Sports

Penn Trafford’s Noah Allen pulls in a pass over Peters Township’s Ryan Magiske in the first half during the 5-A WPIAL semifinal Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 at West Mifflin High School.

Westmoreland high school notebook: Penn-Trafford’s Allen gets another scholarship offer

January 18, 2020

Penn-Trafford senior football player Noah Allen is drawing Division I attention as national signing day (Feb. 5) approaches.

Blackhawk coach Steve Lodovico reacts as Jolie Strati pressures Central Valley’s Allyson Kirby during their game Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, at Central Valley.

Trib WPIAL girls basketball rankings: Week ending Jan. 18, 2020

WPIAL rankings

Butler’s Devin Carney drives past North Allegheny’s Luke Colella during their game Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at North Allegheny High School. Butler won, 61-51.

Trib WPIAL boys basketball rankings: Week ending Jan. 18, 2020

WPIAL rankings

Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel’s team is leaving District 6 for the WPIAL.

Ligonier Valley, Derry weigh effects of WPIAL football realignment

With realignment, WPIAL football will change again like it does every two years.

South Park’s Joey Fischer gets his hand raised after earning his 100th career win on Saturday at the Allegheny Coutny Wrestling tournament.

Allegheny County championship matches are set

The semifinals have concluded at the 2020 Allegheny County wrestling tournament held at Fox Chapel and the championship field is set.

Neshannock coach Mike Kirkwood celebrates his team’s win against Quaker Valley during the WPIAL Class AA Championship on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Consol Energy Park in Washington. Neshannock won 4-0.

Longtime Neshannock baseball coach Mike Kirkwood resigns

After 32 years, baseball is about to look very different in Lawrence County.

Gateway’s Alexis Margolis, at left, guards Plum’s Mackenzie Lake during a Section 2-5A matchup Jan. 13, 2020, at Gateway’s Furrie Sports Complex.

Gateway girls refocus for 2nd half of section play

After a 14-point loss to Section 2-5A rival Plum on Jan. 13 at Furrie Sports Complex, Gateway girls basketball team members held a players-only meeting to share their thoughts about the game and the overall state of the season heading into the second half of section play.

Gateway’s Will Kromka (left) defends Greensburg Salem’s Shamar McCoy during a game last season.

Family ties run deep in Gateway basketball program

Some may say once someone becomes a Gateway boys basketball team member, he is part of a brotherhood. For a couple of current and former players, however, brotherhood is suitable in the more literal sense of the word.

Thomas Jefferson’s Graci Fairman competes against Moon’s Sofia Mancini on Jan. 16, 2020, at Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson basketball teams score signature wins

The Thomas Jefferson basketball teams know how to make a good first impression.

Baldwin’s Dylan Belak competes against Upper St. Clair last season.

Balanced Baldwin climbs to top of PIHL standings

Baldwin wrapped up the 2019 portion of its PIHL season with an 8-0 record.

Quaker Valley’s Halle Wagner is a member of the 2019-20 swim team.

Wagner leads youthful, talented Quaker Valley swimming team

On a Quaker Valley team with a lot of new members, junior swimmer Halle Wagner is a mainstay.

Quaker Valley’s Josh Bemis (19) skates in a game last season.

Quaker Valley trio looking forward to PIHL All-Star Game

Quaker Valley’s hockey team continues to climb the PIHL Class AA standings.

Penn-Trafford’s Tony Zona struggles under opponent Nick Delp of Kiski in the 170 class final during the 67th annual Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Kiski Area High School.

Penn-Trafford wrestler Zona trying to attain elusive spot in PIAA tournament

Tony Zona has had a successful wrestling career at Penn-Trafford. The 170-pound senior has won more than 75 matches and placed at the postseason section tournament in each season.

Pine-Richland’s Sophie Catalano prepares for the 2019-2020 season Nov. 23, 2019.

Pine-Richland girls basketball pushing through adversity

There’s good luck. There’s bad luck. And then there’s the luck the Pine-Richland girls basketball team has had to suffer through during its 2019-20 season.

Aquinas Academy freshman Vinnie Cugini is a member of the 2019-20 basketball team.

Freshman Vinnie Cugini leads potent offense for Aquinas boys basketball

On Jan. 7, the Aquinas Academy boys basketball team won the first WPIAL section game in school history, besting Section 3-A foe St. Joseph, 76-73.

Franklin Regional’s Finn Solomon wrestles Norwin’s Kurtis Phipps in the 126 class final during the 67th annual Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Kiski Area High School.

Franklin Regional wrestling again features strong lineup of lightweights

When the Franklin Regional wrestling team was winning WPIAL and PIAA Class AAA titles earlier this decade, the Panthers featured a nearly unbeatable lineup from 106 to 160 pounds.

Shadyside Academy’s John Salvitti (2) competes against Burrell Jan. 17, 2020 at Shadyside Academy.

Shady Side Academy boys basketball needs to surge in 2nd half of schedule

The Shady Side Academy boys basketball team is in need of a second-half surge in section play if it harbors any playoff hopes. As of Jan. 16, the Indians were 5-7 overall and 2-4 in the section.

Shady Side Academy’s Maya Groff is a member of the 2019-20 swim team.

Herald spotlight athlete: Shady Side Academy’s Maya Groff

Maya Groff, a senior at Shady Side Academy, helped the swimming and diving team defeat Knoch last week with a first-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley and 200 free relay. Groff, a team captain, is undecided about college but plans to major in chemistry.