North Allegheny notebook: 6 Tigers picked for PIHL all-star game

By: Tribune-Review
Saturday, January 13, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Six North Allegheny hockey players were selected to play in the annual PIHL all-star game, set for Jan. 28, at Robert Morris’ Island Sports Center.

Forwards Marc Joyson, Ryan Jackman and Evan Kerber; defensemen Owen Logan and Travis Lamark; and goalie Andrew Long were picked to play in the Class 3A game.

In addition, NA’s Andrew Seiss will serve as a coach for the Class 3A game.

Five games will be played starting with the D2 game at noon.

The Class A Blue game will be at 1:50 p.m. with the Class A Gold contest at 3:40.

The Class 2A stars will take the ice at 5:30 p.m. with the Class 3A game slated for 7:30 p.m.

North Allegheny is in second place in the PIHL Class 3A standings at 8-3-0-1, trailing only Seneca Valley (10-3).

Girls wrestling wins host tournament

The North Allegheny girls wrestling team earned the team title Jan. 6 at the North Allegheny girls duals tournament.

The Tigers went 5-0 with wins over Mt. Lebanon, Trinity, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley and Steubenville, Ohio.

Audrey Morrison and Hannah Williams each had five pins, and Brenna Collery had four pins and a victory. Leyna Rumpler and Kaylee Deanmalso also won all five of their bouts as the Tigers moved to 6-0 overall.

Boys wrestlers top rival North Hills

Behind five pins, North Allegheny’s boys wrestling team rolled to a 43-15 victory over North Hills in a Section 2-3A match Jan. 8.

Evan Schomburg (107 pounds), Gus Stedeford (121), William Bentrim (133), Aidan Buggey (215) and Bradyn McConneha (heavyweight) all won by pin.

Casey Walker (127) won by major decision, and Griffen Reid (139), Travis Stipetich (152) and Kellen Buggey (172) won decisions as the Tigers improved to 11-2 overall and 2-0 in section matches.

NA girls roll past Butler

Lydia Betz led North Allegheny (8-1, 2-1) with 25 points, Caroline Henderson added 11 and Grace Heliger had 10 in a 62-43 Section 1-6A win over Butler on Jan. 8.

Spirit squad headed to Hershey

North Allegheny’s competitive spirit squad earned a fourth-place finish in the large varsity category and finished fifth overall at the WPIAL Class 3A championships Jan. 6, at Chartiers Valley.

The team earned a spot in field for the PIAA championships, set for Jan. 26-27, in Hershey.

WPIAL champion Hempfield and North Allegheny will be joined by Thomas Jefferson, Penn-Trafford, Butler, Norwin, Seneca Valley, Pine-Richland, Baldwin, North Hills and South Fayette at the state championships.

Dopirak named HSSN player of the week

North Allegheny senior guard/forward Joey Dopirak was named the Trib HSSN boys basketball player of the week for his play earlier this month.

On Jan. 3, North Allegheny opened up Section 1-6A play with a 12-point victory over New Castle at home as Dopirak led all scorers with 32 points. Two days later, the Tigers traveled to rival Pine-Richland and rolled past the Rams, 50-28. Dopirak outscored the hosts as he registered his second straight 32-point performance.

“We have had guys out and we have had to rely on him more as a scorer,” coach Dave DeGregorio said. “The impressive thing has been his efficiency. He’s only taking about 14 shots in those games. His biggest improvement overall this season has been on the defensive end.”

Erg in the Burgh coming up

North Allegheny rowing will host the 23rd annual Erg in the Burgh on Feb. 24, at Marshall Middle School. The indoor rowing race and fundraiser will draw more than 350 athletes from middle to high school. Youth teams from throughout the Pittsburgh region will compete.

Tags: North Allegheny