Author: Jerin Steele
Senior-led Leechburg girls volleyball turns focus to playoffs
October 20, 2019
The best word to describe Leechburg girls volleyball in matches against the two teams in front of them in the Section 4-A standings is “close.”
Greensburg Central Catholic boys soccer shakes off slow start, advances in playoffs
October 19, 2019
For Greensburg Central Catholic boys soccer coach Tyler Solis, Saturday’s first-round playoff game had several elements that his team needed to get through.
Neshannock’s Jeremy Nativio, who has Down syndrome, scores touchdown on senior night
October 18, 2019
Neshannock’s Jeremy Nativio had a senior night to remember on Friday.
Neshannock shuts down Western Beaver, secures playoff berth
There were a lot of playoff scenarios in a crowded Midwestern Athletic Conference entering Friday night, but the easiest way for Neshannock to secure a postseason berth was to go out and get a win.
With Mohrbacher sisters filling the net, Freedom girls soccer doesn’t skip a beat
October 17, 2019
Freedom girls soccer has a bit of a different look from the 2018 WPIAL championship team after the graduation of some key seniors and standout Jayden Sharpless transferring to North Catholic, but the results have been the same.
Knoch girls volleyball team doesn’t let success become distraction
October 13, 2019
The last few seasons for the Knoch girls volleyball team has been a special ride, with two WPIAL titles and a PIAA title. So as the postseason approaches, it is natural for the seniors to dream of finishing their careers with winning a third district title.
Hughes-Sciarro connection leads Riverside past rival Ellwood City
October 11, 2019
Riverside quarterback Ben Hughes and wide receiver Nathan Sciarro started working on their connection in May, going down to the football field after school and running routes with the goal of getting better timing.
Plum boys soccer team ready to make history
Plum boys soccer captains Cole Kelly, Luke Gildea and Tyler Kolankowski are well versed in the history of the program.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Maddie Ancosky, Scott Bitar
October 8, 2019
Maddie Ancosky
Kiski Area volleyball making steady climb in Section 1-AAA
October 6, 2019
The day before Thursday’s crucial Section 1-AAA match with Armstrong, Kiski Area libero Rebekah Fowler didn’t want to give too much away.
Plum’s captains bringing optimism back to ice
October 4, 2019
Prior to the season, Plum hockey coach Phil Mains told his leadership group of captain Dan Baranowski and alternate captains Logan Schlegel and Nic Pushic that the team would go as they go.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Deer Lakes’ Will Meyer, Kiski Area’s Sidney Palla
October 1, 2019
Will Meyer
Deer Lakes volleyball encouraged by performance in tough tests
September 29, 2019
Deer Lakes girls volleyball coach Terry Gaston always tells his team if it can get 20 points in a set against an opponent, it can win.
QB Jay Pearson keeps his word, helps OLSH torch Laurel
September 27, 2019
Prior to Friday’s game with Laurel, Jay Pearson told OLSH coach Dan Bradley that he was going to score on the first play.
A-K Valley Athletes of the Week: Knoch’s Kenzie Kerkan, Freeport’s Isaac Wetzel
September 24, 2019
Kenzie Kerkan
Freeport volleyball seniors determined to return to top
September 22, 2019
Freeport setter Madeline Clark can still recall the feeling of walking off the floor after last year’s WPIAL semifinal loss to Frazier that ended the Yellowjackets’ 3-year run of making the district title game.
Plum girls soccer uses team-first approach to climb standings
September 20, 2019
From the first meeting with his players, first-year Plum girls soccer coach Jamie Stewart’s message has been “team first.”
AK Valley H.S. Athletes of the Week: Burrell’s Allie Vescio and Leechburg’s Cole Villa
September 17, 2019
Allie Vescio
Fox Chapel girls volleyball hopes aggressive approach works
September 15, 2019
When describing how aggressive to be when spiking a volleyball, Fox Chapel coach Phil O’Keeffe likes to use a baseball analogy.
Plum boys golfers focus on shaving strokes
September 13, 2019
It’s been a tough season in the win-loss department for the Plum boys golf team, going up against section rivals and perennial powers Fox Chapel, Central Catholic and Franklin Regional. In golf, though, success can be measured in different ways.
