Author: James Dotson
Hempfield, Neshannock claim their 4th WPIAL competitive spirit championships
January 6, 2024
Neshannock’s competitive spirit cheer squad has won the past two state championships. However, it did not have a WPIAL title in that time.
Mohawk defeats Imani Christian to reach WPIAL semis for 1st time
November 10, 2023
Forty-eight minutes of play came down to the final 12 seconds. But in reality, it came down to the previous 11 games of the season.
Neshannock controls clock, stops Mohawk to win MAC championship
October 28, 2023
The best way to stop a high-powered offense is to keep it off the field.
South Side wins 1st Big 7 Conference title since 1999
October 20, 2023
South Side coach Luke Travelpiece was unsure what the correct strategy would be against Union to start the game. Do the Rams kickoff and put their stellar defense up against the high-powered offense of the defending WPIAL champions? Or do they put their offense on the field and set the tone trying to score first?
Norwin keeps New Castle close, but Red Hurricanes pull away for victory
February 24, 2023
The last time the New Castle boys basketball team played in the largest classification, the Red Hurricanes won WPIAL and PIAA championships.
Central Valley wins 1st WPIAL spirit title; Hempfield 3-peats
January 7, 2023
With 17 seniors on the Hempfield competitive spirit squad, expectations were high for the Spartans to secure another district championship on their home court.
Union vies for 1st PIAA championship against veteran Steelton-Highspire
December 7, 2022
The list of firsts for the Union Area football program continues to grow.
Big-play Union tops Port Allegany, advances to PIAA Class A football final
December 3, 2022
CLARION — For the second consecutive week, the Union Scotties defense came up with big plays when needed.
Neshannock uses ground game to run past short-handed Burrell
November 4, 2022
Neshannock’s rushing attack was on full display at Bob Bleggi Stadium on Friday night.
Neshannock softball caps undefeated season with state championship
June 17, 2022
UNIVERSITY PARK — At the beginning of the spring season, Neshannock softball was barely on anybody’s radar in the state. The Lancers were not in any state or district rankings and had not even made the state tournament in eight years.
Walk-off single in 9th dashes Neshannock’s state baseball title hopes
June 16, 2022
UNIVERSITY PARK — The grind of three-straight extra-innings games finally got to the Neshannock baseball team.
Led by freshman, Union softball drops Greensburg CC to return to WPIAL finals
May 24, 2022
For the third consecutive season, the Union softball team will be making a trip south for the WPIAL championship game.
Hempfield, Neshannock big winners at WPIAL competitive spirit championships
March 13, 2021
In a year when covid-19 has restrictions have made it difficult for high school athletics to occur, 21 teams at the 9th WPIAL competitive spirit championships were excited Saturday just to get on a mat.
Neshannock turns up intensity, beats Sewickley Academy in Class 2A semifinals
March 9, 2021
For the second time in three years, Neshannock is headed to the WPIAL championship game.
Let’s geaux Beaux: Sophomore powers Seneca Valley past Peters Township in Class 4A finals
November 7, 2020
With just under five minutes to go in the second overtime of the Class 4A WPIAL championship match Saturday, Beaux Lizewski found the ball bouncing in the box in traffic.
Firing on all cylinders, Seneca Valley drills Norwin to reach Class 4A title game
November 4, 2020
It is always a coach’s dream to see his team playing its best heading into the biggest game of the year.
Kiski Area hockey writes remarkable turnaround tale
March 11, 2020
The Kiski Area hockey team wrote one of the bigger turnaround stories in high school sports in quite some time.
Indiana rallies in third period to end Kiski Area’s dream season in PIHL semifinals
March 10, 2020
It’s difficult to beat a team three times in a season, as Indiana’s hockey team proved in the PIHL Penguins Cup semifinals Tuesday night.
Aliquippa rallies past Sharon in PIAA 1st round
March 7, 2020
Basketball is a game of adjustments. Usually, the team that makes the right in-game adjustments will be the team that ends the game victorious.
Hickory ousts New Castle from PIAA playoffs
March 6, 2020
One word kept sounding over a standing room only crowd at Slippery Rock University’s Morrow Field House on Friday night.
Hempfield takes down Plum in overtime in PIHL Penguins Cup opening round
March 3, 2020
Hempfield kept firing shots at the net at Pittsburgh Ice Arena, but the Spartans could not get the rebounds and put back attempts in front of the net.
Longtime Neshannock baseball coach Mike Kirkwood resigns
January 18, 2020
After 32 years, baseball is about to look very different in Lawrence County.
