Sports
Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Hempfield’s Madison Altman, Franklin Regional’s Tommy Westerman
February 28, 2026
Madison Altman
Oakland Catholic girls beat No. 1 Blackhawk to win back-to-back WPIAL crowns
After a thriller last season that saw Oakland Catholic defeat Blackhawk with a basket in the final 10 seconds, the Eagles and Cougars met again Saturday for Class 4A’s WPIAL championship.
Qa’lil Goode’s 30 points help Aliquippa top South Allegheny for WPIAL-leading 15th championship
Aliquippa’s Qa’lil Goode unleashed a 30-point barrage to pull away from South Allegheny in a 65-54 victory Saturday in the WPIAL Class 3A boys basketball championship that gave the Quips their third title in the past four years.
Belle Vernon’s Elijah Brown gets rematch with DuBois’ Kendahl Hoare at regionals
Belle Vernon senior Elijah Brown has lost one match this season.
Neshannock holds off Winchester Thurston to win 4th WPIAL championship
One year after suffering a heartbreaking loss in the WPIAL Class 2A championship, Neshannock girls basketball had a singular goal entering the 2025-26 season: win the gold.
Fox Chapel grad finds success as freshman on Washington & Jefferson mats
Sonnie Blanco likes to watch Jack Viti employ his unorthodox wrestling style. What the Washington & Jefferson coach would like to see Viti do more of is lead the dance.
Fox Chapel Herald notebook: Shady Side Academy boys headed to state tournament
The Shady Side Academy boys basketball team didn’t quite finish its Cinderella run through the WPIAL Class 3A boys playoffs. But the Bulldogs springing two upsets and reaching the semifinals means Shady Side Academy will be returning to the PIAA playoffs.
Fox Chapel wrestler fights through adversity to earn 100th win
Reaching 100 wins meant that Fox Chapel senior wrestler Joey Geller had to find a way to get through the North section qualifier to reach the WPIAL Class 3A championships. But nothing would be easy for Geller during the 215-pound bracket at Butler High School.
After late-season surge, Fox Chapel boys ready to tackle future challenges
The Fox Chapel boys basketball team typically sits on the line between Class 5A and 6A. The Foxes know that next season, they will have to navigate the WPIAL’s largest classification.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: 7 picked for East-West football all-star games
Seven local football players were selected to play in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association East-West senior all-star games.
After emotional loss in WPIAL finals, Jeannette regroups for state playoffs
Jeannette is trying have a short memory after losing the WPIAL championship.
Norwin notebook: Girls track team takes indoor title
Norwin and Hempfield went back and forth at the Tri-State Track and Field Coaches Association Indoor Championship on Feb. 21 at Edinboro’s Mike Zafirovsku Sports and Recreation Center.
Michael Ruane joins decorated group of Franklin Regional champions with 1st WPIAL title
Franklin Regional junior Michael Ruane won his first WPIAL Class 3A wrestling title Feb. 21 and ended a short three-year drought for the program.
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Feb. 27, 2026
February 27, 2026
High schools
Upper St. Clair rallies past New Castle in final seconds to secure 3rd straight WPIAL title
Jake Foster’s ability to have active hands on defense isn’t something that comes naturally. The Upper St. Clair senior guard has it drilled into him by the culture Panthers coach Danny Holzer has instilled.
High school roundup for Feb. 27, 2026: Allderdice rallies past State College, earns date with Central Catholic
Lukas Stead tallied 22 points and seven rebounds to lead Allderdice to a 45-43 victory over District 6 champion State College in a PIAA Class 6A District 6-8-10 subregional game Friday night.
Hempfield, Penn-Trafford wrestlers have big 1st night at PIAA West Regional
It was quite a night for wrestlers from Hempfield and Penn-Trafford during the first day of the PIAA Class 3A West Regional.
Derry sends 5 to semifinals at PIAA Class 2A Southwest Regional tournament
Derry sent five of its six WPIAL champions through to the semifinals on the first day of the PIAA Class 2A Southwest Regional tournament Friday in Altoona.
South Fayette pulls away from Thomas Jefferson, regains WPIAL Class 5A title
South Fayette’s girls basketball team won its fourth WPIAL title in five years Friday night, defeating feisty Thomas Jefferson, 57-38, in the Class 5A championship game at Petersen Events Center.
Confident Kunkle wins gold in the girls WPIAL Class 3A 100 breaststroke; Fox Chapel girls finish strong
Leah Kunkle was confident.