A-K Valley H.S. athletes of the week: Fox Chapel’s Lucy Ream and Plum’s Darius Flowers
September 10, 2019
Lucy Ream
Percise Colon scores clutch touchdown to carry NA past Central Catholic
September 6, 2019
North Allegheny coach Art Walker earned his 200th win Friday night, but he won’t remember the game, because of the milestone number.Junior duo goes low for Franklin Regional golf team
Franklin Regional’s Chuck Tragesser and Michael Wareham spend a lot of their free time playing golf together at Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo. On match days, they are paired.
Franklin Regional girls volleyball looks to build off historic 2018 season
August 30, 2019
The Franklin Regional girls volleyball team was one of the feel-good stories of the WPIAL last season.
Competition to bring out best in Knoch boys soccer
August 24, 2019
When Knoch boys soccer coach Malcolm Cook looked back at last season, the overarching theme was that there were too many holes in the lineup to find the right combination to be competitive.
Small roster not dimming enthusiasm for Knoch girls soccer
Knoch girls soccer already was low on players, but three season-ending injuries before the first practice made the roster even thinner.
Plum gains momentum with Week Zero win over Highlands
August 23, 2019
Plum went into its Week Zero matchup at Highlands hoping to take some positive momentum into Class 5A Foothills Conference play and the Mustangs got it in all three phases of the game.
Freeport boys soccer confident it can compete in tough section
August 21, 2019
There have been plenty of good on-field moments the last few years for Freeport boys soccer, but one thing that always has stuck out for coach Dave Teorsky didn’t happen in a game.
Sidney Shemanski hopes to guide young Freeport girls soccer to section title
Sidney Shemanski will begin the first leg of the three-part finale to her Freeport athletic career this fall with the girls soccer team.
South Park ready to rebound with experienced group
August 18, 2019
South Park football coach Marty Rieck isn’t one to make excuses for shortcomings, but the fact of the matter is that his team was young last season.
Deer Lakes adopts ‘why not us?’ mantra in quest for playoff berth
Tim Burk is a Deer Lakes guy through and through, so he took great pride in watching the Lancers’ boys soccer team make a run to the state championship game and the boys basketball team win the first PIAA playoff game in school history and advance to the quarterfinals.
After near misses, North Catholic focused reaching championship game
When you come as close to playing for a championship as North Catholic football has only to see it slip away, it’s hard not to look back at the small moments that swayed the game.
Armstrong looks to gain experience early on with young roster
August 16, 2019
It took only two weeks for Frank Fabian to realize he made a mistake after resigning as Armstrong’s coach.
Always one to lighten mood, Deer Lakes’ Hollibaugh got lighter to improve his play
August 12, 2019
Deer Lakes football coach Tim Burk is never exactly sure what his tight end Jack Hollibaugh is going to say when he enters the locker room, but he knows it likely will be something funny.
Plum’s Kelly balances sports, music as key cog on soccer team
August 9, 2019
Cole Kelly does his best to split his time for his two passions — soccer and music — because he loves them equally.
Youth camp helps fund Apollo-Ridge girls soccer team
July 17, 2019
Last week, the Apollo-Ridge girls soccer team held its fifth annual youth skills camp, which has become a benefit not only for the future of the program, but the present, as well.
Plum’s Linhart displays virtues of multisport athletes
June 8, 2019
The three-sport athlete has become a rare breed with many specializing in one sport to try to make it to college, but Hunter Linhart saw the benefits of diversifying.
Brennan powers Serra Catholic past Neshannock in PIAA quarterfinals
June 6, 2019
With teams intentionally walking standout catcher Mark Black regularly in the playoffs, Serra Catholic baseball coach Brian Dzurenda decided to move him from third in the order to the leadoff spot, which put Pat Brennan in Black’s old spot.
Franklin Regional ‘revved up’ for PIAA quarterfinal matchup
June 5, 2019
Michael Klingensmith led off first base after drawing a walk in the top of the first inning in Monday’s PIAA first- round game when Cathedral Prep pitcher Colin Kelly made a pick-off throw to first.
Franklin Regional baseball advances with win over Cathedral Prep
June 3, 2019
It often has been said good things come to those who wait, and Franklin Regional baseball proved that in a couple of ways Monday.
