Author: Jerin Steele
Pine-Richland girls lacrosse leans on consistent defense, balanced attack
May 9, 2021
Members of the Pine-Richland girls lacrosse team knew they had built something special during a seven-game winning streak in April and they wanted to prove it in their much anticipated showdown with Fox Chapel on May 4.
Pine-Richland boys lacrosse team battle-tested for postseason
Coming into this season Pine-Richland boys lacrosse coach Kevin Welty budgeted for adversity.
Alle-Kiski Sports Hall of Fame honors athletes with luncheon
May 8, 2021
For the second consecutive year the Alle-Kiski Sports Hall of Fame banquet had to be cancelled because of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, but board members wanted to organize an event to honor local athletes for their accomplishments.
Pine-Richland softball looking for more consistency at the plate
May 2, 2021
As Pine-Richland softball geared up for the stretch run in the regular season coach Gary Shepard was looking for was consistency at the plate.
Indiana falls to West Chester East in Class A state hockey final
April 24, 2021
For two periods Indiana kept West Chester East’s powerful offense at bay and had the lead with 17 minutes to play.
Pine-Richland’s Rottinghaus sprinting to success in 400, relays
The Pine-Richland track and field coaches had a premonition that senior Ella Rottinghaus was going to set a new school record in the 400-meter run prior to the Rams’ April 14 meet with Seneca Valley, but she didn’t share the same belief.
Young Pine-Richland gymnast Lavezoli quickly developing into standout
A few years ago Chase Lavezoli taught himself how to do a front flip by using a trampoline.
Ace’s secret weapon helps Pine-Richland softball to signature early season win
April 17, 2021
Gabriella Aughton showed up to Pine-Richland’s game at Hempfield on April 9 with a secret weapon.
Pugh, Faber leading the way for Pine-Richland boys volleyball
April 10, 2021
When the 2020 spring sports season was canceled because of the covid-19 pandemic, it brought a sudden end to the careers of a dozen Pine-Richland boys volleyball players.
Sophomore McGuire off to impressive start for Pine-Richland baseball
Jacob McGuire walked off the mound after the final out of Pine-Richland’s 11-0 win in five innings in the season opener against North Catholic happy with his performance.
Multi-sport athletes bring spark to Gateway volleyball
April 4, 2021
Gateway boys volleyball coach Phil Randolph has plenty of fresh faces on his team this season who bring athleticism from playing other sports.
Intrigue surrounds 2021 PIHL Penguins Cup playoffs
After the 2020 playoffs were suspended and eventually canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the PIHL is ready to crown Penguins Cup champions once again.
Pine-Richland track team boasts large crop of WPIAL, PIAA contenders
April 3, 2021
The Pine-Richland boys and girls track teams are looking to go the distance this spring.
Pine-Richland hockey team solidly in Class AAA mix
A glance at the PIHL Class AAA standings shows the field is wide open with the top five teams separated by four points.
Young Pine-Richland roster ready to contend during chaotic WPIAL lacrosse season
March 27, 2021
On paper, the Pine-Richland boys lacrosse team is still the defending WPIAL Class AAA champion, but there’s been plenty of change in the two-year span since they last took the field.
Pine-Richland girls lacrosse looking to ‘bounce back’ in ’21
Every year Pine-Richland girls lacrosse coach Brittany Adams asks the team’s seniors to come up with a motto for the season. For 2021, they chose “bounce back.”
Competition for lineup spots fierce on Latrobe softball team
March 26, 2021
Latrobe softball coach Bob Kovalcin has seven seniors on his roster, and during the preseason, he told each of them they had first crack at their position.
Latrobe baseball coming together as players find roles
A big part of Latrobe coach Matt Basciano’s message every year is playing team baseball.
Jake DiMichele carries OLSH past Portage into state championship game
March 23, 2021
Jake DiMichele can still remember the exact day OLSH was eliminated the last time they made the state semifinals.
Greensburg Salem baseball team sets sights on another playoff run
In the first week of practice, Greensburg Salem baseball coach Bill Wisniewski told his players to unwind, be kids and have fun in a return to normalcy after last season was wiped out because of the covid-19 pandemic.
Greensburg Salem softball has rare commodity in this unique season — experience
Alyssa Bates has waited nearly 16 months to fill out her first lineup card as the head coach of the Greensburg Salem softball team, so she’s more than ready to get the season going.
Pine-Richland softball gearing season toward section race
March 21, 2021
Pine-Richland softball coach Gary Shepard feels he has the right mix of returning players and newcomers to field a competitive team this spring.
Defending WPIAL champion Pine-Richland baseball team to start season shorthanded
When Pine-Richland takes the field this spring, it will be without a few key players at the start, but that isn’t slowing the Rams’ hunger to defend their WPIAL Class 6A title.
Brookville ousts WPIAL champion Ellwood City from PIAA playoffs
March 20, 2021
Jace Miner stole the ball on an inbounds play and scored on a layup with 10 seconds remaining, and in the blink of an eye Ellwood City’s magical run came to an end.
Neshannock girls fend off Windber, make PIAA Class 2A semifinals
March 19, 2021
Moments after coming out of the locker room after Friday night’s game, Neshannock girls basketball coach Luann Grybowski breathed a sigh of relief.
11th-seeded Ellwood City knocks off No. 1 South Allegheny in WPIAL championship shocker
March 15, 2021
Joe Roth described his feelings succinctly.
Pine-Richland swimmers look ahead to bright future after WPIAL performance
A trio of young Pine-Richland swimmers traveled to Upper St. Clair on March 7 to test themselves against the best in the WPIAL and came home with some solid results to cap off a year in which six new school records were set.
Balanced offense carries Pine-Richland boys on playoff run
During Pine-Richland’s boys basketball playoff run, multiple players saw their name with a large point total beside it on the stat sheet.
11th-seeded Ellwood City stuns Neshannock, makes 1st WPIAL final since 1986
March 11, 2021
From the opening tip, Ellwood City coach Steve Antuono Sr. paced the sidelines watching the game with intensity, while wearing his emotions on his sleeve.
Defending champion Mohawk puts down upstart Beaver Falls
March 10, 2021
All season, Mohawk coach Mike O’Lare has talked to his team about creating a new story to be remembered to go along with winning the school’s first WPIAL girls basketball title a year ago.
Second WPIAL wrestling title gives Pine-Richland’s Cole Spencer reason to smile
March 6, 2021
In the middle of the second period of the WPIAL Class AAA 160-pound wrestling final, Cole Spencer took an accidental shot from Norwin’s Chase Kranitz and realized one of his teeth was broken.
5 Pine-Richland runners test themselves at indoor nationals
Five distance runners from Pine-Richland traveled to Virginia last month to test themselves against some of the best high school competition in the country and came home with solid results.
Leechburg rallies for double-overtime win over Eden Christian
March 5, 2021
In a double overtime thriller, No. 6 Leechburg upset No. 3 Eden Christian 45-40 in the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals Friday night at Sewickley Academy.
Sewickley Academy shuts down Greensburg Central Catholic
Sewickley Academy made 19 of 28 free throws and eventually pulled away for a 38-21 victory over Greensburg Central Catholic in the WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball quarterfinals Friday night.
Fox Chapel’s Manelis, North Allegheny’s Shi repeat as WPIAL diving champs
February 27, 2021
The 2021 WPIAL Class AAA diving championships were full of repeats.
Pine-Richland hockey team riding prolific offense
With the volatility that comes with playing during a pandemic, Pine-Richland hockey coach Jordan Yoklic told his players to embrace each opportunity and not take it for granted.
