Sports

Quarterback Matt DeMatteo (2), shown handing off to Luke Lingren against Kiski Area, is one of several returning veterans for Hampton, which will drop to Class 4A in the fall.

Realignment marks significant change in fortune for Hampton football

January 30, 2020

Less than six years ago, Hampton was a good football program. In 2014, the team went 9-2 and won its conference. The next year, it qualified for playoffs again and made a WPIAL quarterfinals appearance.

Highlands Johnny Crise drives through the lane during a matchup with Knoch on Jan. 28, 2020.

Led by Johnny Crise, Highlands is taking a turn after win over No. 1 Knoch

Big-time players make big-time plays in big -time games, and earlier this week when No. 3 Highlands needed a player to step up, senior Johnny Crise answered the call.

Jeannetteճ Brett Birch participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7on7 tournament on Thursday July 18, 2019 at Latrobe High School.

Central Michigan offers Jeannette sophomore Brett Birch

Jeannette’s Brett Birch is just a sophomore, but his coaches have noted he can do things that are ahead of his years.

Penn Trafford’s Ethan Carr reaches for the end zone and the go a head touchdown against Gateway in the fourth quarter Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 at Penn Trafford High School.

Penn-Trafford’s versatile Ethan Carr pulls in four Division I offers

Let the Ethan Carr sweepstakes begin.

Aliquippa’s Vernon Redd is upended next to Central Valley’s Reed FitzSimmons during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at Heinz Field.

WPIAL releases football schedules for 2020 season

The loudest complaints from WPIAL football teams were about travel and blowouts.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Jan. 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

Basketball

Moon head coach Jody Powell talks with Emma Theodorsson during a game against Chartiers Valley on Jan. 9, 2020, at Moon Area High School.

Moon girls basketball trying to keep pace in rugged Section 1-5A

The Moon girls basketball team lost twice in December, and twice in January.

High school roundup for Jan. 29, 2020: Top seeds hold serve in WPIAL wrestling playoffs

Eight bouts into its WPIAL Class AAA team wrestling tournament quarterfinal match Wednesday night, No. 2 Seneca Valley looked primed for an upset.

Burrell’s Dom Holmes works to pin Beth-Center’s Alston Csutoros at 170 pounds during their WPIAL Class AA team quarterfinal Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at Burrell High School.

Burrell wrestling dominates Beth-Center, advances to WPIAL team semifinals

The Burrell wrestling team left no doubt it was ready to defend its WPIAL Class AA team championship as it kicked off this year’s tournament in dominant fashion on its home mat Wednesday.

Plenty of big girls basketball games in Beaver County on Thursday

The top two girls basketball teams in the latest Trib HSSN weekly rankings will square off with first place at stake on Thursday.

Norwin’s Ty Bilinsky looks for an opening in the corner against Fox Chapel’s defender Will Livingston on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 in WPIAL basketball at Norwin Senior High School.

Fox Chapel boys, Chartiers Valley girls remain on top of HSSN power rankings

The boys and girls Trib 10 from last week to this week was like an impatient card dealer, a little bit of shuffling before getting down to business.

Shaler notebook: Titans swimmers hope to make late push to WPIALs

Time is running out for the Shaler Area swimmers to earn times needed to reach the WPIAL Class AAA championships.

Mt. Lebanon’s Ashleigh Connor scores past Bethel Park’s Juliana Carbone on Dec. 19, 2019, at Bethel Park High School.

Young Mt. Lebanon girls team continues to progress, develop

Most coaches will tell you experience and depth are two key elements that most successful teams possess.

Hempfield’s Nolan Daerr wrestles atop Kiski Area’s Vince Lapiana in the 138-pound weight class Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 in WPIAL wrestling at Hempfield Area High School.

Hempfield rolls over Kiski Area to reach WPIAL wrestling semifinals

Hempfield didn’t look sharp in its first match Wednesday in the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament.

Southmoreland’s Gracie Spadaro (15) and Maddie Moore celebrate after defeating McKeesport on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, at Southmoreland High School.

Westmoreland girls basketball notebook: Southmoreland remains perfect

There are three teams left in WPIAL girls basketball with perfect records.

Greensburg Central Catholic’s Gia Scala drives past Leechburg’s Christine Guo during their game Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at Leechburg High School.

Senior Scala helps accelerate maturing process for Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball

As one of only three seniors on the Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball team, Gia Scala was well aware of the Centurions’ inexperience coming into the season.

Freeport’s Sidney Shemanski (left) works against North Catholic’s Tess Myers during their Section 1-4A game Monday.

Freeport girls basketball making postseason push with healthy Shemanski

Sidney Shemanski appreciates the ability to be on the court with her Freeport teammates.

A-K Valley girls basketball notebook: Deer Lakes solidifies playoff spot

Deer Lakes took a seven-point lead at halftime of Monday’s Section 3-3A matchup with Steel Valley, but a 20-1 third quarter in favor of the Lancers left no doubt in the 49-32 result.