at RIZE Sports in Leetsdale.

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Ligonier Valley celebrates with starting pitcher Chyenne Piper after beating Ellwood City, 1-0, during a WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal Thursday at Plum High School.
Ligonier Valley’s Cheyenne Piper throws 3rd straight no-hitter in quarterfinals vs. Ellwood City
May 16, 2024
She had just thrown her third straight no-hitter — the second in a row in the WPIAL playoffs — and Ligonier Valley senior Cheyenne Piper was just as dumbfounded as her opponents.

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Penn-Trafford’s Chuck Fontana celebrates his RBI triple against Moon during their WPIAL Class 5A playoff game on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Gateway.
Penn-Trafford overcomes early Moon homers to advance into Class 5A quarterfinals
May 15, 2024
Penn-Trafford couldn’t break a tie in a tight, four-team Section 1-5A race for first place.

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Franklin Regional pitcher Blake Bertucci celebrates after getting the final out of the sixth inning against Connellsville.
Clutch pitching key for Franklin Regional in 1st-round win over Connellsville
Connellsville had runners at first and second with one out in the top of the seventh inning, and Franklin Regional pitcher Blake Bertucci quickly fell behind in the count to Matt Firestone. Three balls and no strikes.

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Ligonier Valley pitcher Chyenne Piper delivers during her no-hitter against Keystone Oaks in their WPIAL Class 2A playoff on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Gateway.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Piper sizzles for Ligonier Valley softball
Even in the playoffs, teams are paying the Piper.

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Jeannette’s Raylyn Gallik scores behind Northgate’s Sa’Niyah Wilson during WPIAL Class A softball first round action Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at West Mifflin High School.
Westmoreland softball playoff preview capsules: Games for May 16, 2024
WPIAL softball playoffs

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Mt. Pleasant’s Emma Leachalk throws out Central Valley’s Hannah Moskal during a WPIAL Class 4A first-round softball game Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at West Mifflin High School.
Well-prepared Central Valley knocks Mt. Pleasant out of WPIAL softball playoffs
May 14, 2024
Like most games, Central Valley softball players knew the assignment.

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Jeannette’s Mackenzie Lewis tags out Northgate’s Kaylee Beerhalter during their WPIAL Class A first-round game.
Jeannette softball advances past Northgate even without the benefit of a hit
No hits, no problem.

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Pitcher Kayla Williams will lead Latrobe against West Allegheny on Wednesday.
Westmoreland softball playoff preview capsules: Games for Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Class 6A

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Shaler celebrates with Alyssa Schaffold after a walk-off hit to beat Franklin Regional in WPIAL first-round action Monday.
Shaler scores walk-off win over Franklin Regional in WPIAL Class 5A 1st round
May 13, 2024
With one swing and a sharp ping to center, trepidation turned to triumph for Alyssa Schaffold.

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Grace Stein and her Jeannette teammates will play Northgate in the WPIAL playoffs Tuesday.
Westmoreland high school softball playoff preview capsules for May 14, 2024
WPIAL softball playoffs

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Franklin Regional’s Toryn Fulton was 4 for 4 against Penn Trafford on April 22, 2024, at Franklin Regional High School.
Westmoreland high school softball playoff preview capsules for May 13, 2024
May 12, 2024
WPIAL playoffs

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Samir Crosby puts a hit on Jeannette’s Kymon’e Brown in the second quarter Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at McKee Stadium.
Westmoreland high school sports notebook: GCC’s Crosby gets Buffalo’s attention
Samir Crosby has his third Division I scholarship offer for football.

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Southmoreland’s Makayla Etling went 4 for 4 with seven RBIs in Friday’s 12-2 win over Yough in five innings.
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Southmoreland’s Makayla Etling, Franklin Regional’s Max Bernadowski
May 11, 2024
Makayla Etling

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Belle Vernon’s Zion Moore looks to drive past South Allegheny defenders during a WPIAL Class 4A first-round game Feb. 16.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Belle Vernon junior officially a ‘Rising Star’
One of the WPIAL’s most prolific scorers over the past couple of years will be part of Roundball Classic history.

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The Neighborhood Academy’s Courtney Wallace scores against Imani Christian during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Feb. 29, 2024, at Petersen Events Center.
Roundball Classic’s Rising Stars game to feature some of area’s top juniors, sophomores
May 10, 2024
For the first time officially, the annual Roundball Classic all-star basketball event will feature multiple underclassmen games for juniors and sophomores.

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Hempfield coach Tina Madison talks with Peyton Heisler during an at-bat against Seneca Valley on May 1.
Hempfield softball ‘proud’ to receive No. 1 seed as WPIAL releases brackets
May 9, 2024
Hempfield has won eight WPIAL softball championships.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Levi Hixson slides into home against Yough on April 23.
Mt. Pleasant baseball roars into playoffs on 9-game winning streak
As a winning streak began to stretch out like salt water taffy from a preseason trip to Myrtle Beach, Mt. Pleasant baseball coach Chris Firmstone became less surprised.

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Hempfield pitcher Riley Miller delivers against Seneca Valley on May 1.
Hempfield, Seneca Valley softball teams downplay importance of No. 1 seed for WPIALs
May 8, 2024
Neither coach seemed too concerned about it, but they also did not discount the value of getting the top seed.

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Yough coach Jim Nesser (right) resigned after six seasons.
After 41 years in coaching, Jim Nesser steps down at Yough
Though he has won section, WPIAL and PIAA boys basketball championships, Jim Nesser is quick to point out he also has guided teams through rough patches, covering both ends of the spectrum in a coaching career that spans four decades.

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Greensburg Salem’s Logan Dunkerley gets caught in a rundown by Yough’s Samuel Smalich on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Yough High School.
Despite squandering many chances, Greensburg Salem baseball holds on for win over Yough, clinches playoff spot
May 6, 2024
Greensburg Salem felt it could have done more with its 15 hits and slew of opportunities on the base paths.

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Belle Vernon’s Sienna Steeber is a nominee for the 2024 Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete Excellence Award, sponsored by Judge Michael Stewart.
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Belle Vernon’s Sienna Steeber, Norwin’s Nicholas Puskar
May 4, 2024
Sienna Steeber

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Norwin’s Owen Christopher heads the ball against Seneca Valley during a WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal last season.
Norwin soccer standout Owen Christopher makes dream come true with Pitt commitment
Owen Christopher had college soccer interest from a number of schools at multiple levels.

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Belle Vernon junior cross country runner Tessa Rodriguez
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Belle Vernon runner picks Robert Morris
Tessa Rodriguez was over the Moon when she visited Robert Morris.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Eva Davis edges Norwin’s Melani Schmidt in the girls 100m during the WCCA Track and Field championships April 25.
Norwin notebook: Knights clean up at county meet
Two team titles. A three-time winner. Five individual champions.

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Southmoreland’s Makayla Etling went 4 for 4 with seven RBIs in Friday’s 12-2 win over Yough in five innings.
Makayla Etling’s hot bat powers Southmoreland past Yough
May 3, 2024
If teams continue to pitch inside to Makayla Etling, they are probably going to continue to pay the price.

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Hempfield’s Adam Hess celebrates after his walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Norwin on Thursday.
Hempfield wins sloppy game vs. Norwin with walk-off single
May 2, 2024
A cloud of dust settling around him after an exciting finish on his home baseball diamond, Adam Hess was preparing to rake the pitcher’s mound when he was called over for an interview.

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Norwin head coach Craig Spisak watches from the dugout during a game at North Allegheny earlier this season.
Norwin baseball team rides up-and-down regular season into playoffs
A three-game losing streak — the product of a Section 2-6A sweep by Mt. Lebanon — stung in the short term, but it did not deter Norwin baseball from its long-range goals.

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Mt. Pleasant pitcher Connor Drzal delivers a pitch to Yough on April 23.
Westmoreland County baseball notebook: Mt. Pleasant vaults into 1st place
Mt. Pleasant lost its first three games of the season while playing at the Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

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Hempfield’s Allie Cervola celebrates her RBI double against Seneca Valley on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Hempfield.
Hempfield softball team dominates No. 1 Seneca Valley
May 1, 2024
Hempfield went from the wrong end of a no-hitter to the right end of a no-doubter.

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Hempfield pitcher Julia Varhola delivers against Seneca Valley on April 10.
Westmoreland County high school softball notebook: Hempfield has pair of aces
Hempfield softball has a number of talented hitters. In fact, 1 though 9 in the batting order can connect at any time.

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Franklin Regional’s Ciara Camacho hits an RBI double against Penn-Trafford earlier this season.
Franklin Regional softball gets locked in late in season
As he watched the WPIAL softball regular season wind into its final two weeks, Jim Armstrong saw a change in his team.

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Frazier’s Emilia Bednar went 4 for 4 with two RBIs for Frazier in a 5-4 win over Jeannette on Monday, April 29, 2024.
Frazier outlasts Jeannette in extra innings in battle of softball section unbeatens
April 29, 2024
Emilia Bednar wasn’t sure what to expect when she stepped to the plate in the top of the eighth inning Monday in a battle of unbeaten softball teams at Jeannette.

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Norwin junior Melani Schmidt
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Norwin’s Melani Schmidt, Latrobe’s Dom Cararini
April 27, 2024
Melani Schmidt

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Dave Snowberger (center) receives the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society Lifesaver Award from State Representative Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion) and Sen. Scott Hutchinson.
Norwin notebook: Trainer honored for life-saving efforts
While he sees it as “just doing his job,” others saw what Dave Snowberger did as a superhuman act.

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Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell drives past Latrobe’s Max Butler on Jan. 9.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Franklin Regional star picks Washington & Jefferson
After a season to remember, Franklin Regional senior basketball player Cam Rowell made his college decision.

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Norwin baseball players Keegan Carr (left) and Nate Silberman each had two hits in Thursday’s 8-4 victory over Central Catholic.
Norwin completes much-needed sweep of Central Catholic
April 25, 2024
In an 8-4 victory over Central Catholic that gave Norwin its first three-game Section 2-6A sweep of the WPIAL baseball season, Nate Silberman may have epitomized the Knights’ push for a playoff spot, maybe even their identity, with one swing of the bat and a mad dash around the bases.

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Penn-Trafford pitcher Brandon Roher delivers during the first inning against Fox Chapel on March 27.
Everything clicking for Penn-Trafford baseball on 9-game winning streak
When Lou Cortazzo decided he wanted the interim tag removed from his name and officially became the coach of the Penn-Trafford baseball team, everything started to click.

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Belle Vernon pitcher Colton Lee
Westmoreland County baseball notebook: Belle Vernon ace has been ‘lights out’
When senior Colton Lee pitches, Belle Vernon baseball fans show up to watch.

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Lauren Howard, Riley Miller and their Hempfield teammates outscored their four opponents 42-0 last week.
Westmoreland softball notebook: Hempfield comes back strong
April 24, 2024
Hempfield put together quite a four-game stretch last week — a positive and productive answer to its first loss of the season.

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Franklin Regional and Latrobe coaches and players meet with umpires before Wednesday’s softball game in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional fends off Latrobe in section slugfest
Franklin Regional measured up in its latest softball victory.

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Ligonier Valley starting pitcher Cheyenne Piper throws against Hopewell during 3A WPIAL softball playoff action Tuesday May 16, 2023 at Plum High School.
With ace Cheyenne Piper putting up zeroes, Ligonier Valley jumps back into contention
Section 3-3A softball coaches are wary of the movement on Cheyenne Piper’s pitches.

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Hempfield’s Keiran Lippmann makes a running catch on a ball hit by Mt. Lebanon’s Sawyer Klasnic in the fifth inning Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Hempfield Area High School.
Mt. Lebanon alone in 1st place after wild, sloppy win over Hempfield
April 23, 2024
It was a long day at the ball yard for Mt. Lebanon and Hempfield as the middle game of their Section 2-6A series flirted with dusk.

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Penn-Trafford Giuliana Youngo is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run against Franklin Regional on Monday.
Penn-Trafford holds on for tight victory over Franklin Regional
April 22, 2024
No matter how up or down the Penn-Trafford softball team is each year — usually up — it has a tendency to play tight games at Franklin Regional.

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Southmoreland senior Amarah McCutcheon
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Southmoreland’s Amarah McCutcheon and Penn-Trafford’s Matt Sarnowski
April 20, 2024
Amarah McCutcheon

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<strong>Jeannette senior soccer player Jordan Taylor</strong>
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Jeannette soccer star picks college
Jeannette soccer star Jordan Taylor will take his goal-scoring prowess to the NCAA Division II level.

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Norwin pole vaulter Nick Puskar celebrates with a teammate after clearing a personal best 12 feet in a WPIAL Class 3A semifinals May 4 at Norwin.
Norwin notebook: Track team swarms medal stand
Norwin had a number of athletes competing at the Tri-State Coaches Association Championships at West Mifflin.

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Bill Beckner Jr. | TribLive
                                “It means a lot to me to be able to make a team like this,” he said. “Not only for myself, but for what it says about my family roots. Knowing that my family still lives in the country that I have a chance to play for makes me proud,” Norwin senior lacrosse player Griffin Bartos said.
Norwin lacrosse standout earns spot on Hungarian national team
It is a chance to play the game he loves on a national stage and, at the same time, pay his respects to genealogy.

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Greensburg Central Catholic and Jeannette baseball players go through the handshake line after Friday’s game in Carbon.
Bats heat up for Greensburg Central Catholic in win over Jeannette
April 19, 2024
For a team that struck out 19 times against Brentwood earlier this week, Greensburg Central Catholic looked pretty confident at the plate when it finally got to play rival Jeannette after multiple postponements.

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Mt. Lebanon pitcher David Shields warms up Thursday at Norwin.
Draft prospect David Shields shows stuff to MLB scouts in win over Norwin
April 18, 2024
More than a dozen pro scouts crammed together above the brick backstop at Norwin and raised their radar guns in tandem each time Mt. Lebanon’s David Shields kicked up his leg to throw a pitch.

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Latrobe’s Mason Leonard scores during the 2023 WPIAL Class 4A championship game against Hopewell.
Latrobe baseball takes team-first mentality to heart
The team concept in sports is often overstated and cliche, trendy at times and even hyperbolic.

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Jeannette pitcher Michael Mason delivers a pitch against Apollo-Ridge last season.
Westmoreland County high school baseball notebook: Seniors power Jeannette surge
Jeannette took its lumps the last three seasons, which meant the Jayhawks were due to dish out some payback.

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Serra Catholic softball players cheer on the team Wednesday at Greensburg Central Catholic.
Serra Catholic overpowers Greensburg Central Catholic in Section 2-2A softball
April 17, 2024
Kelly Morrisey has been looking to contribute more to the Serra Catholic softball batting order, but the sophomore said she fell into a lull of late.

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Jeannette’s Grace Stein
Freshman, sophomore pitchers make early impact for Westmoreland County teams
Grace Stein acknowledges she had a freshman season to remember for Jeannette softball. She wears a badge of pride.

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Hempfield’s Maggie Howard drives in a run with a sacrfice fly against North Allegheny during their game on Monday, March 25, 2024, at Hempfield.
Westmoreland County softball notebook: Sister act aids area teams
It’s been a sister act this season for several county softball teams.

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Fox Chapel baseball players and coaches meet in the outfield after Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Franklin Regional at Haymaker Park in Murrysville.
Fox Chapel comes back from brink of defeat, with some help, to defeat Franklin Regional
April 16, 2024
Everything was going right for Franklin Regional. Until it wasn’t.

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Hempfield softball player Maggie Howard
Hempfield softball rebounds in big way vs. Norwin
April 15, 2024
The bounceback was better than the fallback.

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James "J.J." Eckels
New Mt. Pleasant athletic director saw something special in district
April 14, 2024
Coaching college football the last decade has taken James “J.J.” Eckels up and down the recruiting trail. Over rivers and through woods just to get that nibble on the line from a potential commit.

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Penn-Trafford running back Devin Austin will be inducted into the Warriors’ football hall of fame this fall.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Penn-Trafford football to honor newest hall of fame class
April 13, 2024
Penn-Trafford football announced its 2024 hall of fame class, which will be honored in the fall.

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Hempfield’s Grace Iwig takes second in the girls high jump during the Lady Spartan Wild Cat Invitational Friday April 14, 2023 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Hempfield’s Grace Iwig, Belle Vernon’s Colton Lee
Grace Iwig

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Norwin’s Nick Puskaric scores against Penn Hills on Thursday, Apr. 11, 2024, at Norwin.
After taste of success, Norwin volleyball wants more
After reaching the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals last spring, the Norwin boys volleyball team has a taste of playoff success.

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Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell and Cooper Rankin were selected to play in the Roundball Classic at North Allegheny.
Franklin Regional notebook: Kegerreis brothers find college baseball landing spots
Franklin Regional’s Kegerreis brothers made a lasting impression when they played for the Panthers.

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Norwin notebook: Former Knights standout picks Pitt wrestling
Pitt is it for Chase Kranitz.

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Greensburg Central Catholic sophomore baseball players Ian Shipley, Anthony Grippo and Tyler Samide.
Stacked lineup has confidence soaring for Greensburg Central Catholic baseball
April 11, 2024
Practice ends on a pleasant afternoon, and Greensburg Central Catholic sophomores Ian Shipley, Anthony Grippo and Tyler Samide begin to play with an unwound baseball, its spider web-like strings flowing in the breeze while seeming to stretch from home plate to the fence.