Pine-Richland boys basketball team jells in coach’s 1st season
The last time the WPIAL had an open basketball tournament in 1984 Bob Petcash was a senior at Ambridge and played for a Bridgers team that made the Class 4A final, where it lost to Farrell.
South Park’s O’Connor, North Catholic’s Foley capture WPIAL Class AA diving titles
February 26, 2021
Cole O’Connor saved his toughest dive for last and it paid off.
Spencer leads way for Pine-Richland wrestling team
February 20, 2021
Pine-Richland wrestling made some big strides during the team portion of the season, and now the hope is it has set it up for success in an expanded individual season.
New coach DeGregorio seeing good signs with Pine-Richland girls basketball team
When Kyle DeGregorio took over as coach of the Pine-Richland girls basketball team before this season, his first objective was establishing a culture.
After setting school record, Pine-Richland’s Allen turns focus toward WPIAL success
February 13, 2021
Delaney Allen was exhausted as she climbed out of the pool after swimming her hardest in the 50-yard freestyle on Jan. 28 against North Allegheny when she started hearing screams of joy coming from her teammates.
4 players from Pine-Richland state title football team accept walk-on offers
Pine-Richland football had four players accept preferred walk-on offers on Feb. 3, and each one has a unique story.
Mt. Pleasant girls hope to benefit from experience this season
December 3, 2020
At the high school level it’s a rarity for a team to have its entire roster back from the previous season, but it’s a welcomed reality for longtime Mt. Pleasant girls basketball coach Scott Giacobbi.
Mt. Pleasant boys basketball enters season under new leadership
T.J. Kravits had just finished his season coaching at Marion Center. Being a basketball fan, he looked at the schedule and decided to take a trip to Mt. Pleasant to see a game against Geibel.
Gateway hockey program focused on development
November 29, 2020
Gateway hockey coach Shawn Jesih sees a lot of potential in the freshmen and sophomores who make up the majority of the roster.
Girls basketball preview: Senior trio set to lead Franklin Regional into new section
November 25, 2020
When reflecting on last season, Franklin Regional girls basketball coach Anthony Kobus pointed out five losses in section play by seven points or less.
Boys basketball preview: Franklin Regional to rely on deep group of returning guards
On paper, the 2019-20 Franklin Regional boys basketball season looked like a tale of two halves with a 7-2 run down the stretch to get into the postseason after 5-9 start, but it was more of a yearlong journey of growing up.
Weather’s no problem for Mars boys soccer in PIAA semifinal victory
November 17, 2020
Mars boys soccer coach Chris Knauff said the ground was clear at his home five miles from the Mars Athletic Complex, so he was quite shocked to see a snow-covered field upon arrival.
Pine-Richland routs Peters Township, wins WPIAL championship in 5th classification
November 14, 2020
Pine-Richland already had WPIAL football titles in Class 2A, 3A, 4A and 6A, and after a dominant performance on Saturday, the Rams added 5A to the list.
Clutch goal from Jayden Sharpless lifts North Catholic past Avonworth in Class 2A title game
November 7, 2020
In the early portion of Saturday’s WPIAL Class 2A championship game, North Catholic standout junior Jayden Sharpless said she was a little too amped up when she fired a free kick well over the goal from 30 yards out.
Greensburg Central Catholic boys fight off Eden Christian upset bid in Class A quarterfinals
October 31, 2020
Ricco Ciccarelli could hear Greensburg Central Catholic coach Tyler Solis say, “I think you got it,” as his attempted cross kept curling closer and closer to the net.
North Catholic punishes Mt. Pleasant for mistakes in Class 2A matchup
October 30, 2020
As the clock was winding down late in the fourth quarter, Mt. Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas said to his assistants he felt like the score was a lot closer than the scoreboard indicated.
Forced into starring role, Brock Wilkins carries Kiski Area past Shaler
October 16, 2020
After two successful weeks of filling in for standout Kenny Blake at running back, Brock Wilkins was ready to go back to his role as a lead blocker Friday night. When Blake went down with an injury on his first carry, Wilkins was thrust right back into the spotlight.
North Hills pulls away from Kiski Area
October 2, 2020
In three plays, Kiski Area went from looking like it was going to be right back into its game with North Hills to having the momentum completely flipped.
Avonworth makes smooth transition to Class 3A, blanks Quaker Valley
September 11, 2020
Coming off a historic season that culminated in a WPIAL Class 2A championship, Avonworth had a lot of great players to replace, including a 2,500-yard passer and a 2,300-yard rusher, as it moved up to Class 3A this fall.
North Catholic girls fight off challenge from Central Valley in 4A second round
March 11, 2020
There’s an understanding among the North Catholic Trojanettes that they are going to get everyone’s best.
Freeport confident heading into softball season with small but talented roster
March 10, 2020
When Freeport softball takes the field this year, there’s a good chance there will only be 11 players on the team.
With Heilman on hill, Freeport has shot at another special season
Last season, Freeport baseball coach Ed Carr watched a team that consisted mainly of juniors grow up on the fly and exceed expectations.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Freeport’s Julia Cummings and Kiski Area’s Jack Blumer
Julia Cummings
Fox Chapel baseball optimistic despite heavy turnover from last season
March 9, 2020
Fox Chapel will have to replace 11 seniors, six of their starting nine and most of the pitching staff from a team that went 10-8 and made the WPIAL playoffs, but Foxes coach Jim Hastings has some pieces returning and others coming through the pipeline to help offset the losses.
Bigger roster gives new Fox Chapel softball coach Olbrich cause for optimism
During offseason training, first-year Fox Chapel softball coach Chris Olbrich kept seeing more and more girls show up to work out.
Kiski Area hockey continues remarkable turnaround
March 8, 2020
Kiski Area sophomore defenseman Aiden Sites said if he was told before the season the Cavaliers would be in the PIHL Class A semifinals he wouldn’t have believed it.
Playing without star center Michael Carmody, Mars falls short in PIAA 1st-round game
March 6, 2020
After his team lost in overtime, battling without standout senior Michael Carmody, who was serving a one-game suspension, Mars boys basketball coach Rob Carmody told his players he was obviously disappointed, but he was glad they lost on a play made by a “winning player.”
Norwin hockey focuses on positives after abrupt exit from playoffs
March 4, 2020
Norwin hockey’s season ended Tuesday night when the Knights fell 3-2 to Kiski Area in the first round of the PIHL Class A Penguins Cup playoffs.
Kiski Area edges Norwin to reach Penguins Cup semifinals
In one season, Kiski Area hockey has gone from a one-win team to being a victory away from playing for a Penguins Cup championship.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Highlands’ Johnny Crise and Fox Chapel’s Sophie Shao
March 3, 2020
Johnny Crise
Kiski Area, Plum hockey teams surge into playoffs
March 1, 2020
A couple of weeks ago, Kiski Area and Plum completed two of the more remarkable rebounds in the PIHL.
Chartiers Valley defends WPIAL title, wins 55th consecutive game
February 29, 2020
Chartiers Valley girls basketball coach Tim McConnell said he told his younger sister, Trinity coach Kathy McConnell-Miller, that the only good thing about facing each other in a WPIAL final was that a McConnell was guaranteed to win.
Led by singles champ Small, Plum bowling team has postseason to remember
February 28, 2020
Plum bowling coach Darryl Pilyih said coaching senior standout Shannon Small has become a pretty easy task because she rarely makes a mistake.
Shutdown defenses to meet when North Allegheny, Bethel Park tangle for girls 6A title
When Bethel Park and North Allegheny take the floor at Petersen Events Center on Saturday for the Class 6A girls basketball championship, expect a defensive chess match to unfold.
