Sports

Norwin’s Jayla Wehner scores past Altoona’s Caranda Perea (right) during their PIAA playoff game at Hollidaysburg. Wehner had a team-best 13 points.

Fresh legs, strong shooting key opening-round PIAA win for Norwin girls

March 8, 2019

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Playing with confidence, fresh legs and resolve following a gut-wrenching elimination from the WPIAL semifinals, the Norwin girls basketball team opened the state playoffs with a lively victory.

WPIAL boys teams to test mettle vs. District 10 in PIAA playoff games Saturday

Eighteen WPIAL boys basketball teams hit the court Saturday to open up the PIAA postseason against teams from various districts.

Fusco leads Mars past Milton Hershey in PIAA opening round

From the Petersen Events Center to Greensburg Salem High School, it was a drastic change in scenery for the WPIAL champion Mars Fightin’ Planets.

Norwin’s Kurtis Phipps wrestles Stroudsburg’s Cameron Enriquez in the 120-pound class AAA quarterfinal during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Norwin’s Phipps keeps PIAA title hopes alive following comeback win

HERSHEY — What a difference a couple years made for Norwin junior Kurtis Phipps.

Kiski Area’s Darren Miller wrestles Matt Sarbo of Altoona in the 126-pound class AAA quarterfinal during the PIAA state wrestling tournament on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Kiski Area’s Miller, Connor earn spots in PIAA Class AAA semifinals

HERSHEY — Darren Miller didn’t make it to the Giant Center last March, the victim of an upset in the WPIAL Class AAA tournament. So the Kiski Area senior appreciates the value of even wrestling in the state wrestling championship, let alone earning a medal.

Plum’s Small, Armstrong’s Halutick claim regional bowling titles

Shannon Small didn’t have the highest score after five qualifying-round games at the Western Pennsylvania regional bowling tournament Friday at North Versailles Bowl.

Gateway junior Olivia Livingston (right) was PIAA Class AAA runner-up in the 100 freestyle the past two years.

Gateway’s Livingston ready to chase state record in 100 freestyle

Time is of the essence for Gateway junior Olivia Livingston.

Gateway’s Evan Whiteside, junior, weight class 113. Lillian DeDomenic | For The Tribune Review

Gateway’s Whiteside, Hanisak gain experience at WPIAL championships

Gateway coach Ryan Sula saw improvement from Evan Whiteside in every area of his wrestling, but the one thing that stood out the most was the growing confidence in his 113-pound junior.

Chartiers Valley’s Aislin Malcolm pulls down a rebound next to Thomas Jefferson’s Molly Wagner during the WPIAL Class 5A championship game Saturday, Mar. 2, 2019, at Petersen Events Center.

Thomas Jefferson girls made program history by reaching title game

The Thomas Jefferson and Chartiers Valley basketball teams clashed March 2 in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game at Pitt’s Peterson Events Center.

Chartiers Valley’s Gabby Legister scores over Thomas Jefferson’s Dalaney Ranallo during the WPIAL Class 5A championship game Saturday, Mar. 2, 2019, at Petersen Events Center.

Rebounding, scoring struggles prove costly for Thomas Jefferson girls in WPIAL final

The bubble finally burst for the surging Thomas Jefferson girls basketball team.

Thomas Jefferson’s Gabe Dominick blocks a punt by Belle Vernon’s Cameron Guess on Sept. 7 in Rostraver.

Senior class lauded for success by Thomas Jefferson football coach Cherpak

The 60th annual Thomas Jefferson football banquet took place Feb. 24 at Georgetown Centre.

Thomas Jefferson players celebrate as time expires in their WPIAL Class 5A girls semifinal victory over Oakland Catholic Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at North Allegheny High School.

Team chemistry key for TJ girls basketball

Does winning spark good team chemistry, or does good team chemistry enhance winning?

Quaker Valley freshman Isabel Huang competes in the 100 backstroke during the WPIAL Class AA championships at the Pitt’s Trees Pool. She won the event in 58.13 seconds.

Quaker Valley freshman Huang makes big splash at WPIAL championships

Quaker Valley swimming coach Alexis Glenn knew from the beginning of the season she had an amazing swimmer in Isabel Huang.

Penn-Trafford’s Nick Coy celebrates a win in the 138-pound championship bout against Hempfield’s Ty Linsenbigler at the WPIAL Class AAA individual tournament finals March 2.

For Penn-Trafford’s Coy, journey to Hershey is a trip down memory lane

It’s tough not to crack a smile and imagine the possibilities when someone rolls up for a road trip driving a shiny new black Chevy Suburban, but Penn-Trafford wrestler Nick Coy jumped in anyway.

Penn Trafford sophomore Austin Prokopec competes in the boys 200 freestyle during the AAA WPIAL Swimming/Diving Championship on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool.

Relays, divers lead Penn-Trafford into PIAA championship meet

Despite their small size, the Penn-Trafford boys and girls swimming teams will be well represented at the PIAA Class AAA championship meet March 15-16 at Bucknell.

Pine-Richland lacrosse players held a signing ceremony Feb. 27. The group included, from left, Jon Scherer (Mercyhurst), Reis Ravotti (Penn State academics), Sam Skirpan (undecided), Brendan Hein (John Carrol), Will Harnick (York), Ben Barnes (Seton Hill) and coach Kevin Welty.

Pine-Richland boys lacrosse players commit to play in college

A quartet of Pine-Richland boys lacrosse players pledged their commitments to their future colleges of choice Feb. 27 at the high school athletic office, gathering to both celebrate the future and enjoy the unique moment together before embarking on their senior seasons.

Aquinas Academy’s Sam Schirra qualified for the WPIAL championships in two events.

Limited time in pool doesn’t keep Aquinas swimmer Schirra from making WPIALs

There were plenty of reasons for Sam Schirra not to swim this season.

Plum’s Vinny Citrano competes against Central Catholic Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 at Plum.

Plum’s Citrano, Stecik cap season at WPIAL wrestling championships

As a freshman this year, Plum’s Vinny Citrano believed in himself every time he stepped on a mat, and it showed in his results. But before his first match at the WPIAL individual championships Feb. 28, the magnitude of the event set in.