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Hempfield’s Carson Shuglie rounds the bases after hitting a go-ahead two-run homer against Central Catholic on April 3 at No Offsesason in Russelton.
Westmoreland County high school baseball notebook: Rain sends teams scrambling to find turf fields
Last week’s bout of rainy weather shined a spotlight on fields that are fully covered with artificial turf.

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Southmoreland softball players and coaches gather after Wedneday’s 4-3 victory over visiting Yough.
Southmoreland softball stays unbeaten, tops Yough
April 10, 2024
Yough kept Amarah McCutcheon’s bat quiet, which was an impressive accomplishment.

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Penn-Trafford coach Dennis Little celebrates with Cam Ponko after her grand slam against Franklin Regional on Monday.
Westmoreland County high school softball notebook: Penn-Trafford serves notice
With one result, Penn-Trafford put Class 5A on notice.

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Belle Vernon celebrates beating Montour in the 2023 WPIAL Class 4A championship game.
Belle Vernon softball still fighting after injury to top pitcher
Belle Vernon didn’t jump into panic mode when ace pitcher Talia Ross was injured, instead pausing first to let the moment breathe.

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Hempfield’s Peyton Murray wins the boys discus at the 2023 WPIAL Class 3A track and field championships.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Hempfield’s Peyton Murray already breaking records
April 9, 2024
The track and field season is young, but Peyton Murray has the look of a seasoned veteran.

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Norwin’s Keegan Carr tags out North Allegheny’s Mason Smith at second base March 28.
Norwin notebook: Senior wins prestigious caddy scholarship
April 7, 2024
Norwin senior Abigail Boyer was one of this year’s winners of the annual Chick Evans Scholarship, awarded to deserving caddies in the region.

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Paul Schofield | TribLive
                                Norwin pole vaulter Nick Puskar clears 12 feet at the 2022 WPIAL Class 3A team semifinals.
Norwin track teams ready to take on tough section competition
April 6, 2024
After a solid turnout during the indoor season, Norwin track and field is primed to carry the momentum into the spring.

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Norwin senior Abigail Boyer
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Caddying pays off for Norwin senior
Norwin senior Abigail Boyer wants to major in fashion design.

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Belle Vernon softball pitcher Talia Ross
Westmoreland County high school athletes of the week: Belle Vernon’s Talia Ross, Hempfield’s Ethan Minerva
Talia Ross

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Belle Vernon catcher Mia Zubovic hugs reliever Talia Ross after Ross closed out Trinity in PIAA first round softball Class 4A playoff action Monday June 5, 2023 at Robert D. Kalp field at Hempfield Area High School.
Belle Vernon senior Ross ruptures Achilles in freak accident
April 4, 2024
Belle Vernon standout softball pitcher Talia Ross suffered a freak injury during practice Wednesday and could miss the rest of the season.

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Hempfield head coach Tim Buzzard talks with Max Short during their game against Central Catholic on Wednesday.
Buzzworthy Hempfield baseball team flashing signs of being contender
With a coach whose nickname is “Buzz,” the Hempfield baseball team is beginning to generate some of it in the WPIAL’s largest classification.

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Franklin Regional’s Blake Bertucci makes a running catch on a ball hit by Latrobe’s Vinny Amatucci during a 2022 game.
Westmoreland County baseball notebook: Franklin Regional senior dedicates season to brother battling cancer
Truth be told, Blake Bertucci would love to be pitching to his brother, Luca.

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James "J.J." Eckels
Mt. Pleasant picks McKeesport, Clarion grad Eckels as new AD
April 3, 2024
Mt. Pleasant hired James “J.J.” Eckels on Wednesday night to be the district’s full-time athletic director.

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Southmoreland’s Amarah McCutcheon (left) gets a force out on Waynesburg’s Taylor Sibert during last season’s WPIAL playoffs.
Hot start no surprise for Southmoreland softball team, which has big expectations
When he heard one of his games was moved because of a schedule change related to Monday’s solar eclipse, Todd Bunner was surprised.

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Greensburg Central Catholic softball coach Chelsey Frock
Westmoreland County softball notebook: With new coach, Greensburg Central Catholic itching to get 1st game in
First-year coach Chelsey Frock will tell you what it’s like to lead the Greensburg Central Catholic softball team on the field, just as soon as the Centurions play a game.

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Franklin Regional players celebrate a goal in a 2021 playoff game.
Franklin Regional hockey coach disappointed after being ousted
John Winebrenner holds no ill will toward the Franklin Regional Hockey Club board, but that doesn’t mean he agrees with its decision to open his position.

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Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell dunks over Moon defenders during their PIAA Class 5A state semifinal on Monday, Mar. 18, 2024, at Peters Twp.
Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell headlines TribLive Westmoreland boys basketball all-stars
March 30, 2024
Player of the Year

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio hoists the WPIAL championship trophy with teammates after defeating North Allegheny in the Class 6A final on Friday, Mar. 1, 2024, at Petersen Events Center.
Norwin’s Lauren Palangio tops list of TribLive Westmoreland girls basketball all-stars
Player of the Year

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Norwin’s Ava Kobus grabs a loose ball between Chartiers Valley’s Lilah Turnbull (left) and Ava Shazer during a PIAA Class 5A second-round game March 12.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Curtain call for Norwin stars
The Norwin girls will get the band back together for one last performance.

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Southmoreland pitcher Maddie Brown
Westmoreland County high school athletes of the week: Southmoreland’s Maddie Brown, Greensburg Central Catholic’s Ian Shipley
Maddie Brown

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Norwin notebook: Baseball team wins opener
Jackson Huss went 2 for 3 and drove in four runs to pace the Norwin baseball team to a 9-4 victory on the road at Pine-Richland.

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New Norwin girls soccer coach Ashley DeVito
New coach brings energy, ‘tough love’ to Norwin girls soccer program
If there is one promise Ashley DeVito can make to her new Norwin girls soccer players, it is this:

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Penn-Trafford and Hempfield softball players and coaches gather for a pregame meeting on Thursday at Robert D. Kalp Field.
No. 1 Hempfield fends off challenge from hard-hitting Penn-Trafford
March 28, 2024
With the scoreboard on the fritz, a temporary display panel was used Thursday at Hempfield’s Robert D. Kalp Field.

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Lincoln Park’s Brandin Cummings drives to the basket over Archbishop Carroll’s Luca Foster during the the PIAA Class 4A state championship game on Thursday, Mar. 21, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Rosters revealed for Roundball Classic all-star games
Rosters are out for the annual Roundball Classic basketball games, set for May 22-26 at North Allegheny.

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Derry’s Sophia Mazzoni takes second in the girls javelin during the PIAA Class 2A track and field championships last year.
In 1st meet of season, Derry junior fires off state’s best javelin throw
After winning a WPIAL Class 2A championship and finishing second in the state last year in the javelin, Derry junior Sophia Mazzoni brought high expectations into this track and field season.

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Latrobe coach Matt Basciano watches from the third base box during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against Hopewell last season.
Westmoreland County high school baseball notebook: Latrobe heads west for opener
Tradition never graduates, as the saying goes.

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Penn-Trafford’s Hunter Brown hoists Eric Biroscak into the air after Biroscak drove in two runs with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Fox Chapel Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2024, in Harrison City.
Penn-Trafford baseball avenges tight loss to Fox Chapel by walking it off in rematch
March 27, 2024
One walk-off win deserves another.

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Hempfield pitcher Riley Miller smiles after getting a strikeout against North Allegheny on Monday, March 25, 2024, at Hempfield.
Westmoreland softball notes: Hempfield receives championship rings
Last season had a nice ring to it for Hempfield.

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Hempfield’s Allie Cervola celebrates as she rounds the bases after hitting a lead-off home run against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield softball starts fast with season-opening shutout of North Allegheny
March 25, 2024
Like a bear just out of hibernation, the Hempfield softball team took a big yawn, stretched out its limbs and delivered a shutout in its season opener.

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Latrobe senior softball player Kayla Williams
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Latrobe’s Kayla Williams, Mt. Pleasant’s Joseph Gardner
March 23, 2024
Kayla Williams

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Latrobe quarterback John Wetzel scores on a reception against Aliquippa during their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal in November.
Westmoreland high school notebook: More Division I offers for Latrobe’s Wetzel
The number of Division I colleges interested in adding John Wetzel to their defensive backfield keeps growing.

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Imhotep Charter head coach Andre Noble talks with Franklin Regional head coach Jesse Reed after the PIAA Class 5A state championship game on Friday, Mar. 22, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Franklin Regional players hold heads high despite loss in PIAA title game
HERSHEY — Fin Hutchison was the last basketball player from Franklin Regional to leave Giant Center on Friday night.

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Norwin’s Bailey Snowberger leaps over North Allegheny’s Meghan McDonough as McDonough steals second base last season.
Led by senior shortstop, scrappy Norwin softball team ready for season
When she is finished dealing assists and taking charges on the basketball court — fully healed nose or not — Bailey Snowberger will rejoin the Norwin softball team.

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Chaz Palla | TribLive
                                Norwin’s Keegan Carr reaches out to tag Hempfield’s Ethan Minerva last season.
Norwin baseball in good position despite having ‘big shoes to fill’
Second-year Norwin baseball coach Craig Spisak admits there are still new things that he is learning while coaching a much larger program at the Class 6A level.

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Chaz Palla | TribLive
                                Franklin Regional’s Ciara Camacho smacks a hit against Latrobe last season.
Franklin Regional softball sluggers back for more in ’24
Get your warning tracks ready. Franklin Regional is back for more.

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Imhotep Charter’s Ahmad Nowell blocks a shot by Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin during the PIAA Class 5A state championship game on Friday, Mar. 22, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Imhotep Charter finally puts away pesky Franklin Regional to win 10th PIAA basketball title
March 22, 2024
HERSHEY — Franklin Regional and Imhotep Charter are 300 miles apart, on opposite ends of the state.

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Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin scores against Moon’s Carter Tumulty during their PIAA Class 5A semifinal on Monday.
PIAA Class 5A boys basketball championship preview: Franklin Regional vs. Imhotep Charter
March 21, 2024
PIAA Class 5A boys basketball championship

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Steve Scorpion coaches Franklin Regional in 2019.
Westmoreland County high school basketball notebook: Former coach says don’t count out Franklin Regional
Steve Scorpion probably would not advise anybody to bet against Franklin Regional in Friday night’s PIAA Class 5A championship game.

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Westmoreland County baseball notebook: Franklin Regional pitcher opens with no-hitter
Narayan “NJ” Ramchandran opened the baseball season by closing down Chaminade Prep.

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Belle Vernon’s Talia Ross reacts after a strikeout against Burrell in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals last season.
Westmoreland County softball notebook: Belle Vernon heats up quickly
Cold weather and unplayable fields have handcuffed softball teams through the first few days of the season.

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Franklin Regional’s Fin Hutchison pumps up the crowd as he exits the game during the Pathers’ PIAA Class 5A state semifinal win over Moon on Monday, Mar. 18, 2024, at Peters Twp.
Against Philly power, Franklin Regional looks to turn Chocolatetown into Upset City
Don’t expect Franklin Regional to put any extra pressure on itself Friday night in Hershey.

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Franklin Regional’s Max Rutkowski (left) is stopped by Latrobe goaltender Brock Pflugh during a playoff game earlier this month.
Westmoreland high school notes: Latrobe hockey heads to West Chester
March 20, 2024
Latrobe wants to hold off uniform turn-in day a little longer.

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The 1997 Franklin Regional boys basketball team.
Franklin Regional playoff run rekindles memories of ‘perfect storm’ 1997 team
Rob Greenleaf called it a “perfect storm,” his 1997 Franklin Regional boys basketball team that made the state finals in Hershey.

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Franklin Regional head coach Jesse Reed talks with Cooper Rankin, Fin Hutchison and Connor Crossey during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game against Selinsgrove on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024, at Altoona.
Franklin Regional coach Reed comes full circle with state title game vs. Imhotep Charter
March 19, 2024
Franklin Regional ripped off the band-aid from its WPIAL boys basketball championship loss to Moon and promptly avenged the defeat with a 60-43 win over the Tigers in Monday’s PIAA Class 5A semifinals.

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Kennedy Catholic’s Layke Fields scores past Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble during a PIAA Class 2A semifinal game Monday at North Allegheny High School.
Greensburg Central Catholic runs into Kennedy Catholic roadblock in PIAA semifinals again
March 18, 2024
Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball players came up the stairs at North Allegheny to start the second half wearing their team backpacks.

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Greensburg Central Catholic hope to celebrate a victory over Kennedy Catholic the way they celebrated a victory in the WPIAL Class 2A title game.
Greensburg Central Catholic girls get long-awaited rematch with Kennedy Catholic
March 17, 2024
A red light turned to green when the buzzer sounded Friday night at Forest Hills. It finally was all right for Greensburg Central Catholic to talk about Kennedy Catholic.

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Franklin Regional’s Cameron Rowell (left) and Cooper Rankin (right) fight against Shaler’s Brandon London for a loose ball on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Gateway.
Westmoreland PIAA basketball playoff capsules: Games for Monday, March 18, 2024
PIAA basketball playoffs

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Pine-Richland’s Josh Lanyard celebrates with teammates after scoring the go-ahead goal against Peters Township during their Penguins Cup Class 3A semifinal on Monday, March 11, 2024, at RMU.
Previewing the 2024 PIHL Penguins Cup championship games
PIHL playoffs

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jayla Peterson
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jayla Peterson, Greensburg Salem’s Tristan Gonzales
March 16, 2024
Jayla Peterson

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Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin scores past Moon’s Caden Schmidt during the WPIAL Class 5A championship game.
Franklin Regional prepares for grudge match with Moon at PIAAs
Just press play, Jesse.

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Jeannette’s Markus McGowan (left) attempts a shot through pressure from Fort Cherry’s Blake Sweder in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals Saturday.
Fort Cherry takes care of business vs. Jeannette, reaches PIAA semis
Emotions ran high during some tense moments Saturday in a PIAA Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal, but Fort Cherry didn’t get caught up in the commotion.

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Greensburg Salem forward Luke Dieter (55) is hooked by Shaler forward Matt Stelitano (48) resulting in a penalty shot during a PIHL Class A Penguins Cup semifinal Wednesday.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Hockey teams join madness
There has been plenty of March Madness around here — on the hardwood and now, on the ice.

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Franklin Regional’s Finian Hutchinson scores on a layup over Shaler’s Joey DeSabato on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Gateway.
Franklin Regional boys sprint past Shaler and into the PIAA semifinals
March 15, 2024
If Franklin Regional isn’t sprinting up and down the floor, there is a good chance it isn’t winning basketball games.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tyree Turner scores on a driving layup past Jeannette’s Markus McGowan in a PIAA Class 2A second-round game Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Norwin.
Westmoreland County high school basketball notebook: Some Roundball Classic games to be televised
High school basketball suddenly will be a part of Memorial Day weekend. And fans will be able to post up on the couch to watch the top players in the district play on TV.

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Jeannette’s Isaiah Mallich (1), Elijah Jones (4) and Jayce Powell (12) react after taking a 47-44 lead late in overtime against Greensburg Central Catholic in a PIAA Class 2A second-round game Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Norwin.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for March 16, 2024
Boys

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Norwin’s Ava Christopher (30) attempts a driving layup past Seneca Valley’s Brooke Dufford (25) on Feb. 22.
Westmoreland County high school basketball notebook: Norwin facing somewhat familiar foe
March 14, 2024
Familiarity is only going to take Norwin so far Friday night in the PIAA Class 6A girls basketball quarterfinals. At least that is Lady Knights coach Brian Brozeski’s take on his team’s next matchup.

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Jeannette’s Noah Sunder (left) and Kymon’e Brown (right) scramble for a loose ball against Greensburg Central Catholic.
Jeannette boys team grows up just in time for PIAA upset
Jeannette has a bright future in boys basketball. That much is clear in a talented rotation oozing with athletes and acumen.

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Bella Furno and her Norwin teammates will play Spring-Ford in the PIAA quarterfinals Friday.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for March 15, 2024
PIAA basketball playoffs

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Jeannette’s Isaiah Mallich celebrates hitting a 3-pointer to break a 44-44 tie and give the Jayhawks a 47-44 lead late in overtime against Greensburg Central Catholic in a PIAA Class 2A second-round game Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Norwin.
Jeannette shocks rival Greensburg Central Catholic in PIAA 2nd round
March 13, 2024
The anatomy of this victory started with a game plan and a belief that anything was possible.

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Hempfield sets championship goals as Westmoreland County teams open softball season
Hempfield won its eighth WPIAL softball championship last season.

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Norwin’s Kendall Berger is fouled by Chartiers Valley’s Lilah Turnbull during a PIAA Class 6A second-round game Tuesday at Peters Township High School.
Norwin takes punch from Chartiers Valley, rallies to reach PIAA 6A quarterfinals
March 12, 2024
Trailing by double figures for the first time all season could have sent Norwin into a downward spiral and shut down its hopes of winning a state championship.

