Sewickley sports notebook: Quaker Valley wrestlers hit the road

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 11:01 AM

The Quaker Valley wrestling team won’t compete in a home match until next year.

After participating in five road tests in December, the Quakers will wrestle in their home opener Jan. 7 in a section match against Avonworth.

QV opened the season Dec. 3 at Moon then competed in the Chartiers-Houston Invitational held Dec. 5-6 at Chartiers-Houston.

The Quakers were led at the invitational by two seniors, Bruce Anderchak at 127 pounds, and Matt Danna at 160, along with 189-pound junior Trey Dunlap.

Anderchak won by a technical fall over Butler’s Nick Savannah in the championship round to improve to 5-0 this season and 124-28 for his career. Dunlap finished in third place to go to 5-2 while Danna placed fourth to go to 7-2.

Danna, who racked up a 51-10 record in 2024-25, boosted his career mark to 96-23

The Moon Duals took place a week after that, followed by a trip to Mount Aloysius on the weekend of Dec. 19-20 for the Panther Holiday Classic.

Nine days later, the QV grapplers will participate in the nationally acclaimed Powerade Classic set for Dec. 29-30 at Canon-McMillan.

The Quakers kick off the new year Jan. 3 at the Ed Driscoll MAC Tournament at Laurel. There are only two home matches on QV’s schedule this season; the second is set for Jan. 21 against a section foe, Keystone Oaks.

Following the match against the Golden Eagles, the Quakers will practice for three weeks in preparation for the District 7-2A Section North tournament set for Feb. 14.

SA boys start fast

Perhaps the most impressive performance on the first weekend of the high school basketball season was displayed by the Sewickley Academy boys team.

Sewickley steamrolled through the two-day Rize Sports tournament in Leetsdale, crushing both Nazareth Prep and Riverview by scores of 82-23 and 82-32.

Lucas Grimsley, a 6-foot-4 senior forward, netted 12 points and Adam Ikamba, a 6-8 junior forward, added 11 against Nazareth Prep. Mamadou Kane, a 6-8 sophomore forward, scored 15 points and Ikamba tacked on 12 versus Riverview.

“We’ve been playing very well,” Grimsley said. “We’re stacking great practice days, and so far, they’ve shown in the games. The team feels closer than ever, and it’s been a joy playing and practicing with them every day.

“My expectations this year are to attack each day with great intensity and grit, taking it one play at a time while still enjoying the journey.”

Two other returning senior starters for the Panthers include Amare Spencer, a 6-2 forward, and Caiden Battles, a 5-8 guard.

“I’m really proud of our team so far,” Spencer said. “We have a deep group this year, and it’s been great seeing so many guys step up and get their chance to contribute. Everyone has embraced their role, and we’re competing the right way.

“Our expectation is to compete for a state championship, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We focus on each game as it comes, prepare the right way, and make sure we don’t overlook anyone. If we stay locked in on the next game, everything else will take care of itself.”

Spencer is a fourth-year player in the Sewickley boys basketball program.

“I just want to say how grateful I am for Sewickley basketball over these past four years,” he said. “The program has helped shape me as a player and as a person, and I’m thankful for every teammate and coach who’s been part of that journey.

“I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

Jardini leads SA girls

One of the team leaders in the Sewickley Academy girls program is Grace Jardini, a 5-7 junior frontcourt player.

Jardini and the Panthers opened the season by splitting decisions in the South Side tournament, losing to Keystone Oaks, 51-35, and rebounding with a 61-24 win against host South Side. Sewickley also lost to Winchester Thurston, 66-49, Dec. 3 in a nonsection game.

“I expect to have a fun, successful and competitive season,” Jardini said. “The improvements we’ve made in just the past couple weeks are amazing.

“Everyone is eager to learn and it shows, and I think it will lead to a really great season for us.”

The Panthers are a young group with six freshmen and two sophomores, to go with three juniors and no seniors.

“I’m so excited to get into the season with such a young team,” Jardini said. “Half of our team are freshmen, and they have transitioned seamlessly. Their love for basketball and each other has been a much-needed addition.

“And we have an amazing new coaching staff that is just as energized as the players. They have so much experience and such high basketball IQs. They really are great role models and teachers for all of us.”

The Panthers worked on improving their shooting touch from close range during preseason practices.

“Layups, layups, layups; and some plays,” Jardini said.

Sewickley earned its first win of the season on Day 2 of the South Side tournament. The Panthers belted South Side, 61-24, as a pair of 5-5 guards, freshman Nina Caputo and junior Emma Eannarino led the way with 15 and 14 points, followed by Jardini with 13 and 5-8 freshman guard Charlotte Morton with 12.

Thiero drops 44

The University of Maryland women’s basketball coaches surely liked what they heard about Quaker Valley senior Mimi Thiero’s performance against Montour earlier this season.

Thiero, a 6-5 guard/forward, fourth-year starter and Maryland recruit, hit five 3-pointers and scored 44 points in a 62-60 loss at Montour. Her point total is believed to be a new school record for scoring in a QV girls game.

Thiero was 15 of 31 from the floor, five of 10 from 3-point range and 9 of 10 at the free-throw line. She scored 24 points in the first half and 20 in the second half.

She also finished with 10 rebounds and three assists.

Thiero started out the season with a 23-point performance against Thomas Jefferson in which she was 13 for 18 at the charity stripe. She also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Sewickley hockey victorious

The Sewickley Academy hockey team won for the second time this season on Dec. 8 in a 4-1 decision against Central Valley.

Sophomore defenseman David Merlo scored twice, freshman forward Brooks Kraina and sophomore forward Mario Thomas also scored. Senior goaltender Jack Carlson made 29 saves to spark the Panthers to the Division 2 win.

Kraina netted what proved to be the game-winner in the second period off assists by junior forward Max Kopf and sophomore forward Evan Baker. Jack Carlson, sophomore defenseman Cole Carlson and junior forwards Mathias Lieb and Jacob Stanislaw also were credited with assists for Sewickley (2-8-1).

Caleb McQuaid accounted for the lone goal for Central Valley (2-6-1).

Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy