Sports

Yough’s Kaylyn Odelli (right) will move from shortstop to catcher this season.

Yough softball returns 7 starters, expects championship-caliber season

March 20, 2020

Yough boasts one of the steadiest, most successful softball programs in the WPIAL, but the Cougars entered spring practice with an unusual feeling: skepticism.

Michael Bell went 6-1 last year and will step in as Yough’s top pitcher.

Senior-heavy Yough baseball hopes to make run toward WPIAL title

Yough baseball is carrying a secret.

Valley shortstop Shane Demharter prepares for the 2019 season March 19, 2019 at Valley High

After down year, the Valley Vikings are looking to return to the playoffs

The Valley baseball team didn’t have one senior on the roster last season, and coach Jim Basilone and his underclassmen took some lumps, winning only five games.

Valley catcher Madison Gatto prepares for the 2019 season March 19, 2019 at Valley High

With youth and experience, Valley softball is looking to break its playoff hiatus

The Valley softball team hasn’t made the WPIAL playoffs in eight years, but the seven returning seniors are hoping to end that streak.

Chartiers Valley pitcher Ryan Sharp is among the team’s top returning players.

Chartiers Valley, Carlynton, Bishop Canevin baseball teams hitting pause

With the spread of coronavirus putting all levels of sports on hold across the globe, Chartiers Valley baseball coach Curt Cairns summed it up best when asked what his players are doing to get ready for the season — if it happens.

Penn Hills pitcher Yasmine Logan competes against Hampton March 26, 2019 at Hampton.

Penn Hills softball has building blocks in place for possible playoff run

Even though the Penn Hills softball program hasn’t reached the WPIAL playoffs in over a decade, the Indians remain optimistic that this year could end their 13-year playoff drought.

Hampton’s Drew Scheib competes Jan. 16, 2020, in the 200 medley relay against Gateway at Hampton.

Hampton swimmers exceed expectations at shortened PIAA meet

It didn’t turn out the way they expected, but it still exceeded all expectations.

Cornell’s Isaiah Langston (3) goes up for a shot against Saltsburg during a PIAA Class A first-round game Friday, March 6, 2020, at Kiski High.

Highlands, Vincentian out, Cornell into the Trib HSSN state boys basketball rankings

This could be the latest state rankings following the second round of the PIAA postseason tournament, or this could be the final Trib HSSN boys rankings of the season.

Carlynton’s Dequay Canton is the top returning Class AA sprinter in the state.

Carlynton, Chartiers Valley track and field expect to have good seasons

March 19, 2020

Good news for Carlynton’s athletic programs spells bad news — at least in the short term — for the Cougars’ track and field team.

Penn Hills’ Cole Yeager hit .302 during his junior season in 2019.

Penn Hills baseball turns to Stubbs for new direction

With a new coach and a focus on the fundamentals, the Penn Hills baseball team has its sights on the WPIAL playoffs after only winning three games last season.

North Allegheny’s Christina Shi finished fifth and Maya Ennis took third at the PIAA Class AAA diving championships Thursday, March 12, 2020.

Led by veteran Maya Ennis, North Allegheny divers shine at PIAA meet

North Allegheny junior diver Maya Ennis shared the spotlight with freshmen Christina Shi and Zoe Ky for much of the season, but it was her turn to shine at the PIAA Class AAA championship meet March 14 at Bucknell.

Some of Hampton’s top wrestlers in 2019-20 included, from left, Dawson Dietz, Zach Wright, Justin Hart and Ty Kocak.

Underclassmen lead Hampton wrestlers to record season

Last year, a rash of injuries ran Hampton wrestling off track. It was only a matter of time, however, before this group made history.

Southmoreland’s Charity Henderson competes against South Allegheny on April 18, 2019, at South Allegheny.

Southmoreland softball hopes to make run at another title

When Southmoreland softball coach Todd Bunner addressed his team March 12, they talked about the future and hoped the 2020 season would continue in the near future.

St. Joseph catcher Dom Fellowes batted .512 last season.

St. Joseph baseball looks to build off breakout 2019 season

The St. Joseph baseball team is coming off a breakout season as it qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2000 and scored an upset victory in the opening round.

Aliquippa’s Chucky Humphries bites his medal after beating Mastery Charter North-Pickett during the PIAA Class AA boys basketball championship on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

A century’s worth of PIAA basketball championship factoids

Suspending the playoff after two rounds was not what the PIAA had in mind on the 100th anniversary of its basketball championships, but the coronavirus outbreak has the tournament on hold.

Moon seniors celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A state final Friday, March 22, 2019, at Giant Center in Hershey.

100 years ago, Pa. held its 1st state basketball tournament, but anniversary celebration on hold

Two thousand fans came to the Armory in State College to watch the first state basketball tournament in Pennsylvania high school history, a historic event from exactly 100 years ago.