Sports

Chartiers Valley’s Megan McConnell celebrates with Aislin Malcolm during the fourth quarter of their game against Moon Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, at Moon Area High School.

High school roundup for Jan. 9, 2020: Chartiers Valley holds off Moon to keep winning streak alive

January 10, 2020

The Chartiers Valley girls basketball team held off another game challenger Thursday night, running its winning streak to 42 games with a 57-50 victory over Moon.

Kiski Area’s Jared Curcio controls Burrell’s Ricky Feroce during their 195-pound bout Jan. 9, 2020, at Kiski Area.

Kiski Area tops Burrell in annual mat battle between neighboring rivals

Kiski Area senior Jared Curcio understands the rivalry.

Derry’s Tiana Moracco dribbles around Deer Lakes defense on an offensive push during girls’ WPIAL basketball at Derry Area High School on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 in Derry.

Surging Derry girls drop Deer Lakes, move into sole possession of first in section

January 9, 2020

Even with a rowdy student section that was all decked out in USA-themed red, white and blue cheering and jeering, and a pep band thumping and blowing horns during timeouts, the Derry girls basketball team somehow continued to make all the noise.

Southmoreland’s Sarah Pisula blocks the shot of Belle Vernon’s Farah Reader on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020.

Undefeated Southmoreland fights off Belle Vernon upset bid

Belle Vernon Area gave Southmoreland its best shot Thursday, but the Scotties were the team delivering the knockout blow to avoid the Leopards’ upset bid.

Sidney Shemanski led Freeport with 11 points Thursday night.

Freeport girls shut down Knoch

Using a dominant defensive effort, plus a dose of offensive and defensive rebounding and evenly distributed scoring, the Freeport Yellow Jackets defeated next-door neighbor Knoch for the fifth-consecutive time, winning by a final of 53-39 Thursday night.

Fights for first place highlight a busy Friday of WPIAL basketball

Two big battles for first place highlight a busy Friday of district boys basketball.

Quaker Valley wrestling adds transfer ranked 2nd in state

Sophomore wrestler Hunter Robison, who’s ranked second in the state, has transferred to Quaker Valley.

South Fayette swimmer Abbie Duncan signs a letter of intent to Ohio. She was joined by her parents, Gina and Eric, in front, and in back, Tom Donati, coach of the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club.

Trib HSSN girls swimmer of the week: South Fayette’s Abbie Duncan

Abbie Duncan sees the potential for a memorable final season with the South Fayette swim team.

Indiana’s Isaac Griffith is a member of the 2019-20 swim team.

Trib HSSN boys swimmer of the week: Indiana’s Isaac Griffith

Isaac Griffith finished all alone at the top in the boys 100-yard butterfly at the West Allegheny Invitational on Dec. 28.

Greensburg Central Catholic’s Nate Ward drives against St. Joseph on Friday, Nov. 2019, at St. Joseph High School.

Westmoreland boys basketball notebook: Home welcome for Greensburg CC

Playing at home has its advantages.

Seneca Valley’s Chanz Shearer looks to finish Caden Stout from St. Clairsville (Ohio) during the Powerade Tournament on Dec. 27, 2019.

WPIAL Clinched: Wrestling teams through Jan. 8, 2020

The WPIAL team wrestling regular season is down to the final week.

Central Catholic’s Matt Altsman celebrates with the student section after beating Pine-Richland in the WPIAL Class 6A championship game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2019 at Heinz Field.

Don Rebel: How about a compromise between WPIAL’s football realignment plans?

The WPIAL held a “town meeting” on Wednesday and unveiled two plans to district football coaches and administrators to determine the conference landscape for the upcoming 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Mt. Pleasant’s Jacob Johnson runs the ball down center court as Derry’s Aidan Bushey defends on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 at Mt. Pleasant Area High School.

Mt. Pleasant senior Johnson proves to be more than scorer

As Derry attempted to inbound, Jake Johnson patrolled the baseline slyly with his arms up and his eyes locked in.

Central Valley’s Jalen Guy (2) celebrates, as Mike Barbuto hoists the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating Aliquippa in the Class 3A final Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at Heinz Field.

2 WPIAL football realignment proposals would cut down on travel

WPIAL football teams will play games closer to home next season, one way or another.

Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak, who guided the Jaguars to WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A titles this past fall, is among 32 nominees for the NFL’s Don Shula Award to honor the nation’s top high school coaches.

Thomas Jefferson’s Bill Cherpak nominated for Shula award as nation’s top high school football coach

Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak, who last fall won his record-tying eighth WPIAL football title, is among 32 nominees for the NFL’s Don Shula Award to honor the nation’s top high school coaches.

Fox Chapel’s James Dockey (5) celebrates his three-pointer with Shane Susnak as time expired in the first half against Norwin Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, at Fox Chapel Area High School.

A-K Valley boys basketball notebook: Despite injuries, illness, Fox Chapel still finding ways to win

Fox Chapel is one of only two teams remaining in the WPIAL that has an undefeated record and they’ve been doing it in all the right ways.

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

Knoch boys basketball flying high after signature win over Highlands

Heading into the season, the Knoch boys basketball team had high hopes.

Ron Frank had more than 400 victories with the Fox Chapel wrestling team.

Marty Stewart: Let me be Frank about a special coach

To find a high school coach who is totally committed to every kid on his team, who shuns the limelight and gives all credit to the kids and his coaching staff is rare.