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Jeannette’s Kymone Brown (3) scores against Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at Jeannette.
Westmoreland County baskeball notebook: Rivals Jeannette, GCC ready for another rematch
After Jeannette played at Greensburg Central Catholic late in the boys basketball regular season, Jayhawks coach Adrian Batts leaned in to the handshake line for a respectful exchange with GCC senior forward Franco Alvarez.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tyree Turner drives to the basket past Northgate’s Landon Lockett during their WPIAL Class 2A semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Gateway.
Westmoreland County high school basketball playoff preview capsule for March 13, 2024
PIAA basketball playoffs

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Cara Dupilka and her Greensburg Central Catholic teammates will face West Middlesex in the PIAA second round Tuesday.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for March 12, 2024
March 11, 2024
PIAA basketball playoffs

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Max Rutkowski and his Franklin Regional teammates will face Thomas Jefferson in the PIHL Penguins Cup semifinals Tuesday.
Westmoreland high school PIHL playoff preview capsules for March 12, 2024
PIHL playoffs

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Norwin coach Brian Brozeski urges the team on against York during PIAA Class 6A first-round action Friday.
Westmoreland County high school basketball notebook: Coach brings concepts from Penn State football to Norwin girls team
Brian Brozeski remembers the guidance he received from more established teammates when he made the Penn State football team in the mid-1990s.

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Belle Vernon softball coach Tom Rodriguez has a career record of 303-143 with five WPIAL championships.
Westmoreland notebook: Mid Mon Valley hall of fame selects newest class
March 10, 2024
Longtime Belle Vernon softball coach Tom Rodriguez, former Monessen football standout Joe Como and late Belle Vernon administrator Steve Russell are part of the 29th Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame class.

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Greensburg Central Catholic boys basketball players warm up before Saturday’s home PIAA playoff game against Windber.
Greensburg Central Catholic boys assert themselves in PIAA win
March 9, 2024
Tyree Turner dribbled into the open court with nothing between himself and the rim but gravity.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Lily King stands atop the 100-yard freestyle podium during the WPIAL Class 2A swimming championships Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pitt’s Trees Pool.
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Mt. Pleasant’s Lily King, Franklin Regional’s Shawn Sinclair
Lily King

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Norwin’s Josephine Dollman (top) wrestles Peters Township’s Grace O’Korn in the 142-pound championship match of the PIAA Girls’ West Regional on March 2 at Canon-McMillan.
Norwin notebook: Girls wrestling team crowns 2 regional champs
The Norwin girls wrestling team had two champions at the PIAA Western Regional championship at Canon-McMillan and advanced four to the PIAA championships set for March 7-9 at Giant Center in Hershey.

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Norwin’s Aaron Varrati (58) celebrates with Cal Costantino after scoring during the third period against Fox Chapel in a PIHL Class 2A playoff game March 4 at Palmer Imaging Arena.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Stakes high when Norwin, Penn-Trafford hockey teams meet
Norwin and Penn-Trafford are longtime rivals in a number of sports and have stood nose-to-nose on many fields and courts.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio rips the ball away from York’s Ciarra Gibbs during their PIAA Class 6A first-round game Friday at Norwin.
WPIAL champion Norwin girls run away from York William Penn in PIAA opener
March 8, 2024
After getting knocked to the floor early, Lauren Palangio quickly dusted herself off and jumped back into character.

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Derry Area freshman Stanley Rajkovich battles Burrell’s Macky Bennis for the ball Jan. 26.
Westmoreland County high school basketball playoff preview capsules for March 9, 2024
Boys

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Joe McGinn has been an assistant coach with the Franklin Regional boys basketball program for three decades.
Unsung heroes dot coaching staffs of Westmoreland County state playoff teams
March 7, 2024
It’s the first practice after a relaxing weekend, and Norwin girls basketball coach Brian Brozeski is lowering the hoops around the gymnasium at “The Castle.”

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio scores against North Allegheny during the WPIAL Class 6A championship game March 1.
Westmoreland County high school basketball playoff preview capsules for March 8, 2024
Boys

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Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell celebrates with Cooper Rankin after scoring against Shaler on Jan. 19.
Franklin Regional, Greensburg Central Catholic duos seek redemption in state playoffs
March 6, 2024
A fast break for Franklin Regional can move like a five-lane highway. And it’s usually Cam Rowell or Cooper Rankin finishing at the rim.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Mya Morgan shoots a 3-pointer against Serra Catholic during the WPIAL Class 2A championship game on Thurday, Feb. 29, 2024, at Pitt.
No surprises for battle-tested Norwin, Greensburg Central Catholic girls in state playoffs
March 5, 2024
The long bus rides. The offbeat gymnasiums. The unfamiliar opponents and schools no one has ever heard of.

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Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell scores against Moon during the second half of the WPIAL Class 5A championship game on Friday, Mar. 1, 2024, at Petersen Events Center.
Westmoreland high school notebook: PIAA basketball playoff pairings, schedule set
March 3, 2024
The PIAA basketball playoffs will begin this weekend.

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Norwin’s Kendall Berger celebrates scoring against North Allegheny on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Norwin.
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week for the week ending March 3, 2024: Kendall Berger and David Mutter
March 2, 2024
Kendall Berger

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio celebrates as time expires against North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 6A championship game Friday at Petersen Events Center.
WPIAL champion Norwin girls ‘refused to be outworked’ on title run
Songs, desserts, family.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble drives past Serra Catholic’s Caitlyn Cooley during the WPIAL Class 2A championship game on Thurday, Feb. 29, 2024, at Pitt.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: 9 county basketball teams in PIAA field
The PIAA basketball playoff field is set.

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Norwin senior Nate Campbell accepted an appointment to the Naval Academy, where he will continue his wrestling career. “I chose Navy because it gives me the best opportunity to be successful in life, as well as a top-notch wrestling culture,” he said.
                                Submitted
Disciplined lifestyle leads Norwin senior to Navy wrestling team
The military lifestyle appears to suit Nate Campbell.

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Paul Schofield | TribLive
                                Franklin Regional’s Fin Hutchison (11) goes to the hoop against Shaler’s Kaden Orga during a WPIAL Class 5A semifinals Feb. 26 at Mt. Lebanon.
Defense made difference for Franklin Regional in run to WPIAL finals
Franklin Regional boys basketball coach Jesse Reed played in a lot of high-stakes games in his career.

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Aliquippa’s Josh Pratt holds his gold medal after scoring 33 points against Greensburg Central Catholic in the WPIAL Class 2A championship game Saturday at Petersen Events Center.
Aliquippa dominates Greensburg Central Catholic to win record-tying 14th WPIAL title
The term competitive balance has grown attached to Aliquippa in football.

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The Norwin girls basketball team celebrates after defeating North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 6A championship game on Friday, Mar. 1, 2024, at Petersen Events Center.
Norwin topples North Allegheny to capture 3rd WPIAL girls basketball championship
March 1, 2024
Sweets to the sweet.

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Aliquippa’s Quentin Goode drives to the basket against Central Catholic’s Payton Wehner during their game on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at Aliquippa.
2024 WPIAL Class 2A boys basketball championship breakdown: Aliquippa vs. Greensburg C.C.
WPIAL Class 2A boys basketball championship

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Greensburg Central Catholic players celebrate next to head coach Chris Skatell late in the WPIAL Class 2A championship game against Serra Catholic on Thurday, Feb. 29, 2024, at Pitt.
WPIAL title worth the wait for Greensburg Central Catholic girls
WPIAL champion Greensburg Central Catholic had concerns it might not be sharp for the district final after sitting idle for four days following a semifinal win.

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Greensburg Central Catholic players celebrate as time expires in the WPIAL Class 2A championship game against Serra Catholic on Thurday at Pitt.
Erica Gribble sparks Greensburg Central Catholic past Serra Catholic for 6th WPIAL title
February 29, 2024
Erica Gribble had played on the court at Petersen Events Center only one time before, as an innocent third grader.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio prepares for the opening tip-off against North Allegheny on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Norwin.
2024 WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball championship breakdown: Norwin vs. North Allegheny
WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball championship

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Moon’s Elijah Guillory celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.
2024 WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball championship breakdown: Moon vs. Franklin Regional
WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball championship

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Brady O’Rourke celebrates with Tyree Turner after Turner scored against Northgate during a WPIAL Class 2A semifinal Tuesday.
After semifinal celebration for the ages, Greensburg Central Catholic eyes program’s 1st WPIAL title
Water splashed around the locker room and puddled on the floor at Gateway on Tuesday night as Christian Hyland walked into a dousing after a semifinal victory over Northgate.

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Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin scores on a driving layup against Gateway on Feb. 22.
For WPIAL finals-bound Franklin Regional, it’s always basketball season
Franklin Regional specializes in basketball. Maybe that best explains why the Panthers will play for their first WPIAL boys basketball championship Friday night at Petersen Events Center.

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Ellwood City senior Joe Roth scored 21 points to lead the Wolverines past Yough in the WPIAL 3A seventh-place game.
Ellwood City boys punch ticket to PIAA playoffs by eliminating Yough
February 28, 2024
In addition to being a 2,000-point scorer in his basketball career, Ellwood City senior Joe Roth is a high-level swimmer who competes for WPIAL and PIAA titles.

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Norwin’s Ava Christopher drives against North Allegheny’s Lydia Betz in January. The Knights won both regular-season games vs. the Tigers.
Norwin coach Brozeski brings big-picture perspective to title game
After he left the court to visit with his parents and family on the concourse at Peters Township’s AHN Arena on Monday night, Norwin coach Brian Brozeski was asked a question.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Cara Dupilka drives to the basket past Serra Catholic’s Niki Sfanos during a Jan. 29 game.
2024 WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball championship breakdown: Serra Catholic vs. Greensburg C.C.
WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball championship

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Franklin Regional’s Colin Masten scores on a driving layup past Gateway’s Alec Dunsmore on Thursday.
Westmoreland County high school basketball notebook: The Pete to be packed with county teams
Five Westmoreland County teams are headed to Petersen Events Center this weekend to compete for WPIAL basketball championships. That is a county record for finalists in one year.

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Greensburg Central Catholic head coach Christian Hyland gestures from the bench during te fourth quarter against Northgate in their WPIAL Class 2A semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Gateway.
Oh, baby: Hyland attends birth of daughter, then guides GCC boys to WPIAL title game
February 27, 2024
It was a hectic but incredibly rewarding Tuesday for Greensburg Central Catholic boys basketball coach Christian Hyland.

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Derry’s Brady Angus drives against Neshannock’s Ashton Allison (3) during a WPIAL Class 3A playoff game Feb. 22.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 28, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble drives to the basket against Serra Catholic’s Abby Genes on Jan. 29.
Worthy challenger awaits No. 1 Greensburg Central Catholic in WPIAL finals
Greensburg Central Catholic has won going away in the playoffs. It hasn’t been close.

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The Norwin girls basketball breaks a timeout Monday during its 63-47 victory over Chartiers Valley in the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals at Peters Township.
Norwin girls find 2nd wind, top Chartiers Valley to reach WPIAL 6A final
February 26, 2024
Early on, Chartiers Valley took charges.

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Braden Riley and his Greensburg Central Catholic teammates will play Northgate in the WPIAL semifinals Tuesday.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 27, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Mya Morgan plays for Greensburg Central Catholic and the Western PA Bruins.
Westmoreland high school basketball notebook: GCC’s Western PA Bruins connection
February 25, 2024
Mya Morgan can see some similarities between her Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball team and the AAU Western PA Bruins.

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Westmoreland high school notebook: Hempfield punter makes all-star roster
Players from Westmoreland County have been selected to the East-West football all-star games before. Quarterbacks, running backs and linebackers are not uncommon picks.

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Greensburg Salem’s Mackenzie Span drives past Highlands defenders Feb. 5. The teams meet again Monday in the WPIAL playoffs.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 26, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Franklin Regional senior Brandon Smith won the 2024 WPIBL boys singles championship Wednesday, Feb. 21 at AMF Mt. Lebanon.
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Norwin’s Josephine Dollman, Franklin Regional’s Brandon Smith
February 24, 2024
Josephine Dollman

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Greensburg Central Catholic sophomore Erica Gribble scored her 1,000th point Saturday in the WPIAL 2A semifinals.
Sophomore Erica Gribble hits milestone as No. 1 Greensburg CC reaches WPIAL finals
She came off a curl and caught the basketball on the wing, in front of her team’s bench, and let it fly with 21.4 seconds left in the third quarter.

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Yough’s Terek Crosby scores over Washington’s DeAndre Doughty on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at Yough High School.
Yough’s Terek Crosby scores 2,000th point in playoff loss to Shady Side
Standout senior guard Terek Crosby of Yough scored his 2,000th career point Saturday in a 61-47 loss to Shady Side Academy in a WPIAL Class 3A consolation game at Fox Chapel.

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Plum’s Megan Marston works against Franklin Regional’s Madison DeRiggi during their game on Dec. 18 at Plum.
                                Christopher Horner | TribLive
After strong finish, Franklin Regional girls look toward promising future
A couple more games. Maybe another week of section play would have done the trick.

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Latrobe coach Ron Prady reacts during a WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal against Aliquippa last season.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: New challenge awaits Latrobe after WPIAL realignment
The fall sports landscape will look quite different next year with the WPIAL realigning teams in its latest two-year enrollment cycle.

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Chaz Palla | TribLive
                                Norwin’s Octavia Walker reacts after beating Canon-McMillan’s Audrey Calgaro in the 170-pound bout during the WPIAL girls wrestling championship Feb. 17 at North Allegheny High School.
Norwin girls wrestlers shine at 1st WPIAL championship meet
In a year of firsts, Norwin doubled up.

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Gabby Viola won a national title at the 2024 USA Kickboxing Trials in Orlando, Fla.
Norwin notebook: Gabby Viola, Xander Eddy earn national kickboxing titles
Hungry for Hungary.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Franco Alvarez (40) and Sean Walker go through the handshake line Friday night after a 69-41 victory over Eden Christian in the WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals at Fox Chapel.
Greensburg Central Catholic rides hot shooting to WPIAL semis
February 23, 2024
With seniors Tyree Turner and Franco Alvarez seeing multiple double teams when they had the basketball in the lane, Liam Gallagher saw an opportunity to bail out his teammates and help keep a promising championship run intact.

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Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin attempts a fadeaway jump shot through pressure from Gateway’s Alex Lowry on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin.
Westmoreland high school basketball notebook: Franklin Regional boys continue storybook run
Jesse Reed was elated after his Franklin Regional boys flattened Gateway, 53-35, in the quarterfinals to keep their title chase on course.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Cara Dupilka drives to the basket past Serra Catholic’s Niki Sfanos during a Jan. 29 game.
Westmoreland WPIAL basketball playoff capsules: Games of Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Franklin Regional’s Cameron Rowell (2) drills a 3-pointer over Gateway’s Alec Dunsmore (11) on Thursday.
Franklin Regional keeps rolling, beats Gateway in quarters
February 22, 2024
Cam Rowell caught the basketball on the wing, squared up and fired.

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Norwin’s Ava Kobus smiles after drilling a 3-pointer Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Top-seeded Norwin girls sharp in playoff-opening rout of Seneca Valley
Norwin girls basketball coach Brian Brozeski said his team played “challenged” basketball late in the regular season.

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Jeannette sophomore Noah Sunder drives for a layup against Sewickley Academy junior Nolan Donnelly during a WPIAL first-round playoff game.
Westmoreland WPIAL basketball playoff capsules: Games for Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Greensburg Central Catholic coach Chris Skatell (center) talks to his team during a timeout on Wednesday night at Chartiers Valley.
Greensburg Central Catholic girls use defense to beat Rochester, move into 2A semifinals
February 21, 2024
Rochester players tried repeatedly to drive the lane against Greensburg Central Catholic, but the Rams were met with constant resistance. A block here, a deflection and steal there.

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Ava Christopher and her Norwin teammates will play Seneca Valley in the WPIAL quarterfinals Thursday.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 22, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Greensburg Central Catholic coach Christian Hyland reacts to a play against Penn-Trafford on Dec. 1 at Hempfield High School.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Greensburg Central Catholic coaching tree blossoms
Dr. Greg Bisignani stepped down at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season as boys basketball coach at Greensburg Central Catholic after eight seasons.

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GCC coach Christian Hyland (background) coaches against Frazier’s Zach Keefer during Tuesday night’s WPIAL 2A first-round playoff game at GCC.
2nd-seeded Greensburg CC boys shake off rust, rout Frazier in 1st round
February 20, 2024
No matter the seed, no matter the matchup, teams want to be sharp when they open the WPIAL basketball postseason.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble dribbles past Serra Catholic’s Bri Battles on Jan. 29 in Carbon.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 21, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Colin Masten (1) leads the handshake line on Monday night after Franklin Regional defeated Mars, 67-50, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball playoffs.
2nd-seeded Franklin Regional boys end playoff win drought with victory over Mars
February 19, 2024
Senior Colin Masten signed a couple of autographs for some wide-eyed kids.

