Sports

Ronan O’Connor Shady Side Academy lacrosse

Shady Side Academy boys lacrosse motivated to rise

March 23, 2019

The Shady Side Academy boys lacrosse team is hoping to improve on its 2018 season, which ended with a 10-6 record and section co-championship. The Indians lost to Mt. Lebanon in the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals.

Senior captain Matt Harris will play No. 1 singles for Gateway.

Gateway boys tennis sets eyes on WPIAL playoff spot

It’s been nine seasons since the Gateway boys tennis team showed up in a WPIAL Class AAA postseason bracket and, for the Gators, that’s long enough.

Thomas Jefferson softball team aiming high after reaching state semifinals

High expectations.

Thomas Jefferson goaltender Luke Ripepi went 17-4 this season with a 3.16 goals-against average.

Thomas Jefferson hockey says goodbye to remarkable seniors

The seniors on the Thomas Jefferson hockey team wrung out heralded career numbers in their time.

The WPIAL Class 2A runner-up Brentwood girls basketball team on Feb. 28, 2019, with their medals and team trophy at Petersen Events Center.

Brentwood girls basketball had history-making season

The reconstruction project continued — and flourished — for the Brentwood girls basketball program.

Gina Fuchs, a former Pitt softball assistant coach, is the new head coach of the Baldwin softball team.

Baldwin softball ‘bigger and stronger than ever’

Baldwin has won four consecutive section titles in softball.

Baldwin’s Paul Zmuda competes against Upper St. Clair’s John Ploeger March 4, 2019, at Ice Castle.

Plenty of positives for Baldwin hockey team

Slowly but surely, the Baldwin hockey program is climbing up the ranks in the PIHL.

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

PIAA Class 4A girls championship breakdown: North Catholic vs. Bethlehem Catholic

PIAA Class 4A girls championship

High school scores, schedules for March 22, 2019

March 22, 2019

High Schools

The East and West teams wait to compete during the skills competition at the annual Cager Classic March 22, 2019 at Highlands High School.

Valley’s Carter sweeps Cager Classic skills competition

It was never a secret Valley senior Nyjewel Carter was one of the top shooters the Vikings had this season; now he can stake his claim as one of the top shooters in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Valley coach Jim Basilone prepares his team for the 2019 season March 19, 2019 at Valley High

Young Valley lineup looks to maintain momentum from trip to quarterfinals

Valley coach Jim Basilone trotted his Vikings off Washington & Jefferson’s Ross Memorial baseball field following a gut-wrenching, 6-5 loss to Brownsville in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals and delivered his most important speech of the season.

Moon seniors celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A state final Friday, Mar. 22, 2019, at Giant Center in Hershey.

Moon rallies in 4th quarter to defeat Archbishop Wood in PIAA Class 5A final

HERSHEY — Moon coach Adam Kaufman was certain that this win would shock folks around the state.

Outfielder Mackenzie Booker returned to the Vikings after not playing last season.

Valley softball ready to take next step toward success

Nine years have passed since Valley won the WPIAL softball title; it’s been eight years since the Vikings made an incredible run through the state bracket and captured a PIAA Class AAA title.

Freeport’s Jalen Brown (right) competes during practice for the annual Cager Classic March 23, 2019 at Highlands High School.

Freeport’s Brown follows in mother’s footsteps with selection to Cager Classic

Jalen Brown paused a moment before describing the impact his mother, Eve VanDyke, has had on his life and his basketball career.

Renewed optimism for Gateway boys volleyball team

Three new coaches in three seasons, temporary leadership and a lack of consistency took their toll on the Gateway boys volleyball program.

The Peters Twp. girls basketball team celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Garnet Valley in the PIAA Class 6A state final Friday, Mar. 22, 2019, at Giant Center in Hershey.

Marisa scores 29, Peters Township caps perfect season with 1st PIAA title

HERSHEY — Peters Township completed a perfect season with a 62-49 win over Garnet Valley in the PIAA Class 6A girls basketball finals Friday night at Giant Center.

Belle Vernon football players train with the new Tsunami Bar barbell during the 2019 offseason.

Belle Vernon football getting help from new weightlifting aid

Opening day of spring sports in the WPIAL was greeted with, sigh, a dose of snow and cold.

North Allegheny celebrates Justin Symons’ goal against Peters during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class AAA Championship game Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Montour, Pine-Richland, North Allegheny take aim at Pennsylvania Cup titles

After several years of games being played at Pegula Ice Arena at Penn State, the Pennsylvania Cup high school hockey state championships have returned to an alternate home base.