Chartiers Valley uses bulletin-board material to top TJ, return to Class 5A finals
February 26, 2020
Moments after Chartiers Valley finished off a 65-43 win over Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals Wednesday night at Mt. Lebanon, Colts coach Tim McConnell offered an open dinner invitation to who ever made shirts for the Jaguars that read, “3.1 doesn’t equal 4.4.”
North Allegheny girls shut down Upper St. Clair, get back to WPIAL Class 6A finals
February 25, 2020
On the bus ride to North Hills, members of the North Allegheny girls basketball team chatted back and forth about what their keys were going to be defensively.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Shannon Small and Korry Myers
Shannon Small
Belle Vernon boys basketball upsets Quaker Valley, clinches PIAA spot
February 22, 2020
Listed at 5-foot-9, Devin Whitlock was the shortest player on the floor in Saturday’s game between Quaker Valley and Belle Vernon, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in many other areas.
Brayden Reynolds’ clutch shot sparks Chartiers Valley past Shaler
February 21, 2020
Chartiers Valley coach Brandon Sensor thought Shaler did a pretty good job on his standout guard Brayden Reynolds through the first three quarters of Friday’s WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal game.
Penn-Trafford gymnast Adamik balances fun, competition at high school level
A couple of years ago, Lacey Adamik gave up the everyday grind of training for competitive USA gymnastics, but as time went on, she started to miss the sport.
Elliott handles pressure, shoots Bishop Canevin boys past Union
February 20, 2020
Dom Elliott was honest about what was going through his mind in as he toed the line for two foul shots with five seconds remaining and Bishop Canevin trailing by one.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Samantha Coleman and A.J. Corrado
February 18, 2020
Samantha Coleman
After scholarship from Hines Ward, Valley’s Guzzo to be featured in book
February 16, 2020
Greg Guzzo was checking his email randomly last year when he saw a message titled “Positive Athlete.”
Pine-Richland’s Alexander, Thomas Jefferson’s Kameg big winners at WPIAL gymnastics meet
February 15, 2020
Pine-Richland’s Samantha Alexander went into WPIAL individual gymnastics championships wanting to stay on her feet.
Q&A with Plum’s Connor Moss
February 14, 2020
Plum’s Connor Moss eclipsed 1,000 career points Feb. 5 after scoring 25 in a 52-51 nonconference win over Baldwin. Moss joins another junior, the girls team’s Kennedie Montue, in hitting the milestone. Moss scored more than 20 points 13 times this season and had more than 30 points four times.
Iron sharpens iron for Franklin Regional state title hopefuls Dibert, Solomon
At every practice in the Franklin Regional wrestling room, Finn Solomon and Carter Dibert are paired. When they wrestle, it typically becomes a spectacle.
Burrell gymnastics team beaming at chance to compete at WPIAL championships
February 13, 2020
For a long time, Burrell has been represented at the WPIAL individual gymnastics championship.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Highlands’ Sarah Sawhook and Leechburg’s Dylan Cook
February 11, 2020
Sarah Sawhook
Fox Chapel hockey hopes to ride momentum into postseason
February 9, 2020
In 20 years of being involved in hockey, Fox Chapel coach Cam Raidna never experienced anything like what his team pulled off Thursday night against Kiski Area.
Recruiting interest ramping up for Plum lineman Evan Azzara
February 7, 2020
Plum junior Evan Azzara has visited almost every Mid-American Conference school in Ohio, but the one he went to the most has been Miami (Ohio).
Alle-Kiski Valley Athletes of the Week: Knoch’s Madilyn Boyer, Burrell’s Ian Oswalt
February 4, 2020
Madilyn Boyer
Knoch girls finally slay rival Freeport
February 3, 2020
Moments after Lauren Cihonski hit a game-winning basket with four seconds remaining to help Knoch beat Freeport 53-52, the magnitude of what transpired hit her.
Plum hockey gets healthy in time for PIHL playoffs push
January 31, 2020
Every hockey team deals with bumps and bruises, but, in January, Plum could have used a M.A.S.H. unit.
Alle-Kiski Valley Athetes of the Week: Plum’s Kennedie Montue, Leechburg’s Jake Blumer
January 28, 2020
Kennedie Montue
No. 1 North Catholic fights off serious challenge from Freeport
January 27, 2020
Coming into Monday’s game, North Catholic girls basketball had won 54 section games in a row — all but one of them by double digits — so when Freeport tied the game with five minutes remaining, it presented a situation that hadn’t come up in a while.
Thomas Jefferson’s Pazo, North Catholic’s Shaffer lift Team Blue to PIHL Class A All-Star Game win
January 26, 2020
Thomas Jefferson junior Eddie Pazo and North Catholic junior Quinten Shaffer had a hat trick each to lead Team Blue to a 9-5 win over Team Gold in the PIHL Class A All-Star Game Sunday at RMU Island Sports Center.
Ringgold’s Budjos nets hat trick to lead Team Blue to victory in PIHL Class B All-Star Game
Typically going on the penalty kill late in a game down by two goals is not a successful strategy, but in the PIHL Class B All-Star Game, Team Blue made being down a player work in a major way.
Surging Norwin girls basketball team finds right balance
January 24, 2020
The Norwin girls basketball team was the top scoring offense in WPIAL Class 6A through 14 games, and the Knights ranked second in scoring average against.
Gateway girls grind out win over Armstrong
January 23, 2020
Armstrong girls basketball coach Kirk Lorigan joked that he started looking in the stands for James Naismith, because it felt like the cylinder hoops at Gateway’s gymnasium were replaced with peach baskets.
Alle-Kiski Valley Athletes of the Week: Freeport’s Maddie Clark, Highlands’ Jrake Burford
January 21, 2020
Maddie Clark
Kiski Area goalie Petika leads A-K Valley contingent in PIHL All-Star games
January 19, 2020
Kiski Area goalie Eric Petika got a nice wakeup call from his dad the morning after the PIHL All-Star teams were released a couple of weeks ago.
Steel Valley’s Camden Polak likes making noise in the library
January 15, 2020
Many high school students go to the library to check out a book for their next homework assignment, but Steel Valley senior Camden Polak goes there for a different reason.
Jeannette puts together complete effort in routing Serra Catholic
January 14, 2020
Even though Jeannette coach Adrian Batts was hoarse from imploring his team all game, it wasn’t going to stop him from talking about the enjoyment he got from watching his team execute Tuesday night.
A-K Valley Athletes of the Week: Riverview’s Sydney McDonough, Knoch’s Ryan Lang
Sydney McDonough
Burrell standout Stewart surprises with return to varsity hockey team
January 12, 2020
After spending some time in the junior hockey ranks this season, Tyler Stewart made a surprise return to the ice for Burrell hockey last Monday.
Plum spirit squad shows competitive drive
Every Saturday in the fall, the Plum competitive spirit team met in the gym for a 7 a.m. practice after cheering the night before at football games with a determination to get stronger.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: St. Joseph’s Trinity Lockwood-Morris and Plum’s Connor Moss
January 7, 2020
Trinity Lockwood-Morris
Blackhawk defense shuts down Central Valley in Class 4A showdown
January 6, 2020
Blackhawk girls basketball coach Steve Lodovico loves to run a press and trap defense with the goal of creating turnovers and racking up points off them. Facing a familiar foe in Central Valley on the road, he decided to adjust the gameplan.
Fox Chapel hockey hopes experience in close games helps with playoff push
January 5, 2020
The Fox Chapel hockey team has played its share of close games this season.
Plum girls improving in quest for Section 2 championship
January 4, 2020
About an hour removed from a 41-31 victory over Armstrong on Thursday, Plum girls basketball coach Steve Elsier provided a list of reasons it was their best performance to date.
