Sports

Mt. Lebanon head coach Bob Palko talks to his team before playing Gateway Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at Antimarino Stadium at Gateway High School.

Top 19 of ’19: Trib HSSN breaks down the top stories of the year — No. 4

December 28, 2019

The 2019 high school sports season is nearly in the books.

Lincoln Park’s Isaiah Smith scores over Aliquippa’s Zuriah Fisher during their game Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Midland.

Trib WPIAL boys basketball rankings: Week ending Dec. 29, 2019

WPIAL rankings

Ligonier Valley’s Mike Petrof (54) and John Beard (88) celebrate after the Rams recover a Richland fumble in the PIAA District 6 Class 2A championship game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona. Richland beat Ligonier Valley 34-6.

Players from Ligonier Valley, Belle Vernon garner all-state football honors

WPIAL-bound Ligonier Valley’s days of dominating the District 6 Heritage Conference might be over, but the Rams left lasting memories.

Avonworth head coach Duke Johncour gets doused by the water cooler from Josh Elm as time winds down in the WPIAL Class AA championship game against Washington Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Norwin High School.

Class 2A all-state football: Avonworth’s Duke Johncour named Coach of the Year

Fresh off their team’s first PIAA championship appearance, two Avonworth players earned all-state honors Saturday and Duke Johncour was named Pennsylvania’s Coach of the Year in Class 2A.

Thomas Jefferson head coach Bill Cherpak hugs Daniel Deabner after the Jaguars defeated Dalls, 46-7, in the PIAA Class 4A state championship game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Hersheypark Stadium.

Class 4A all-state football: 4 Thomas Jefferson players selected, Cherpak voted top coach

Thomas Jefferson’s quarterback, top running back, wide receiver and lineman all earned all-state honors Saturday, statewide recognition for winning WPIAL and PIAA titles with an undefeated 16-0 record.

Central Catholic kicker Jonathan Opalko watches his game-winning field goal in the final seconds of the Vikings’ PIAA Class 6A state quarterfinal against State College Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at North Allegheny High School.

Class 6A all-state football: Central Catholic leads WPIAL with 4 players

Central Catholic senior Jonathan Opalko twice made game-winning field goals in the playoffs and had a school-record 54-yarder in the regular season, kicks that earned him all-state honors Saturday.

Deer Lakes boys basketball tournament to begin Saturday after postponement

The Deer Lakes boys basketball tournament will begin Saturday evening after Friday’s first-day doubleheader was postponed because of water leakage in the high school gymnasium.

Trib HSSN girls swimmer of the week: Mt. Pleasant’s Heather Gardner

Heather Gardner put pen to paper last month on the first day of the National Letter of Intent signing period for swimming and finalized her commitment to Division I Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Trib HSSN boys swimmer of the week: Belle Vernon’s Ian Shahan

Ian Shahan entered the 2019-20 high school swimming season as the hunted.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Dec. 27, 2019

Basketball

Lincoln Park’s Tanner Mathos scores against Aliquippa last season. He scored 20 points to lead Lincoln Park past Butler on Friday night.

High school roundup for Dec. 27, 2019: Lincoln Park knocks off Butler

Tanner Mathos scored 20 points as Lincoln Park pulled away in the second quarter and defeated Butler 74-60 in a marquee boys basketball matchup Friday night at the CJ Betters tournament at the Golden Dome in Monaca.

North Hills wrestler Sam Hillegas looks to make a move on Ian Irizzarry from Parkersburg South (WV) during their Round of 32 match at the Powerade Tournament on Dec. 27, 2019.

Waynesburg leads WPIAL contingent with 4 in semifinals at Powerade

December 27, 2019

After an exciting Friday of wrestling, the field for the semifinals at the 2019 Powerade wrestling tournament is set.

Penn-Trafford’s Zach Rocco spins around in the corner of the court while keeping an eye on Franklin Regional defenders Friday, Dec. 27, 2019 at Penn-Trafford Holiday Tournament at Penn-Trafford High School.

Zach Rocco, Penn-Trafford boys hold off Franklin Regional comeback bid

As a 15-point lead faded to five midway through the fourth quarter Friday night, Penn-Trafford did not take on the look of a timid team.

Jeannette’s Jackson Pruitt scores during the second quarter against OLSH Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Moon Area High School.

Five Westmoreland players make all-state football teams

Jeannette football players and coaches will say they did not reach their full potential as a team this season.

Penn-Trafford’s Allie Prady fires off a shot on net as Franklin-Regional defenders attempt to block Friday, Dec. 27, 2019 at Penn-Trafford Holiday Tournament at Penn-Trafford High School.

Penn-Trafford girls use fast start to down Franklin Regional

Penn-Trafford junior guard Allie Prady was hoping she and her teammates would get out of the gates faster than they had in recent basketball games.

Seneca Valley’s Chanz Shearer looks to put a finishing move on Caden Stout from St. Clairsville (OH) during the Powerade Tournament on Dec. 27, 2019.

Powerade wrestling tournament notebook: Waynesburg, Seneca Valley earn top five spots heading into quarters

Heading into the quarterfinals of the 2019 Powerade wrestling tournament at Canon-McMillan on Friday, just two WPIAL teams found themselves within the top five teams of one of the toughest competitions in the country. The hosts found themselves just outside of the top five looking in.

Riverview’s Gideon Deasy defends Leechburg’s Dylan Cook during the Apollo-Ridge tournament.

Leechburg boys turn up pressure, run past Riverview

One thing Leechburg coach Damian Davies likes about Christmas week — besides the gifts — is the chance to work on some things during the off days on the schedule.

Fox Chapel girls pull away to beat Knoch in Shady Side tournament

A jumper from Knoch senior forward Lauren Cihonski 40 seconds into Friday’s matchup with Fox Chapel at the Shady Side Academy Tournament gave the Knights a two-point lead.