Sports

Plum seniors Kaden Thomas, at left, and Eryck Moore-Watkins finalized their decisions to join the football teams at Edinboro and Slippery Rock, respectively, during the first day of the National Letter of Intent regular signing period on Feb. 1, 2023, at Plum High School.

Plum’s Moore-Watkins, Thomas sign on to continue football careers

February 4, 2023

Needing 151 yards to become Plum’s all-time leader in career rushing yards, senior tailback Eryck Moore-Watkins exploded in the 2022 season finale against Indiana.

Plum’s Zach Miller (62) celebrates his hat trick goal with Nick Majors during their game against Fox Chapel in October at Alpha Ice Arena in Harmar.

After battling injuries, Plum’s Miller relishes chance to finish high school career on the ice

Zach Miller hasn’t taken lightly the opportunity to suit up this year for the Plum varsity ice hockey team.

Norwin senior Sean Hanley, normally a forward, stepped in and beat Freeport as a goaltender Jan. 26.

Norwin notebook: Emergency goalie comes through for hockey team

A bout of adversity didn’t stop the Norwin hockey team from winning, and it didn’t stop an offensive player from suiting up and playing goaltender.

Mike and Nick Fleming officiated a junior varsity girls basketball game together Jan. 9 at Norwin High School.

Norwin’s Fleming brothers step into stripes shortly after graduation

It was only last year when Michael Fleming was firing in 3-pointers for Norwin, and two years ago when Nick Fleming was contributing key points and rebounds for the Knights.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Feb. 3, 2023

High schools

New Castle’s DaJuan Young (left) and Damarian Young (right) celebrate after defeating Central Catholic, 67-53, on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Central Catholic.

Isaiah Boice’s quick recovery helps No. 1 New Castle defeat No. 2 Central Catholic

Isaiah Boice planned to celebrate New Castle’s section title by drinking lots of chocolate milk, the bone-healing beverage he credits for his quick recovery.

Quaker Valley’s Jack Kazalas has his hand raised in victory after defeating Chartiers Valley’s Brady Joling in the 121-pound finals of the Allegheny County wrestling championships Jan. 21.

What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Feb. 4, 2023: Rematches headline team wrestling semifinals

They made history last year when they met in the WPIAL team wrestling 2A finals. Now they will collide again, a round earlier in the district semifinals.

Jeannette’s Shane Mickens (10) and Jalen Bass (0) go up for a loose ball against Clairton on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.

Clairton returns to playoffs with win over Jeannette

A year after struggling to a 1-18 season, the Clairton boys basketball team is back in the WPIAL playoffs.

South Allegheny’s Bryce Epps shoots a free throw against West Mifflin on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.

Bryce Epps sparks South Allegheny past West Mifflin with half-court shot

At halftime, West Mifflin held a half-court shot contest for fans in which the winner would receive half of the pot.

Butler’s Braylon Littlejohn (0) celebrates with Charles Kreinbaucher after scoring against Pine-Richland last season.

WPIAL clinched: Boys basketball playoff qualifiers through Feb. 3, 2023

February 3, 2023

The 2023 WPIAL boys basketball playoff field is starting to take shape with only one week left in the regular season.

High school roundup for Feb. 3, 2023: Upper St. Clair claws past rival Mt. Lebanon

Devin Hall scored a game-high 14 points as Upper St. Clair split the season series and moved into a tie for first place in Section 2-61 with a 37-36 victory over rival Mt. Lebanon on Friday night.

Yough’s Terek Crosby (2) attempts a dunk over Mt. Pleasant’s Matt Shrum (35) during their game Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.

Yough boys roll past Mt. Pleasant for 8th consecutive victory

It might have been expected if the Yough boys basketball had suffered a letdown after a huge victory earlier this week.

Laurel Highlands’ Keondre Deshields shoots over Belle Vernon’s Zion Moore on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.

Laurel Highlands torches reeling Belle Vernon

What could have been a rebirth and momentum builder for the Belle Vernon boys basketball team was anything but that Friday night.

Latrobe basketball players huddle up before their Section 3-5A game Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Franklin Regional.

Hard-charging Latrobe boys knock off Franklin Regional

The playoff race in WPIAL Section 3-5A boys basketball just got a lot more interesting.

Springdale’s Jackson Pribanic scores the winning basket to beat Leechburg on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Springdale High School.

Springdale boys eke out win over Leechburg

The Springdale boys basketball team kept its playoff chances alive by beating Leechburg in a 43-41 thriller Friday night at Donald G. McGhee Fieldhouse.

Imhotep Charter’s Justin Edwards drives past New Castle’s Cahmari Perkins during the PIAA Class 5A state championship game last year.

State rep proposes legislation that would allow PIAA to crown separate public, private champs

The PIAA has maintained that splitting public and private schools into separate playoffs is prohibited under a state statute from 1972, but new legislation could rewrite that law.

Burrell’s Luke Boylan earns a 4-0 decision over Laurel’s Chase Tinstman in the 215-pound bout during the WPIAL Class 2A team quarterfinals Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2023, at Burrell High School.

Burrell wrestling seeks revenge against Quaker Valley in WPIAL semifinals

The last time the Burrell wrestling team didn’t make it to at least the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals was in 2000.

Hempfield’s Eli Carr (top) maintains control of Franklin Regional’s Nathan Stone during the 139-pound final of the Westmoreland County Coaches Association tournament Jan. 7.

Cinderella Hempfield heads into WPIAL team wrestling semifinals with confidence

When the Canon-McMillan public address announcer was announcing WPIAL Class 3A team championship scores from other sites Wednesday, fans took notice of two finals.