Plum bowler Shannon Small sets big goals
Nesbit’s Lanes has pretty much become a second home for Shannon Small.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Deer Lakes’ Reese Hasley, St. Joseph’s Andrew Sullivan
December 31, 2019
Andrew Sullivan
New-look Burrell hockey team finds stability
December 29, 2019
Entering the season, perhaps no team in the PIHL lost more key pieces than Burrell.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Knoch’s Nevaeh Ewing, Apollo-Ridge’s Keighton Reese
December 24, 2019
Nevaeh Ewing
‘Building year’ for youthful Freeport hockey
December 22, 2019
Jack Mason can still remember the nervousness he felt playing varsity hockey as a freshman.
Plum boys basketball seeks secret to closing out games
December 20, 2019
First-year Plum boys basketball coach Mark Marino has been happy with the buy-in level from his players in the early part of the season.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Morgan Gamble and Demitri Fritch
December 17, 2019
Demitri
Plum in prime position midway through hockey season
December 15, 2019
As Plum hockey reached the midpoint of the PIHL Class AA season, it found itself tied atop the Northeast Division standings with Armstrong with a pair of games in hand.
Alle-Kiski Valley Athletes of the Week: Valley’s Tori Johnson, Fox Chapel’s Arnold Vento
December 10, 2019
Tori Johnson
Phipps, Norwin wrestling ready to take next step
December 7, 2019
Kurtis Phipps showed his toughness by battling through a foot injury in last year’s PIAA Class AAA championship match. He suffered the injury a day earlier in his semifinal win.
Franklin Regional wrestlers look to add to program’s Hershey history
Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe had to stop for a moment and count back through the years to figure out how many seasons in a row the Panthers have had a representative in the PIAA wrestling finals.
Central Valley dominates Bald Eagle Area to earn trip to Hershey
November 29, 2019
One thing in particular that stands out from the many things that Central Valley coach Mark Lyons loves about his football team is that they enjoy playing together and not one player believes he is above another.
With three top starters returning, Plum girls planning banner season
November 28, 2019
In his opening remarks at the first practice of the season, Plum girls basketball coach Steve Elsier challenged his team.
Unusual Plum boys roster packed with senior leadership but lacking experience
With plenty of seniors on the roster, it might look like the Plum boys basketball team has a lot of experience. In reality, almost everyone will be new to varsity this winter.
Kiski Area girls hope experience, work ethic lead to growth
November 25, 2019
Kiski Area girls basketball coach Nick Dizon couldn’t have been happier with the work his group put into its offseason.
Kiski Area boys plan to pick up the pace
Entering year two of his tenure at Kiski Area, Will Saunders is ready to let his team run.
Successful season falls short of ultimate goal for Penn-Trafford
November 23, 2019
The Penn-Trafford football team has high standards, and with that comes championship aspirations.
Fox Chapel boys basketball team rallies around defense
November 22, 2019
At the end of practice, most teams come together in a circle, put their hands in and say one, two, three and then their team name.
New coach works to instill confidence in talented Fox Chapel girls roster
When Marty Matvey arrived to take over the Fox Chapel girls basketball program this summer, he quickly realized there was talent from top to bottom in the lineup.
Rebuilding plan has Cheswick Christian boys ready to contend again
November 20, 2019
When 6-foot-10 Ben Pollock finished his Cheswick Christian Academy boys basketball career in 2016-17 after rewriting much of the school’s record book, longtime Chargers coach Todd Rosio had a three-year plan to build the team back up to contending status.
Cheswick Christian girls dedicate season to former coach in need of heart transplant
Jacque Willis thought she might become a basketball coach someday, but she never expected it to be just a few months after she graduated college.
Central Valley stops Aliquippa in overtime in tense WPIAL title game
November 16, 2019
On the first play of overtime, Michael Barbuto was pushing toward the goal line when he felt something strange happen.
Washington leans on Zahmere Robinson to stop upset-minded Brentwood
November 15, 2019
After Washington’s Zahmere Robinson fumbled for the first time this year in a third quarter that saw Brentwood surging, he went to the sidelines and told his teammates he’d make up for it.
Franklin Regional not satisfied with first-round playoff exit
There wasn’t another team in the WPIAL that played a schedule like Franklin Regional did this season.
North Catholic volleyball gets vengeance, defeats Freeport in PIAAs
November 12, 2019
The day after North Catholic girls volleyball lost to Freeport in the WPIAL Class AA finals by surrendering a 2-0 lead, coach Amanda Fetter told her players they deserved to have a banner hanging in the gymnasium, and the only one left to get was a PIAA banner.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Knoch’s Skylar Burkett and Fox Chapel’s Colby Zmenkowski
Skylar Burkett
Playing through injuries solidified Knoch volleyball team’s depth
November 11, 2019
At practice Monday, Knoch girls volleyball players sat on the gym floor in a circle around coach Diane Geist as they prepared for their state semifinal opponent, District 3 champion Palmyra.
Mars girls soccer team rolls past West Allegheny in PIAA playoffs
November 9, 2019
The Mars girls soccer team has been dominant against WPIAL opponents all season, and in its final meeting against a district foe this season, it wasted little time establishing the tone.
Pine-Richland easily handles North Allegheny on way to WPIAL final
November 8, 2019
As Pine-Richland coach Eric Kasperowicz was giving his postgame speech with his players surrounding him on a knee, the assistant coaches started tossing Heinz ketchup packets into the huddle.
Knoch volleyball back to full strength in first-round PIAA win over South Fayette
November 5, 2019
The last time Kennedy Christy was in the Shaler gym, she was injured on the final night of the regular season in a nonsection match against the Titans and it caused her to miss Knoch’s entire WPIAL playoff run.
Freeport volleyball shakes off ‘WPIAL hangover,’ cruises in first-round PIAA match
After having to come back from two-set deficits to win in the WPIAL semifinals and finals last week,the Freeport girls volleyball team had a much less stressful opening to the state playoffs.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Freeport’s Isabella Russo, Riverview’s Mason Ochs
Isabella Russo
Knoch girls volleyball beats Thomas Jefferson for 3rd straight WPIAL title
November 2, 2019
In its playoff run, Knoch girls volleyball proved how strong a team it is by grinding out wins without standout hitters Kennedy Christy and Hannah Rowe.
Plum soccer reached goals despite dramatic playoff loss
November 1, 2019
If someone had told Plum boys soccer coach Raf Kolankowski before the season that his team would have been leading in a WPIAL Class AAAA semifinal with five-plus minutes remaining, he would’ve taken it in a heartbeat.
Joey Fonagy’s overtime goal lifts Canon-McMillan to WPIAL boys soccer title
October 31, 2019
The Big Macs had one more comeback in them and it was one that they’ll remember for a long time.
AK Valley high school athletes of the week: Plum’s Kaitlyn Killinger and Deer Lakes’ Michael Sullivan
October 29, 2019
Kaitlyn Killinger
Hat trick lifts Deer Lakes boys soccer past South Park in Class AA semis
October 26, 2019
Deer Lakes boys soccer has used “unfinished business” as its mantra after narrow misses on the road to a WPIAL championship appearance the last few years.
Canon-McMillan boys score 2 late goals, edge Plum in Class AAAA semis
A few minutes after the Plum boys soccer team’s magical season ended Saturday with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals that saw Canon-McMillan score twice in the final six minutes, Mustangs coach Raf Kolankowski used the moment as a teaching tool.
Westmoreland girls soccer playoff capsules: Games of Oct. 24, 2019
October 23, 2019
Class AAAA
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Burrell’s Sara Novak and Springdale’s Mike Mitchell
October 22, 2019
Sara Novak
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.
