Sports

Penn-Trafford’s Cade Yacamelli celebrates after defeating Moon, 24-21, in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Heinz Field.

Trib HSSN Football Player of the Week for 2021 Week 13

November 28, 2021

Penn-Trafford started as hot as the weather in its much anticipated WPIAL Class 5A football championship game against top-seeded and unbeaten Moon.

Highlands point guard Jimmy Kunst works out during practice Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021.

After seamless coaching change, Highlands boys basketball team has high expectations again

Of the nearly dozen coaching changes among Alle-Kiski Valley basketball schools, perhaps the final one was the most seamless transition.

Kiski Area’s Jonathan Ayres works out with Stephen Rayburg on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Center Ice Arena in Delmont.

2021-22 PIHL standings through Nov. 28, 2021

Here are the latest PIHL high school hockey standings through Sunday:

Penn-Trafford’s Cade Yacamelli hoists the WPIAL championship trophy next to coach John Ruane after defeating Moon, 24-21, in the WPIAL Class 5A final Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Heinz Field.

Explosive plays carry Penn-Trafford football past Moon in WPIAL title game

Moon football coach Ryan Linn said earlier in the week that the team that it the big pass play would probably win.

Senecav Valley’s Jeremiah Laslavic (16) scores on a header next to Nathan Prex and Franklin Regional’s Caleb Lorenz during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, in Murrysville.

Westmoreland notebook: Franklin Regional grad Lorenz lands at Division I Sacred Heart

Former Franklin Regional soccer standout Zach Lorenz parlayed a year at a prep school into a Division I opportunity.

Franklin Regional’s Anthony DiFalco celebrates after scoring against Kiski Area during a WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, at Franklin Regional High School.

25 WPIAL soccer players make all-state teams

With the district and state playoffs complete, the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association announced its boys and girls all-state teams.

Kalleigh Nerone (left) is one of Highlands’ returning starters.

Highlands girls basketball team ready to take next step under new coach

After finishing .500 and in fourth place last season in Section 1-4A, the Highlands girls basketball team is ready to make a jump toward the top.

Jeannette girls basketball coach Bill Flow, a Norwin graduate

New Jeannette girls basketball coach Flow wants team to be competitive after recent struggles

When Bill Flow was hired as Jeannette’s girls basketball coach in June, he inherited a team that hasn’t had much success the past three seasons.

Jeannette’s Anton Good shoots a layup during practice Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Jeannette High School.

Jeannette boys basketball team using extra time to prepare for season

When the Jeannette boys basketball team opens the 2021-22 on Dec. 10 at the West Mifflin tournament, the team will be ahead of the game.

Central Valley’s Landon Alexander eludes North Catholic’s Kyle Tipinski to score his second touchdown during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Heinz Field.

PIAA announces sites for football semifinals

With the WPIAL football playoffs and the Highway to Heinz in the rearview mirror, the focus now turns to the PIAA postseason and the Road to Hershey.

Pine-Richland players take to the field to play against Penn-Trafford on Nov. 19 at Gateway Senior High School.

Injury woes changed course of Pine-Richland football season

Coaches never want to use injuries as an excuse, and Pine-Richland football coach Steve Campos is no different in that regard.

Pine-Richland’s Dan Mooney is a member of the 2021 hockey team.

Junior goalie stands tall for Pine-Richland hockey team

Most days after arriving home from elementary school, Dan Mooney would hop off the bus, drop his backpack and jump right into the middle of a pickup hockey game.

Plum’s Ta’Rasi Means celebrates with Cameron Moss after defeating West Allegheny in a playoff game last season.

New-look Plum boys basketball team taking shape

When the final buzzer sounded to conclude Plum’s WPIAL Class 5A first-round loss to New Castle in March, Plum boys basketball coach Mark Marino could take stock of what his veteran team was able to accomplish during a season filled with covid-related uncertainties.

Norwin’s Poloma Swankler battles Latrobe’s Ava Lorenzi for possession during their game on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at Norwin High School.

Norwin notebook: Knights earn postseason honors

Norwin was recognized for another outstanding season in boys and girls soccer by the Big 5/6 Conference, which follows the top classifications in the WPIAL sports.

Franklin Regional’s Finn Solomon works for an escape against Waynesburg’s Cole Homet in the 138-pound final during the 2021 PIAA wrestling championships.

Franklin Regional wrestlers in position for big season

Franklin Regional wrestling coach Matt Lebe stopped short of predicting a WPIAL title for his team, but the veteran mentor expects his team to be one of the best in Class 3A.

Franklin Regional graduate Nate Leopold was named All-Ohio Athletic Conference First Team for the 2021 season.

Franklin Regional notebook: Leopold earns All-OAC honors at John Carroll

Nate Leopold has been a mainstay on the John Carroll football team since he arrived on campus several years ago, a standout prospect out of Franklin Regional with the potential to lead a defensive unit.

Hampton celebrates beating Plum in five sets during the WPIAL Class 3A girls volleyball semifinals on Nov. 2.

Hampton athletes rack up championships during historic fall season

One year after a pandemic rattled WPIAL athletics, something else proved to be contagious at Hampton — winning.

Charters Valley’s Mariah Turnbull (32) dribbles the ball against Gateway’s Alexis Margolis (2) during their game on Jan. 18, 2021.

Gateway girls basketball players adjusting to new roles

The Gateway girls basketball team didn’t start out the way it had hoped last year amidst the atmosphere of overall uncertainty in the wake of the covid pandemic.