Sports

Southmoreland’s Charity Henderson steals the ball during the first quarter of the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against North Catholic Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Westmoreland PIAA basketball preview capsules for March 7, 2020

March 6, 2020

Today’s games

Burrell’s Ian Oswalt wrestles Adam Jacob of East Pennsboro in a Class AA 132-pound quarterfinal bout at the PIAA championships Friday, March 6, 2020, at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Burrell’s Corrado, Oswalt to wrestle for PIAA Class AA gold

HERSHEY — Burrell will have two wrestlers competing for gold medals Saturday at the PIAA Class AA championships at Giant Center.

Kiski Area’s Jack Blumer listens to coach instruction while wrestling against Colby Romjue of Susquehannock in the PIAA championships Friday, March 6, 2020, at Giant Center in Hershey.

Kiski Area’s Blumer dominant in PIAA wrestling quarterfinals victory

HERSHEY — Jack Blumer of Kiski Area is making his last wrestling trip to Hershey a memorable one.

Ligonier Valley’s George Golden (background) and teammate Michael Marinchak (left center) talk to teammates Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 in a huddle before playing against Penns Valley at Hollidaysburg Senior High School during the District 6 semifinals.

Ligonier Valley, Carlynton hit reset buttons for PIAA playoffs matchup

Mike Kozy inferred District 6 Class 3A runner-up Ligonier Valley, which next season becomes a member of the WPIAL, is perceived to be out in the hinterlands though the Carlynton boys basketball coach is a bit familiar with the area.

Pine Richland’s Mila Cribbs competes in the girls 100 butterfly during the 2020 AAA WPIAL Swimming and Diving Championship at Trees Pool on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020.

Pine-Richland’s Vacula earns trip to PIAA swimming championships

At the WPIAL Class AAA swimming championships Feb. 27-28 at Pitt’s Trees Pool, Trent Vacula turned in the best 200-yard individual medley time in Pine-Richland history.

Plum’s Joey Decheck competes in the boys 100 freestyle during the 2020 AAA WPIAL Swimming and Diving Championship at Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.

Plum’s Decheck earns shot to compete with best in state

Joey Decheck swims this week at the PIAA Class AAA championships at Bucknell.

Gateway girls basketball coach Curtis Williams guided his team to the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals.

Gateway girls basketball sees potential for growth

The Gateway girls basketball players ended the season waiting and hoping.

Greensburg Salem’s Shamar McCoy keeps the ball from Gateway defense including William Kromka (23) and Bonzi Parks on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 during WPIAL boys’ basketball at Greensburg Salem High Schooll.

Gateway boys basketball eager to build off WPIAL playoff appearance

Progress is defined by movement toward a destination, and despite an early exit from the WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball playoffs, Gateway’s season can be defined by growth.

Thomas Jefferson’s Hallie Findlan competes in the girls 100 freestyle during the 2020 AA WPIAL Swimming and Diving Championship at Trees Pool on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.

Thomas Jefferson’s Findlan claims 1st WPIAL swimming title in program history

Hallie Findlan has been rewriting the Thomas Jefferson record book in girls swimming for three years.

Thomas Jefferson senior Nathan Werderber poses with the Breisinger Award with Lois Breisinger. In back are, from left, Keith Miller, Bob Breisinger, Joe Kenney, TJ football coach Bill Cherpak and Ryan Inks. Miller (1992), Bob Breisinger (1989) and Inks (1995) are former award winners.

Thomas Jefferson’s Werderber honored with Breisinger Award

Thomas Jefferson senior Nathan Werderber officially enlisted Dec. 30 with the U.S. Marines Corps.

Baldwin gymnasts earn 9th state championship

Baldwin can add another year on the state championship banner for gymnastics in its high school gym.

Quaker Valley’s Isabel Huang competes in the 100-yard backstroke during the WPIAL Class AA swimming and diving championships Feb. 28 at Trees Pool.

Quaker Valley’s Huang seeking more hardware at PIAA meet

After earning two gold medals at the WPIAL Class AA championship, Quaker Valley sophomore swimmer Isabel Huang looks forward to more awards at the PIAA meet Friday and Saturday at Bucknell.

Nine Penn-Trafford junior high wrestlers qualified for states. Pictured, from left, are coach Chris Hartman, Dominic Hartman, Adam Hall, Hayden Coy, Brett Hampton, Logan Ventura, Jimmy Oslosky, Joe Enick, Gavin Ellwood, Paul Darragh and coach Mike Enick.

Penn-Trafford junior wrestling has banner year, sends 9 to state tournament

Gavin Ellwood ran to his coaches, Chris Hartman and Mike Enick, beaming with excitement at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Area III tournament.

Kiski Area’s Sammy Starr wrestles Pine Richland’s Cole Spencer in the 152 weight class final on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in WPIAL class AAA wrestling championship at Canon-McMillan High School.

Pine-Richland’s Spencer brothers each win wrestling championships

Pine-Richland’s Cole Spencer snared his first WPIAL wrestling title Feb. 29 at Canon-McMillan High School, earning his status as a champion after edging Kiski Area’s Sammy Starr, 2-1.

Norwin’s Kurtis Phipps wrestles Waynesburg’s Rocco Welsh in the 126 weight class on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in WPIAL class AAA wrestling championship at Canon-McMillan High School.

Norwin’s Phipps joins elite group of WPIAL wrestlers

Kurtis Phipps became the 30th wrestler in WPIAL history to win four district titles.

Franklin Regional’s Carter Dibert wrestles Connellsville’s Mason Prinkey in the 113 pound weight class in class AAA during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Franklin Regional’s Dibert celebrates WPIAL title

Franklin Regional senior Carter Dibert won his first WPIAL Class AAA title on Feb. 29 and quickly turned his focus to winning his second PIAA gold medal.

The Fox Chapel girls 1,600-meter relay team of (from left) Kate Carnevale, Sarena Seeger, Maddy Kieffer and Abby Kieffer set a school record at the PIAA championship meet last May 25. Both Kieffers are returning to this year’s squad.

Fox Chapel track athletes quickly move from indoor to outdoor season

Fox Chapel’s indoor track season came to a close at the Tri-State Coaches Association indoor track championships held at Penn State on Feb. 29.

Sophomore Lorenzo Jenkins (right), shown driving against Norwin’s Jayden Walker, is one of a handful of talented Fox Chapel boys basketball players returning next season.

Fox Chapel boys basketball fell short of states but has bright future

For a week in late February, the Central Catholic boys basketball team picked up a new legion of fans. It consisted of the players, coaches and fans of the Fox Chapel boys basketball team.