Sports

The 2019 Shady Side Academy girls track and field team.

Shady Side Academy track logs medal-worthy PIAA appearance

June 21, 2019

The Shady Side Academy girls track team ended its season at the PIAA championships last month.

St Joseph’s Trevor Greenwald competes during practice May 19, 2019 at St Joseph High.

St. Joseph basketball players adjust to new coach, system during summer workouts

When longtime St. Joseph boys basketball coach Kelly Robinson resigned in April after 21 seasons at the helm, the search began in earnest to find his replacement.

West Virginia offers Belle Vernon kicker Cameron Guess

Once rated the No. 1 punter in the nation by Kohl’s Kicking Camps, Cameron Guess of Belle Vernon anticipated scholarship offers to trickle in during the summer of his senior season.

Pine Richland head Eric Kasperowicz hugs his son Eric Kasperowicz after beating Seneca Valley in the 5A WPIAL championship game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 at Heinz Field.

‘Huddle Up’: Going one-on-one with Eric Kasperowicz

You might be surprised by the contact list in Pine-Richland football coach Eric Kasperowicz’s cell phone.

Steel Valley’s Nahki Johnson celebrates with Eshawn Carter after Carter’s return for a touchdown against Wilmington Area during the 2A PIAA semifinal Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 at Ambridge High School.

West Mifflin standout Nahki Johnson among 2 ruled ineligible by WPIAL

June 20, 2019

West Mifflin’s Nahki Johnson and Gateway’s Diego Bledsoe played football together last season at Steel Valley before each transferred elsewhere.

Central Catholic’s Kenneth Blake gets the corner onNorth Allegheny Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 at Newman Stadium at Wright Field.

WPIAL awards playoff eligibility to Kiski, Gateway football transfers

The WPIAL ruled Kiski Area’s Kenneth Blake and Gateway’s Shane Thrift fully eligible to play football this fall following separate hearings Thursday at the league office in Green Tree.

Shaler Area’s Cam Mbalo competes in the boys Class AAA triple jump during the PIAA track and field state championships at Shippensburg. Mbalo finished third at states after winning WPIALs.

Shaler Area’s Mbalo seeks to challenge himself, improve high jump

Finding a way atop the medal stand in the WPIAL Class AAA triple jump wasn’t the end of the story for Shaler Area’s Cam Mbalo.

Hampton’s Campbell France competes in the 800-meter run during the WPIAL Class AAA track and field championships at Slippery Rock. France finished third and advanced to the PIAA championships.

‘Mentally sound’ France finishes Hampton career on high note

Most high-performing scholar athletes don’t peak during their senior year of high school. They compete in college.

Hampton players hope to jump-start new Allegheny lacrosse program

Jake Schwarzbach was on varsity lacrosse for four years and emerged as one of the team’s better faceoff players. Alex Winklosky always was on his wing during those faceoffs.

North Catholic’s Tess Myers leads the fast break against Central Valley during the 4A girls WPIAL Championship at Petersen Events Center.

Visit to father’s former stomping grounds sold North Catholic’s Myers on Duquesne

Tess Myers’ connection with basketball runs deep within her family.

Pine-Richland head coach Eric Kasperowicz celebrates after the Rams defeated St. Joseph’s Prep, 41-21, in the PIAA Class 6A state championship game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at Hersheypark Stadium.

Podcast part 4: Eric Kasperowicz begins his coaching career

Eric Kasperowicz often was told by coaches and those close to him that he would make a good coach one day.

FILE - In this March 29, 2019, file photo, North Carolina’s Cameron Johnson (13) heads to the basket past Auburn’s Chuma Okeke (5) during the first half of a men’s NCAA tournament game, in Kansas City, Mo.

WPIAL product Cameron Johnson picked 11th overall in NBA Draft

When the phone call came from the Phoenix Suns, Cameron Johnson lowered his head and rubbed his eyes to wipe away the tears as family and friends celebrated around him.

Mark Black is congratulated by first base coach Phil Cicco after a first-inning single against Neshannock on June 6, 2019, at Shaler.

Serra catcher Mark Black makes All-America team

June 19, 2019

Catcher Mark Black, who helped guide Serra Catholic to runner-up finishes in the WPIAL and PIAA (Class 2A) this season with his gaudy numbers and behind-the-plate presence, is an All-American.

A Norwin School District bus travels along McMahon Drive in North Huntingdon on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016.

Norwin announces latest hall of fame class

Track and field will have a commanding presence in the 2019 Norwin Athletic Hall of Fame class.

Mark Marino guided Hempfield to a 21-3 record and a Section 1-AAAA title in 2013-14.

Marino hired as Plum boys basketball coach

When Mark Marino joined the men’s basketball coaching staff at Lycoming College in 2008, his first task as a high school talent evaluator was to observe Plum standout Andrew Cressler as Cressler was going into his senior season with the Mustangs.

University of Pittsburgh defensive back Eric Kasperowicz (5), a North Hills High School graduate, displays his blocking skills on special teams against Southwestern Louisiana in 1997.

Podcast part 3: Eric Kasperowicz explains recruiting process, recalls college days

As a 1993 Parade All-American, then-North Hills standout quarterback Eric Kasperowicz had more scholarship offers than he could count. In the end, his choice came down to Pitt, Penn State, Georgia Tech, Michigan State and Syracuse.

North Catholic’s Maddie Smithco smiles after finishing her round to win the WPIAL Class AA girls golf championship Oct. 3, 2018, at Diamond Run Golf Club.

WPIAL golfers invited to national high school tournament

June 18, 2019

Several of the top WPIAL golfers from the fall 2018 season will compete at the National High School Golf Association’s inaugural High School Golf National Invitational on June 27-28 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.