With school out, Leechburg turns complete focus on PIAA softball playoffs
June 1, 2019
Kristen Knapp, Aubry Skeel and Kiera Jones left Leechburg on Thursday night as graduates.
Boehme hits for cycle as Seton LaSalle takes down Serra Catholic in WPIAL Class 2A final
May 29, 2019
Seton LaSalle first baseman Dan Boehme knew he had a good day, but he was unaware it was a historic one until he got back into the dugout after crushing a two-run homer over the left field fence.
Westmoreland baseball/softball preview capsules: Games of Tuesday, May 28
May 27, 2019
Tuesday’s games
Leechburg softball focused on consolation prize
May 26, 2019
Leechburg softball coach Debbi Young has found it can be tough at times to get a team energized for a consolation game after a difficult loss in the semifinals, but she doesn’t foresee that being a problem with her current group.
WPIAL Class AAA girls lacrosse final suspended by inclement weather
May 23, 2019
With the score tied 11-11 in the final minute of the WPIAL Class AAA girls lacrosse final between Upper St. Clair and Shady Side Academy, Mother Nature decided to put a halt on the night and add some suspense.
Oakland Catholic captures WPIAL Class AA girls lacrosse title
Natalie Cyterski was bloodied, battered and exhausted, but she wasn’t going to be denied.
Maley’s walk-off single lifts No. 2 Pine-Richland past Norwin in WPIAL quarterfinals
May 21, 2019
Jake Maley hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the sixth inning to propel No. 2 Pine-Richland to a 2-1 victory over No. 7 Norwin in a WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinal baseball game Tuesday night at Upper St. Clair’s Boyce-Mayview Park.
Westmoreland H.S. baseball capsules for games of Monday, May 20, 2019
May 19, 2019
WPIAL baseball playoffs
Kiski Valley rugby teams advance to state championship games
May 18, 2019
Kiski Valley boys rugby advanced to the Rugby PA Club Division II championship game for the second consecutive season with a 32-5 win over North Penn on Saturday at Penn State Berks.
Mars baseball shuts out Fox Chapel in 1st round
May 16, 2019
Fox Chapel coach Jim Hastings summed up how things went for his team Thursday with five words.
Kiski Valley rugby teams vying for state championships
May 13, 2019
In the last five years, Kiski Valley rugby has built its program to be on par with some of best in the state and last week reflected that when the girls and boys teams were awarded top seeds in their respective brackets.
Plum softball not caught up in numbers game
May 10, 2019
Nearly half of the players in Plum softball’s lineup have batting averages at .400 or above, but none of them know it.
Kiski Valley girls rugby team hoping for breakthrough
April 27, 2019
After three years of seeing the Kiski Valley girls rugby team finish as the state runner-up, Rilee Roach is ready to break through.
All systems rolling for Franklin Regional baseball
April 26, 2019
Franklin Regional baseball coach Bobby Sadler laughed and then paused for a few seconds when deciding if pitching or hitting was going better for his team.
Tough nonsection slate paying off for Greensburg Central Catholic baseball
April 23, 2019
Going into the season with seven new starters, Greensburg Central Catholic baseball coach Dennis Reist beefed up the schedule with an early run of difficult nonsection opponents and hoped Mother Nature would cooperate.
Shorthanded Penn-Trafford track teams eye individual success
April 5, 2019
For the second year in a row the Penn-Trafford boys and girls track teams have small rosters, but that doesn’t mean there is a shortage of talent.
Penn-Trafford boys volleyball aims for another section title
March 29, 2019
The Penn-Trafford boys volleyball team jumped right into the thick of an intense battle in its season opener Tuesday night, and that was exactly what Warriors coach Jim Schall wanted to see to get a better handle on his team.
Kiski Valley rugby gets boost from Buckheads transfers
March 28, 2019
Kiski Valley boys rugby coach Seth Erwin was already excited about the group he had returning from a team that was the state runner-up last year, and then he received some news in the offseason that made his roster even stronger.
New-look Deer Lakes boys volleyball team looks to maintain high standard of success
March 25, 2019
Deer Lakes boys volleyball coach Brady Schuller said he had a couple of curveballs thrown his way last year with some injuries to key players in a season that ended one win short of a second consecutive PIAA playoff berth.