Baldwin, South Park, Laurel win WPIAL spirit championships
January 4, 2020
The new year also marked the potential beginning of a new era for competitive cheer in Western Pennsylvania.
Thiero’s 30 points guides No. 2 Quaker Valley past No. 5 New Castle
It did not take Quaker Valley long to say adieu to New Castle on Friday night.
Brentwood defense denies Neshannock in Class 2A quarterfinal
November 9, 2019
Bend but don’t break.
Jeannette blanks Springdale in battle of unbeatens
September 20, 2019
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.
Turnovers fuel Shenango in victory over Western Beaver
September 8, 2019
Points off turnovers proved to be the difference in Shenango’s home opener Saturday at Glenn “Pop” John Stadium.
Laurel’s defense, running game overwhelm Rochester
August 31, 2019
Championship football teams are often built around a solid running game or a stout defensive unit.
Central Catholic defense strong in rout of York William Penn
August 24, 2019
After losing the final two games of the 2018 season, Central Catholic saw its 2019 season start off a little rocky. After a three-and-out to start the game Friday night, the Vikings gave up a long scoring drive to fall behind early.
Union small in numbers but big on talent
August 20, 2019
Another year, another common scenario for coach Stacy Robinson and the Union Scotties. One of the smallest schools in the WPIAL, Union had just 20 kids arrive for the first day of camp.
Experienced Laurel motivated for big season
Ten starters back on offense. Nine starters back on defense. And a team that feels like it should have been in the postseason last year.
New Mohawk starters carry torch into new season
August 19, 2019
Mohawk’s 2018 season was one of the best in program history.
Riverside to rely on veteran QB Ben Hughes
For most teams, a winning record and a trip to the playoffs would be seen as a successful season.
Shenango roster young but experienced
A quality football team usually has a good combination of youth and experience on its roster. For Shenango, after a season where at times seven or more freshmen were starting, youth and experience come as a package deal.
Daily improvement, consistency are keys to success for Ellwood City
Four head coaches in four seasons can certainly lead to a lot of inconsistencies in a program.
McKnight moves to tailback to bolster New Castle running game
August 17, 2019
Most high school coaches would be excited to have a first-team all-conference quarterback returning behind center.
Hempfield, Neshannock claim their 4th WPIAL competitive spirit championships
January 6, 2024
Neshannock’s competitive spirit cheer squad has won the past two state championships. However, it did not have a WPIAL title in that time.
Mohawk defeats Imani Christian to reach WPIAL semis for 1st time
November 10, 2023
Forty-eight minutes of play came down to the final 12 seconds. But in reality, it came down to the previous 11 games of the season.
Neshannock controls clock, stops Mohawk to win MAC championship
October 28, 2023
The best way to stop a high-powered offense is to keep it off the field.
South Side wins 1st Big 7 Conference title since 1999
October 20, 2023
South Side coach Luke Travelpiece was unsure what the correct strategy would be against Union to start the game. Do the Rams kickoff and put their stellar defense up against the high-powered offense of the defending WPIAL champions? Or do they put their offense on the field and set the tone trying to score first?
Norwin keeps New Castle close, but Red Hurricanes pull away for victory
February 24, 2023
The last time the New Castle boys basketball team played in the largest classification, the Red Hurricanes won WPIAL and PIAA championships.
Central Valley wins 1st WPIAL spirit title; Hempfield 3-peats
January 7, 2023
With 17 seniors on the Hempfield competitive spirit squad, expectations were high for the Spartans to secure another district championship on their home court.
Union vies for 1st PIAA championship against veteran Steelton-Highspire
December 7, 2022
The list of firsts for the Union Area football program continues to grow.
Big-play Union tops Port Allegany, advances to PIAA Class A football final
December 3, 2022
CLARION — For the second consecutive week, the Union Scotties defense came up with big plays when needed.
Neshannock uses ground game to run past short-handed Burrell
November 4, 2022
Neshannock’s rushing attack was on full display at Bob Bleggi Stadium on Friday night.
Neshannock softball caps undefeated season with state championship
June 17, 2022
UNIVERSITY PARK — At the beginning of the spring season, Neshannock softball was barely on anybody’s radar in the state. The Lancers were not in any state or district rankings and had not even made the state tournament in eight years.
Walk-off single in 9th dashes Neshannock’s state baseball title hopes
June 16, 2022
UNIVERSITY PARK — The grind of three-straight extra-innings games finally got to the Neshannock baseball team.
