Sports

Burrell’s Brandon Coury (right) celebrates with Brady Stone after hitting a 3-pointer against Deer Lakes on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, at Deer Lakes High School.

Alle-Kiski Valley WPIAL basketball playoff capsules for Feb. 23, 2022

February 22, 2022

Wednesday’s games

Ellwood City’s Joseph Roth drives to the basket past South Allegheny’s Ethan Kirkwood during the 2021 WPIAL Class 3A championship game.

Trib HSSN Boys Basketball State Rankings for Feb. 22, 2022

This past week was the quiet before the ranking storm.

Penn-Trafford’s Kamryn Pieper (left) celebrates with Maura Suman after defeating Norwin, 37-36, on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Harrison City.

Westmoreland WPIAL basketball playoff capsules for Feb. 23, 2022

Wednesday’ games

Apollo-Ridge went 4-18 under coach Greg Fox during a rebuilding season in 2021-22.

Apollo-Ridge boys basketball hopes rebuild is quick

Greg Fox figured it might go like this.

Pine-Richland’s Owen Luellen shoots as Butler’s Raine Gratzmiller draws an offensive foul during their game Feb. 4.

What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Feb. 22, 2022: First round ends with appealing matchups

February 21, 2022

Welcome to the final day of the first round in the 2022 WPIAL basketball playoffs.

Peters Township’s Journey Thompson scores past Garnet Valley’s Morgan Falcone during the 2019 PIAA Class 6A girls championship game.

Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Player of the Week for Feb. 21, 2022

When Journey Thompson started her high school career at Peters Township, she was a starter on a perfect team.

Lincoln Park’s Brandin Cummings celebrates a 3-pointer against Montour during the first half of a Section 2-4A game Jan. 14.

Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Player of the Week for Feb. 21, 2022

Lincoln Park sophomore Brandin Cummings has always been close with his older brother Nelly, who starred with the Leopards and graduated in 2017 before playing his college ball at Bowling Green and Colgate.

Shaler’s Logan Bernesser shoots a free throw against South Fayette in a WPIAL Class 5A playoff game Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.

Logan Bernesser powers Shaler past South Fayette in overtime win

Shaler senior Logan Bernesser registered a double-double in a dominating first-round performance.

Steel Valley’s Makhai Valentine celebrates with Cruce Brookins in the final seconds of their 70-62 win over Seton LaSalle in a WPIAL Class 3A playoff game on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at Fox Chapel High School.

Steel Valley knocks out No. 4 Seton LaSalle with 1-2 punch in WPIAL playoff upset

Steel Valley’s Makhai Valentine wears No. 1 and teammate Cruce Brookins is No. 2, fitting for a combination that delivered a knockout punch Monday night.

Shady Side Acdemy’s Peter Kramer scores on a reverse past Laurel’s Kobe DeRosa during their WPIAL Class 3A playoff game on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at Fox Chapel High School.

High school roundup for Feb. 21, 2022: Laurel Highlands, other top seeds cruise in 5A 1st round

Rodney Gallagher scored 22 points and Keondre DeSheids followed with 21 to lead No. 1 Laurel Highlands to a 74-44 victory over Woodland Hills in a first-round game in the WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball playoffs Monday night.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Feb. 21, 2022

High schools

Hampton’s Liam Mignogna defends against Kiski Area’s Isaiah Gonzales during WPIAL Class 5A playoff action Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at Hampton High School.

Hampton coach Lafko gets career win No. 499 as Talbots defeat Kiski Area

Joe Lafko has been coaching boys basketball for a long time, and he’s won his share of games during a 32-year high school career.

Maryland guard Fatts Russell shoots against Penn State guard Dallion Johnson during the second half Monday.

Fatts Russell helps Maryland hold off Penn State men

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Fatts Russell scored eight of his 18 points at the free-throw line with less than a minute to play, and Maryland held off Penn State, 67-61, on Monday night.

Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball players sing the school’s alma mater in front of their student section Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, after a 51-27 victory over Chartiers-Houston in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.

Kuhns, Morgan lead Greensburg Central Catholic past Chartiers-Houston

The more patient Greensburg Central Catholic became with Chartiers-Houston’s 2-1-2 press, the wider the margin got in the teams’ playoff opener.

Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst, celebrating after scoring against Knoch on Feb. 3, 2021, had 24 points in a first-round win over Albert Gallatin on Monday night.

High-octane Highlands roars past Albert Gallatin in Class 5A first round

Backed by junior guard Jimmy Kunst’s 24 points and a 32-point second quarter, fifth-seeded Highlands made quick work of No. 12 Albert Gallatin, 76-44, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs Monday night.

Ligonier Valley senior Matthew Marinchak loses his glasses as he drives past Avonworth’s Colin Crawford on Monday in a WPIAL Class 3A playoff game.

Avonworth uses speed on defense, offensive spurts to take down Ligonier Valley

It took Avonworth a little more than a quarter to hit its stride Monday in its WPIAL Class 3A first-round game, but when it did, Ligonier Valley couldn’t keep up.