Sports

Derry’s Cain Latta, bottom, works on defensive drills with teammates during a heat acclimation practice on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020 at Derry Area High School.

Trib HSSN Top 20 Stories of 2020: After delayed start, fall sports move forward

December 19, 2020

The most unique year in our lifetime is coming to an end. With so many mass starts and stops, highs and lows, just about all walks of life were affected by the coronavirus in 2020.

Knoch boys basketball head coach Alan Bauman watches from the bench during a game at Mars on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Adams.

New A-K Valley basketball coaches go through obstacles of another shutdown

The first year at the head of a program can be tough for any new coach, but imagine taking over a program in the middle of a pandemic.

Greensburg Salem’s Cadence Peters drives to the basket past Freeport’s Melaina Dezort (34) last season.

Greensburg Salem shuts down athletics until Jan. 26

December 18, 2020

Greensburg Salem athletes received some sobering news Friday when the school district announced that all sports will be halted until Jan 26.

Penn-Trafford’s Mason Frye (6) rushes the ball pursued by Franklin Regional’s Caden Smith (26) and Patrick McMillen (42) on Oct. 23.

Westmoreland County high school notebook: Football standouts still mulling college offers

While Ethan Carr of Penn-Trafford, James Sanders of Jeannette and Jack Dilts of Kiski Area were the only Division I football signees from Westmoreland County on Wednesday, a number of others from the area could sign in February when the NCAA regular signing period begins. It runs from Feb. 3 to April 1 for Division I recruits and Feb. 3 to Aug. 1 for Division II players.

Butler’s Ethan Morton (25) celebrates after beating Mt. Lebanon in the WPIAL Class 6A championship game at Petersen Events Center on Feb. 29.

Trib HSSN Top 20 Stories of 2020: Butler boys basketball ends title drought

The most unique year in our lifetime is coming to an end. With so many mass starts and stops, highs and lows, just about all walks of life were affected by the coronavirus in 2020.

Highlands’ Antoine McDaniel defends Blackhawk’s Marco Borello during a WPIAL playoff game last season.

PIAA will consider relaxing 15-practice requirement for winter sports teams

Will the PIAA let athletes skip practice? Some coaches hope so.

Burrell’s Ian Oswalt wrestles Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Ryan Crookham during the 2019 state tournament.

Athletes motivated to stay in shape during pause in high school sports

With repeated shutdowns of school sports and closing of local gyms, high school athletes have had to find their own ways to train throughout this year as they prepared for fall and winter sports.

Mars girls soccer head coach Blair Gerlach watches from the sideline during the PIAA Class 3A state championship game on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at Hersheypark Stadium.

Mars’ Blair Gerlach wins national coach of year award

Most people will be more than happy to throw away calendars from 2020 and hang a new docket on the wall.

Hempfield’s Ethan Berginc celebrates his victory over Aiden Lewis of Cedar Cliff in the finals of the state tournament last season. Hempfield was entered in the Powerade tournament before it was rescheduled.

New dates set for Powerade, Southmoreland wrestling tournaments

December 17, 2020

The Powerade Holiday Tournament has a new date.

Fox Chapel’s Kent Baldauf shoots a 3-pointer over Hampton’s Robert Coll during their game on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, at Fox Chapel.

High school basketball teams appreciate, take lessons from pre-shutdown games

Last Friday, 71 WPIAL and City League boys and girls basketball teams kicked off their 2020-21 seasons in the shadow of a looming shutdown that will extend through the first couple of days of the New Year.

Central Valley’s Josh Campbell (52) hoists the PIAA Class 3A championship trophy with his teammates after defeating Wyomissing, 35-21, in the state final on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Hersheypark Stadium.

Trib HSSN Top 20 Stories of 2020: Mercifully, Central Valley football wins state title

The most unique year in our lifetime is coming to an end. With so many mass starts and stops, highs and lows, just about all walks of life were affected by the coronavirus in 2020.

North Catholic’s Joey Prentice avoids Freeport Area’s Zach Clark in the first quarter Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 at Mars Area High School.

North Catholic sweeps MVP awards on Allegheny 7 all-conference football team

Conference champion North Catholic was rewarded with nine first-team spots on the all-Allegheny Seven football team, and three Trojans earned individual awards in a vote of coaches.

Hempfield Area’s Christian Zilli shoots during a preseason practice.

High school basketball teams committed to staying sharp during shutdown

Christian Zilli had his junior baseball season ripped away. The back end of his senior football season also was a casualty of the coronavirus, which dug in its claws and forced the cancellation of two games.

Clairton running back Dontae Sanders breaks into the clear against Jeannette Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 at McKee Stadium in Jeannette.

WPIAL finalists Jeannette, Clairton lead all-Eastern Conference football team

WPIAL Class A finalists Jeannette and Clairton combined to earn 19 first-team spots on the all-Eastern Conference football team in a vote of coaches.

Central Valley’s Myles Walker catches a long pass in front of Wyomissing Area’s Nevin Carter during the third quarter of the PIAA Class 3A championship game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Hersheypark Stadium.

WPIAL football players sign with Division I FBS, FCS programs

December 16, 2020

Division I FBS

Penn-Trafford’s Ethan Carr beats Upper St. Clair’s Mateo Cepullio to the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown during WPIAL playoff action Oct. 30.

Signing day punctuates season of change for Penn-Trafford, Jeannette stars

One moved from wide receiver to quarterback. The other, from quarterback to receiver.

Deer Lakes’ Michael Sullivan celebrates after scoring the tying goal during the second half opf the WPIAL Class AA championship game against Shady SIde Academy on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, at North Allegheny.

Deer Lakes soccer standout Michael Sullivan commits to Pitt

His commitment has been quiet, but Wednesday, Deer Lakes senior soccer standout Michael Sullivan announced his college decision with a bang.

Teammates celebrate North Allegheny’s win in the girls 200 medley relay during the 2020 Class AAA WPIAL Swimming and Diving Championship at Trees Pool.

Trib HSSN Top 20 Stories of 2020: North Allegheny dominates in pool

The most unique year in our lifetime is coming to an end. With so many mass starts and stops, highs and lows, just about all walks of life were affected by the coronavirus in 2020.