Basketball

Ligonier Valley’s Michael Marinchak practices in the school gym on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.

George Guido: Ligonier Valley set to check final box, enter WPIAL

December 3, 2019

The WPIAL could have a new member school by late Wednesday afternoon.

Mark Jula coaches Ambridge during a game at Quaker Valley on January 16, 2018 in Leetsdale.

Ambridge basketball coach Mark Jula retires week before season opener

December 2, 2019

Ambridge boys basketball coach Mark Jula started to question his passion for the job, so he retired a week before the season opener.

Returning players for the 2019 Ligonier Valley girls basketball team include, from left, Haley Boyd, Kaelyn Adams and Carol Woods.

Rebuilding Ligonier Valley girls hope to ‘learn how to compete’

There was a reason that Ligonier Valley girls basketball coach Tim Gustin scheduled Punxsutawney for his team’s first preseason scrimmage.

Valley’s Elijah Murray pulls down a rebound in the final seconds against Shady Side Academy last season.

Valley boys confident revamped roster can extend playoff streak

With playoff trips in each of the past three seasons, Valley boys basketball has built some consistency. Enough, the Vikings think, that a fourth trip can happen even with some roster turnover.

North Catholic’s Kylee Lewandowski scores past Central Valley’s Allyson Kirby during the WPIAL Class 4A girls basketball championship at Petersen Events Center.

WPIAL Class 4A girls basketball preseason breakdown

WPIAL girls basketball season will tip off next weekend.

Central Valley’s Isiah Warfield, who played at Sewickley Academy last season, shoots over OLSH’s Dante Spadafora during their game Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School.

WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball preseason breakdown

A new decade of WPIAL boys basketball tips off next weekend.

Ligonier Valley’s Michael Marinchak practices Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.

Quick Ligonier Valley boys look to make a run to another district title

You won’t see Ligonier Valley police chief John Berger handling out any speeding tickets in the Ligonier Valley High School gymnasium this winter.

Valley’s DeAisha James works out during practice Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at Valley High School.

Valley girls expect to build foundation for return to winning ways

It’s been a long, dark period for Valley girls basketball, but coach Ernie Sipolino believes there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

Yough’s Kaden Bizzozero practices a dribbling drill while head coach Jim Nesser oversees practice.

Yough boys basketball ready for heavy lifting

December 1, 2019

Inside a weight room at Yough, music blares while players lift and exercise, some methodically traversing from station to station.

Chartiers Valley’s Megan McConnell drives past Bishop Carroll’s Grace O’Neill during the PIAA Class 5A girls state championship game Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Giant Center in Hershey.

WPIAL Class 5A girls basketball preseason breakdown

WPIAL girls basketball season will tip off next weekend.

Mars’ Michael Carmody scores between Meadville’s Lemaro Husband (1) and Lashon Lindsey during their PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal Friday, March 15, 2019, at Sharon High School.

WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball preseason breakdown

A new decade of WPIAL boys basketball tips off next weekend.

St. Joseph’s Ally Swierczewski drives around a Riverview defender during a scrimmage.

Nowhere to go but up for St. Joseph girls after 1-21 season

Last season was one to forget for the St. Joseph girls’ basketball team.

Yough girls’ basketball head coach Mike Gerdich speaks with his players while at practice Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 at Yough High School.

Yough girls ‘pointing in the right direction’

It might not seem like much, but three victories last season was a big deal for the Yough girls basketball team. The number represented three more successful outings than a winless team in the previous year.