Franklin Regional notebook: Hockey team heats up heading into new year

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Franklin Regional hockey team countered a three-game losing streak with two straight wins heading into 2025.

JJ Tensuan netted the game-winner off an assist from Grant Williams 37 seconds into overtime to lift the Panthers to a 4-3 win over Pine-Richland.

Joey Casella had two goals and Ryan Crouse also scored in the win, while Williams assisted the game-winning goal.

The Panthers (5-6-1-0) followed with a 4-1 victory over Thomas Jefferson — a team ahead of them in the PIHL Class 3A standings — behind goals from Ryland Kase, Crouse (2), and Nick Matus, while Ashton Rothrauff made 40 saves in net.

FR bounces back

After dropping four of five games, Franklin Regional boys basketball rebounded with a 59-45 victory over Laurel Highlands in Section 1-5A.

Connor Crossey powered the Panthers (5-6, 1-3) with 21 points, while Jonah Johnston added 15.

Clelian Heights time again

Students from the Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children in Greensburg will return to Franklin Regional for their annual basketball event Jan. 24.

A charity basketball game is played in front of the student body and faculty, with Franklin Regional basketball players teaming up with Clelian students for a halftime shooting contest.

It will mark the 15th year for the event, which raises funds and awareness for the special needs school. More then $15,000 has been donated to Clelian Heights since the event’s inception in 2011.

Recruiting

Franklin Regional football player Macallister Bresnahan received a Division II scholarship offer from Seton Hill.

On campus

Updates on Franklin Regional athletes competing at the college level:

Wrestling

Edinboro: Fifth-year wrestler Colton Camacho (Franklin Regional) finished sixth at the Midlands Championships. The 133-pounder reached the quarterfinals and fell 7-3 to Ben Davino of Ohio State. He used a reversal and two back points late in the third period to defeat Bucknell senior Kurt Phipps (Norwin), 8-5, in the consolation round.

Pitt: Redshirt sophomore Finn Solomon (Franklin Regional) was on pace for a strong finish at the Midlands Championships but was forced to default due to injury and placed sixth at 149 pounds.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional