Sports

Highlands’ Luke Cochran scores past New Castle’s Donte Burnett during the fourth quarter of their WPIAL Class 4A boys semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, at North Allegheny High School.

A-K Valley basketball teams use time off to prepare for PIAA tournament

March 7, 2019

Five Alle-Kiski Valley basketball teams have played the waiting game for the PIAA tournament since their elimination from the WPIAL playoffs more than a week ago.

Ligonier Valley’s Michael Marinchak shoots over West Shamokin’s Tyler Lightcap during the Heritage Conference championship game Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at IUP.

Ligonier Valley boys turn focus to Beaver Falls, PIAA tournament

Ligonier Valley, the only Westmoreland County-based high school whose sports teams compete outside the WPIAL, is getting a rare opportunity to impress its western neighbors in boys basketball.

Norwin’s Jayla Wehner drives past North Allegheny’s Taylor Rowls during their WPIAL Class 6A semifinal at Fox Chapel High School.

Westmoreland PIAA basketball capsules: Games for March 8-9, 2019

Boys basketball

Hughesville’s Ben Heinrich struggles underneath Derry Area’s Tyler Cymmerman in the 126-pound first round bout during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Derry’s Cymmerman overcomes slow start to reach PIAA Class AA quarterfinals

HERSHEY — Derry sophomore Ty Cymmerman started slowly in his opening-round match Thursday at the PIAA Class AA wrestling championships at the Giant Center.

Belle Vernon’s Ally Pacak practices catching with teammate Sophia Godzak, right, on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 during softball practice and try-outs at the Belle Vernon Multiplex.

Without Parshall, Belle Vernon softball team seeks new identity

How will Belle Vernon’s softball team fare without Bailey Parshall?

Belle Vernon baseball leans on middle of its lineup for experience

Belle Vernon’s baseball team enters the season with many questions.

Franklin Regional’s Carter Dibert struggles against Seneca Valley’s Dylan Chappell in the 106-pound championship bout at the WPIAL Class AAA individual tournament finals on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Canon-McMillan High School.

Wrestlers to watch at the PIAA championships this week

HERSHEY — The PIAA wrestling championships begin at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Giant Center.

Quaker Valley’s Conner Redinger attempts to adjust his headgear while wrestling Bedford’s Kaden Cassidy in the 132-pound first round bout in class AA during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

16 WPIAL wrestlers advance to PIAA Class AA quarterfinals

HERSHEY — It was a sweet first day for WPIAL wrestlers at the PIAA Class AA championships.

Upper St. Clair’s Jake Slinger wrestles Governor Mifflin’s Jordan Espinosa in the 285-pound first round bout in class AAA during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Upsets, close calls highlight opening day of PIAA Class AAA wrestling tournament

HERSHEY — It’s been awhile since fans were treated to such craziness that occurred during the first day of the PIAA Class AAA wrestling championships.

High school scores, schedules for March 7, 2019

High Schools

Scoring struggles hamper Fox Chapel girls in PIAA 1st-round loss to Cumberland Valley

LEWISBERRY — Fox Chapel did everything it could have done defensively against one of the top teams in the state during Friday’s PIAA Class 6A girls basketball tournament opener.

Burrell junior Ashley Smith works out during a recent practice Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Smith had a 612 high series and 225 game in the North East Section.

A-K Valley bowlers vie for spots in state tournament at regionals

March 6, 2019

The Burrell girls bowling team hopes for a performance at Saturday’s Western Regional that matches its WPIBL team title captured three weeks ago.

High school scores, schedules for March 6, 2019

High schools

Mars boys, Peters Township girls stay atop Trib 10 power rankings

Every Wednesday during the 2018-19 WPIAL basketball season, the TribLive High School Sports Network releases Power Rankings during the WPIAL Roundball Report at 6:30 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant’s Dayton Pitzer is announced winner after defeating Ellwood City’s Austin Walley in the 182-pound final on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 in WPIAL class AA individual wrestling championships.

5 things to watch at the PIAA wrestling championships

HERSHEY — The PIAA wrestling championships begin Thursday, with Class AA kicking things off at 9 a.m. at the Giant Center.

Monessen’s Devin Whitlock scores next to St. Joseph’s Andrew Sullivan during their WPIAL Class A quarterfinal Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at West Allegheny High School.

After long rest, Monessen boys set to face Jamestown in PIAA playoffs

At this point in past seasons, the buzz about District 10’s Class A champion has been all about Kennedy Catholic.

Kiski Area’s Cam Connor pins Seneca Valley’s Nick Montalbano at 152 pounds, as the Cavaliers bench erupts during the WPIAL Class AAA team championship Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at Norwin High School.

A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Burrell’s Oswalt, Kiski Area’s Connor have targets on their backs

Burrell’s Ian Oswalt and Kiski Area’s Cam Connor didn’t have to look far to find their names in their respective brackets for the PIAA wrestling championships: They were right there, smack-dab at the top.

Hempfield Area’s Mackenna Orie takes second in the girls shot put Thursday, May 17, 2018 during WPIAL AAA track and field championships at Baldwin High School.

WPIAL athletes garner all-state honors for indoor season

Athletes from WPIAL schools were lauded by the Pennsylvania Track & Field Coaches Association with the organization’s all-state teams for the indoor season.