Penn Hills notebook: Amon Hawthorne headed to Slippery Rock

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, May 10, 2026 | 11:01 AM

Amon Hawthorne became one of the WPIAL’s most dominant scorers as a senior. The Indians senior, who became the first player from the program to top 1,000 points scoring for his career since Daemar Kelly, has committed to play at Slippery Rock.

Hawthorne said the school first reached out to him in December.

“I chose Slippery Rock because of the plan they have for me and how my play will fit in their system,” Hawthorne said. “The love they have shown for me feels genuine, and I’m excited and most looking forward to winning in the PSAC, and I want to make an impact early.”

QB sets standard

The Penn Hills girls flag football team wasn’t able to find a way to earn a spot in the inaugural WPIAL championship tournament. But Indians quarterback Jordin Stubbs gave the program something to remember the year by.

She topped 1,000 yards passing for the year during a matchup with Oakland Catholic at Duquesne University. The Indians finished in sixth place with a 6-7 overall record and a 4-7 mark in Section 3 play.

Plum, Latrobe, Woodland Hills and Oakland Catholic grabbed the four playoff bids.

Phipps heads to Thiel

Penn Hills wrestler Daemon Phipps had a career-best year as a senior. The 127-pounder earned an opportunity to wrestle at Division III Thiel.

Phipps finished with a 94-29 career record. During his senior season, Phipps collected 30 victories and all of them came on the mat; he didn’t receive any forfeits.

Phipps qualified for the WPIAL Class 3A championships as a junior and senior.

Burnett finds spot

Atheena Burnett was constantly under siege in net for the Indians’ girls soccer team, which was short on numbers this season. Burnett recently chose to play for Division II Lincoln (Pa.).

“She brings energy competitiveness and a mindset that fits exactly what we’re building in the Den,” the team’s Instagram posted about Burnett.

Sipple joins new program

Anthony Sipple has taken on a handful of different challenges during his high school athletics career — he played golf, swam and was on the baseball team — and won’t see life be much different in college. Sipple has chosen to attend Carlow and will play for the baseball team during its inaugural season.

“They are creating a new program there, and it’s going to be a great opportunity for him because he is going to play early,” Penn Hills coach Joe Capobianco said. “The coach there is really enthusiastic. Anthony is an attractive get for a coach for sure.”