Sports

Hempfield wrestlers and coaches cheer on their team as they gain points on Greensburg-Salem on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 at Greensburg-Salem High School.

Hempfield wrestling puts it all together in rout of rival Greensburg Salem

January 15, 2020

Hempfield wrestling coach Tommy Dolde couldn’t ask for a better performance from his Spartans heading into the WPIAL Class AAA Section 1 tournament Jan. 22.

Fox Chapel’s Ellie Schwartzman is pressured by North Allegheny’s Paige Morningstar during their game Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at North Allegheny High School.

A-K Valley girls basketball notebook: Big game with Butler up next for Fox Chapel

The Fox Chapel girls basketball team opens the second half of Section 1-6A play Thursday at Butler in a game head coach Marty Matvey called crucial for its chances at a WPIAL playoff spot.

Qitarah Hardison averages a double-double for the Monessen girls basketball team.

Monessen girls bringing storied program back to prominence

Monessen has a long, proud girls basketball history filled with WPIAL and state titles, but the past decade was a lean one for the Greyhounds.

Latrobe’s Anna Rafferty is averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: GCC’s Scala making impact

Gia Scala sat out with an injury and waited to get cleared to return to basketball at Greensburg Central Catholic.

Riverview’s Alyssa Cappa shoots a three-pointer against Springdale Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in Oakmont.

Improving Riverview girls excited to tackle second half of section schedule

With a collection of experienced varsity players returning for this season, Riverview girls basketball coach Keith Stitt voiced an optimistic tone throughout preseason practices and scrimmages.

West Allegheny senior baseball player Austin Hendrick practices Jan. 13, 2020, at West Allegheny.

West Allegheny’s Austin Hendrick next WPIAL standout who could join MLB ranks

West Allegheny’s Austin Hendrick tells a story about hitting baseballs two years ago with Neil Walker, the former Pine-Richland player and first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Jan. 14, 2020

Basketball

North Allegheny’s Grant Timmerson scored 12 points Tuesday night.

High school roundup for Jan. 14, 2020: North Allegheny sweeps North Hills

Khalil Dinkins scored 14 points as North Allegheny came back from a three-point deficit after three quarters for a 57-51 victory over North Hills in Section 1-6A boys basketball Tuesday night, sweeping a rivalry doubleheader.

Final night of team wrestling section matches highlight WPIAL Wednesday

January 14, 2020

Seven years ago, Canon-McMillan and South Fayette found themselves at Chartiers Valley on Groundhog Day preparing to wrestle for WPIAL gold.

No. 1 Knoch boys overcome slow start, pull away from Freeport

It took a half, but the Knoch scoring machine finally got in gear in the third quarter.

Jeannette’s Imani Sanders goes to the basket against Serra Catholic during their game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at Jeannette High School.

Jeannette puts together complete effort in routing Serra Catholic

Even though Jeannette coach Adrian Batts was hoarse from imploring his team all game, it wasn’t going to stop him from talking about the enjoyment he got from watching his team execute Tuesday night.

Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon players line up for the opening tip Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.

Quick start allows Mt. Lebanon to turn the lights out on Upper St. Clair

In the third quarter of the Upper St. Clair-Mt. Lebanon game Tuesday night, some of the lights went out at Mt. Lebanon. After play was stopped, the gym went dark for a few moments before the lights were restored and play resumed.

Springdale’s Chris Mitchell gets set to drive to the basket during a matchup with Riverview on Jan. 14, 2020.

Springdale tops rival Riverview to remain undefeated in section play

Throughout the 2019-20 basketball season, the Springdale boys basketball team has been carried by a high-paced offense that has averaged 65.5 points a game, which is the third-highest in WPIAL Class 2A.

Marcus McCarthy’s clutch free throws help Hempfield boys end skid vs. Latrobe

It has been a while since the Hempfield boys basketball team has beaten Latrobe. It has been even longer since the Spartans won at Latrobe.

Penn-Trafford’s Ben Myers blocks a shot by Norwin’s Jayden Walker during their game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at Penn-Trafford High School.

Zach Rocco shares spotlight as Penn-Trafford rolls over Norwin

Teams know what they are getting when they play Penn-Trafford: a steady dose of Zach Rocco.

Laurel players huddle up during a victory voer Shenango on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.

Laurel bounces back with rivalry win over Shenango

The Shenango Wildcats came into Tuesday’s rivalry game against Laurel as one of the hottest teams in the WPIAL. Conversely, Laurel had lost four of its last five games.

Knoch senior Scott Fraser looks for an opening in the Highlands’ defense during their sectional matchup on Jan. 7, 2020.

George Guido: A-K Valley well represented in hoops rankings

It’s rare the Alle-Kiski Valley has two schools ranked No. 1 in basketball, but that’s been the case for two consecutive weeks.

Kiski Area’s Jared Curcio works to pin Plum’s Browndon Wafo at 182 pounds during their match Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, at Kiski Area High School. Kiski won, 66-12.

A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Starting lineups starting to round out as postseason approaches

As the postseason approaches, teams are mixing and matching weight classes in order to have their optimal starting lineups come section tournament time.