La Salle takes down North Allegheny in Class AAA Pennsylvania Cup championship
March 23, 2019
North Allegheny rolled into the second intermission break on the back of two late goals that got the Tigers tied with La Salle and looked to continue the momentum when they received a power play early in the third.
Freeport’s Brown follows in mother’s footsteps with selection to Cager Classic
March 22, 2019
Jalen Brown paused a moment before describing the impact his mother, Eve VanDyke, has had on his life and his basketball career.
Freshmen, sophomores to make quick impact for Springdale softball team
March 19, 2019
Springdale softball coach Anthony Pototo pointed to a few factors that went against his team last season: poor weather, a lack of pitching depth and a young team.
Springdale baseball to lean on young lineup during rebuilding season
After each practice, Springdale baseball coach Brett Burger tells his team to “be better tomorrow than they were today.”
Cook, Ringgold edge No. 1 Burrell to claim PIHL Division II championship
March 18, 2019
With the score tied in the third period, Burrell had the ice tilted in its favor and fired a bunch of shots on goal, but Ringgold goalie Evan Cook answered each time.
Penn-Trafford baseball sets sights on winning section championship
There isn’t any question that Penn-Trafford baseball lost some talented players to graduation with all five departed seniors going on to play in college.
PIHL Penguins Cup Class AAA finals preview: Peters Township vs. North Allegheny
PIHL Penguins Cup Class AAA Championship
PIHL Penguins Cup Class A finals preview: Montour vs. South Fayette
PIHL Penguins Cup Class A championship
Penn-Trafford softball prepares for tough section slate in Class 5A
When new alignments came out, Penn-Trafford softball coach Denny Little looked at who was going to be in the Warriors’ section and came to a quick conclusion.
PIHL playoff capsule: Pine-Richland vs. Upper St. Clair
March 17, 2019
PIHL Penguins Cup Class AA Championship
Tshiebwe, Kennedy Catholic use 2nd-half surge to oust Pine-Richland in PIAA 2nd round
March 13, 2019
For a half, Pine-Richland controlled the pace with a slow down offense and shot well enough from beyond the arc to go into halftime down only five to Class 6A’s No. 1 team, Kennedy Catholic.
PIHL Class AA Penguins Cup semifinals preview capsules
March 12, 2019
Class AA semifinals
Gateway’s Whiteside, Hanisak gain experience at WPIAL championships
March 8, 2019
Gateway coach Ryan Sula saw improvement from Evan Whiteside in every area of his wrestling, but the one thing that stood out the most was the growing confidence in his 113-pound junior.
Plum’s Citrano, Stecik cap season at WPIAL wrestling championships
As a freshman this year, Plum’s Vinny Citrano believed in himself every time he stepped on a mat, and it showed in his results. But before his first match at the WPIAL individual championships Feb. 28, the magnitude of the event set in.
Stewart’s 7 points lead Burrell to PIHL Division II 1st-round victory over Trinity
March 4, 2019
After Tyler Stewart skated around three Trinity players before depositing the puck into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the game midway through the third period, Burrell hockey coach Max Rickard said he looked at one of his assistant coaches and just shook his head.
Chartiers Valley’s McConnells combine for another WPIAL title — this time girls
March 2, 2019
Tim McConnell thought back to eight years ago when he said someone made a comment to him that one day he’d coach his daughter, Megan.
Spirnak lifts No. 5 Elizabeth Forward past upset-minded Quaker Valley in quarterfinals
February 21, 2019
With Quaker Valley pushing Elizabeth Forward to the edge late in the fourth quarter, Bri Spirnak did what she had been doing all game: She stayed tough and found a way to score.
Knoch displays versatility, rolls past South Park in 1st round
February 20, 2019
Knoch has displayed an ability and willingness to get out and run the floor a little more than it has in the past, and that continued in a big way in the playoffs Wednesday night.
Westmoreland basketball playoff preview capsules for Tuesday’s games
February 15, 2019
Tuesday’s games
TJ’s Galioto, Moon’s Hoff headline WPIAL gymnast champs
Thomas Jefferson gymnast Natalie Galioto and her coaches did some quick calculations after she got finished with her final event, and the math showed she had put together her highest score all season.
