Sports

Penn-Trafford shooters, from left, Jonathan French, Daniel Newsom, Ben DiMatteo, Becca Mills, and Kyle Dynys, compete during a 2020-21 rifle match.

Penn-Trafford rifle team continues growing, finding success

January 24, 2021

The Penn-Trafford co-ed rifle team has come a long way in a short time.

Penn-Trafford girls basketball coach John Giannikas won his 200th game Jan. 18.

Penn-Trafford notebook: Girls basketball coach reaches milestone with win over Norwin

Penn-Trafford girls’ basketball coach John Giannikas took over a struggling program in 2006-07.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Jan. 23, 2021

January 23, 2021

Basketball

Mt. Lebanon’s Jake Reinke scores next to Penn Hills’ Daemar Kelly during their game on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, at Mt. Lebanon High School. Reinke scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Blue Devils to a 52-48 victory.

High school roundup for Jan. 23, 2021: New Castle fends off Lincoln Park

Isaiah Boice and Michael Wells scored 13 points each to help New Castle hold off a late rally by Lincoln Park for a 59-58 boys basketball victory in a matchup of top-ranked teams Saturday.

Plum junior Jason Rowe sizes up a target during a rifle practice Jan. 22, 2021, at Plum High School.

High school rifle season looks different this year

Over the past three winters, Madison Herrick enjoyed traveling to different schools for rifle matches with her Plum teammates.

Belle Vernon’s Dane Anden runs against Laurel Highlands on Oct. 2, 2020, at Laurel Highlands.

H.S. notebook: Belle Vernon’s Dane Anden gets preferred walk-on offer from Pitt

Dane Anden could hardly believe the news.

South Allegheny’s Omar Faulker dunks during a game at Ligonier Valley on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.

WPIAL boys basketball rankings: Week ending Jan. 23, 2021

Class 6A

Penn-Trafford’s Kenzie Powell celebrates a Warriors’ basket during a game against Norwin on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, at Penn-Trafford High School.

WPIAL girls basketball rankings: Week ending Jan. 23, 2021

Class 6A

Kiski Area players and coaches celebrate Abigail John’s (middle) last-second basket at the buzzer to beat Greensburg Salem on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, at Greensburg Salem.

Kiski Area girls beat Greensburg Salem on buzzer-beater

Finally, Greensburg Salem took the court for a girls basketball game.

Chartiers Valley coach Tim McConnell shouts instructions during a WPIAL Class 5A semifinal against Thomas Jefferson on Feb. 26, 2020.

Chartiers Valley’s state-record winning streak snapped at 64 games

The streak is over.

Fox Chapel shows grit and team mentality in first two wins of season

With a young and inexperienced lineup, Fox Chapel wrestling coach Michael Frank has been preaching to his wrestlers about competing at a high level this season. He’s wanted his guys to go into matches and just give it their all.

Quaker Valley’s Patrick Cutchember wrestles Ellwood City’s Austin Walley in the 182-pound weight class at the 2020 WPIAL Class AA wrestling championships.

Quaker Valley wrestling gets off to a solid start

Quaker Valley wrestlers wanted to come into this season and test themselves against the best teams around. So far, the Quakers have done just that.

Pine-Richland’s new wrestling coach Caleb Kolb runs a practice last season.

Led by Kelin Laffey, Pine-Richland wrestling ahead of schedule

Pine-Richland’s daily goal is to get 1% better, a mantra coach Caleb Kolb often repeats to his wrestlers.

Joey Dudkowski shoots Pine-Richland into contention

Pine-Richland’s Joey Dudkowski can drive to the hoop for a layup, pull up for a mid-range jumper and get off a quick 3-pointer from the perimeter, each with a fluid ease.

Plum’s Kennedie Montue drives to the basket past Hampton’s Olivia Bianco during their game on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at Hampton High School. Hampton won, 68-41.

Plum girls basketball back in rhythm early-season shutdown

Plum girls basketball coach Steve Elsier said his team has played well as it gets into the meat of its truncated season but knows there are a lot of challenging matchups ahead as the Mustangs hope to claim their first section championship and set themselves up for a WPIAL playoff run.

Riverview’s Gideon Deasy works out with teammates during practice on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, at Riverview High School in Oakmont.

Gideon Deasy makes quick impact in return to Riverview lineup

Gideon Deasy experienced pain in his left ankle through much of his fall cross country season.

North Allegheny’s Molly Smyers competes in the girls 500 freestyle during the 2020 WPIAL Class AAA Swimming and Diving Championship at Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.

North Allegheny swimmers continue to ‘shoot for excellence’

Swimmers aren’t yet sure how many of them will qualify for the WPIAL championship meet but that’s just the latest twist in what’s been a challenging winter.

North Journal notebook: North Allegheny wrestlers sweep 3 duals

Nicholas Gorman, Adam Rohan, Aidan Buggey and Brady Leczo had pins to lead North Allegheny to a 63-11 Class 3A, Section 3B wrestling victory over North Hills on Jan. 20.