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Xavier Odorisio and his Jeannette teammates will play No. 11 Sewickley Academy on Tuesday.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 20, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Madison Johnson (left) and her Monessen teammates will play No. 12 Leechburg on Monday in the WPIAL playoffs.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 19, 2024
February 18, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Norwin graduate Kate Botti stepped into the Bethany starting lineup as a freshman.
Norwin notebook: Grads make impact in women’s college basketball
Norwin girls basketball’s thumbprint continues to show up all over the college game.

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Mt. Pleasant sophomore gymnast Olivia Kovach
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Mt. Pleasant’s Olivia Kovach, Mt. Pleasant’s Dylan Pitzer
February 17, 2024
Olivia Kovach

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The South Park girls basketball team lines up for the national anthem before Saturday’s WPIAL Class 3A first-round playoff game against visiting Mt. Pleasant.
South Park advances by beating Mt. Pleasant in WPIAL opener
South Park knew who to turn to when it needed a jolt. When it came time to flip a WPIAL girls basketball playoff game in its favor.

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Southmoreland’s Russ Grimm Field
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Camp planned to honor late Southmoreland coach
The legacy of “Fred” lives on at Southmoreland.

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Christopher Horner | TribLive 
                                Franklin Regional lineman Max Leven (left) talks with Andrew Devola during practice Aug. 1, 2022, in Murrysville.
Drive to improve, helpful mentors lead Franklin Regional grad to Division I football
Gentle giant Max Leven had a goal when he left Franklin Regional, but for him to achieve that goal, he felt he needed some fine-tuning.

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The Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball team prepares to play Northgate on Friday night in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.
With senior guard back from injury, Greensburg Central Catholic girls rout Northgate
February 16, 2024
While she was cleared to return and was going to need ice treatment after the game, Cara Dupilka wasn’t sure how much she could give Greensburg Central Catholic in the first round of the playoffs after missing three games with a bone bruise in her left foot.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Grace Arrigo blocks the shot of OLSH’s Mia Grisafi during a WPIAL Class 3A first-round game last season.
Westmoreland County high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 17, 2024
Girls

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PIHL scoring leader Ryan Saginaw among January players of month
February 15, 2024
League scoring leader Ryan Saginaw of undefeated Bishop Canevin was among the four senior forwards selected as the PIHL’s players of the month for January.

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Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin blocks the shot of Gateway’s Bryson Pavlik earlier this season.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Franklin Regional could be headed for rematch
A third meeting between neighboring districts could be on the horizon.

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Southmoreland’s Ty Keffer (11) uses a pick by Elliot Premus (10) to get free of Uniontown’s Kelan Milsom (10) on Jan. 22.
Westmoreland County high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 16, 2024
WPIAL basketball playoffs

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Latrobe coach Mackenzie Livingston watches from the bench Jan. 15 at Penn-Trafford.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Latrobe takes playoff plunge
February 14, 2024
Latrobe hopes to make a splash in the WPIAL Class 5A girls basketball playoffs, right after the team dries off.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble shoots a 3-pointer against Serra Catholic on Jan. 29.
Elite Westmoreland County basketball teams to open playoffs with legit title hopes
It is not hyperbole to say a special postseason could be in store for Westmoreland County basketball teams — a lengthy, compelling postseason that generates county-wide interest.

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New Penn-Trafford girls volleyball coach Tracy McDonald.
Coach with longtime connection to Penn-Trafford girls volleyball takes over program
February 13, 2024
As a player and coach, Tracy McDonald has been around Penn-Trafford volleyball for the better part of 25 years.

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Franklin Regional celebrates after its victory over Gateway on Feb. 7. The Panthers got the No. 2 seed for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.
4 Westmoreland teams earn top-2 seeds in WPIAL basketball playoffs
February 12, 2024
When Jesse Reed played Division I college basketball, he and his American University teammates made the NCAA Tournament.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio scores against North Allegheny’s Kellie McConnell on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Norwin.
Breaking down the 2024 WPIAL girls basketball playoff brackets
Class 6A

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio blocks a shot by North Allegheny’s Kellie McConnell during a January game at Norwin. The Knights swept the Tigers in section play for the first time this season.
Norwin, GCC girls could draw No. 1 seeds as WPIAL playoff brackets are revealed
February 11, 2024
Brian Brozeski doesn’t wade too far into the waters of bracketology.

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Mt. Pleasant junior swimmer Kiersten O’Connor
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Mt. Pleasant’s Kiersten O’Connor and Franklin Regional’s Troy McClelland
February 10, 2024
Kiersten O’Connor

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Monessen’s Lorenzo Gardner, shown during a WPIAL playoff game last season, scored 64 points Friday night.
Westmoreland boys basketball notebook: Gardner moves to top spot in Westmoreland record book
Gardner points are usually reserved for WPIAL football tiebreakers.

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Coach Dom Pecora talks with his East Allegheny team next to Justin Snyder during a preseason practice last year.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Former East Allegheny football coach joins Penn-Trafford staff
Dom Pecora, who served as the head football coach at East Allegheny for the past 11 seasons, is joining Penn-Trafford’s staff as a volunteer assistant.

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Norwin’s Landon Sidun takes down Penn-Trafford’s Ivan Luke DeSantis on Jan. 24.
Norwin notebook: Wrestlers hit roadblock in WPIAL quarterfinals
Norwin pushed its way into the WPIAL Class 3A team wrestling quarterfinals before running into top-seeded Trinity.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio celebrates with Bella Furno after scoring against McKeesport on Dec. 21.
                                Christopher Horner | TribLive
Norwin girls ramp up fun factor while racking up wins
Norwin leads the league in smiles.

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Christopher Horner | TribLive 
                                Franklin Regional’s Angelina Brush works past Plum’s Pascale Olczak during a game last season.
Resurgent Franklin Regional girls stay in playoff chase to the end
Franklin Regional picked up a big 45-42 win over Penn Hills on Jan. 26 to stay afloat in the WPIAL Class 5A playoff race.

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Gateway’s Mykel Bruce-McCrommon blocks the shot of Latrobe’s John Wetzel on Friday.
Gateway boys edge Latrobe as Wildcats fall short of playoffs
February 9, 2024
With the outcome of another game that had a direct effect on theirs already decided, the Latrobe boys basketball team took the court and played for pride.

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Norwin girls basketball players go through the handshake-line after Thursday night’s 46-39 victory over visiting Seneca Valley.
Norwin girls pass test against Seneca Valley to finish unbeaten in section
February 8, 2024
When the fourth quarter came around, upset-hungry Seneca Valley stopped attacking. Norwin, in turn, went into full attack mode and never took its eye off the prize.

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Jeannette’s Kymone Brown (3) scores against Greensburg Central Catholic on Jan. 5.
Young Jeannette roster climbs toward top of section ahead of schedule
Adrian Batts never has missed the WPIAL playoffs as coach of the Jeannette boys basketball team.

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Mt. Pleasant boys basketball coach Annie Malkowiak and her players take the court for photo day.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Teams plan fundraiser for late referee’s family
Yough and Mt. Pleasant are doing their best to remember late basketball referee Michael Roebuck.

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Hailey Johnson and the Monessen girls basketball team play against Jefferson-Morgan on Jan. 4.
Relentless rebounder flying high for Monessen girls
February 7, 2024
There is something about looking to the sky that fascinates Hailey Johnson.

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Penn-Trafford’s Lauren Marton battles Latrobe’s Addison Toy for a loose ball on Jan. 15.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Teams keeping playoff hopes alive
Three Westmoreland County girls basketball teams — Franklin Regional, Latrobe and Yough — are on the playoff bubble heading into the final night of section play.

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Franklin Regional celebrates after its victory over Gateway on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Franklin Regional boys clinch section title with gritty victory over Gateway
February 6, 2024
If Franklin Regional needed a pick-me-up in a section-clinching victory, junior Drew Devola was ready to deliver.

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McKeesport’s Madison Hertzler (4) celebrates with Rachael Manfredo after scoring during their game against Penn-Trafford on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Harrison City.
McKeesport girls rout Penn-Trafford to stay unbeaten since coaching change
February 5, 2024
A coaching change has not deterred the McKeesport girls basketball team from its ultimate goal.

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Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch is tackled by Aliquippa’s Cam Lindsey and Tikey Hayes during their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Aliquippa.
Latrobe 4-star linebacker Alex Tatsch commits to Penn State
February 4, 2024
The post on “X” came out just before 6 p.m. Sunday from Penn State football coach James Franklin.

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Penn-Trafford’s Olivia Pepple drives to the basket past Latrobe’s Emry Bridge on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Harrison City.
Westmoreland athletes of the week: P-T’s Olivia Pepple, Ligonier Valley’s Parker Hollick
February 3, 2024
Olivia Pepple

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The North Allegheny student section cheers on the Tigers during a 2021 home game against Pine-Richland.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Roundball Classic finds new home
The Roundball Classic is changing locations.

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Yough’s Terek Crosby scores over Washington’s De’ondre Daugherty Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024 at Yough High School.
Yough scoring sensation Terek Crosby’s grand plan includes 2k run
The thought of scoring 2,000 career points brings a smile to Terek Crosby’s face. It makes him daydream and drift off course for a minute before he quickly snaps back to the present.

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Norwin’s Alex Thomas battles Franklin Regional’s Liam Copeland (18) for the puck during the first period Jan. 8.
Norwin notebook: Alex Thomas shines at PIHL all-star game
Alex Thomas delivered two goals and two assists as the Blue team tied the Gold team, 6-6, in the PIHL Class 2A all-star game on Jan. 28 at the Robert Morris Island Sports Center.

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Norwin girls soccer coach Diane Metzger
Norwin girls soccer coach steps down
Citing personal reasons, Norwin girls soccer coach Diane Metzger resigned after three seasons with the program.

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Christopher Horner | TribLive
                                Franklin Regional lineman Max Leven works out during a preseason practice in 2022.
Murrysville Star notebook: Ex-Franklin Regional lineman getting Division I offers
Lineman Max Leven left Franklin Regional last year and decided to play football at Bridgton Academy (Maine) to sharpen his skills and better prepare to play at a higher level.

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Referee collapses during basketball game at Mt. Pleasant, dies
February 2, 2024
A referee collapsed during halftime of a junior varsity boys basketball game at Mt. Pleasant and died Friday night.

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Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin steals a pass intended for Latrobe’s John Wetzel on Friday.
Franklin Regional boys dig deep to beat Latrobe with strong 2nd half
Halftime talks are like sales pitches. Some work, and some don’t.

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Mt. Pleasant linebacker Jackson Hutter (12) closes in on Freeport quarterback Drew Ross during game Sept. 22, 2023.
Mt. Pleasant’s Jackson Hutter makes college decision
An opportunity to play Division I college football has driven Jackson Hutter since he first realized he had the ability to invade opposing backfields and keep teams behind the sticks.

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Star tight end among Class of ’24 in Ligonier Valley Athletics Hall of Fame
Former Connecticut tight end Alec Bloom, who went to training camp with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, is among eight individuals and a team highlighting the 2024 Ligonier Valley Athletics Hall of Fame class.

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Norwin girls basketball players (from left) Averi Brozeski, Lauren Palangio, Anna Fraser and Elizabeth Yarosik walk on to the court for senior night Thursday in North Huntingdon.
Norwin’s depth fuels victory over Hempfield as Knights improve to 8-0 in section
February 1, 2024
Norwin didn’t have its best game offensively on senior night and left the door open just enough for cold-shooting Hempfield to get its hopes up.

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Derry’s Stanley Rajkovich drives to basket against Deer Lakes on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at Derry Area.
6-foot-6 Derry freshman’s game still growing
His father stands 6-foot-10, so Derry freshman Stanley Rajkovich may have room to grow.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tyree Turner is guarded by Clairton’s Bryant Blair on Jan. 12.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Greensburg Central Catholic savors signature win
Greensburg Central Catholic made a splash at the Shootout at Seton Hill last weekend, posting one of the most impressive regular-season wins in coach Christian Hyland’s five-year tenure.

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Norwin’s Kendall Berger celebrates scoring against North Allegheny on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Norwin.
‘We want it’: Norwin girls basketball players excel during small moments in quest for championships
January 31, 2024
Norwin leads the league in smiles.

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Franklin Regional head coach Bernie Pucka gives instructions during a game against Plum on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, in Murrysville.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Franklin Regional back in playoff chase after 1-9 start
Franklin Regional’s girls basketball team picked up a big 45-42 win over Penn Hills on Jan. 26 to stay afloat in the WPIAL Class 5A playoff race.

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Yough’s Terek Crosby grabs a rebound from Washington’s Braiden Wise on Tuesday.
Yough boys tough out victory over No. 4 Washington, move into tie for 1st
January 30, 2024
Yough could feel the tread on a 15-point advantage wearing thin as Washington crept closer with a third-quarter turnaround.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble drives to the basket against Serra Catholic’s Cate Clarke on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Carbon.
Greensburg CC girls adjust, top Serra Catholic to clinch share of section title
January 29, 2024
The first four or five minutes of the second half “dictate how it goes,” Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball coach Chris Skatell tells his players.

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McKeesport coach Matt Miller and the Tigers prepare to play Greensburg Central Catholic on Saturday at Seton Hill.
McKeesport girls, under new coach, beat Greensburg Central Catholic
January 27, 2024
Matt Miller is used to calling blitzes and cover-2s as the football coach at McKeesport.

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McKeesport’s Matt Miller takes over girls basketball team
Matt Miller is the head football coach at McKeesport, but he is also the girls basketball coach — at least for now.

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Hempfield’s Amelia Droste won the WCCA girls bowling championship Jan. 20, 2024, at Hillview Lanes in Greensburg.
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Hempfield’s Amelia Droste, Derry’s Jacob Hauser
Amelia Droste

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Derry and Mt. Pleasant coaches and players meet with a referee before Saturday’s game at Seton Hill.
Derry boys mount comeback to defeat Mt. Pleasant
Derry calls its style of play “Run and Jump.”

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Norwin senior football player Luke Denny
Norwin’s Luke Denny commits to Division I Lehigh for football
When his first football scholarship offer came in, Luke Denny was overcome with emotion.

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Norwin notebook: Knights runner makes Division I college choice
Rosemary Gaydos became the latest Norwin track and field athlete to commit to a Division I college program.

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Norwin’s Rosemary Gaydos
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Norwin runner makes Division I commitment
Rosemary Gaydos became the latest Norwin track and field athlete to commit to a Division I college program.

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Boys basketball teams from Belle Vernon (right) and Southmoreland stand for the National Anthem on Friday night in Alverton.
Belle Vernon runs past Southmoreland in stat-filled ‘track meet’
January 26, 2024
Given room to run, Belle Vernon feasted on transition points and loaded up the stat sheet Friday night, ringing up a season high for points in an 85-73 victory at Southmoreland in Section 3-4A boys basketball.

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Norwin’s Kendall Berger celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against North Allegheny on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Norwin.
Norwin girls earn emotional victory over North Allegheny, complete season sweep
January 25, 2024
Norwin could have given the game ball to any number of players after an impressive 64-44 win over rival North Allegheny.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Sean Walker hits a layup against Clairton’s Mike Ruffin on Jan. 12.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Seton Hill to host weekend showcase
Some good basketball could be in store on “The Hill” this weekend.

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Monessen’s Lorenzo Gardner shoots over Western Beaver’s Jon Backur in a WPIAL Class A first-round playoff game last season.
Stacking wins nothing new for Monessen boys
It is late January, and the WPIAL basketball regular season is headed for its final two weeks.

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Down to 4 healthy players after car crash, Jeannette girls basketball team cancels game
January 24, 2024
Jeannette’s girls basketball team had to cancel Wednesday night’s game at Geibel because it had only four healthy players.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio scores between McKeesport defenders on Dec. 21, 2023.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Norwin, North Allegheny ready for another high-stakes showdown
Two of the top teams and rivals in WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball will meet for the second time this season Thursday night when North Allegheny visits Norwin in Section 1.

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Latrobe coach Mackenzie Livingston watches from the bench during a Jan. 15 game at Penn-Trafford.
1st-year Latrobe girls coach stresses defense as key to earning playoff spot
It is a point of pride for the first-year coach at Latrobe, and it makes her eyes light up when it shows itself in key moments, when it is executed properly.

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Greensburg Central Catholic students rush the floor after the Centurions defeated Serra Catholic on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024.
Greensburg Central Catholic boys edge Serra Catholic in thriller
January 23, 2024
Braden Riley’s eyes widened as the ball popped loose from Owen Dumbroski’s grasp.

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Southern Cal coach Lincoln Riley (left) meets with Latrobe junior Alex Tatsch on Tuesday.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley pays visit to Latrobe linebacker Alex Tatsch
College coaches are flocking to Latrobe to meet with junior football prospect Alex Tatsch.

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New Franklin Regional boys soccer coach Nick White
Nick White approved as Franklin Regional boys soccer coach
January 22, 2024
Nick White was approved Monday as the boys soccer coach at Franklin Regional.

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McKeesport and Latrobe play the final seconds of their Section 3-5A girls basketball game Monday night.
McKeesport fights off upset-minded Latrobe girls
Latrobe sold merchandise in the gym lobby Monday night. Hats, shirts, you name it. There were deals on orange-and-black Wildcats gear everywhere.