Pine-Richland girls lacrosse leans on consistent defense, balanced attack
May 9, 2021
Members of the Pine-Richland girls lacrosse team knew they had built something special during a seven-game winning streak in April and they wanted to prove it in their much anticipated showdown with Fox Chapel on May 4.
Pine-Richland boys lacrosse team battle-tested for postseason
Coming into this season Pine-Richland boys lacrosse coach Kevin Welty budgeted for adversity.
Alle-Kiski Sports Hall of Fame honors athletes with luncheon
May 8, 2021
For the second consecutive year the Alle-Kiski Sports Hall of Fame banquet had to be cancelled because of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, but board members wanted to organize an event to honor local athletes for their accomplishments.
Pine-Richland softball looking for more consistency at the plate
May 2, 2021
As Pine-Richland softball geared up for the stretch run in the regular season coach Gary Shepard was looking for was consistency at the plate.
Indiana falls to West Chester East in Class A state hockey final
April 24, 2021
For two periods Indiana kept West Chester East’s powerful offense at bay and had the lead with 17 minutes to play.
Pine-Richland’s Rottinghaus sprinting to success in 400, relays
The Pine-Richland track and field coaches had a premonition that senior Ella Rottinghaus was going to set a new school record in the 400-meter run prior to the Rams’ April 14 meet with Seneca Valley, but she didn’t share the same belief.
Young Pine-Richland gymnast Lavezoli quickly developing into standout
A few years ago Chase Lavezoli taught himself how to do a front flip by using a trampoline.
Ace’s secret weapon helps Pine-Richland softball to signature early season win
April 17, 2021
Gabriella Aughton showed up to Pine-Richland’s game at Hempfield on April 9 with a secret weapon.
Pugh, Faber leading the way for Pine-Richland boys volleyball
April 10, 2021
When the 2020 spring sports season was canceled because of the covid-19 pandemic, it brought a sudden end to the careers of a dozen Pine-Richland boys volleyball players.
Sophomore McGuire off to impressive start for Pine-Richland baseball
Jacob McGuire walked off the mound after the final out of Pine-Richland’s 11-0 win in five innings in the season opener against North Catholic happy with his performance.
Multi-sport athletes bring spark to Gateway volleyball
April 4, 2021
Gateway boys volleyball coach Phil Randolph has plenty of fresh faces on his team this season who bring athleticism from playing other sports.
Intrigue surrounds 2021 PIHL Penguins Cup playoffs
After the 2020 playoffs were suspended and eventually canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the PIHL is ready to crown Penguins Cup champions once again.
Pine-Richland track team boasts large crop of WPIAL, PIAA contenders
April 3, 2021
The Pine-Richland boys and girls track teams are looking to go the distance this spring.
Pine-Richland hockey team solidly in Class AAA mix
A glance at the PIHL Class AAA standings shows the field is wide open with the top five teams separated by four points.
Young Pine-Richland roster ready to contend during chaotic WPIAL lacrosse season
March 27, 2021
On paper, the Pine-Richland boys lacrosse team is still the defending WPIAL Class AAA champion, but there’s been plenty of change in the two-year span since they last took the field.
Pine-Richland girls lacrosse looking to ‘bounce back’ in ’21
Every year Pine-Richland girls lacrosse coach Brittany Adams asks the team’s seniors to come up with a motto for the season. For 2021, they chose “bounce back.”
Competition for lineup spots fierce on Latrobe softball team
March 26, 2021
Latrobe softball coach Bob Kovalcin has seven seniors on his roster, and during the preseason, he told each of them they had first crack at their position.
Latrobe baseball coming together as players find roles
A big part of Latrobe coach Matt Basciano’s message every year is playing team baseball.
Jake DiMichele carries OLSH past Portage into state championship game
March 23, 2021
Jake DiMichele can still remember the exact day OLSH was eliminated the last time they made the state semifinals.
Greensburg Salem baseball team sets sights on another playoff run
In the first week of practice, Greensburg Salem baseball coach Bill Wisniewski told his players to unwind, be kids and have fun in a return to normalcy after last season was wiped out because of the covid-19 pandemic.
Greensburg Salem softball has rare commodity in this unique season — experience
Alyssa Bates has waited nearly 16 months to fill out her first lineup card as the head coach of the Greensburg Salem softball team, so she’s more than ready to get the season going.
Pine-Richland softball gearing season toward section race
March 21, 2021
Pine-Richland softball coach Gary Shepard feels he has the right mix of returning players and newcomers to field a competitive team this spring.
Defending WPIAL champion Pine-Richland baseball team to start season shorthanded
When Pine-Richland takes the field this spring, it will be without a few key players at the start, but that isn’t slowing the Rams’ hunger to defend their WPIAL Class 6A title.
Brookville ousts WPIAL champion Ellwood City from PIAA playoffs
March 20, 2021
Jace Miner stole the ball on an inbounds play and scored on a layup with 10 seconds remaining, and in the blink of an eye Ellwood City’s magical run came to an end.
Neshannock girls fend off Windber, make PIAA Class 2A semifinals
March 19, 2021
Moments after coming out of the locker room after Friday night’s game, Neshannock girls basketball coach Luann Grybowski breathed a sigh of relief.
11th-seeded Ellwood City knocks off No. 1 South Allegheny in WPIAL championship shocker
March 15, 2021
Joe Roth described his feelings succinctly.
Pine-Richland swimmers look ahead to bright future after WPIAL performance
A trio of young Pine-Richland swimmers traveled to Upper St. Clair on March 7 to test themselves against the best in the WPIAL and came home with some solid results to cap off a year in which six new school records were set.
Balanced offense carries Pine-Richland boys on playoff run
During Pine-Richland’s boys basketball playoff run, multiple players saw their name with a large point total beside it on the stat sheet.
11th-seeded Ellwood City stuns Neshannock, makes 1st WPIAL final since 1986
March 11, 2021
From the opening tip, Ellwood City coach Steve Antuono Sr. paced the sidelines watching the game with intensity, while wearing his emotions on his sleeve.
Defending champion Mohawk puts down upstart Beaver Falls
March 10, 2021
All season, Mohawk coach Mike O’Lare has talked to his team about creating a new story to be remembered to go along with winning the school’s first WPIAL girls basketball title a year ago.
Second WPIAL wrestling title gives Pine-Richland’s Cole Spencer reason to smile
March 6, 2021
In the middle of the second period of the WPIAL Class AAA 160-pound wrestling final, Cole Spencer took an accidental shot from Norwin’s Chase Kranitz and realized one of his teeth was broken.
5 Pine-Richland runners test themselves at indoor nationals
Five distance runners from Pine-Richland traveled to Virginia last month to test themselves against some of the best high school competition in the country and came home with solid results.
Leechburg rallies for double-overtime win over Eden Christian
March 5, 2021
In a double overtime thriller, No. 6 Leechburg upset No. 3 Eden Christian 45-40 in the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals Friday night at Sewickley Academy.
Sewickley Academy shuts down Greensburg Central Catholic
Sewickley Academy made 19 of 28 free throws and eventually pulled away for a 38-21 victory over Greensburg Central Catholic in the WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball quarterfinals Friday night.
Fox Chapel’s Manelis, North Allegheny’s Shi repeat as WPIAL diving champs
February 27, 2021
The 2021 WPIAL Class AAA diving championships were full of repeats.
Pine-Richland hockey team riding prolific offense
With the volatility that comes with playing during a pandemic, Pine-Richland hockey coach Jordan Yoklic told his players to embrace each opportunity and not take it for granted.
