Sports

A-K Valley shooters on target at Cager Classic skills competition

April 5, 2024

The top senior talent in the Alle-Kiski Valley and surrounding communities gathered Friday at Highlands to match shooting skills in a competition to kick off the two-day Cager Classic all-star celebration.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for April 4, 2024

High schools

Seneca Valley pitcher Aedan Fowler throws in an ice shower against Allderdice on Thursday, Apr. 4, 2024, in Jackson.

High school roundup for April 4, 2024: Moon knocks off No. 1 Shaler

April 4, 2024

Coleman Fletcher hit the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the eighth inning and earned the win in relief to lead Moon to a 6-5 victory over No. 1 Shaler in Section 3-5A baseball Thursday.

WPIAL boys tennis roundup for April 4, 2024: Returning Gateway doubles champs square off in section finals

Gateway’s Adam Memije and Zidaan Hassan, who teamed up to win the WPIAL Class 3A doubles title last year, squared off in the Section 1-3A singles finals Thursday with Memije winning, 6-2, 6-4.

Highlands’ Bradyn Foster (right) will play in the Cager Classic this weekend.

Basketball foes become teammates at Cager Classic

The Highlands and Hampton boys basketball teams played nine times over the past four seasons, including a third time last year in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs.

Belle Vernon catcher Mia Zubovic hugs reliever Talia Ross after Ross closed out Trinity in PIAA first round softball Class 4A playoff action Monday June 5, 2023 at Robert D. Kalp field at Hempfield Area High School.

Belle Vernon senior Ross ruptures Achilles in freak accident

Belle Vernon standout softball pitcher Talia Ross suffered a freak injury during practice Wednesday and could miss the rest of the season.

Bushy Run’s Carmen Metcalfe rips a double in the first inning of the District 31 American Legion championship in July.

Derry, Lower Burrell, Trafford, Yough join District 31 Legion

District 31 American Legion baseball doesn’t start until May 20, but the league has made offseason noise by expanding to 14 teams.

Hempfield head coach Tim Buzzard talks with Max Short during their game against Central Catholic on Wednesday.

Buzzworthy Hempfield baseball team flashing signs of being contender

With a coach whose nickname is “Buzz,” the Hempfield baseball team is beginning to generate some of it in the WPIAL’s largest classification.

Franklin Regional’s Blake Bertucci makes a running catch on a ball hit by Latrobe’s Vinny Amatucci during a 2022 game.

Westmoreland County baseball notebook: Franklin Regional senior dedicates season to brother battling cancer

Truth be told, Blake Bertucci would love to be pitching to his brother, Luca.

Sunglasses help Deer Lakes’ Sophia Laurenza make a running catch in the sun but they wouldn’t protect her eyes from staring at a solar eclipse.

Here’s a new one for WPIAL athletic directors: Game called on account of solar eclipse

Athletic directors are not surprised when rain or snow wreaks havoc on spring sports schedules. But there’s another act of nature — one far more infrequent — that has WPIAL schools rescheduling games slated for Monday.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for April 3, 2024

April 3, 2024

High schools

Hempfield’s Carson Shuglie watches his go-ahead 2-run home run next to Central Catholic catcher Gavin Kelly on Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2024, at No Offesason in Russelton.

High school roundup for April 3, 2024: Carson Shuglie’s 6th-inning homer sparks Hempfield past Central Catholic

Carson Shuglie hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Hempfield the lead for good in a 6-4 victory over Central Catholic in Section 2-6A baseball Wednesday.

Mt. Pleasant picks McKeesport, Clarion grad Eckels as new AD

Mt. Pleasant hired James “J.J.” Eckels on Wednesday night to be the district’s full-time athletic director.

Young Plum softball team showing signs of potential with impressive wins

The Plum softball team rallied from the first inning on during last Friday’s nonsection home game against Highlands at Plum High School

Southmoreland’s Amarah McCutcheon (left) gets a force out on Waynesburg’s Taylor Sibert during last season’s WPIAL playoffs.

Hot start no surprise for Southmoreland softball team, which has big expectations

When he heard one of his games was moved because of a schedule change related to Monday’s solar eclipse, Todd Bunner was surprised.

Greensburg Central Catholic softball coach Chelsey Frock

Westmoreland County softball notebook: With new coach, Greensburg Central Catholic itching to get 1st game in

First-year coach Chelsey Frock will tell you what it’s like to lead the Greensburg Central Catholic softball team on the field, just as soon as the Centurions play a game.

Franklin Regional players celebrate a goal in a 2021 playoff game.

Franklin Regional hockey coach disappointed after being ousted

John Winebrenner holds no ill will toward the Franklin Regional Hockey Club board, but that doesn’t mean he agrees with its decision to open his position.