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Franklin Regional senior Juliano Marion has his hand raised after winning a match at heavyweight against Norwin on Wednesday.
Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Franklin Regional’s Juliano Marion, Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble
January 20, 2024
Erica Gribble

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Mt. Pleasant sophomore Lily King dives off the starting block during the 200 freestyle at the 2023 WCCA swimming and diving championships at Derry.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Mt. Pleasant’s Lily King highlights WCCA swim meet
The Westmoreland County Coaches Association will host its final event of the winter with the swimming and diving championships Friday and Saturday at Derry.

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The 2023-24 Norwin swimming team.
                                Submitted
Norwin’s goal: ‘Swim fast and be hungry’
Norwin’s swimming teams are hoping to take the momentum of a pre-holiday run into the thick of the season schedule.

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Franklin Regional’s Fin Hutchison shoots a three-pointer in double overtime against Shaler on Friday.
Franklin Regional boys win 2OT thriller over Shaler
January 19, 2024
Uncle Kevin would have been proud. Of a thrilling Franklin Regional win. Of a runaway second overtime by the Panthers in a playoff-like atmosphere. And most of all, of his nephew’s big shot.

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Gateway’s Mykel Bruce-McCrommon is fouled by Franklin Regional’s Cameron Rowell on Jan. 12.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Class 5A section loaded with contenders
January 18, 2024
Section 3 could be the most competitive lineup of teams in WPIAL Class 5A. That much is clear at the halfway point of the schedule.

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Latrobe’s John Wetzel drives against Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell on Jan. 9.
Sharpened by early-season gauntlet, Latrobe boys find their stride
When it came time to piece together the boys basketball schedule for this season at Latrobe, veteran coach Brad Wetzel stretched boundaries.

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Kiski Area coach Corey Smith draws up a play during Wednesday night’s game at Penn-Trafford.
Kiski Area grinds out section win over Penn-Trafford
January 17, 2024
Nail files and sandpaper serve a similar purpose to what Kiski Area’s 3-2 zone can do to teams. And, how the Cavaliers win sometimes.

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Mya Morgan is Greensburg Central Catholic’s second-leading scorer.
Greensburg Central Catholic girls weather storm without senior leader Morgan
When a player the caliber of Mya Morgan goes out with an injury, some teams might go into a five-alarm panic.

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Greensburg Salem head coach Rick Klimchock watches from the bench during a section game on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at Highlands.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Greensburg Salem to honor Rick Klimchock’s milestone
A blend of basketball knowledge and open-mindedness in an always-changing game, along with dependable people around him and sustained longevity, carried Rick Klimchock to a milestone victory.

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Latrobe players huddle up during an upset win over Gateway on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.
Latrobe shocks No. 1 Gateway for program’s ‘biggest (win) in years’
January 16, 2024
Gateway calls its home gymnasium “The Swamp.”

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Penn-Trafford’s Olivia Pepple smiles with the cheerleaders after scoring her 1,000th career point against Latrobe on Monday.
With big 4th quarter, Olivia Pepple hits 1,000 points, leads Penn-Trafford past Latrobe
January 15, 2024
With a steal and a left-handed finish with 1 minute, 30 seconds remaining, Olivia Pepple reached a personal milestone.

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Ligonier Valley’s Haden Sierocky is transferring to Washington & Jefferson.
Westmoreland HS notebook: Ligonier Valley graduate Haden Sierocky returning to gridiron with Washington & Jefferson
January 14, 2024
The itch to return to the gridiron was too strong for one of the better two-sport athletes to come out of Ligonier Valley in recent years.

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Latrobe junior swimmer Lauren Bell
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Latrobe’s Lauren Bell and Penn-Trafford’s Tyler Funk
January 13, 2024
Lauren Bell

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Franklin Regional coach Jesse Reed directs his team duing a game against Hempfield on Dec. 12.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Franklin Regional honors teammate with leukemia
During a brief pregame observance, senior players Cam Rowell and Cooper Rankin held a corner of the No. 44 Franklin Regional basketball jersey Tuesday night at midcourt as public address announcer Dean Berardinelli briefed fans about Caden Brush.

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Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell dunks over Butler’s Braylon Littlejohn on Dec. 15, 2023, in Murrysville.
‘R&R’ duo fills highlight reels, leads Franklin Regional to strong start
Franklin Regional caught the attention of local boys basketball fans with its 10-1 start.

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Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
                                Norwin’s Lauren Palangio scores past Hempfield’s Mia Shipman on Jan. 8 at Hempfield.
Norwin notebook: Girls wrestling wins 1st dual meet; girls basketball faces tough schedule
With an electric atmosphere to usher in a new era, the Norwin girls wrestling team won its inaugural dual match as WPIAL program by toppling visiting Southmoreland, 45-18, on Jan. 3.

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Adam (1) and Ty Bilinsky (5) listen to coaching instruction during a timeout in a 2020 game against Latrobe.
                                Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Transfer reunites Bilinsky brothers at Pitt-Johnstown
It wasn’t exactly a brotherly shove, but Adam Bilinsky admits having a chance to play basketball with his older sibling again played a key role in his decision on where to transfer.

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Gateway’s Alec Dunsmore scores past Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell on Friday.
Gateway boys use defense to get past Franklin Regional in section showdown
January 12, 2024
This Gateway boys basketball team is inherently defensive and plays a halfcourt style with goals steeped in fundamentals and a touch of grit.

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Clairton and Greensburg Central Catholic players and coaches meet with an official before Thursday night’s game.
Greensburg Central Catholic girls right ship vs. Clairton
January 11, 2024
Down one of their best players and facing the top scorer in the WPIAL, Greensburg Central Catholic was sure not to ignore the signs when Clairton came to town in a 1 vs. 2 girls basketball matchup.

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Colin Masten (left), Connor Crossey and Cam Rowell have helped Franklin Regional win six games in a row.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Franklin Regional rises in rankings
Surging Franklin Regional found its way into the TribLive HSSN Class 5A rankings this week.

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Belle Vernon’s Zion Moore drives on Southmoreland’s Elliott Premus on Jan. 3.
Belle Vernon scoring sensation Zion Moore looking to add more elements to his game
Zion Moore doesn’t consider himself one of the best basketball players in WPIAL Class 4A.

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New Greensburg Salem athletic director Drake D’Angelo poses for a holiday photo with his family, from left, Adelina, Jenn and Gianna.
Drake D’Angelo set to take reins of Greensburg Salem athletic programs
January 10, 2024
A family man with a positive attitude, familiarity of the area and high expectations is primed to oversee athletics at Greensburg Salem.

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Steelers running backs coach Dick Hoak announces his retirement in 2007.
3 Jeannette legends to be inducted into National High School Football Hall of Fame
With 10 WPIAL championships and two PIAA titles, Jeannette is renowned as one of the top football programs in Pennsylvania.

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Hailey Johnson and the Monessen girls basketball team play against Jefferson-Morgan on Jan. 4, 2024, at Monessen.
Behind ‘defense first and team ball’ mantra, Monessen girls among Class A’s top squads
From Dec. 2-15, Monessen’s girls basketball team scrimmaged each other so much they started to reach low levels of apathy.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Mya Morgan looks for a shot as Serra Catholic’s Abby Genes defends Thursday.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Greensburg Central Catholic awaits word on injured star Mya Morgan
Greensburg Central Catholic is awaiting word on the playing status of senior leader Mya Morgan.

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Franklin Regional’s Colin Masten battles Latrobe’s Max Butler for a rebound during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Murrysville.
Colin Masten breaks out of slump, leads Franklin Regional past Latrobe
January 9, 2024
Colin Masten said he had been in a mini-slump of late. In basketball terms, that means he wasn’t making shots or producing much on the offensive end.

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Drake D’Angelo has been Burrell’s athletic director since 2017.
Greensburg Salem set to hire Drake D’Angelo as athletic director
Greensburg Salem will vote to hire Drake D’Angelo as its athletic director, according to board agenda for Wednesday night’s meeting.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio scores between Hempfield defenders during their game on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, at Hempfield Area.
Battle-tested Norwin girls roll past Hempfield
January 8, 2024
Norwin has yet to lose to a WPIAL team this girls basketball season. Eight up, eight down.

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Latrobe senior Elle Snyder
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Latrobe’s Elle Snyder, Derry’s Anthony Mucci
January 6, 2024
Elle Snyder

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Paul Schofield | Tribune-Review
                                Norwin freshman Landon Sidun has his arm raised after winning the 114-pound title at the Powerade Wrestling Tournament on Dec. 30.
Norwin notebook: Freshman Landon Sidun bursts onto wrestling scene
The Landon Sidun era is underway at Norwin.

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Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell scores past Butler’s Andrew Gettinger on Dec. 15 in Murrysville.
                                Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional notebook: Hockey team builds momentum
Franklin Regional hockey took momentum in the form of a two-game winning streak into the holiday break.

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Jeannette senior Terrelle Pryor kisses the championship trophy after the Jayhawks defeated Dunmore, 49-21, in the 2007 PIAA Class 2A championship game at Hersheypark Stadium.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Jeannette legends up for national football hall of fame honors
Three Jeannette football legends are among 60 nominees for the National High School Football Hall of Class of 2024. Former coach Joe Mucci and star players Dick Hoak and Terrelle Pryor are on the ballot for the second hall class.

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GCC’s Tyree Turner reacts after hitting a 3-pointer against Jeannette on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at Jeannette.
Greensburg Central Catholic dominates Jeannette behind Tyree Turner’s 25 points
January 5, 2024
Greensburg Central Catholic players and coaches were stranded after the game at Jeannette on Friday night because their bus arrived late.

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North Catholic girls basketball players huddle on the floor before Thursday night’s game against visiting Greensburg Salem.
North Catholic wins top-5 showdown with Greensburg Salem
January 4, 2024
“North is North,” Greensburg Salem girls basketball coach Rick Klimchock said in a back hallway at North Catholic after his team fell behind early and dropped a 62-35 decision to the host Trojanettes in a matchup of Class 4A top-five girls basketball teams Thursday night on Barth & Graham Court.

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Penn-Trafford head coach Doug Kelly leads his team in a time-out strategy talk against Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Hempfield High School.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Penn-Trafford plays at coach’s alma mater
Doug Kelly was feeling nostalgic and sentimental as he was time-warped back to his high school days at Elkins (W.Va.) during a recent visit to his old stomping grounds.

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Mt. Pleasant first-year boys basketball coach Annie Malkowiak
Groundbreaking coach working to build confidence, culture with Mt. Pleasant boys
Because of some injuries, first-year boys basketball coach Annie Malkowiak said her Mt. Pleasant team had to take a next-man-up approach.

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Southmoreland’s Elliott Premus defends Belle Vernon’s Zion Moore on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
Belle Vernon boys get off to fast start then hang on to hand Southmoreland its 1st loss
January 3, 2024
From its worst start of the season to nearly its best finish, Southmoreland had an up and down kind of night.

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Franklin Regional’s Angelina Brush works past Plum’s Pascale Olczak last season.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Franklin Regional hoping for good injury news
Franklin Regional girls basketball coach Bernie Pucka and his players are being kept in suspense.

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Hempfield’s Mia Shipman scores past Norwin’s Kendall Berger last season.
Hard-working Hempfield girls buy in on defense, get off to promising start
Girls basketball practice is over — so says the clock — but parents sit idle in their vehicles outside of the Hempfield Spartan Field House, waiting to fill their backseats with tired daughters.

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Franklin Regional and Penn-Trafford prepare to tip off on Tuesday night in Harrison City.
Franklin Regional pulls away after Penn-Trafford shrinks Panthers’ big lead
January 2, 2024
Franklin Regional has a pilot light that burns brightly and ignites the Panthers’ fast-paced attack.

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Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch (left) and John Wetzel are receiving Division I scholarship offers.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Latrobe becoming hot spot for Division I athletes
January 1, 2024
An assistant football coach from Southern Cal flew across the country recently to meet with coveted Latrobe prospect Alex Tatsch.

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Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin scores on a 92-yard touchdown run during the PIAA Class 3A championship game Dec. 9.
‘Q’ & A with Belle Vernon star football player Quinton Martin
During a WPIAL playoff game last month Quinton Martin hurdled a defender on his way to a first down, but no penalty was called.

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Latrobe’s Elle Snyder shoots a three-pointer over Woodland Hills’ Jhalynn Wilson during their game on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Latrobe girls basketball standout Elle Snyder commits to Evansville
December 30, 2023
Sharp-shooting senior basketball player Elle Snyder of Latrobe announced Saturday a verbal commitment to NCAA Division I Evansville.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Mya Morgan shoots a three-pointer against Kennedy Catholic during their PIAA Class 2A state semifinal on Monday, March 20, 2023, at North Allegheny.
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Greensburg CC’s Mya Morgan, Norwin’s Nate Campbell
Mya Morgan

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Belle Vernon’s Anthony Crews hoists the state championship trophy with teammates after defeating Northwestern Lehigh, 38-7, in the PIAA Class 3A final on Dec. 9 at Cumberland Valley.
2023 in Westmoreland County sports: Gold rush brings titles in wide array of sports
Football, swimming, wrestling, track and field, softball, golf, tennis, bowling and cheerleading.

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Indiana and Hempfield players and coaches meet with a referee before Friday night’s game at Latrobe.
Hempfield girls score signature win by avenging earlier loss to Indiana
December 29, 2023
Up nine and then down six in a game where no lead was safe, budding Hempfield relied on its defense and late-game aptitude to score arguably its best win of the season.

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Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball players leave the court at halftime of Thursday night’s game against Upper St. Clair in the Hoopfest at Cal (Pa.).
GCC girls beat another Class 6A team, defeating Upper St. Clair
December 28, 2023
The basketball went to the near corner. Sophomore point guard Erica Gribble drew a crowd of defenders and alertly fired a pass across the baseline to the far corner.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Braden Riley (right) is averaging 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season.
Role players making a difference in Greensburg Central Catholic’s hot start
If Greensburg Central Catholic is going to live up to its expectations and make another run in the WPIAL and PIAA Class 2A boys basketball playoffs, the steady contributions of role players could be what makes the difference.

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Franklin Regional’s Fin Hutchison celebrates a 3-pointer against Butler on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Murrysville.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Shootout at Seton Hill expands
The annual Shootout at Seton Hill basketball showcase has expanded. It will include more days, more games and more teams.

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Greensburg Central Catholic basketball coach Christian Hyland (kneeling) talks to his team during Wednesday’s 61-37 victory over Yough at Greensburg Salem.
Greensburg Central Catholic boys key on Terek Crosby, shut down Yough
December 27, 2023
As Greensburg Central Catholic went through the handshake line opposite Yough, Centurions coach Christian Hyland told Cougars guard Terek Crosby how much he appreciates his game.

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Greensburg Salem’s Bobby Davis hoists Chris Klimchock to cut down the net after the Lions defeated Hampton, 46-45, in a 2009 PIAA Class AAA semifinal playoff game at Gateway.
Greensburg Salem to honor 2009 boys basketball state finalist
Greensburg Salem is set to honor the team that felt invincible for a couple of weeks in March.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble scores past California’s Addison Gregory and Rakiyah Porter during a WPIAL playoff game last season.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Schedule doesn’t let up for Greensburg Central Catholic
Before the season began, Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball coach Chris Skatell talked almost proudly about his team’s schedule, confident that the Centurions had the talent to handle it.

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Penn-Trafford’s Lauren Marton drives between Norwin defenders Dec. 5.
Penn-Trafford girls ready to face injury challenge head on
Penn-Trafford girls basketball coach John Giannikas is somewhere near the corner of thrilled and concerned.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio celebrates with Bella Furno after scoring against McKeesport on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at Norwin.
Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Norwin’s Lauren Palangio, Latrobe’s Luke Willochell
December 23, 2023
Lauren Palangio

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Norwin’s Luke Denny
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Norwin receiver’s options include WVU walk-on offer
Norwin football player Luke Denny popped up on a lot of college radar screens after a big play-filled senior season.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Franco Alvarez (left) prepares to jump center against Hempfield’s Maximus Williams on Friday night.
Greensburg Central Catholic withstands crafty foul strategy to beat Hempfield
December 22, 2023
Teams have tried to slow down Greensburg Central Catholic in a number of ways, but this was something new.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio blocks a shot by McKeesport’s Brooke Evans during their game on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at Norwin.
Norwin girls crank up offense to roll past previously unbeaten McKeesport
December 21, 2023
Norwin senior point guard Bailey Snowberger said her team has not played its best basketball game yet.

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Steve Scorpion watches a Franklin Regional practice in 2019.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Former Franklin Regional coach back on sideline
Former Franklin Regional coach Steve Scorpion is back on the sideline.

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Southmoreland’s Ty Keffer (11) ceebrates a 3-pointer Dec. 5, 2023 at Southmoreland.
With more players joining Ty Keffer in scoring column, Southmoreland boys ready to rock
There are times when Ty Keffer feels like he’s playing the drums instead of lead guitar for the Southmoreland basketball team.