Pine-Richland boys basketball team jells in coach’s 1st season
The last time the WPIAL had an open basketball tournament in 1984 Bob Petcash was a senior at Ambridge and played for a Bridgers team that made the Class 4A final, where it lost to Farrell.
South Park’s O’Connor, North Catholic’s Foley capture WPIAL Class AA diving titles
February 26, 2021
Cole O’Connor saved his toughest dive for last and it paid off.
Spencer leads way for Pine-Richland wrestling team
February 20, 2021
Pine-Richland wrestling made some big strides during the team portion of the season, and now the hope is it has set it up for success in an expanded individual season.
New coach DeGregorio seeing good signs with Pine-Richland girls basketball team
When Kyle DeGregorio took over as coach of the Pine-Richland girls basketball team before this season, his first objective was establishing a culture.
After setting school record, Pine-Richland’s Allen turns focus toward WPIAL success
February 13, 2021
Delaney Allen was exhausted as she climbed out of the pool after swimming her hardest in the 50-yard freestyle on Jan. 28 against North Allegheny when she started hearing screams of joy coming from her teammates.
4 players from Pine-Richland state title football team accept walk-on offers
Pine-Richland football had four players accept preferred walk-on offers on Feb. 3, and each one has a unique story.
Mt. Pleasant girls hope to benefit from experience this season
December 3, 2020
At the high school level it’s a rarity for a team to have its entire roster back from the previous season, but it’s a welcomed reality for longtime Mt. Pleasant girls basketball coach Scott Giacobbi.
Mt. Pleasant boys basketball enters season under new leadership
T.J. Kravits had just finished his season coaching at Marion Center. Being a basketball fan, he looked at the schedule and decided to take a trip to Mt. Pleasant to see a game against Geibel.
Gateway hockey program focused on development
November 29, 2020
Gateway hockey coach Shawn Jesih sees a lot of potential in the freshmen and sophomores who make up the majority of the roster.
Girls basketball preview: Senior trio set to lead Franklin Regional into new section
November 25, 2020
When reflecting on last season, Franklin Regional girls basketball coach Anthony Kobus pointed out five losses in section play by seven points or less.
Boys basketball preview: Franklin Regional to rely on deep group of returning guards
On paper, the 2019-20 Franklin Regional boys basketball season looked like a tale of two halves with a 7-2 run down the stretch to get into the postseason after 5-9 start, but it was more of a yearlong journey of growing up.
Weather’s no problem for Mars boys soccer in PIAA semifinal victory
November 17, 2020
Mars boys soccer coach Chris Knauff said the ground was clear at his home five miles from the Mars Athletic Complex, so he was quite shocked to see a snow-covered field upon arrival.
Pine-Richland routs Peters Township, wins WPIAL championship in 5th classification
November 14, 2020
Pine-Richland already had WPIAL football titles in Class 2A, 3A, 4A and 6A, and after a dominant performance on Saturday, the Rams added 5A to the list.
Clutch goal from Jayden Sharpless lifts North Catholic past Avonworth in Class 2A title game
November 7, 2020
In the early portion of Saturday’s WPIAL Class 2A championship game, North Catholic standout junior Jayden Sharpless said she was a little too amped up when she fired a free kick well over the goal from 30 yards out.
Greensburg Central Catholic boys fight off Eden Christian upset bid in Class A quarterfinals
October 31, 2020
Ricco Ciccarelli could hear Greensburg Central Catholic coach Tyler Solis say, “I think you got it,” as his attempted cross kept curling closer and closer to the net.
North Catholic punishes Mt. Pleasant for mistakes in Class 2A matchup
October 30, 2020
As the clock was winding down late in the fourth quarter, Mt. Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas said to his assistants he felt like the score was a lot closer than the scoreboard indicated.
Forced into starring role, Brock Wilkins carries Kiski Area past Shaler
October 16, 2020
After two successful weeks of filling in for standout Kenny Blake at running back, Brock Wilkins was ready to go back to his role as a lead blocker Friday night. When Blake went down with an injury on his first carry, Wilkins was thrust right back into the spotlight.
North Hills pulls away from Kiski Area
October 2, 2020
In three plays, Kiski Area went from looking like it was going to be right back into its game with North Hills to having the momentum completely flipped.
Avonworth makes smooth transition to Class 3A, blanks Quaker Valley
September 11, 2020
Coming off a historic season that culminated in a WPIAL Class 2A championship, Avonworth had a lot of great players to replace, including a 2,500-yard passer and a 2,300-yard rusher, as it moved up to Class 3A this fall.
North Catholic girls fight off challenge from Central Valley in 4A second round
March 11, 2020
There’s an understanding among the North Catholic Trojanettes that they are going to get everyone’s best.
Freeport confident heading into softball season with small but talented roster
March 10, 2020
When Freeport softball takes the field this year, there’s a good chance there will only be 11 players on the team.
With Heilman on hill, Freeport has shot at another special season
Last season, Freeport baseball coach Ed Carr watched a team that consisted mainly of juniors grow up on the fly and exceed expectations.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Freeport’s Julia Cummings and Kiski Area’s Jack Blumer
Julia Cummings
Fox Chapel baseball optimistic despite heavy turnover from last season
March 9, 2020
Fox Chapel will have to replace 11 seniors, six of their starting nine and most of the pitching staff from a team that went 10-8 and made the WPIAL playoffs, but Foxes coach Jim Hastings has some pieces returning and others coming through the pipeline to help offset the losses.
Bigger roster gives new Fox Chapel softball coach Olbrich cause for optimism
During offseason training, first-year Fox Chapel softball coach Chris Olbrich kept seeing more and more girls show up to work out.
Kiski Area hockey continues remarkable turnaround
March 8, 2020
Kiski Area sophomore defenseman Aiden Sites said if he was told before the season the Cavaliers would be in the PIHL Class A semifinals he wouldn’t have believed it.
Playing without star center Michael Carmody, Mars falls short in PIAA 1st-round game
March 6, 2020
After his team lost in overtime, battling without standout senior Michael Carmody, who was serving a one-game suspension, Mars boys basketball coach Rob Carmody told his players he was obviously disappointed, but he was glad they lost on a play made by a “winning player.”
Norwin hockey focuses on positives after abrupt exit from playoffs
March 4, 2020
Norwin hockey’s season ended Tuesday night when the Knights fell 3-2 to Kiski Area in the first round of the PIHL Class A Penguins Cup playoffs.
Kiski Area edges Norwin to reach Penguins Cup semifinals
In one season, Kiski Area hockey has gone from a one-win team to being a victory away from playing for a Penguins Cup championship.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Highlands’ Johnny Crise and Fox Chapel’s Sophie Shao
March 3, 2020
Johnny Crise
Kiski Area, Plum hockey teams surge into playoffs
March 1, 2020
A couple of weeks ago, Kiski Area and Plum completed two of the more remarkable rebounds in the PIHL.
Chartiers Valley defends WPIAL title, wins 55th consecutive game
February 29, 2020
Chartiers Valley girls basketball coach Tim McConnell said he told his younger sister, Trinity coach Kathy McConnell-Miller, that the only good thing about facing each other in a WPIAL final was that a McConnell was guaranteed to win.
Led by singles champ Small, Plum bowling team has postseason to remember
February 28, 2020
Plum bowling coach Darryl Pilyih said coaching senior standout Shannon Small has become a pretty easy task because she rarely makes a mistake.
Shutdown defenses to meet when North Allegheny, Bethel Park tangle for girls 6A title
When Bethel Park and North Allegheny take the floor at Petersen Events Center on Saturday for the Class 6A girls basketball championship, expect a defensive chess match to unfold.