Led by freshman, Union softball drops Greensburg CC to return to WPIAL finals
May 24, 2022
For the third consecutive season, the Union softball team will be making a trip south for the WPIAL championship game.
Hempfield, Neshannock big winners at WPIAL competitive spirit championships
March 13, 2021
In a year when covid-19 has restrictions have made it difficult for high school athletics to occur, 21 teams at the 9th WPIAL competitive spirit championships were excited Saturday just to get on a mat.
Neshannock turns up intensity, beats Sewickley Academy in Class 2A semifinals
March 9, 2021
For the second time in three years, Neshannock is headed to the WPIAL championship game.
Let’s geaux Beaux: Sophomore powers Seneca Valley past Peters Township in Class 4A finals
November 7, 2020
With just under five minutes to go in the second overtime of the Class 4A WPIAL championship match Saturday, Beaux Lizewski found the ball bouncing in the box in traffic.
Firing on all cylinders, Seneca Valley drills Norwin to reach Class 4A title game
November 4, 2020
It is always a coach’s dream to see his team playing its best heading into the biggest game of the year.
Kiski Area hockey writes remarkable turnaround tale
March 11, 2020
The Kiski Area hockey team wrote one of the bigger turnaround stories in high school sports in quite some time.
Indiana rallies in third period to end Kiski Area’s dream season in PIHL semifinals
March 10, 2020
It’s difficult to beat a team three times in a season, as Indiana’s hockey team proved in the PIHL Penguins Cup semifinals Tuesday night.
Aliquippa rallies past Sharon in PIAA 1st round
March 7, 2020
Basketball is a game of adjustments. Usually, the team that makes the right in-game adjustments will be the team that ends the game victorious.
Hickory ousts New Castle from PIAA playoffs
March 6, 2020
One word kept sounding over a standing room only crowd at Slippery Rock University’s Morrow Field House on Friday night.
Hempfield takes down Plum in overtime in PIHL Penguins Cup opening round
March 3, 2020
Hempfield kept firing shots at the net at Pittsburgh Ice Arena, but the Spartans could not get the rebounds and put back attempts in front of the net.
Longtime Neshannock baseball coach Mike Kirkwood resigns
January 18, 2020
After 32 years, baseball is about to look very different in Lawrence County.
Baldwin, South Park, Laurel win WPIAL spirit championships
January 4, 2020
The new year also marked the potential beginning of a new era for competitive cheer in Western Pennsylvania.
Thiero’s 30 points guides No. 2 Quaker Valley past No. 5 New Castle
It did not take Quaker Valley long to say adieu to New Castle on Friday night.
Brentwood defense denies Neshannock in Class 2A quarterfinal
November 9, 2019
Bend but don’t break.
Jeannette blanks Springdale in battle of unbeatens
September 20, 2019
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.
Turnovers fuel Shenango in victory over Western Beaver
September 8, 2019
Points off turnovers proved to be the difference in Shenango’s home opener Saturday at Glenn “Pop” John Stadium.
Laurel’s defense, running game overwhelm Rochester
August 31, 2019
Championship football teams are often built around a solid running game or a stout defensive unit.
Central Catholic defense strong in rout of York William Penn
August 24, 2019
After losing the final two games of the 2018 season, Central Catholic saw its 2019 season start off a little rocky. After a three-and-out to start the game Friday night, the Vikings gave up a long scoring drive to fall behind early.
Union small in numbers but big on talent
August 20, 2019
Another year, another common scenario for coach Stacy Robinson and the Union Scotties. One of the smallest schools in the WPIAL, Union had just 20 kids arrive for the first day of camp.
Experienced Laurel motivated for big season
Ten starters back on offense. Nine starters back on defense. And a team that feels like it should have been in the postseason last year.
New Mohawk starters carry torch into new season
August 19, 2019
Mohawk’s 2018 season was one of the best in program history.
Riverside to rely on veteran QB Ben Hughes
For most teams, a winning record and a trip to the playoffs would be seen as a successful season.
Shenango roster young but experienced
A quality football team usually has a good combination of youth and experience on its roster. For Shenango, after a season where at times seven or more freshmen were starting, youth and experience come as a package deal.
Daily improvement, consistency are keys to success for Ellwood City
Four head coaches in four seasons can certainly lead to a lot of inconsistencies in a program.
McKnight moves to tailback to bolster New Castle running game
August 17, 2019
Most high school coaches would be excited to have a first-team all-conference quarterback returning behind center.