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Greensburg Salem’s Regan Kerr shoots a 3-pointer against North Catholic last season.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Greensburg Salem junior likes wearing stripes
December 20, 2023
Regan Kerr has a good reason for becoming a referee.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Riley Gesinski fouls OLSH’s Kyleigh Nagy during a WPIAL Class 3A first-round playoff game last season.
Mt. Pleasant girls adapt quickly, find new ways to win
The post-Tiffany Zelmore era could have begun a number of ways at Mt. Pleasant.

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Deer Lakes’ Wayne Love celebrates after scoring next to Derry’s Stanley Rajkovich during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at Derry Area.
‘Wild horse’ scores 28 as Deer Lakes beats Derry for 5th straight win
December 19, 2023
Deer Lakes welcomed reserve forward Nate Moore back to the lineup Tuesday night following a football injury.

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Hempfield pitcher Riley Miller delivers against Mt. Lebanon last season.
Hempfield softball ace Riley Miller picks Kent State
Proximity to home had a little something to do with Riley Miller’s college decision.

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Penn-Trafford senior Bryce Kropczynski looks to control the puck Oct. 3.
High-scoring Avonworth forward headlines PIHL players of month for November
December 18, 2023
Conner Ralston returned from a broken collarbone as if nothing ever happened.

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Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin carries for a 92-yard touchdown during the PIAA Class 3A state championship game against Northwestern Lehigh on Dec. 9 at Cumberland Valley.
Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin caps brilliant career with state title, TribLive Westmoreland player of the year honors
December 16, 2023
Player of the year

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Jeannette quarterback Payton Molter celebrates after a touchdown against Burrell this season.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Rival QBs earn conference honors
A pair of Westmoreland County senior quarterbacks were honored by the coaches of the WPIAL Class A Eastern Conference, one for his play on defense.

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Duquesne junior linebacker Gianni Rizzo had a career year for the Dukes.
Norwin graduate Gianni Rizzo has breakout season on Duquesne’s defense
Gianni Rizzo has been playing college football since 2019 and still has a year to go.

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Norwin notebook: Dylan McCullough sparks Knights
Dylan McCullough sank a career-high five 3-pointers for a personal-best 19 points as the Norwin boys basketball team evened its record at 2-2 with a 63-58 win over Latrobe at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Showcase on Dec. 9 at Jeannette.

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Jeannette basketball players huddle up before Friday night’s Section 3-2A game against Serra Catholic.
Brown leads Jeannette boys to win against Serra Catholic
December 15, 2023
Kymone Brown didn’t score in the first quarter Friday night, so coach Adrian Batts pulled the Jeannette sophomore guard aside.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Dom Giallonardo works on hitting drills while at practice on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Mt. Pleasant High School.
Mt. Pleasant basketball games to benefit Dom Giallonardo scholarships
Mt. Pleasant is hosting a basketball tripleheader Friday night to raise money for a scholarship in the name of late Vikings’ baseball and basketball player Dom Giallonardo.

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Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch celebrates with John Wetzel (10) after Wetzel’s touchdown run against West Allegheny on Nov. 3.
Recruiting heating up for Latrobe junior John Wetzel
College coaches are turning up the volume to hear the cracking of pads on junior John Wetzel’s highlight film.

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Greensburg Salem’s girls basketball players huddle before Thursday night’s Section 1-4A opener at Derry.
Defensive-minded Greensburg Salem dominates Derry in section opener
December 14, 2023
Greensburg Salem continued to show how much defense is wired into its grid by smothering another opponent in the Section 1-4A girls basketball opener.

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Franklin Regional’s Ciara Camacho completes a 4-for-4 day against Kiski Area last season.
Franklin Regional softball’s Ciara Camacho has baseball past, Division I future
A college softball career at Kent State awaits Ciara Camacho, who two years ago was new to the game.

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Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Derry senior filling nets
With four 30-point games this season, Derry’s Nate Papuga is one of the top scorers in the WPIAL.

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Hempfield’s Max Williams (22) tries to stop Franklin Regional’s Cameron Rowell during a game Dec. 12, 2023.
Franklin Regional boys off to blockbuster start
Franklin Regional’s boys basketball coaches like to take a game film and pick it apart. They dissect it into dozens of short clips for instructional purposes.

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Yough’s Autumn Matthews directs the offense against Beaver Falls during a playoff game last season.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Matthews makes a good point for Yough
December 13, 2023
One of the first things new Yough girls coach Brian Znavor did when he joined the team was move senior Autumn Matthews to point guard.

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Southmoreland girls basketball coach Amber Cernuto (center) said one of the chief challenges of low roster numbers is creating a strong practice environment.
Girls basketball teams facing crisis of dwindling rosters
She calls them her “Fab 5.”

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Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin (3) gets fouled by Hempfield’s Caden Bondi (21) during their game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.
Franklin Regional uses a little R&R to beat Hempfield
December 12, 2023
Franklin Regional needed a little R&R.

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Latrobe and Norwin girls basketball players and coaches line up for a pregame meeting Monday night in North Huntingdon.
Norwin girls overcome slow start, pull away from Latrobe in 2nd half
December 11, 2023
Kendall Berger said Norwin allowed Latrobe to dictate the tempo early in Monday night’s nonsection girls basketball matchup.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Riley Kerr (14) will play for St. Francis (Pa.) in college.
Westmoreland high school notebook: GCC’s Kerr chooses college
December 10, 2023
The recruiting process ended just as quickly as it began for Riley Kerr.

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Deer Lakes’ Wayne Love Jr. positions himself for a free throw against Yough on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 at Yough Senior High School.
Basketball teams adjust to new free-throw rule in early part of season
One-and-one free throws always have been a gamble.

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Norwin players and coaches huddle during Saturday’s 63-58 comeback victory over Latrobe at the WCCA Showcase.
Norwin boys take the measure of Latrobe at WCCA Showcase
December 9, 2023
He rears back for a corner 3-pointer, stretching his arms high and behind his head, the basketball slightly tilted to the right.

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Kiski Area players head to the hand shake line after a 55-49 win against Hempfield on Saturday at the WCCA Showcase.
Kiski Area beats host Hempfield at WCCA Showcase
Corey Smith stepped out of the locker room, took a deep breath and came to the realization his team was fortunate to leave Hempfield with a victory.

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Yough senior basketball player Autumn Matthews
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Yough’s Autumn Matthews, Southmoreland’s Ty Keffer
Autumn Matthews

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Franklin Regional’s Colin Masten scores against Kiski Area last season.
Franklin Regional notebook: Boys basketball team sprints out of gates
The ball went up in the jump circle and Franklin Regional took off.

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Paul Schofield | Tribune-Review
                                Norwin’s Aiden Pham (white uniform) and Franklin Regional’s Troy McClelland are in a scramble that was ruled a defensive pin win for Pham at 215 pounds during a match last season.
With good roster numbers, new girls team, Norwin wrestlers ready to put in work
Life rewards hard.

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Norwin’s Ava Christopher scores over North Allegheny’s Lyida Betz during a PIAA Class 6A quarterfinal last season.
Norwin notebook: Girls basketball team starts on right foot
The Norwin girls basketball team opened the season with a victory, which could be one of many for the Lady Knights.

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Yough’s Austin Matthews drives past Deer Lakes defender Wayne Love Jr. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Yough Senior High School.
Deer Lakes clamps down on Yough in battle of top teams in Class 3A
December 8, 2023
Yough expects to see zone defenses this season. Deer Lakes sure knows how to run them.

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Hempfield and Penn-Trafford players and coaches gather for a pregame meeting Thursday in Harrison City.
Penn-Trafford girls roll over Hempfield
December 7, 2023
Baseline to baseline, Penn-Trafford found a winning mix.

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Penn-Trafford’s Ian Temple passes the ball from the floor against Greensburg Central Catholic on Dec. 1.
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Penn-Trafford working (double) overtime
In all of his years in coaching, Doug Kelly was almost certain he had never coached a double-overtime game in a season opener.

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Brian Znavor won in his first game coaching the Yough girls Friday.
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: New coaches win debuts
December 6, 2023
It didn’t take long for new coaches to get their first win.

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Belle Vernon coach Matt Humbert talks with quarterback Braden Laux and his offense during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game against Avonworth on Nov. 24 at Acrisure Stadium.
High-tech approach helps Belle Vernon get ready for prime time
Belle Vernon packs a lot more than uniforms for football games.

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Norwin’s Ava Christopher drives past Penn-Trafford’s Olivia Pepple on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, at Norwin High School.
Bigger, stronger Norwin girls outmuscle Penn-Trafford for nonsection win
December 5, 2023
Norwin’s girls looked taller and stronger when they took the court against rival Penn-Trafford.

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The Belle Vernon football team celebrates with the state championship trophy after defeating Neumann Goretti, 9-8, in the PIAA Class 3A state championship game on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Cumberland Valley High School.
Belle Vernon players, coaches recall ‘The Stand’ ahead of return to PIAA championship game
He teared up before it happened in person, and he tears up when he watches it again on video.

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The Yough basketball team poses for a photo after winning the Yough Cougar Tip-Off Invitational on Saturday.
Terek Crosby helps Yough overtake Derry in Cougar Tip-off Invitational final
December 2, 2023
Terek Crosby let his hair down for Saturday night’s final of the Yough Cougar Tip-off Invitational.

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Jeannette girls basketball team nearly wins with 3 players on floor
Jeannette started with five and ended with three, but still almost won.

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Belle Vernon’s football team will go back up to Class 4A next season.
Westmoreland high school notes: Teams will shift classifications next season
Student totals came out last week, but the next two-year enrollment cycle for high school teams will kick in next fall.

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McKeesport senior lineman Courtney Dunn (center) won the 5th Bill Fralic Memorial Award as the WPIAL’s best interior lineman Saturday. He is flanked by Susan Fralic (left); his mother, Valora Nelms; sister, Amiyah Luster; and coach, Matt Miller.
McKeesport’s Courtney Dunn wins Fralic Award as WPIAL’s top lineman
Matt Miller said Courtney Dunn wanted to be a running back several years ago when the senior lineman was coming up in the McKeesport football program.

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AP
                                Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee, left, answers a question during a news conference on practice day at the NCAA Division I Wrestling National Championships on March 1 in Tulsa, Okla.
Spencer Lee tops Nico Megaludis in battle of former Franklin Regional wrestling greats
An all-Franklin Regional matchup in a post-college wrestling match with Olympic-qualifying possibly on the line?

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Franco Alvarez charges toward the basket against Penn-Trafford on Friday.
Greensburg Central Catholic boys outlast Penn-Trafford in 2OT for win in opener
December 1, 2023
While he was far from overweight, Franco Alvarez worked on slimming down in the offseason so he could be faster on the basketball court.

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Norwin starters Lauren Palangio (left), Kendall Berger, Bailey Snowberger (3) and Ava Kobus (right) celebrate beating North Allegheny in a PIAA Class 6A girls quarterfinal Friday, March 17, 2023, at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Starting 5: A primer for 2023-24 girls basketball season in Westmoreland County
November 30, 2023
The WPIAL girls basketball season opens Friday. Here are some of the top storylines, teams and players to watch this season in Westmoreland County:

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Quaker Valley’s Brandon Griffith defends Belle Vernon’s Zion Moore in a WPIAL Class 4A first-round playoff game Feb. 20, 2023.
Starting 5: A primer for 2023-24 boys basketball season in Westmoreland County
The WPIAL boys basketball season opens Friday. Here are some of the top storylines, teams and players to watch this season in Westmoreland County:

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Penn-Trafford senior Joe Enick won the 4th Bill Fralic Memorial Award.
Checking in on past winners of the Bill Fralic Memorial Award
The Bill Fralic Memorial Award for the top interior lineman in the WPIAL will be presented to this year’s recipient during a pancake breakfast Saturday morning at Longue Vue Club in Verona.

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Riverview’s Lola Abraham smiles after scoring her second goal against Springdale during their PIAA Class A state quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Plum High School.
Riverview’s Lola Abraham leads 2023 Trib HSSN girls soccer all-stars
November 28, 2023
Trib HSSN Girls Soccer All-Stars

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Norwin’s Owen Christopher celebrates after scoring the go-ahead goal against Fox Chapel during their WPIAL Class 4A semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at Hampton.
Norwin’s Owen Christopher headlines 2023 Trib HSSN boys soccer all-stars
Trib HSSN Boys Soccer All-Stars

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Yough girls basketball coach Brian Znavor
With experienced lineup, new coach, Yough girls hoping for another playoff season
November 27, 2023
Excuse Brian Znavor as he navigates a return to high school basketball. He’s been out of the loop for a bit.

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Yough’s Terek Crosby has 1,440 points entering his senior season.
With top scorer Terek Crosby leading charge, Yough boys pumped up to have strong season
The last whistle of an early afternoon practice gives way to the clang of weights as Yough boys basketball players continue their preseason training.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tyree Turner drives past Penn-Trafford’s Nathan Crum during the Hempfield tip-off tournament Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Hempfield Area High School.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Hempfield set to host annual tip-off tournament
November 26, 2023
High school basketball season starts Friday.

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Franklin Regional’s Aiden Bunker takes seventh in the WPIAL Class 3A boys breast­stroke March 3 at Trees Pool.
Franklin Regional notebook: Honors keep coming for former Panthers swimmer
A college freshman now, Aiden Bunker is still reaping the rewards of a terrific career as a student-athlete at Franklin Regional.

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Norwin’s Scott Schuchert was chosen to coach in the 2023 Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association boys all-star games.
Norwin notebook: Knights coach picked for all-star game
Norwin boys soccer coach Scott Schuchert led a banner season for the Knights as they won their first WPIAL championship and advanced to the PIAA Class 4A semifinals.

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Avonworth’s Fiona Mahan controls the ball in front of Central Columbia’s Haley Bull during the PIAA Class 2A state championship game on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at Cumberland Valley.
North Allegheny’s Abigail Stager, Avonworth’s Fiona Mahan earn All-America honors
November 25, 2023
Abigail Stager and Fiona Mahan led their girls soccer teams on lengthy playoff runs this season, but their accomplishments stretched beyond the scope of the WPIAL and PIAA.

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Franklin Regional goalkeeper Aris Lamanna had nine shutouts this season.
Franklin Regional goalkeeper Aris Lamanna named TribLive Westmoreland girls soccer player of the year
Player of the Year

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WPIAL champ Owen Christopher of Norwin claims TribLive Westmoreland boys soccer player of year award
Player of the Year

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Belle Vernon quarterback Braden Laux made sure to give his line plenty of credit for their championship season.
‘Team’ is the word for WPIAL champion Belle Vernon
As a postgame press conference wound into its final question and answer Friday night at Acrisure Stadium, Braden Laux grabbed the microphone.

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Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin celebrates after a Leopards’ score during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game against Avonworth on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Acrisure Stadium.
Back to back for Belle Vernon: Leopards shut out Avonworth in Class 3A title game
November 24, 2023
It wasn’t dazzling plays or finesse that propelled Belle Vernon to a championship this time.

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Norwin’s Kendall Berger (2) hits a layup as Cedar Cliff’s Taylor Ferraro (5) trails the play on March 20, 2023.
With talent, experience, Norwin girls aim to be among WPIAL’s top contenders in Class 6A
With four starters and a number of key reserves back from a WPIAL and PIAA semifinal team, Norwin girls basketball is aging well.

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Norwin boys basketball coach Lance Maha talks with his players during the Norwin Tip-off Tournament.
Despite heavy graduation loss, Norwin boys basketball reloads to compete in Section 2-6A
With only one player back who saw varsity playing time and a roster scrubbed clean by graduation, the Norwin boys are rebuilding but not panicking.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Riley Gesinski returns as a starting point guard this season.
Replacing Tiffany Zelmore won’t be easy, but cupboard’s not bare for Mt. Pleasant girls
November 23, 2023
It’s not every season a coach has to replace an all-time talent, but Mt. Pleasant girls basketball’s Scott Giacobbi has that challenge in front of him this winter.

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Mt. Pleasant boys basketball coach Annie Malkowiak and her players take the court for photo day.
With ground broken, new Mt. Pleasant boys coach turns focus to future
What has happened with Annie Malkowiak is a history-making achievement. But for now, she will file it under past history.

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Belle Vernon’s Colton Lee gets a lift from Dane Levi to celebrate his second-quarter touchdown against South Allegheny on Sept. 29.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Linebackers lead Leopards
Matt Humbert describes his inside linebackers as having “nonstop motors.”

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Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin scores past Avonworth’s Jackson Vogt during the 2022 WPIAL Class 3A championship game.
In WPIAL championship rematch, Avonworth poses threat to Belle Vernon repeat bid
November 22, 2023
Avonworth and Belle Vernon were having spells of déjà vu, even a little total recall, as they prepared to meet for the second year in a row for the WPIAL Class 3A football championship.

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Latrobe’s Ava Yurko (left) will play for Youngstown State in college.
Latrobe soccer player Ava Yurko chooses Youngstown State
November 21, 2023
Add another Division I college soccer commit to the list at Latrobe.

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Franklin Regional goalkeeper Aris Lamanna makes a save next to Latrobe’s Ava Yurko during their game on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Murrysville.
Dozen from WPIAL named to girls’ soccer all-state list
The Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association announced its girls all-state list Tuesday.