Chartiers Valley uses bulletin-board material to top TJ, return to Class 5A finals
February 26, 2020
Moments after Chartiers Valley finished off a 65-43 win over Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals Wednesday night at Mt. Lebanon, Colts coach Tim McConnell offered an open dinner invitation to who ever made shirts for the Jaguars that read, “3.1 doesn’t equal 4.4.”
North Allegheny girls shut down Upper St. Clair, get back to WPIAL Class 6A finals
February 25, 2020
On the bus ride to North Hills, members of the North Allegheny girls basketball team chatted back and forth about what their keys were going to be defensively.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Shannon Small and Korry Myers
Shannon Small
Belle Vernon boys basketball upsets Quaker Valley, clinches PIAA spot
February 22, 2020
Listed at 5-foot-9, Devin Whitlock was the shortest player on the floor in Saturday’s game between Quaker Valley and Belle Vernon, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in many other areas.
Brayden Reynolds’ clutch shot sparks Chartiers Valley past Shaler
February 21, 2020
Chartiers Valley coach Brandon Sensor thought Shaler did a pretty good job on his standout guard Brayden Reynolds through the first three quarters of Friday’s WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal game.
Penn-Trafford gymnast Adamik balances fun, competition at high school level
A couple of years ago, Lacey Adamik gave up the everyday grind of training for competitive USA gymnastics, but as time went on, she started to miss the sport.
Elliott handles pressure, shoots Bishop Canevin boys past Union
February 20, 2020
Dom Elliott was honest about what was going through his mind in as he toed the line for two foul shots with five seconds remaining and Bishop Canevin trailing by one.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Samantha Coleman and A.J. Corrado
February 18, 2020
Samantha Coleman
After scholarship from Hines Ward, Valley’s Guzzo to be featured in book
February 16, 2020
Greg Guzzo was checking his email randomly last year when he saw a message titled “Positive Athlete.”
Pine-Richland’s Alexander, Thomas Jefferson’s Kameg big winners at WPIAL gymnastics meet
February 15, 2020
Pine-Richland’s Samantha Alexander went into WPIAL individual gymnastics championships wanting to stay on her feet.
Q&A with Plum’s Connor Moss
February 14, 2020
Plum’s Connor Moss eclipsed 1,000 career points Feb. 5 after scoring 25 in a 52-51 nonconference win over Baldwin. Moss joins another junior, the girls team’s Kennedie Montue, in hitting the milestone. Moss scored more than 20 points 13 times this season and had more than 30 points four times.
Iron sharpens iron for Franklin Regional state title hopefuls Dibert, Solomon
At every practice in the Franklin Regional wrestling room, Finn Solomon and Carter Dibert are paired. When they wrestle, it typically becomes a spectacle.
Burrell gymnastics team beaming at chance to compete at WPIAL championships
February 13, 2020
For a long time, Burrell has been represented at the WPIAL individual gymnastics championship.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Highlands’ Sarah Sawhook and Leechburg’s Dylan Cook
February 11, 2020
Sarah Sawhook
Fox Chapel hockey hopes to ride momentum into postseason
February 9, 2020
In 20 years of being involved in hockey, Fox Chapel coach Cam Raidna never experienced anything like what his team pulled off Thursday night against Kiski Area.
Recruiting interest ramping up for Plum lineman Evan Azzara
February 7, 2020
Plum junior Evan Azzara has visited almost every Mid-American Conference school in Ohio, but the one he went to the most has been Miami (Ohio).
Alle-Kiski Valley Athletes of the Week: Knoch’s Madilyn Boyer, Burrell’s Ian Oswalt
February 4, 2020
Madilyn Boyer
Knoch girls finally slay rival Freeport
February 3, 2020
Moments after Lauren Cihonski hit a game-winning basket with four seconds remaining to help Knoch beat Freeport 53-52, the magnitude of what transpired hit her.
Plum hockey gets healthy in time for PIHL playoffs push
January 31, 2020
Every hockey team deals with bumps and bruises, but, in January, Plum could have used a M.A.S.H. unit.
Alle-Kiski Valley Athetes of the Week: Plum’s Kennedie Montue, Leechburg’s Jake Blumer
January 28, 2020
Kennedie Montue
No. 1 North Catholic fights off serious challenge from Freeport
January 27, 2020
Coming into Monday’s game, North Catholic girls basketball had won 54 section games in a row — all but one of them by double digits — so when Freeport tied the game with five minutes remaining, it presented a situation that hadn’t come up in a while.
Thomas Jefferson’s Pazo, North Catholic’s Shaffer lift Team Blue to PIHL Class A All-Star Game win
January 26, 2020
Thomas Jefferson junior Eddie Pazo and North Catholic junior Quinten Shaffer had a hat trick each to lead Team Blue to a 9-5 win over Team Gold in the PIHL Class A All-Star Game Sunday at RMU Island Sports Center.
Ringgold’s Budjos nets hat trick to lead Team Blue to victory in PIHL Class B All-Star Game
Typically going on the penalty kill late in a game down by two goals is not a successful strategy, but in the PIHL Class B All-Star Game, Team Blue made being down a player work in a major way.
Surging Norwin girls basketball team finds right balance
January 24, 2020
The Norwin girls basketball team was the top scoring offense in WPIAL Class 6A through 14 games, and the Knights ranked second in scoring average against.
Gateway girls grind out win over Armstrong
January 23, 2020
Armstrong girls basketball coach Kirk Lorigan joked that he started looking in the stands for James Naismith, because it felt like the cylinder hoops at Gateway’s gymnasium were replaced with peach baskets.
Alle-Kiski Valley Athletes of the Week: Freeport’s Maddie Clark, Highlands’ Jrake Burford
January 21, 2020
Maddie Clark
Kiski Area goalie Petika leads A-K Valley contingent in PIHL All-Star games
January 19, 2020
Kiski Area goalie Eric Petika got a nice wakeup call from his dad the morning after the PIHL All-Star teams were released a couple of weeks ago.
Steel Valley’s Camden Polak likes making noise in the library
January 15, 2020
Many high school students go to the library to check out a book for their next homework assignment, but Steel Valley senior Camden Polak goes there for a different reason.
Jeannette puts together complete effort in routing Serra Catholic
January 14, 2020
Even though Jeannette coach Adrian Batts was hoarse from imploring his team all game, it wasn’t going to stop him from talking about the enjoyment he got from watching his team execute Tuesday night.
A-K Valley Athletes of the Week: Riverview’s Sydney McDonough, Knoch’s Ryan Lang
Sydney McDonough
Burrell standout Stewart surprises with return to varsity hockey team
January 12, 2020
After spending some time in the junior hockey ranks this season, Tyler Stewart made a surprise return to the ice for Burrell hockey last Monday.
Plum spirit squad shows competitive drive
Every Saturday in the fall, the Plum competitive spirit team met in the gym for a 7 a.m. practice after cheering the night before at football games with a determination to get stronger.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: St. Joseph’s Trinity Lockwood-Morris and Plum’s Connor Moss
January 7, 2020
Trinity Lockwood-Morris
Blackhawk defense shuts down Central Valley in Class 4A showdown
January 6, 2020
Blackhawk girls basketball coach Steve Lodovico loves to run a press and trap defense with the goal of creating turnovers and racking up points off them. Facing a familiar foe in Central Valley on the road, he decided to adjust the gameplan.
Fox Chapel hockey hopes experience in close games helps with playoff push
January 5, 2020
The Fox Chapel hockey team has played its share of close games this season.
Plum girls improving in quest for Section 2 championship
January 4, 2020
About an hour removed from a 41-31 victory over Armstrong on Thursday, Plum girls basketball coach Steve Elsier provided a list of reasons it was their best performance to date.
