Sports

Derry’s Aiden Bushey chips onto the green on the 17th during the PIAA West Region golf championship Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, at Tom’s Run Golf Course.

Westmoreland high school notebook: Derry’s Bushey to golf at Cal (Pa.)

March 7, 2020

Derry senior Aidan Bushey did not start playing competitive golf until high school, so in the beginning of his budding career he had no idea the sport would be so beneficial to his future.

Franklin Regional pitcher Connor Helm delivers against Cathedral Prep during a PIAA Class 5A first round state playoff game Monday, June 3, 2019, at Neshannock High School. Franklin Regional won, 13-4.

After winning section title a year ago, Franklin Regional baseball has bigger goals

The Franklin Regional baseball team sailed into uncharted waters in 2019.

Latrobe’s Vincent Kilkeary reacts to defeating Tyler Kasak of Beth Catholic in the 106-weight class semifinal in AAA on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the PIAA individual state wrestling championship at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Latrobe’s Kilkeary wins another stunner at PIAA tournament, advances to finals

HERSHEY — Latrobe freshman Vincent Kilkeary continued his stunning run through the PIAA Class AAA individual wrestling tournament.

South Park’s Joey Fischer wrestles Brookville’s Owen Reinsel in the 113-pound bout semifinal in class AA in the PIAA state wrestling championship on Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Frazier’s Lawrence looking to become 3-time PIAA winner

HERSHEY — Frazier senior Thayne Lawrence’s high school wrestling career will come to an end Saturday at Giant Center.

Cornell’s Zaier Harrison (1) goes up for a shot between Saltsburg defenders during a PIAA Class A first-round game Friday, March 6, 2020, at Kiski High.

High school roundup for March 7, 2020: Cornell cruises past Saltsburg

The Cornell boys basketball team bounced back in a big way on Friday night.

First round of PIAA basketball playoffs continues Saturday

March 6, 2020

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

High school scores, schedules for March 6, 2020

High schools

Serra Catholic’s Brianna Pasternak dribbles up the court against Penns Manor’s defense in the PIAA Class 2A first round Friday, March 6, 2020.

Serra Catholic girls bow out of PIAA postseason

After suffering losses in the district playoffs, both Serra Catholic and Penns Manor returned to the floor in search of a bounce back effort in the PIAA Class 2A playoffs Friday evening.

Bethel Park coach Jonna Burke instructs her team during a game against Governor Mifflin on March 6, 2020, at Peters Township.

Slow start for Bethel Park, but strong finish lifts Black Hawks to PIAA 2nd round

While Peters Township was not exactly the most neutral site for a PIAA Class 6A girls basketball first-round game between Bethel Park and Governor Mifflin, the rims more than neutralized both offenses in the first half.

New Castle defenders compete against Hickory on March 6, 2020, at Slippery Rock.

Hickory ousts New Castle from PIAA playoffs

One word kept sounding over a standing room only crowd at Slippery Rock University’s Morrow Field House on Friday night.

The Highlands bench celebrates after a basket and foul against Harbor Creek during a PIAA Class 4A first-round game March 6, 2020, at Kiski High.

Crise leads Highlands past Harbor Creek in 1st round of PIAA Class 4A playoffs

Harbor Creek’s strategy is to keep the score low and pull out a close decision.

Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock (right) drives against Clearfield’s Karson Hudson in the PIAA Class 4A first round Friday, March 6, 2020.

Belle Vernon earns long-awaited PIAA tournament victory

For the first time since 1981, the Belle Vernon boys basketball team will play in a PIAA second-round game.

Riverview’s Annie Betler, left, and Mikaela Collins hold on to a rebound during the first quarter against Everett, Friday, March 6, 2020, at Pitt-Johnstown.

Everett takes down Riverview girls in PIAA 1st round

JOHNSTOWN — The difference in Friday night’s PIAA Class 2A first-round game between Riverview and Everett was in the shooting.

Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher scored 32 points in a PIAA first-round loss Friday night.

WPIAL champion Laurel Highlands bounced from PIAA tournament in 1st round

Laurel Highlands had grown accustomed to winning close games, almost to the point of expecting them to happen.

Mars head coach Rob Carmody talks with an official after an intentional foul was called on Michael Carmody during the fourth quarter of the WPIAL Class 5A championship game against Laurel Highlands Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Playing without star center Michael Carmody, Mars falls short in PIAA 1st-round game

After his team lost in overtime, battling without standout senior Michael Carmody, who was serving a one-game suspension, Mars boys basketball coach Rob Carmody told his players he was obviously disappointed, but he was glad they lost on a play made by a “winning player.”

Derry’s Ty Cymmerman wrestles under David Evans of Tunkhannock in the 126 pound quarterfinal bout in class AA in the PIAA state wrestling championship on Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Derry’s Cymmerman will medal again at PIAA Class AA wrestling championships

HERSHEY — Derry junior Ty Cymmerman must wait another year to win a state title.

Obama Academy’s Sean Snead celebrates a three-pointer in front of the Eagles bench during a PIAA Class 5A first round playoff game against Penn Hills Friday, Mar. 6, 2020, at Brashear High School.

Sean Snead’s 3-pointers lead Obama past Penn Hills in PIAA 1st round

A first-half shot can’t be called a game-winner, especially one that only ties the score, but the energy from Sean Snead’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer was felt long after halftime.