Sports
Westmoreland County high school basketball notebook: Penn-Trafford girls winning with democracy
February 20, 2026
Calling out plays like “Tornado” and “Cyclops,” Chuck Fontana directed his Penn-Trafford girls basketball team to a 50-39 WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal win over Indiana on Wednesday night.
Free throws, defense play key role for Moon in 5A quarterfinal win over Gateway
Defense and free throws proved to be a winning recipe for Moon on Friday night.
Thomas Jefferson fends off furious comeback bid from Amon Hawthorne, Penn Hills in 5A quarters
Entering the fourth quarter of Friday night’s WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal matchup with a 21-point lead over Penn Hills, Thomas Jefferson knew that it wasn’t a sure thing.
Upper St. Clair grinds out Class 6A quarterfinal win over North Allegheny
There were times during the WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball quarterfinal between Upper St. Clair and North Allegheny that it looked like both teams hadn’t played a real game in nearly two weeks.
Penn Hills’ Amon Hawthorne pours in 44 points, including 30 in 4th quarter, in loss to Thomas Jefferson
Penn Hills senior guard Amon Hawthorne didn’t know how many points he had, but he knew his team was coming back.
Shady Side Academy boys ride another upset to WPIAL semis
Jim Dudas practically was speechless. When he did manage to utter a sound, his voice was so hoarse he was barely audible.
South Park finally solves Ligonier Valley defense, moves into 3A semifinals
Third-seeded South Park was struggling mightily offensively in the first half of its WPIAL Class 3A boys basketball quarterfinal matchup with No. 11 Ligonier Valley on Friday night.
Burrell’s Bertucci has eye on WPIAL Class 2A title as individual wrestling tournament moves to semis
Julian Bertucci’s black headgear wouldn’t snap into place. The Burrell 145-pound senior looked toward the bleachers and caught the blue-and-white set teammate Jacob Stewart tossed him.
With Norwin’s Landon Sidun on top, 121-pound bracket proves challenging in WPIAL Class 3A
When you have the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the country in your weight class and you want to be a state champion, you have two choices.
Norwin girls, behind career night from Lenyn Brozeski, race past Hempfield and into girls semifinals
Norwin watched the movie “Secretariat” this week for inspiration.
Julian Semplice, Chartiers Valley pull off wild comeback to thwart Shaler upset bid
Led by Julian Semplice, top-seeded Chartiers Valley used all its horsepower to rally from 12 points down with five minutes to play for a 69-66 victory over No. 9 Shaler in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals Friday night.
Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 21, 2026
Girls
Kiski Area, Plum wrestlers looking to join 1st class of 3-time WPIAL girls champs
Five wrestlers at Saturday’s WPIAL girls wrestling championships at Mt. Lebanon hope to earn the distinction of becoming the district’s first three-time champions.
A-K Valley high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 21, 2026
Boys
Hampton’s Gabriella Elk gets 3-peat; Mt. Pleasant’s Noah Lahm captures WPIAL Class 2A diving gold
After finishing in eighth place last year, Noah Lahm had his sights set higher for his final high school diving season.
Times, sites set for Monday’s WPIAL basketball semifinals
A new week will begin with the second day of the 2026 WPIAL boys and girls basketball final four on Monday.
High school basketball referee still running the floor at age 80
Once an avid runner, Bob Saxman went from full speed to a jog before finally slowing down.
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Feb. 19, 2026
High schools
What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Feb. 20, 2026: Ex-coach to take on top-seeded Chartiers Valley
February 19, 2026
Welcome to the final day of the quarterfinals in the WPIAL basketball playoffs with teams in boys Class 5A and 3A and girls Class 6A and 2A claiming the spotlight.
No. 1 Blackhawk girls overpower Burrell, reach 5th straight WPIAL semifinal
The top-seeded Blackhawk girls cruised past ninth-seeded Burrell, 50-33, in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals Thursday to earn their fifth straight trip to the semifinals.