Plum bowler Shannon Small sets big goals
Nesbit’s Lanes has pretty much become a second home for Shannon Small.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Deer Lakes’ Reese Hasley, St. Joseph’s Andrew Sullivan
December 31, 2019
Andrew Sullivan
New-look Burrell hockey team finds stability
December 29, 2019
Entering the season, perhaps no team in the PIHL lost more key pieces than Burrell.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Knoch’s Nevaeh Ewing, Apollo-Ridge’s Keighton Reese
December 24, 2019
Nevaeh Ewing
‘Building year’ for youthful Freeport hockey
December 22, 2019
Jack Mason can still remember the nervousness he felt playing varsity hockey as a freshman.
Plum boys basketball seeks secret to closing out games
December 20, 2019
First-year Plum boys basketball coach Mark Marino has been happy with the buy-in level from his players in the early part of the season.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Morgan Gamble and Demitri Fritch
December 17, 2019
Demitri
Plum in prime position midway through hockey season
December 15, 2019
As Plum hockey reached the midpoint of the PIHL Class AA season, it found itself tied atop the Northeast Division standings with Armstrong with a pair of games in hand.
Alle-Kiski Valley Athletes of the Week: Valley’s Tori Johnson, Fox Chapel’s Arnold Vento
December 10, 2019
Tori Johnson
Phipps, Norwin wrestling ready to take next step
December 7, 2019
Kurtis Phipps showed his toughness by battling through a foot injury in last year’s PIAA Class AAA championship match. He suffered the injury a day earlier in his semifinal win.
Franklin Regional wrestlers look to add to program’s Hershey history
Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe had to stop for a moment and count back through the years to figure out how many seasons in a row the Panthers have had a representative in the PIAA wrestling finals.
Central Valley dominates Bald Eagle Area to earn trip to Hershey
November 29, 2019
One thing in particular that stands out from the many things that Central Valley coach Mark Lyons loves about his football team is that they enjoy playing together and not one player believes he is above another.
With three top starters returning, Plum girls planning banner season
November 28, 2019
In his opening remarks at the first practice of the season, Plum girls basketball coach Steve Elsier challenged his team.
Unusual Plum boys roster packed with senior leadership but lacking experience
With plenty of seniors on the roster, it might look like the Plum boys basketball team has a lot of experience. In reality, almost everyone will be new to varsity this winter.
Kiski Area girls hope experience, work ethic lead to growth
November 25, 2019
Kiski Area girls basketball coach Nick Dizon couldn’t have been happier with the work his group put into its offseason.
Kiski Area boys plan to pick up the pace
Entering year two of his tenure at Kiski Area, Will Saunders is ready to let his team run.
Successful season falls short of ultimate goal for Penn-Trafford
November 23, 2019
The Penn-Trafford football team has high standards, and with that comes championship aspirations.
Fox Chapel boys basketball team rallies around defense
November 22, 2019
At the end of practice, most teams come together in a circle, put their hands in and say one, two, three and then their team name.
New coach works to instill confidence in talented Fox Chapel girls roster
When Marty Matvey arrived to take over the Fox Chapel girls basketball program this summer, he quickly realized there was talent from top to bottom in the lineup.
Rebuilding plan has Cheswick Christian boys ready to contend again
November 20, 2019
When 6-foot-10 Ben Pollock finished his Cheswick Christian Academy boys basketball career in 2016-17 after rewriting much of the school’s record book, longtime Chargers coach Todd Rosio had a three-year plan to build the team back up to contending status.
Cheswick Christian girls dedicate season to former coach in need of heart transplant
Jacque Willis thought she might become a basketball coach someday, but she never expected it to be just a few months after she graduated college.
Central Valley stops Aliquippa in overtime in tense WPIAL title game
November 16, 2019
On the first play of overtime, Michael Barbuto was pushing toward the goal line when he felt something strange happen.
Washington leans on Zahmere Robinson to stop upset-minded Brentwood
November 15, 2019
After Washington’s Zahmere Robinson fumbled for the first time this year in a third quarter that saw Brentwood surging, he went to the sidelines and told his teammates he’d make up for it.
Franklin Regional not satisfied with first-round playoff exit
There wasn’t another team in the WPIAL that played a schedule like Franklin Regional did this season.
North Catholic volleyball gets vengeance, defeats Freeport in PIAAs
November 12, 2019
The day after North Catholic girls volleyball lost to Freeport in the WPIAL Class AA finals by surrendering a 2-0 lead, coach Amanda Fetter told her players they deserved to have a banner hanging in the gymnasium, and the only one left to get was a PIAA banner.
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Knoch’s Skylar Burkett and Fox Chapel’s Colby Zmenkowski
Skylar Burkett
Playing through injuries solidified Knoch volleyball team’s depth
November 11, 2019
At practice Monday, Knoch girls volleyball players sat on the gym floor in a circle around coach Diane Geist as they prepared for their state semifinal opponent, District 3 champion Palmyra.
Mars girls soccer team rolls past West Allegheny in PIAA playoffs
November 9, 2019
The Mars girls soccer team has been dominant against WPIAL opponents all season, and in its final meeting against a district foe this season, it wasted little time establishing the tone.
Pine-Richland easily handles North Allegheny on way to WPIAL final
November 8, 2019
As Pine-Richland coach Eric Kasperowicz was giving his postgame speech with his players surrounding him on a knee, the assistant coaches started tossing Heinz ketchup packets into the huddle.
Knoch volleyball back to full strength in first-round PIAA win over South Fayette
November 5, 2019
The last time Kennedy Christy was in the Shaler gym, she was injured on the final night of the regular season in a nonsection match against the Titans and it caused her to miss Knoch’s entire WPIAL playoff run.
Freeport volleyball shakes off ‘WPIAL hangover,’ cruises in first-round PIAA match
After having to come back from two-set deficits to win in the WPIAL semifinals and finals last week,the Freeport girls volleyball team had a much less stressful opening to the state playoffs.
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Freeport’s Isabella Russo, Riverview’s Mason Ochs
Isabella Russo
Knoch girls volleyball beats Thomas Jefferson for 3rd straight WPIAL title
November 2, 2019
In its playoff run, Knoch girls volleyball proved how strong a team it is by grinding out wins without standout hitters Kennedy Christy and Hannah Rowe.
Plum soccer reached goals despite dramatic playoff loss
November 1, 2019
If someone had told Plum boys soccer coach Raf Kolankowski before the season that his team would have been leading in a WPIAL Class AAAA semifinal with five-plus minutes remaining, he would’ve taken it in a heartbeat.
Joey Fonagy’s overtime goal lifts Canon-McMillan to WPIAL boys soccer title
October 31, 2019
The Big Macs had one more comeback in them and it was one that they’ll remember for a long time.
AK Valley high school athletes of the week: Plum’s Kaitlyn Killinger and Deer Lakes’ Michael Sullivan
October 29, 2019
Kaitlyn Killinger
Hat trick lifts Deer Lakes boys soccer past South Park in Class AA semis
October 26, 2019
Deer Lakes boys soccer has used “unfinished business” as its mantra after narrow misses on the road to a WPIAL championship appearance the last few years.
Canon-McMillan boys score 2 late goals, edge Plum in Class AAAA semis
A few minutes after the Plum boys soccer team’s magical season ended Saturday with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals that saw Canon-McMillan score twice in the final six minutes, Mustangs coach Raf Kolankowski used the moment as a teaching tool.
Westmoreland girls soccer playoff capsules: Games of Oct. 24, 2019
October 23, 2019
Class AAAA
A-K Valley high school athletes of the week: Burrell’s Sara Novak and Springdale’s Mike Mitchell
October 22, 2019
Sara Novak
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.