South Side girls use 3rd-quarter surge to take down Riverview in 1st round
February 14, 2019
Riverview did pretty much everything a lower-seeded team would want to do in the first half.
Senior-led Leechburg girls volleyball turns focus to playoffs
October 20, 2019
The best word to describe Leechburg girls volleyball in matches against the two teams in front of them in the Section 4-A standings is “close.”
Greensburg Central Catholic boys soccer shakes off slow start, advances in playoffs
October 19, 2019
For Greensburg Central Catholic boys soccer coach Tyler Solis, Saturday’s first-round playoff game had several elements that his team needed to get through.
Neshannock’s Jeremy Nativio, who has Down syndrome, scores touchdown on senior night
October 18, 2019
Neshannock’s Jeremy Nativio had a senior night to remember on Friday.
Neshannock shuts down Western Beaver, secures playoff berth
There were a lot of playoff scenarios in a crowded Midwestern Athletic Conference entering Friday night, but the easiest way for Neshannock to secure a postseason berth was to go out and get a win.
With Mohrbacher sisters filling the net, Freedom girls soccer doesn’t skip a beat
October 17, 2019
Freedom girls soccer has a bit of a different look from the 2018 WPIAL championship team after the graduation of some key seniors and standout Jayden Sharpless transferring to North Catholic, but the results have been the same.
Knoch girls volleyball team doesn’t let success become distraction
October 13, 2019
The last few seasons for the Knoch girls volleyball team has been a special ride, with two WPIAL titles and a PIAA title. So as the postseason approaches, it is natural for the seniors to dream of finishing their careers with winning a third district title.
Hughes-Sciarro connection leads Riverside past rival Ellwood City
October 11, 2019
Riverside quarterback Ben Hughes and wide receiver Nathan Sciarro started working on their connection in May, going down to the football field after school and running routes with the goal of getting better timing.
Plum boys soccer team ready to make history
Plum boys soccer captains Cole Kelly, Luke Gildea and Tyler Kolankowski are well versed in the history of the program.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Maddie Ancosky, Scott Bitar
October 8, 2019
Maddie Ancosky
Kiski Area volleyball making steady climb in Section 1-AAA
October 6, 2019
The day before Thursday’s crucial Section 1-AAA match with Armstrong, Kiski Area libero Rebekah Fowler didn’t want to give too much away.
Plum’s captains bringing optimism back to ice
October 4, 2019
Prior to the season, Plum hockey coach Phil Mains told his leadership group of captain Dan Baranowski and alternate captains Logan Schlegel and Nic Pushic that the team would go as they go.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Deer Lakes’ Will Meyer, Kiski Area’s Sidney Palla
October 1, 2019
Will Meyer
Deer Lakes volleyball encouraged by performance in tough tests
September 29, 2019
Deer Lakes girls volleyball coach Terry Gaston always tells his team if it can get 20 points in a set against an opponent, it can win.
QB Jay Pearson keeps his word, helps OLSH torch Laurel
September 27, 2019
Prior to Friday’s game with Laurel, Jay Pearson told OLSH coach Dan Bradley that he was going to score on the first play.
A-K Valley Athletes of the Week: Knoch’s Kenzie Kerkan, Freeport’s Isaac Wetzel
September 24, 2019
Kenzie Kerkan
Freeport volleyball seniors determined to return to top
September 22, 2019
Freeport setter Madeline Clark can still recall the feeling of walking off the floor after last year’s WPIAL semifinal loss to Frazier that ended the Yellowjackets’ 3-year run of making the district title game.
Plum girls soccer uses team-first approach to climb standings
September 20, 2019
From the first meeting with his players, first-year Plum girls soccer coach Jamie Stewart’s message has been “team first.”
AK Valley H.S. Athletes of the Week: Burrell’s Allie Vescio and Leechburg’s Cole Villa
September 17, 2019
Allie Vescio
Fox Chapel girls volleyball hopes aggressive approach works
September 15, 2019
When describing how aggressive to be when spiking a volleyball, Fox Chapel coach Phil O’Keeffe likes to use a baseball analogy.
Plum boys golfers focus on shaving strokes
September 13, 2019
It’s been a tough season in the win-loss department for the Plum boys golf team, going up against section rivals and perennial powers Fox Chapel, Central Catholic and Franklin Regional. In golf, though, success can be measured in different ways.
