Sports

Penn Hills wrestlers set sights on longer postseason runs

December 2, 2023

The Penn Hills wrestling program will be in a year of transition.

Penn Hills swimmers optimistic about season despite pool repairs

Things will be decidedly different for the Penn Hills swimming team this season. When the Indians start the season, Penn Hills will have its home meets at the Olympic Swim &Health Club instead of the school’s pool at Linton Middle School.

Submitted | Gabby Baldasare
Pine-Richland junior Madison Zavasky averaged 20.5 points per game over the first eight games of the 2022-23 season.

Madison Zavasky, Cate Gentile return to lead Pine-Richland girls in quest for playoff success

Positive progress was the theme for Pine-Richland girls basketball in Gabby Baldasare’s first season as coach.

Pine-Richland coach Bob Petcash watches from the bench during a game against Allderdice last season.

Pine-Richland boys hoping to sneak up on Class 6A competition

The Pine-Richland boys basketball team is in a position to surprise some people, and it’s an opportunity that’s being embraced.

North Hills girls look to keep rebuilding process rolling

A year ago, newly hired Tony Grenek looked at his North Hills girls basketball team and knew that a significant step needed to be taken.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Dec. 1, 2023

High schools

Gateway and Fox Chapel players take part in the season-opening Upper St. Clair tournament Dec. 1, 2023, at Upper St. Clair.

Upper St. Clair, Gateway open season with victories at USC tip-off tournament

On opening night of the new WPIAL basketball season at the Novum Upper St. Clair tip-off tournament, a couple of roundball truths were re-enforced.

Connellsville’s Isiac Saylor looks for an opening against Franklin Regional’s Jonah Johnson on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at Hempfield High School.

High school boys basketball roundup for Dec. 1, 2023: Jayden Davis lifts Chartiers Valley past Peters Township

Jayden Davis dropped 29 points and made a basket with 27 seconds left to lift Chartiers Valley to a 61-59 boys basketball victory over Peters Township in the AHN/Highmark Tip-Off Tournament on Friday night.

Highlands’ Shelby Wojcik (23) drives around Fox Chapel’s Isabella Barbour (2) during the fourth quarter of the Freeport tip-off tournament Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Freeport.

High school girls basketball roundup for Dec. 1, 2023: Erica Hall beats buzzer for South Fayette

December 1, 2023

Erica Hall made the game-winning basket with 2.4 seconds left to lead South Fayette to a 68-66 girls basketball victory over tip-off tournament host Wheeling Park on Friday night.

Players from Fort Cherry and Redbank Valley meet for the coin toss before their PIAA Class A semifinal game Dec. 1, 2023, at Farrell.

Season of first continues as Fort Cherry advances to PIAA Class A final

It’s been a season of firsts for the Fort Cherry Rangers. First WPIAL title, first state playoff game, first state playoff win and now a first trip to the PIAA Class A championship game

Aliquippa’s John Tracy scores his first touchdown against Selinsgrove during their PIAA Class 4A state semifinal on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Central Cambria High School.

Aliquippa secures 3rd straight state finals appearance with win over Selinsgrove

EBENSBURG — There was some fourth-quarter suspense for Aliquippa as the final minutes ticked away in the state semifinal Friday night.

Westinghouse’s Josiah Collins celebrates after returning a fumble for a touchdown against Beaver Falls in the PIAA Class 2A semifinals Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at West Allegheny.

Westinghouse returns to PIAA title game after taking down Beaver Falls

Westinghouse is headed back to the PIAA championship game for the second year in a row.

Peters Township’s Justin Tornatore (left) celebrates with quarterback Nolan DiLucia after beating Pine-Richland to win the WPIAL 5A championship Nov. 18.

Peters Township defense stands tall, sends Indians to PIAA Class 5A title game

ALTOONA — From the moment the ball was kicked in Friday night’s PIAA Class 5A football semifinal between Peters Township and Cocalico, both defenses smothered much of the hope that both sides had for moving the ball.

Greensburg Salem girls rout Ringgold in opening round of tip-off tournament

Rick Klimchock’s love affair with basketball continues.

Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin cuts around Hickory’s Tylon Cousins on the way to a second-quarter touchdown during the PIAA Class 3A semifinals Friday.

Belle Vernon runs over Hickory, headed back to PIAA title game

Belle Vernon football coach Matt Humbert said he preached to his players not to look ahead.

Greensburg Central Catholic’s Franco Alvarez charges toward the basket against Penn-Trafford on Friday.

Greensburg Central Catholic boys outlast Penn-Trafford in 2OT for win in opener

While he was far from overweight, Franco Alvarez worked on slimming down in the offseason so he could be faster on the basketball court.

Plum girls basketball team starts season with victory over Freeport

Last year’s girls basketball season opener between Plum and Freeport at the Freeport Tip-Off Tournament went down to the wire with Mustangs combo guard/forward Riley Stephans hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer in her freshman varsity debut.

Burrell girls wrestling coach Chris Harkins works with Cierra Molnar (left) and Cayla Brothers during practice Friday.

Burrell’s 1st girls wrestling team ready to debut

With high school girls wrestling growing at such a rapid rate in Pennsylvania and throughout the country, Burrell didn’t want to be left on the outside looking in.