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Riverview’s Lola Abraham is double-teamed by Dock Mennonite defenders during the PIAA Class A state championship game on Saturday.
Riverview’s Lola Abraham wins Moe Rosensteel Award as top WPIAL girls soccer player
November 20, 2023
One of the most prolific goal scorers in the state, Lola Abraham of Riverview, was named the recipient of the fifth Moe Rosensteel Award, given to the WPIAL’s best girls soccer player.

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Franklin Regional’s Aiden Bunker was named to the USA Swimming Scholastic All-American list.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Franklin Regional’s Bunker lauded
November 19, 2023
A college freshman now, Aiden Bunker still is reaping the rewards of a terrific career as a student-athlete at Franklin Regional.

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Norwin notebook: Senior earns all-star volleyball invitation
Senior outside hitter Jillian Pensenstadler was set to represent Norwin at an all-star volleyball event.

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Sarah Podkul, who also plays softball, is one of three returning starters for Hempfield.
Hempfield girls basketball wants to push pace this season
November 18, 2023
Bob Madison has been coaching girls athletics long enough to have reached a universal truth, at least one that rings true in his mind.

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Norwin’s Collin Gunzburger fights for a rebound with Hempfield’s Max Williams Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2022 at Norwin High School
Hempfield boys ready to reap rewards from growing pains
Last season was a series of gradual improvements interrupted by teaching moments for the Hempfield boys basketball team.

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Belle Vernon’s Kole Doppelheuer returns a kick for a touchdown against East Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 at Norwin. The play was nullified by a penalty.
Belle Vernon football turns attention toward WPIAL repeat
Friday was the first official practice date for WPIAL basketball season, but Quinton Martin and some of his teammates are not ready to take the court yet — if at all.

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Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin drives to the basket against Laurel Highlands last season.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Coach returns to Ligonier Valley girls basketball
Ligonier Valley named a new girls basketball coach four days before the official start of practice.

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Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin hurdles East Allegheny’s Bryce Dendy and Amir Rollins in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 at Norwin.
Belle Vernon rushes back to WPIAL final with dominant win over East Allegheny
November 17, 2023
When it comes time to choose a ball carrier for each running play, Belle Vernon has options.

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Susan Fralic, the widow of former football star Bill Fralic, wraps her arms around a new exhibit honoring her husband Thursday at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center.
6 WPIAL linemen named finalists for 5th annual Bill Fralic Award
November 16, 2023
A scratched Atlanta Falcons helmet. A Pitt helmet dotted with reward stickers. A shiny national player of the year trophy. A Penn Hills No. 79 jersey that casts a shadow like the man who wore it.

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Erica Gribble (left) and Mya Morgan are back after helping the GCC girls reach the PIAA semifinals last season.
With loaded roster, long playoff run could await Greensburg Central Catholic girls
When Greensburg Central Catholic’s girls run their continuation sets on the basketball court, the offense is constantly resetting, coach Chris Skatell said.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tyree Turner drives past Penn-Trafford’s Nathan Crum and Ian Temple (2) during the Hempfield tip off Tournament Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at Hempfield Area High School.
With top scorers back, Greensburg Central Catholic boys in position to contend again
With its top two scorers back and four more players who spot-started at times last season joining them, Greensburg Central Catholic is a contender again in WPIAL Class 2A boys basketball.

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Norwin goalkeeper Anthony Scalise (pink) and his teammates leave the field after a 1-0 loss to Central Bucks South in the PIAA Class 4A boys soccer semifinals Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Chambersburg.
PIAA: Central Bucks South won’t receive penalty after wearing wrong jerseys vs. Norwin
November 15, 2023
The PIAA said there is no penalty for a team that does not bring the proper colored uniform to a playoff event.

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Norwin goalkeeper Anthony Scalise celebrates after making a save during penalty kicks in the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against North Allegheny on Nov. 4 at Highmark Stadium.
For Norwin boys, wild, dramatic playoff ride came to a halt one stop short
CHAMBERSBURG — Unable to produce the tying goal like they had done so many times before, and unable to push for overtime and penalty kicks to fit their calling card, Norwin fell to Central Bucks South on Tuesday night, 1-0, in the PIAA Class 4A semifinals to bring a historic run to an end.

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Norwin goalkeeper Anthony Scalise (pink) and his teammates leave the field after a 1-0 loss to Central Bucks South in the PIAA Class 4A boys soccer semifinals Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Chambersburg.
Central Bucks South ends improbably playoff run for Norwin boys soccer team
November 14, 2023
CHAMBERSBURG — Both soccer teams brought their white uniforms Tuesday night, so Central Bucks South wore fluorescent green mesh pinnies over their jerseys.

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Quaker Valley’s Andrew Vescio battles South Park’s Jack Ozimek for a header during the WPIAL Class 2A championship game on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Rosters set for 2023 Western Pa. Soccer Coaches Association boys all-star games
The Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association boys all-star games will be Nov. 25 at Pine-Richland.

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Norwin’s Alex Thomas (85) and Fox Chapel’s Dylan Work (53) compete for a loose puck during a PIHL Class A Penguins Cup semifinal last season.
PIHL announces October players of the month
November 13, 2023
With 10 goals and six assists in four games last month, Norwin’s Alex Thomas surged to the top spot in the PIHL scoring leaders.

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Norwin’s Alex Brown (right) battles Warwick’s AJ Schwartz for possession during the PIAA Class 4A playoffs.
Westmoreland PIAA boys soccer playoff capsule: Games for Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023
PIAA boys soccer playoffs

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Norwin goalkeeper Anthony Scalise makes a save during penalty kicks in the WPIAL the Class 4A championship game against North Allegheny.
PKs are OK for Norwin boys soccer team as it marches on in PIAA tournament
November 12, 2023
CHAMBERSBURG — These days, when regulation ends and two overtimes conclude with no result, the Norwin boys soccer team doesn’t clock out and go home.

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Penn-Trafford junior Ella Dindak was named to the All-WPIAL second team in Class 4A.
Westmoreland high school notes: Area players selected to All-WPIAL volleyball lists
The area was well represented on the All-WPIAL lists for girls volleyball.

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Norwin and Abington players prepare for their PIAA Class 4A boys soccer quarterfinal Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Chambersburg’s Trojan Stadium.
Norwin boys get another thrilling penalty-kick win in PIAA quarters
November 11, 2023
CHAMBERSBURG — As the pink sky faded into darkness and one overtime gave way to another, Norwin’s confidence grew.

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Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe holds the Commissioner’s Trophy at the World Series parade Nov. 3 in Arlington, Texas.
Norwin notebook: Irwin resident wins World Series ring
For the second year in a row, a man with ties to North Huntingdon is bringing home a World Series ring.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne connects on a header next to Moon’s Cooper Nickles during their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal Oct. 25.
                                Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Franklin Regional boys soccer will enter next season with new coach, plenty of talent
Franklin Regional has a coaching vacancy with the sudden departure of two-year coach Lukas Petersen, who is moving to Maryland because his wife has a new job there.

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Captains for Greensburg Central Catholic and South Side meet for the coin toss before their WPIAL Class A quarterfinal Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Peters Township.
South Side lives up to top seed, takes care of Greensburg Central Catholic
November 10, 2023
Have run, will travel.

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Greensburg Salem’s Gionnah Ruffner will play for the East team at the 2023 WCCA girls volleyball match.
Ligonier Valley to host 2nd annual WCCA girls volleyball match
The inaugural Westmoreland County Coaches Association girls volleyball match was a rousing success last fall, so it was a no-brainer for organizers to bring the event back.

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Norwin’s Ian Natale battles Warwick’s Johnny Kellogg for possession during their PIAA Class 4A first-round state playoff game Tuesday.
Westmoreland County boys soccer playoff preview for Nov. 11, 2023
PIAA soccer playoffs

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Norwin’s Alex Thomas celebrates with Mario Cavallaro (l) after Cavallaro’s goal against McDowell in the first period during the Class A Championship on Monday, March 21, 2022 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
Norwin hockey’s Alex Thomas signs with NAHL’s Colorado Grit
November 9, 2023
Colorado Grit general manager Gaven Bickford said Alex Thomas has quick lateral moves on the ice.

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Norwin’s Rick Zappone heads the ball during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against North Allegheny on Nov. 4.
Gritty defense carries Norwin soccer to new heights
“Castle on locks.”

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tyree Turner runs for a touchdown past Jeannette’s Gavin Holemyer on Oct. 13.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Veteran QBs lead playoff teams
If there is one thing the three remaining WPIAL football playoff teams from Westmoreland County have in common, it is leadership under center.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Samir Crosby puts a hit on Jeannette’s Noah Sanders in the third quarter Oct. 13, at McKee Stadium.
Greensburg C.C. prepares for South Side’s vaunted rushing attack
November 8, 2023
In a way, Greensburg Central Catholic can’t entertain the thought of pulling an upset until it can prevent South Side’s football team from pulling its guards.

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Norwin’s Carson Zadylak celebrates with Owen Christopher after defeating Warwick, 1-0, in their PIAA Class 4A first round state playoff game on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Norwin.
Clutch goal, tight defense send Norwin boys to 1st state playoff win in 34 years
November 7, 2023
One heightened moment in an otherwise twitchy soccer game gave a Norwin senior the thrill of his prep career and sent the better part of 1,200 screaming fans into a fever pitch.

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Norwin goalkeeper Anthony Scalise makes a save during penalty kicks in the WPIAL the Class 4A championship.
Westmoreland PIAA soccer playoff capsule: Game for Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023
November 6, 2023
PIAA boys soccer playoffs

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Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior running back and linebacker who is getting recruited heavily for defense, added offers from Maryland and South Carolina last week.
Westmoreland high school notebook: Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch draws more college offers
November 5, 2023
Alex Tatsch has more than a handful of Power 5 scholarship offers. The list of interested schools is rising like his recruiting stock.

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Norwin goalkeeper Anthony Scalise makes a save during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against North Allegheny on Saturday.
Preparation, passion lead Norwin to title-game victory
Late Saturday night at Highmark Stadium, with the twinkle of the Pittsburgh skyline reflecting off the Monongahela River, Rick Zappone wasn’t sure if going to penalty kicks favored his Norwin team or North Allegheny more.

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Young coaches get their football fix on Norwin staff
Anthony Giansante and Jackson Pruitt were supposed to be playing college football this fall.

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Greensburg Central Catholic sophomore Eva Denis
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Greensburg Central Catholic’s Eva Denis, Greensburg Central Catholic’s Nick Szekely
November 4, 2023
Eva Denis

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Norwin’s George Bunovich celebrates after scoring the winning goal in penalty kicks during the WPIAL the Class 4A championship game against North Allegheny on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Norwin claims 1st WPIAL soccer championship with PK shootout win over North Allegheny
When Norwin started a group chat in the preseason, they called it “Road to Highmark.”

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Captains from West Greene and Greensburg Central Catholic meet for the coin toss before their game Nov. 3, 2023, at Plum.
Big plays help Greensburg Central Catholic top West Greene, end playoff drought
November 3, 2023
Establishing a running game, hitting some long scoring plays and sending a message early on defense, Greensburg Central Catholic erased a nuisance of a playoff drought.

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Fox Chapel’s Sam Littwin battles Norwin’s Rick Zappone for a header during their WPIAL Class 4A semifinal Tuesday.
Norwin, North Allegheny expect physical, high-energy battle for Class 4A championship
North Allegheny and Butler engaged in some chippy final minutes in the WPIAL boys soccer semifinals.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tyree Turner takes it to the house against Jeannette in the fourth quarter Oct. 13 at McKee Stadium.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Playoff win would mean a lot to Greensburg Central Catholic
November 2, 2023
Greensburg Central Catholic versus West Greene.

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Norwin goalkeeper Anthony Scalise celebrates after making a save during a shootout against Seneca Valley in their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Jackson.
Norwin goalkeeper returns from injury just in time for brilliant playoff run
Eleven games into his senior season, big-gloved Anthony Scalise was batting away shots, deflecting crosses and spoiling corner kicks with regularity.

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Latrobe’s Robin Reilly controls the ball against Plum on Oct. 2.
Westmoreland County high school soccer notebook: Latrobe’s Robin Reilly up for top award
Robin Reilly was one of the top goal scorers and set-up midfielders in Class 3A this season.

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Penn-Trafford’s Cameron Metcalfe and Dom Smith (right) celebrate a sack against Plum on Oct. 13.
Westmoreland County high school football playoff matchups for 2023 Week 10
November 1, 2023
Class 5A quarterfinals

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The Norwin boys soccer team celebrates after defeating Seneca Valley in a penalty shootout in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals Oct. 28.
Coaching conundrum can’t slow Norwin’s run to WPIAL boys soccer finals
A referee saw Carter Breen jogging across the field during pregame warmups Tuesday night at Hampton and stopped him.

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Moon head coach Bill Pfeifer celebrates with goalkeeper Serayah Leech after defeating Seneca Valley, 4-0, in the WPIAL Class 4A championship game on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, at Highmark Stadium.
Moon keeper Serayah Leech picked for All-American Game
Moon senior goalkeeper Serayah Leech was selected to play in the 11th annual Girls’ Soccer High School All-American Game, set for Dec. 9 at Wando High School in Charleston, S.C.

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Norwin’s Owen Christopher (17) and goalkeeper Anthony Scalise celebrate with the student section after defeating Fox Chapel, 2-1, in their WPIAL Class 4A semifinal on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at Hampton.
No. 8 seed Norwin continues playoff surge, beating Fox Chapel to reach WPIAL finals
October 31, 2023
Anyone wearing a Halloween mask was not permitted to enter Hampton’s Fridley Field on Tuesday night.

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Peters Township’s Nathan Froelich celebrates after scoring against Norwin on Oct. 3.
All-state selections, coaches of year revealed for boys soccer
Fourteen boys soccer players from the WPIAL were named to the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State list.

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Franklin Regional goalkeeper Noah Walker makes a save next to Hampton’s Xavier Ware during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at North Allegheny.
Westmoreland WPIAL playoff soccer capsule: Game for Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Hampton’s Hudson Struble kisses goalkeeper Gavin Guinn on the head after Guinn made a leaping save against Franklin Regional during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at North Allegheny.
Hampton boys top Franklin Regional, return to WPIAL Class 3A final
October 30, 2023
Music thumped and blared from the Hampton locker room as Luke Fiscus was about to be interviewed after the game.

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Franklin Regional head coach Lukas Petersen watches from the sideline during the a playoff game last year.
Franklin Regional boys soccer coach to step down at end of playoffs
Franklin Regional boys soccer coach Lukas Petersen is stepping down after this season, which isn’t over yet.

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Norwin’s Alex Brown heads the ball against Seneca Valley during their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Jackson.
Westmoreland WPIAL boys soccer playoff capsule: Game for Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Norwin’s Owen Christopher heads the ball against Seneca Valley during their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Jackson.
Norwin boys will vie for spot in soccer title match without suspended coach
Norwin will make its first WPIAL boys soccer semifinal appearance since 2020 on Tuesday night, but the Knights will be without coach Scott Schuchert, who has to sit out after receiving two yellow cards — the equivalent of a red card — in the quarterfinal upset of No. 1 seed Seneca Valley.

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North Allegheny’s Abigail Stager fires a shot past Pine-Richland’s Rachel Bashe during their game on Aug. 30.
Finalists announced for Moe Rosensteel award
Three finalists were announced Monday for the Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player of the Year Award, now in its fifth year.

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Moon goalkeeper Serayah Leech makes a save on South Fayette’s Mia Deramo during their game on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at South Fayette.
2023 All-WPIAL girls soccer teams released
The All-WPIAL girls soccer list was announced Monday.

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Franklin Regional head coach Lukas Petersen watches from the sideline during the Panthers’ WPIAL Section 4-3A game against Plum on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional boys soccer hits stride at perfect time
October 29, 2023
Franklin Regional found something, and at just the right time.

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Franklin Regional’s Tyler Pipon celebrates after scoring in double overtime to defeat Moon, 2-1, in their WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at Moon.
Westmoreland soccer preview capsule: Game for Monday, Oct. 30, 2023
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Bill Beckner Jr. | Tribune-Review
                                Jeannette senior Jordan Taylor led the WPIAL with 54 goals on the season, a school record.
Westmoreland HS notebook: Jeannette’s Taylor named Class 2A player of year
Jeannette soccer player Jordan Taylor had a senior season to remember, as he netted a school-record 54 goals to lead the WPIAL.

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James Franklin lands his helicopter at Latrobe’s Rossi Field on Friday.
Penn State offers Latrobe LB Alex Tatsch after James Franklin’s chopper lands at school’s practice field
Alex Tatsch now has scholarship offers from the region’s Big 3.

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Franklin Regional soccer player Tyler Pipon
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Southmoreland’s Amarah McCutcheon, Franklin Regional’s Tyler Pipon
October 28, 2023
Amarah McCutcheon

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Burrell’s Mikaya Buchak celebrates after scoring the winning goal in overtime against Mt. Pleasant during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal on Saturday.
Burrell girls soccer upsets Mt. Pleasant in OT, reaches WPIAL semifinals for 1st time
With about 10 minutes to play in regulation, Burrell girls soccer coach Frank Nesko had a message for freshman midfielder Mikaya Buchak.