A-K Valley H.S. athletes of the week: Fox Chapel’s Lucy Ream and Plum’s Darius Flowers
September 10, 2019
Lucy Ream
Percise Colon scores clutch touchdown to carry NA past Central Catholic
September 6, 2019
North Allegheny coach Art Walker earned his 200th win Friday night, but he won’t remember the game, because of the milestone number.Junior duo goes low for Franklin Regional golf team
Franklin Regional’s Chuck Tragesser and Michael Wareham spend a lot of their free time playing golf together at Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo. On match days, they are paired.
Franklin Regional girls volleyball looks to build off historic 2018 season
August 30, 2019
The Franklin Regional girls volleyball team was one of the feel-good stories of the WPIAL last season.
Competition to bring out best in Knoch boys soccer
August 24, 2019
When Knoch boys soccer coach Malcolm Cook looked back at last season, the overarching theme was that there were too many holes in the lineup to find the right combination to be competitive.
Small roster not dimming enthusiasm for Knoch girls soccer
Knoch girls soccer already was low on players, but three season-ending injuries before the first practice made the roster even thinner.
Plum gains momentum with Week Zero win over Highlands
August 23, 2019
Plum went into its Week Zero matchup at Highlands hoping to take some positive momentum into Class 5A Foothills Conference play and the Mustangs got it in all three phases of the game.
Freeport boys soccer confident it can compete in tough section
August 21, 2019
There have been plenty of good on-field moments the last few years for Freeport boys soccer, but one thing that always has stuck out for coach Dave Teorsky didn’t happen in a game.
Sidney Shemanski hopes to guide young Freeport girls soccer to section title
Sidney Shemanski will begin the first leg of the three-part finale to her Freeport athletic career this fall with the girls soccer team.
South Park ready to rebound with experienced group
August 18, 2019
South Park football coach Marty Rieck isn’t one to make excuses for shortcomings, but the fact of the matter is that his team was young last season.
Deer Lakes adopts ‘why not us?’ mantra in quest for playoff berth
Tim Burk is a Deer Lakes guy through and through, so he took great pride in watching the Lancers’ boys soccer team make a run to the state championship game and the boys basketball team win the first PIAA playoff game in school history and advance to the quarterfinals.
After near misses, North Catholic focused reaching championship game
When you come as close to playing for a championship as North Catholic football has only to see it slip away, it’s hard not to look back at the small moments that swayed the game.
Armstrong looks to gain experience early on with young roster
August 16, 2019
It took only two weeks for Frank Fabian to realize he made a mistake after resigning as Armstrong’s coach.
Always one to lighten mood, Deer Lakes’ Hollibaugh got lighter to improve his play
August 12, 2019
Deer Lakes football coach Tim Burk is never exactly sure what his tight end Jack Hollibaugh is going to say when he enters the locker room, but he knows it likely will be something funny.
Plum’s Kelly balances sports, music as key cog on soccer team
August 9, 2019
Cole Kelly does his best to split his time for his two passions — soccer and music — because he loves them equally.
Youth camp helps fund Apollo-Ridge girls soccer team
July 17, 2019
Last week, the Apollo-Ridge girls soccer team held its fifth annual youth skills camp, which has become a benefit not only for the future of the program, but the present, as well.
Plum’s Linhart displays virtues of multisport athletes
June 8, 2019
The three-sport athlete has become a rare breed with many specializing in one sport to try to make it to college, but Hunter Linhart saw the benefits of diversifying.
Brennan powers Serra Catholic past Neshannock in PIAA quarterfinals
June 6, 2019
With teams intentionally walking standout catcher Mark Black regularly in the playoffs, Serra Catholic baseball coach Brian Dzurenda decided to move him from third in the order to the leadoff spot, which put Pat Brennan in Black’s old spot.
Franklin Regional ‘revved up’ for PIAA quarterfinal matchup
June 5, 2019
Michael Klingensmith led off first base after drawing a walk in the top of the first inning in Monday’s PIAA first- round game when Cathedral Prep pitcher Colin Kelly made a pick-off throw to first.
Franklin Regional baseball advances with win over Cathedral Prep
June 3, 2019
It often has been said good things come to those who wait, and Franklin Regional baseball proved that in a couple of ways Monday.
