Sports

Kiski Area players celebrate with Samuel Coleman after he returned an interception for a touchdown against Franklin Regional on Friday, Sept. 03, 2021, at Richard J. Dilts Field.

George Guido: Kiski Area, Leechburg football enjoy best starts since ’80s

September 25, 2021

One half of the 2021 regular season is in the books, and something is becoming painfully obvious.

The Norwin girls tennis team has high expectations this season. Team members are, in front, from left, Alaina Crosby, Hope Kenney, Kayla Sisco, Jenna Walko, Kayla Lovell, Saryn Tadich, Sophia Lepore and Elana Gomez; in middle, Abby Zula, Mary Mahoney, Laura Shuster, Taylor Miller, Erin Alexander, Abby Campbell, and Sadie Cuturilo; and in back, head coach Diane Pesarsick, Shawna Sinchak, Olivia Knoechel, Kylie Everett, Sydney Pesarsick, Jordan Napierkowski, Kylin Smith, Elizabeth Nicholson, Jenna Beach, and junior varsity coach Jeff Toops.

Norwin tennis team off to strong start behind ‘seasoned’ lineup

With the largest and most experienced team she has since taking over at Norwin in 2018, girls tennis coach Diane Pesarsick has even larger expectations for the Knights this fall.

Norwin notebook: Knights girls soccer rebounds after early loss

Norwin girls soccer coach Diane Metzger isn’t panicking. After all, it’s only one game.

North Allegheny notebook: Hoffman advances to WPIAL semifinals

North Allegheny freshman golfer Chris Hoffman shot 7-over par 78 to finish in fourth place at the Section 3-AAA boys golf qualifier Sept. 21, at Shannopin Country Club.

The North Allegheny girls golf team is off to a 12-1 start in 2021.

North Allegheny girls golfers chasing individual, team success

Many of the golfers on North Allegheny’s girls team already have their own swing instructors, so first-year coach Sarah Morrison tries not to tinker much with their mechanics.

Franklin Regional’s Zach Abdallah putts on No. 18 during the WPIAL Class AAA boys golf championship in 2020 at Cedarbrook Golf Club.

Franklin Regional notebook: Panthers golfers advance to semifinals

Three Franklin Regional golfers advanced through the first level of WPIAL boys qualifying on the road to the district championship.

Palmer Jackson watches his tee shot at the 121st USGA U.S. Amateur on Aug. 10 at Oakmont Country Club.

Palmer Jackson’s season off to hot start at Notre Dame

The Notre Dame golf team began the fall season with two tournaments and Franklin Regional graduate Palmer Jackson has paced the Fighting Irish in both.

Hampton’s Kai Herchenroether was lauded Sept. 13 as a Class 3A player of the week by the Western PA Volleyball Coaches Association.

Strong start in section, tournament play helps Hampton volleyball vault to No. 1 ranking

Hampton opened its section schedule in girls volleyball with a pair of impressive victories, blanking Highlands and Knoch by 3-0 scores in early September.

Hampton’s Holden Pritts celebrates his goal next to Mars’ Mason Meyer during their game on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at Mars. Hampton won, 2-0.

Smothering defense helps Hampton start season strong

Hampton senior Thomas Bradfield is one of the top goalkeepers in WPIAL Class 3A soccer.

Laura Carter, the top runner on the Fox Chapel girls cross country team, leads the pack en route to winning the 1600 meter run at the Baldwin Invitational in March.

Fox Chapel cross country teams in position to add to championship tradition

Fox Chapel is off to another good start in cross country as the Foxes plan to continue their outstanding success from years gone by.

Chartiers Valley’s Abraham Ibrahim pulls in a first-quarter touchdown agsinst Blackhawk last season.

Emergence of senior receiver adds another weapon to Chartiers Valley’s offense

Coming into this season, all eyes were on Chartiers Valley junior wide receiver Lamont Payne, and for good reason.

Bethel Park graduates inducted Sept. 17, 2021, into the Bethel Park Athletic Hall of Fame included, from left, Alan Smith (1969), Doug Michalke (1971), Danielle Gratton (2005) and Adam Lazenga (2010). Missing from the photo are Van Richardson (1982) and Wes Richardson (1989).

Bethel Park honors Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

Five decades covering a span of 41 years were represented at this year’s Bethel Park Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Bethel Park golfers, from left, senior Riley Miller and junior Olivia Willig are members of the 2021 team.

Trio of returning letter winners among Bethel Park golfers gaining experience

Adam Triscila, coach of the Bethel Park girls golf program, offered an open invitation.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Sept. 24, 2021

High schools

Central Catholic quarterback Payton Wehner scores next to JD Younger during their game against North Allegheny on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in McCandless.

2021 WPIAL statistical leaders for rushing, passing, receiving in Week 4

Top performers for Week 4 of high school football in Western Pennsylvania.

North Catholic quarterback Joey Prentice throws a pass during practice on Aug. 9, 2021, in Cranberry.

Week 4 high school football roundup for Sept. 24, 2021: North Catholic takes down East Allegheny

Joey Prentice rushed for 114 yards and scored on a pair of 1-yard runs to lead No. 2 North Catholic to a 31-14 victory against East Allegheny (2-3, 1-1) in the Class 3A Allegheny Conference on Friday night.

Plum’s Lucas Pittman heads the ball over Franklin Regional’s Anthony DiFalco during their game on Sept. 7, 2021, in Murrysvile.

Early challenges help Plum boys soccer maintain high expectations

The Plum boys soccer team is off to a strong start as it has plans to contend for the Section 4-3A championship and make some noise in the WPIAL playoffs.