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Norwin quarterback Tristyn Tavares set the school’s single-season passing yardage record.
Westmoreland high school football notes: Norwin QB Tavares sets records
Norwin finished in a flourish. A record-setting, big-play flourish for its third win of the season.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio grabs a rebound over North Allegheny’s Caroline Henderson during the PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals March 17 at Fox Chapel Area High School.
                                Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Norwin notebook: Forward Lauren Palangio makes college decision
One of the top forwards in WPIAL Class 6A basketball has decided on a college destination.

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Tristyn Tavares making impact running Norwin spread offense
Asked if he expected to find his name among the top passers in the WPIAL, Tristyn Tavares didn’t hesitate, like how he doesn’t hesitate when he runs the Norwin offense.

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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
                                Franklin Regional quarterback Chase Lemke throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Greater Latrobe High School.
Chase Lemke, Ayden Hudock have become must-watch connection for Franklin Regional
Franklin Regional quarterback Chase Lemke and receiver Ayden Hudock were in a rhythm at just the right time as the Panthers pursued a playoff spot.

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Clairton and Jeannette captains gather for the coin toss Friday.
Clairton pulls it together, routs Jeannette after close 1st quarter
October 27, 2023
Drahcir Jones said Clairton had no intentions of sharing the Eastern Conference title with anyone.

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Derry athletic director Nick Raymond
Nick Raymond hired as Derry’s new athletic director
Derry hired Nick Raymond as athletic director Thursday.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Maggie Piper celebrates her goal with Riley Gesinski during the first half against Southmoreland on Sept. 20.
Westmoreland County soccer preview capsules: Games of Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023
Boys

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Avonworth’s Nathan Kline (left) celebrates his first goal with Carter Berad during their WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal against Belle Vernon on Thursday in Ohio Twp.
Avonworth limits Belle Vernon’s top scorer, sprints into WPIAL semifinals
October 26, 2023
Avonworth didn’t man mark Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch, the second-leading goal scorer in WPIAL boys soccer.

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Jeannette’s Noah Sanders scores past Greensburg Central Catholic’s Landon Honick on Oct. 13.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Jeannette returns to big stage for matchup with Clairton
Players ran the hill next to the bleachers at McKee Stadium to end a practice earlier this week, and coach Tom Paulone joined them on the steep and somewhat muddy ascent.

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Latrobe’s Emerson Shine battles Franklin Regional’s Addison Lacey for possession during their game on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Murrysville.
Westmoreland soccer preview capsules: Games for Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023
October 25, 2023
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Seneca Valley’s Cole Kamarec celebrates with teammates after scoring the Raiders’ second goal against North Allegheny on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Jackson.
2023 All-WPIAL boys soccer teams, players of year, released
Here are the 2023 boys soccer All-WPIAL lists for each classification, as selected by the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association:

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South Allegheny celebrates a 2-1 overtime win over Greensburg Central Catholic on Tuesday in the WPIAL Class A girls soccer playoffs at Southmoreland.
South Allegheny girls crash net in overtime, upset Greensburg Central Catholic
October 24, 2023
Laila Chervon’s top priority was to crash the net.

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Franklin Regional’s Joey Bayne battles Plum’s Nathan Morrill for a header Sept. 27.
Westmoreland WPIAL soccer playoff capsules for Wednesday, Oct. 25
Boys

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Latrobe girls soccer coach Jamie Campbell (center) talks to her team after a 3-1 victory over West Allegheny Monday night in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.
Fast start leads Latrobe into WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals with win over West Allegheny
October 23, 2023
Latrobe gives out a hard hat for its player of the game, and, new this year for the playoffs, a dog tag for the toughest player of that match.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Maggie Piper sprints past Southmoreland’s Aubrey Seder during their game on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Vikings Stadium.
Westmoreland girls soccer preview capsules: Games for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023
WPIAL soccer playoffs

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Mt. Pleasant’s Luke Domasky battles Belle Vernon’s Mason Yeschenko during their game Oct. 10.
Westmoreland WPIAL soccer playoff capsules for Monday, Oct. 23, 2023
October 22, 2023
Boys

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Pitt’s Wayne Williams guards Duquesne’s B.B. Flenory in Pitt’s 72-65 victory at Fitzgerald Field House on Feb. 22, 1978.
High school notebook: New award to be named after Valley graduate B.B. Flenory
Baron “B.B.” Flenory’s name is woven into the fabric of Western Pennsylvania basketball.

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South Fayette’s Mike Plasko celebrates with James Casillo after scoring his first goal against Latrobe on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at South Fayette.
Plasko scores all 4 goals to lead South Fayette past Latrobe in boys soccer playoffs
October 21, 2023
Senior Michael Plasko is one of South Fayette’s best basketball players. A fiery guard who can shoot 3-pointers, he averaged 17 points per game last winter.

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Latrobe goalie Brock Pflugh
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Hempfield’s Sarah Podkul and Latrobe’s Brock Pflugh
Sarah Podkul

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Derry’s Ahmad Ward (22) is celebrated by a teammate after what would be his game-winning touchdown during a game against Burrell on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at Burrell.
Westmoreland high school football notes: 3 more teams clinch playoff berths
Three more Westmoreland County teams clinched spots in the WPIAL football playoffs with wins Friday night.

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Norwin’s Luke Simpson takes fourth in the boys WCCA cross country championship Oct. 11 at Westmoreland County Community College.
                                Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Norwin notebook: Cross country teams sweep at county meet
While it is the time of year to rake leaves, the Norwin cross country teams brought brooms to the county race.

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Norwin’s Dom Cerilli and Fox Chapel’s Trip Goehring compete for a loose puck during a PIHL Class A Penguins Cup semifinal last season.
                                Andrew Palla | For the Tribune-Review
After 2 special seasons, Norwin hockey ready to tackle step up in class
As Norwin discovered, there is a menu of factors for hockey teams to move up in classification in the PIHL.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Landon Honick scores a touchdown against Riverview on Friday.
Greensburg Central Catholic survives scare vs. Riverview
October 20, 2023
Sophomore Landon Honick didn’t want his team’s playoff hopes to stretch into Week 9.

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Franklin Regional’s Danny Christafano celebrates a goal against Plum last season.
Westmoreland County high school soccer playoff matchups for Saturday, Oct. 21
Boys

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Mt. Pleasant’s Brody Hutter beats Elizabeth Forward’s Krystian Kennedy to the end zone for a third-quarter touchdown Oct. 6.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: 3 teams could clinch playoff spots in Week 8
October 19, 2023
Four Westmoreland County teams have clinched WPIAL playoff berths, but more can secure spots this week.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Garrett Eicher causes Elizabeth Forward’s Charles Gigut to fumble while Micah Roadman (72) holds on Oct. 6.
Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2023 Week 8
October 18, 2023
Class 5A Big East Conference

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Norwin’s Owen Christopher battles Peters Township’s Nathan Froelich for a header during their game on Oct. 3.
Norwin boys get another shot at Seneca Valley, Mt. Pleasant girls receive top 3 seed
Norwin will have to wait until next weekend to open the WPIAL boys soccer playoffs.

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Mars’ Kayleigh Clark battles Hampton’s Olivia Hoffman for possession during their game on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, at Hampton.
Breaking down the 2023 WPIAL girls soccer playoffs
Here’s a closer look at the 2023 WPIAL girls soccer playoffs:

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Plum’s Zach Mauro (15) celebrates his goal with Brady French during the first half against Franklin Regional on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at Plum.
Breaking down the 2023 WPIAL boys soccer playoffs
Here’s a closer look at the 2023 WPIAL boys soccer playoffs:

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Seneca Valley’s Daniel Leech (4) celebrates with teammates after Zach Garma’s goal against Fox Chapel on Aug. 29.
3 teams chasing 3-peats as WPIAL announces soccer playoff pairings
Three teams will go for three-peats in the WPIAL soccer playoffs.

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Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Tournament honors late Mt. Pleasant grad
The late Seth Menart was a three-time all-section player at Mt. Pleasant and went on to win a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tile at Cal (Pa.) as a walk-on.

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Greensburg Central Catholic boys soccer coach Ryan Kanner (left) talks to his team during a practice this week.
Greensburg Central boys soccer enters WPIAL playoffs as intriguing underdog
It’s not often a team can take momentum from a loss, but Greensburg Central Catholic did that in a recent setback.

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Brothers Mason and Brandon Yeschenko of the Belle Vernon boys soccer team.
Siblings abound on Westmoreland County playoff soccer teams
October 17, 2023
When Mason and Brandon Yeschenko were younger, they would put on large, red boxing gloves and settle disputes by going a couple of rounds in the basement.

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Latrobe’s Ava Yurko celebrates with Maddy Petruzzi after scoring against Plum on Oct. 2.
Westmoreland County girls soccer notebook: Playoff teams await pairings
The WPIAL will announce playoff pairings Wednesday afternoon, and tournaments could start this weekend.

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Hempfield Area junior Peyton Murray unleashes the winning throw in the discus at the Butler Invitational April 21, 2023. Murray won the event.
Hempfield thrower Peyton Murray commits to Notre Dame
October 16, 2023
A GIF of actor Charles S. Dutton, who plays the character Fortune in the film “Rudy,” is popular on the internet.

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Team West’s Avery Bain of Burrell celebrates with teammates after scoring during the WCCA girls volleyball all-star game on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Ligonier Valley High School.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: WCCA all-star game returning to Ligonier Valley
October 15, 2023
After a successful debut last year, the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Volleyball All-Star Game will return next month.

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Latrobe’s Robin Reilly controls the ball against Plum on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Plum.
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Latrobe’s Robin Reilly and Belle Vernon’s Rogan Maloney
October 14, 2023
Robin Reilly

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Penn-Trafford’s Tasso Whipple (right) went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season Friday night.
Westmoreland high school football notes: Showdown between Franklin Regional, Penn-Trafford looms
Second place and a playoff spot will be on the line in the Class 5A Big East Conference, and one game will settle it all.

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Norwin’s Lauren Palangio goes up at the net in front of Kiski Area’s Cora Coleman during a match last season.
                                Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Norwin girls volleyball keeps up the fight
Norwin’s girls volleyball team was fighting for a playoff spot in Section 3-4A as the regular season winded toward a mid-October finish.

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Norwin’s Jackson Huss dives into the end past Penn-Trafford’s Jessie Lisbon on Sept. 29.
Norwin notebook: Knights strive for better starts
While Norwin’s football team has been more resilient and competitive than is has been in a while, the Knights were trying to get off to better starts.

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Paul Schofield | Tribune-Review
                                Franklin Regional’s Ali Boyle hits a shot from a bunker near No. 7 green at Champion Lakes on Sept. 7 during the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association tournament.
Franklin Regional girls golfers test their mettle in WPIAL postseason
Mark Twain is believed to have said, “Golf is a good walk spoiled.”

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Players from Franklin Regional and Hempfield take part in the coin toss before their game Friday.
Franklin Regional surges past Hempfield for 4th straight victory
October 13, 2023
The more progressions he goes through and the more repetitions he gets, the more Chase Lemke looks the part of Franklin Regional’s starting quarterback.

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Jim Schaffer, Yough’s new athletic director
Yough grad Jim Schaffer named athletic director at alma mater
Longtime volunteer coach and Yough diehard Jim Schaffer is primed to take over as athletic director on Cougar Mountain.

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Latrobe and Franklin Regional players line up for the national anthem before their game Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Latrobe boys get past Franklin Regional in OT in chippy match
A soccer game with as many cards as goals wasn’t settled in regulation, so Franklin Regional and Latrobe played overtime in their touchy Section 4-3A rematch.

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Hempfield’s Allie Cervola celebrates after scoring the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning against Norwin during a WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinal last season.
Slick-fielding Hempfield shortstop Allie Cervola picks Ohio
October 12, 2023
Hempfield doesn’t just have a history of winning WPIAL and PIAA championships in softball.

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Latrobe’s Ja’Tawn Williams takes down Franklin Regional’s Austin Kerns on Sept. 1.
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Latrobe senior making impact
There has been plenty of buzz in Latrobe about a promising junior class that includes players such as running back/linebacker Alex Tatsch and quarterback/safety John Wetzel.

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Riverview senior Lola Abraham (center) and her coach and father, Sean Abraham (right) gather with GCC coach Derek Cuthbert, his players and officials for a pregame meeting Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.
Lola Abraham’s 4 goals lift Riverview past GCC in Section 1-A showdown
October 11, 2023
Greensburg Central Catholic tried everything against Lola Abraham, marking her with multiple girls in 10-minute intervals as it tried to slow her down.

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Latrobe’s Ja’Tawn Williams takes down Franklin Regional’s Austin Kerns on Sept. 1.
Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2023 Week 7
Class 5A Big East Conference

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Jeannette’s Jordan Taylor
Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Jeannette’s Jordan Taylor climbs WPIAL all-time goals list
The goal came without any fanfare and it came in a loss, so Jordan Taylor didn’t think much of it.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Luke Domasky works past Belle Vernon’s Tim Reda during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Mt. Pleasant senior thrives after battling through career-threatening hip problem
The thought of ending his soccer career pervaded Luke Domasky’s mind at the start of the season.

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Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch moves the ball upfield against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Trevor Kovatch’s PK goal lifts Belle Vernon to key win over Mt. Pleasant
October 10, 2023
Mt. Pleasant’s pep band played at halftime Tuesday night at Viking Stadium, a rare occurrence for a high school soccer game, but an addition that was befitting to the ambiance of such a big first-place showdown.

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Greensburg Central Catholic’s Ella Machusko brings the ball upfield against Springdale on Aug. 30, 2023, in Springdale.
Westmoreland County girls soccer notebook: Before knee surgery, GCC senior scores one last goal
Senior night could have been a bummer for Ella Machusko, who has a torn ACL and had written off playing the rest of the season.

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Southmoreland’s Aubrey Seder controls the ball during a game on Sept. 20, 2023, at Mt. Pleasant.
Despite challenges, Southmoreland girls soccer emerges as perennial playoff program
No matter the roster turnover or how many star players it loses, Southmoreland manages to stay in the thick of the WPIAL girls soccer playoff race.

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Franklin Regional’s Toryn Fulton scoops up a ball against Latrobe last season.
Sought-after Franklin Regional slugger Toryn Fulton commits to South Florida
October 9, 2023
Franklin Regional standout junior Toryn Fulton announced Monday she has made a verbal commitment to play college softball at South Florida.

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Latrobe’s Bri Hoffer (15) celebrates her goal with Regan Reilly and Maddy Petruzzi during their game against Franklin Regional on Monday.
Latrobe girls soccer picks up pace, ends Franklin Regional win streak
With its offense moving efficiently and fluidly, Latrobe sped up the pace and created frequent scoring opportunities on the way to a 2-0 victory over Franklin Regional on Monday night in a Section 3-3A girls soccer game in Murrysville.

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Moon head coach Bill Pfeifer celebrates with goalkeeper Serayah Leech after defeating Seneca Valley, 4-0, in the WPIAL Class 4A championship game on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, at Highmark Stadium.
4 WPIAL players on watch list, Moon’s Pfeifer to coach in HS All-American soccer game
Four girls soccer players from the WPIAL made the watch list for the 2023 High School All-American Game set for Dec. 9 in Charleston, S.C.

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Kiski Area’s Eliza Miller is looking for her third WCCA girls cross country title.
Westmoreland high school notebook: WCCA cross country meets set for Wednesday
October 8, 2023
The next events on the Westmoreland County Coaches Association fall calendar are the cross country championships.

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Sophomore Morgan Gesinski of Mt. Pleasant
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Gesinski, Greensburg Salem’s Hunter Webb
October 7, 2023
Morgan Gesinski

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Franklin Regional’s Ayden Hudock (left) scored four touchdowns Friday.
Westmoreland high school football notebook: Franklin Regional’s Hudock makes Norwin pay
Franklin Regional figured if Norwin was going to play single coverage on its receivers, it would take some shots downfield.

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Submitted | Lee Schaeffer 
                                Norwin sophomore cross country runner Annie Czajkowski
Norwin runner finds perfect pace, shows plenty of potential
While she used to come out sprinting at the start of a cross country race, Annie Czajkowski is more methodical now, pacing herself before a late push to pass.

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Franklin Regional goalkeeper Aris Lamanna makes a save against Plum last season.
                                Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Defense in peak form for Franklin Regional girls soccer
While the math doesn’t seem to add up, defensive play equates to one-sided play.

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Franklin Regional takes the field against Norwin on Friday.
Franklin Regional shows grit, staves off furious Norwin rally
October 6, 2023
Franklin Regional remained in the Big East playoff hunt.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Austin Ulery celebrates after scoring the winning goal late in the game against McGuffey on Thursday.
Clutch goal lifts Mt. Pleasant boys past McGuffey to run win streak to 6
October 5, 2023
Mt. Pleasant ran its winning streak to six but not before a somewhat painstaking final push at McGuffey.

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Hempfield’s Peyton Murray wins the boys discus throw during the PIAA class 3A Track & Field Championships May 26, 2023, at Shippensburg University.
Pitt, Penn State among schools courting Hempfield thrower Peyton Murray
Recruiting is beginning to ramp up for Peyton Murray.