With school out, Leechburg turns complete focus on PIAA softball playoffs
June 1, 2019
Kristen Knapp, Aubry Skeel and Kiera Jones left Leechburg on Thursday night as graduates.
Boehme hits for cycle as Seton LaSalle takes down Serra Catholic in WPIAL Class 2A final
May 29, 2019
Seton LaSalle first baseman Dan Boehme knew he had a good day, but he was unaware it was a historic one until he got back into the dugout after crushing a two-run homer over the left field fence.
Westmoreland baseball/softball preview capsules: Games of Tuesday, May 28
May 27, 2019
Tuesday’s games
Leechburg softball focused on consolation prize
May 26, 2019
Leechburg softball coach Debbi Young has found it can be tough at times to get a team energized for a consolation game after a difficult loss in the semifinals, but she doesn’t foresee that being a problem with her current group.
WPIAL Class AAA girls lacrosse final suspended by inclement weather
May 23, 2019
With the score tied 11-11 in the final minute of the WPIAL Class AAA girls lacrosse final between Upper St. Clair and Shady Side Academy, Mother Nature decided to put a halt on the night and add some suspense.
Oakland Catholic captures WPIAL Class AA girls lacrosse title
Natalie Cyterski was bloodied, battered and exhausted, but she wasn’t going to be denied.
Maley’s walk-off single lifts No. 2 Pine-Richland past Norwin in WPIAL quarterfinals
May 21, 2019
Jake Maley hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the sixth inning to propel No. 2 Pine-Richland to a 2-1 victory over No. 7 Norwin in a WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinal baseball game Tuesday night at Upper St. Clair’s Boyce-Mayview Park.
Westmoreland H.S. baseball capsules for games of Monday, May 20, 2019
May 19, 2019
WPIAL baseball playoffs
Kiski Valley rugby teams advance to state championship games
May 18, 2019
Kiski Valley boys rugby advanced to the Rugby PA Club Division II championship game for the second consecutive season with a 32-5 win over North Penn on Saturday at Penn State Berks.
Mars baseball shuts out Fox Chapel in 1st round
May 16, 2019
Fox Chapel coach Jim Hastings summed up how things went for his team Thursday with five words.
Kiski Valley rugby teams vying for state championships
May 13, 2019
In the last five years, Kiski Valley rugby has built its program to be on par with some of best in the state and last week reflected that when the girls and boys teams were awarded top seeds in their respective brackets.
Plum softball not caught up in numbers game
May 10, 2019
Nearly half of the players in Plum softball’s lineup have batting averages at .400 or above, but none of them know it.
Kiski Valley girls rugby team hoping for breakthrough
April 27, 2019
After three years of seeing the Kiski Valley girls rugby team finish as the state runner-up, Rilee Roach is ready to break through.
All systems rolling for Franklin Regional baseball
April 26, 2019
Franklin Regional baseball coach Bobby Sadler laughed and then paused for a few seconds when deciding if pitching or hitting was going better for his team.
Tough nonsection slate paying off for Greensburg Central Catholic baseball
April 23, 2019
Going into the season with seven new starters, Greensburg Central Catholic baseball coach Dennis Reist beefed up the schedule with an early run of difficult nonsection opponents and hoped Mother Nature would cooperate.
Shorthanded Penn-Trafford track teams eye individual success
April 5, 2019
For the second year in a row the Penn-Trafford boys and girls track teams have small rosters, but that doesn’t mean there is a shortage of talent.
Penn-Trafford boys volleyball aims for another section title
March 29, 2019
The Penn-Trafford boys volleyball team jumped right into the thick of an intense battle in its season opener Tuesday night, and that was exactly what Warriors coach Jim Schall wanted to see to get a better handle on his team.
Kiski Valley rugby gets boost from Buckheads transfers
March 28, 2019
Kiski Valley boys rugby coach Seth Erwin was already excited about the group he had returning from a team that was the state runner-up last year, and then he received some news in the offseason that made his roster even stronger.
New-look Deer Lakes boys volleyball team looks to maintain high standard of success
March 25, 2019
Deer Lakes boys volleyball coach Brady Schuller said he had a couple of curveballs thrown his way last year with some injuries to key players in a season that ended one win short of a second consecutive PIAA playoff berth.
