Sports

Union’s Mike Gunn intercepts a pass in front of Bishop Canevin’s Lesae Lacks during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium.

This week on Trib HSSN for week of Nov. 28, 2022

November 29, 2022

The 2022 fall high school sports season continues to wind down while the winter sports season begins.

North Catholic’s Dacia Lewandowski drives past Freedom’s Julia Mohrbacher during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game March 3 at Petersen Events Center.

Trib HSSN 2022-23 WPIAL Class 4A girls basketball preseason breakdown

The Trojanettes are back.

Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher shoots a 3-pointer against Highlands during a PIAA Class 5A second-round playoff game last season.

Trib HSSN 2022-23 WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball preseason breakdown

A high school career that began with a storybook WPIAL championship in 2020 ends this season as Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher plays his senior year for the Mustangs.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Nov. 28, 2022

High schools

North Hills’ Toby Kiger celebrates his goal with Owen Sroka and Nathan Hazen during their game against North Catholic on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at RMU Island Sports Center.

High school roundup for Nov. 28, 2022: Tony, Toby Kiger power North Hills

Tony Kiger scored the go-ahead goal in the first period and added an insurance goal in the third to lead North Hills to a 3-1 victory over North Catholic in a battle of top teams in PIHL Class A hockey Monday night.

Valley’s Jada Norman takes a shot in practice.

Valley girls basketball team will measure success by progress

November 28, 2022

Aelan Wyley has plans to be an architect someday. For now, she’d like to win more basketball games.

Imani Christian transfers eligible for basketball season after PIAA overturns WPIAL decisions

Imani Christian transfers Robert Sledge and Kylan Holmes are now eligible to play basketball this winter after the PIAA overturned earlier decisions by the WPIAL.

Valley head coach John Stone watches from the bench during a game against Burrell last season.

Valley boys have clean slate as rebuilding process continues

After a 1-21 season in his first year as a high school head basketball coach in 2021-22, Valley’s John Stone was undeterred, even as he bid farewell to four senior starters.

Yough girls basketball program continues to gain steam as new section awaits

The gymnasium at Yough is squeaking with basketball shoes, and there is energy in the air as girls run laps to open a practice.

Yough freshman Terek Crosby drives to the hoop during Yough’s WPAL Class 4A playoff matchup against Knoch on March 1, 2021.

With new drop in classification and 4 starters back, Yough boys have look of contender

A drop in classification. A new section. A host of letterwinners returning.

High school sports schedule for Nov. 28, 2022

November 27, 2022

High schools

North Hills’ Royce Parham works against North Allegheny’s Ty Iwanonkiw during a WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinal last season.

Trib HSSN 2022-23 WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball preseason breakdown

Fox Chapel and North Hills, last year’s WPIAL finalists in Class 6A, moved into Class 5A in PIAA realignment in the offseason. But they’re not big-school bullies swooping in to steal the lunch money of smaller schools. Far from it.

South Fayette’s Maddie Webber celebrates as time expires in the Lions’ WPIAL Class 5A semifinal against McKeesport on Tuesday, March. 1, 2022, at North Allegheny High School.

Trib HSSN 2022-23 WPIAL Class 5A girls basketball preseason breakdown

It’s become a common theme to list Chartiers Valley among the preseason favorites for the WPIAL Class 5A title. This year, though, the Colts are notably missing from that group.

Southmoreland will be without senior point guard Olivia Cernuto this season while she recovers from a torn ACL suffered in soccer season.

Graduations, injury to PG Cernuto leave Southmoreland girls basketball with voids to fill

If Southmoreland’s current run of WPIAL playoff appearances in girls basketball is to continue, the Scotties likely will need to reach deep down for a little something extra this season.

Franklin Regional’s Jake Kimmich moves the ball past Plum’s Lucas Pittman on Sept. 27 at Plum High School.

Westmoreland high school notebook: Franklin Regional’s Jake Kimmich to follow brothers to Grove City soccer

From the outside, Jake Kimmich’s college decision seemed easy. Maybe even expected.

Julie Spinelli is one of four returning starters this season for St. Joseph.

Excitement builds for St. Joseph girls after playoff stunner

The St. Joseph girls basketball team pulled off one of the most stunning upsets across all sports in the WPIAL last season when it knocked off three-time defending Class A champion Rochester in the quarterfinals.

St. Joseph’s Jimmy Giannetta takes a pass during practice on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at the high school in Natrona Heights.

St. Joseph boys motivated by last year’s brush with playoffs

St. Joseph coach Hart Coleman doesn’t have to look too far to find a way to motivate his group.

Derry’s Nick Detore drives past Southmoreland’s Ty Keffer during their WPIAL Class 4A playoff game on Monday, March 1, 2021, at Derry Area High School.

Southmoreland boys to rely on toughness to get back into playoffs

After missing out on the WPIAL playoffs last season, Southmoreland boys basketball coach Frank Muccino is predicting the Scotties will be better this year.