La Salle takes down North Allegheny in Class AAA Pennsylvania Cup championship
March 23, 2019
North Allegheny rolled into the second intermission break on the back of two late goals that got the Tigers tied with La Salle and looked to continue the momentum when they received a power play early in the third.
Freeport’s Brown follows in mother’s footsteps with selection to Cager Classic
March 22, 2019
Jalen Brown paused a moment before describing the impact his mother, Eve VanDyke, has had on his life and his basketball career.
Freshmen, sophomores to make quick impact for Springdale softball team
March 19, 2019
Springdale softball coach Anthony Pototo pointed to a few factors that went against his team last season: poor weather, a lack of pitching depth and a young team.
Springdale baseball to lean on young lineup during rebuilding season
After each practice, Springdale baseball coach Brett Burger tells his team to “be better tomorrow than they were today.”
Cook, Ringgold edge No. 1 Burrell to claim PIHL Division II championship
March 18, 2019
With the score tied in the third period, Burrell had the ice tilted in its favor and fired a bunch of shots on goal, but Ringgold goalie Evan Cook answered each time.
Penn-Trafford baseball sets sights on winning section championship
There isn’t any question that Penn-Trafford baseball lost some talented players to graduation with all five departed seniors going on to play in college.
PIHL Penguins Cup Class AAA finals preview: Peters Township vs. North Allegheny
PIHL Penguins Cup Class AAA Championship
PIHL Penguins Cup Class A finals preview: Montour vs. South Fayette
PIHL Penguins Cup Class A championship
Penn-Trafford softball prepares for tough section slate in Class 5A
When new alignments came out, Penn-Trafford softball coach Denny Little looked at who was going to be in the Warriors’ section and came to a quick conclusion.
PIHL playoff capsule: Pine-Richland vs. Upper St. Clair
March 17, 2019
PIHL Penguins Cup Class AA Championship
Tshiebwe, Kennedy Catholic use 2nd-half surge to oust Pine-Richland in PIAA 2nd round
March 13, 2019
For a half, Pine-Richland controlled the pace with a slow down offense and shot well enough from beyond the arc to go into halftime down only five to Class 6A’s No. 1 team, Kennedy Catholic.
PIHL Class AA Penguins Cup semifinals preview capsules
March 12, 2019
Class AA semifinals
Gateway’s Whiteside, Hanisak gain experience at WPIAL championships
March 8, 2019
Gateway coach Ryan Sula saw improvement from Evan Whiteside in every area of his wrestling, but the one thing that stood out the most was the growing confidence in his 113-pound junior.
Plum’s Citrano, Stecik cap season at WPIAL wrestling championships
As a freshman this year, Plum’s Vinny Citrano believed in himself every time he stepped on a mat, and it showed in his results. But before his first match at the WPIAL individual championships Feb. 28, the magnitude of the event set in.
Stewart’s 7 points lead Burrell to PIHL Division II 1st-round victory over Trinity
March 4, 2019
After Tyler Stewart skated around three Trinity players before depositing the puck into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the game midway through the third period, Burrell hockey coach Max Rickard said he looked at one of his assistant coaches and just shook his head.
Chartiers Valley’s McConnells combine for another WPIAL title — this time girls
March 2, 2019
Tim McConnell thought back to eight years ago when he said someone made a comment to him that one day he’d coach his daughter, Megan.
Spirnak lifts No. 5 Elizabeth Forward past upset-minded Quaker Valley in quarterfinals
February 21, 2019
With Quaker Valley pushing Elizabeth Forward to the edge late in the fourth quarter, Bri Spirnak did what she had been doing all game: She stayed tough and found a way to score.
Knoch displays versatility, rolls past South Park in 1st round
February 20, 2019
Knoch has displayed an ability and willingness to get out and run the floor a little more than it has in the past, and that continued in a big way in the playoffs Wednesday night.
Westmoreland basketball playoff preview capsules for Tuesday’s games
February 15, 2019
Tuesday’s games
TJ’s Galioto, Moon’s Hoff headline WPIAL gymnast champs
Thomas Jefferson gymnast Natalie Galioto and her coaches did some quick calculations after she got finished with her final event, and the math showed she had put together her highest score all season.
