Sports

Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Franklin Regional’s Matt Knizner

November 27, 2022

Coming off of back-to-back runner-up finishes, Franklin Regional’s hockey team is hoping to make a third PIHL finals appearance this season.

A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Freeport’s Jake Suwan

The Freeport hockey team is working hard early on in the season, facing three tough losses but quickly battling back to put together a four-game winning streak. Among the talented players on the roster is senior defensemen Jake Suwan.

Valley’s Zayaan Ferron (right) is consoled by teammate Coury Pitts following the Vikings’ loss to Deer Lakes on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

Valley goes through growing pains in Dave Heavner’s 1st season

Dave Heavner wanted to make being a member of the Valley football team centered around expectations. Showing up and working hard at practice wasn’t going to be the be-all, end-all. To stick around, Heavner wanted the Vikings to show they were committed.

Gateway’s Marina Grado shoots a 3-pointer against Penn Hills last season.

Gateway girls basketball looks to use team approach to get back on track

For the last several seasons, the Gateway girls basketball team has had one or two top-level players on the roster — a scorer or two who could fill up the stat sheet before matriculating on to the next level to play high-end college basketball.

Gateway’s Jaydon Carr steals the ball from Franklin Regional’s Caden Smith last season.

Gateway hopes to carry momentum of playoff run into new season

After an impressive playoff run for the Gateway boys basketball team a season ago, things will look a bit different on the hardwood in Monroeville in 2022-23.

Sewickley Academy’s Rinnie Jardini (15) and Aliquippa’s Islynn Lawson (3) go up for a rebound last season.

New coach expects Sewickley Academy girls to adopt defensive identity

The Sewickley Academy girls basketball team has a new head coach. She is not new to the program, however.

Quaker Valley’s Nora Johns brings the ball upcourt during a game against Montour last season.

Returning contributors have Quaker Valley girls in position to make noise

Last season was a learning experience for the coaches and players on the Quaker Valley girls basketball team.

Penn Hills girls basketball coach Robert Cash

Penn Hills girls basketball eager to get back on course

Hannah Pugliese doesn’t need to dig into the history books to know what the tradition of the Penn Hills girls basketball program means. All she has to do is talk to volunteer assistant coaches Desiree Oliver and Jade Ely, who have been helping the team out in the preseason.

Penn Hills’ Julian Dugger dunks against Gateway last season.

Penn Hills boys look to use playoff run as springboard

The Penn Hills boys basketball team got a jolt from what it did beyond the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs last season.

Pine-Richland defensive back Bryce O’Brien (left) celebrates with teammate Tenner Cunningham after hauling in an interception to secure the Rams’ 21-14 victory over Cathedral Prep in the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Gibsonia.

PIAA announces semifinal sites, times for state football playoffs

The Pine-Richland football team has a two-hour bus ride this weekend and Aliquippa has a three-hour trip ahead. That often comes with reaching the state semifinals.

Upper St. Clair’s Kate Robbins drives into Bethel Park’s Riley Miller last season.

Trib HSSN 2022-23 WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball preseason breakdown

Mt. Lebanon captured the WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball championship last season to give coach Dori Oldaker a fourth WPIAL title in her 19 years with the Blue Devils.

Central Catholic’s Dante DePante scores against Fox Chapel last season.

Trib HSSN 2022-23 WPIAL Class 6A boys basketball preseason breakdown

It’s more than a safe bet to predict that there will be a new WPIAL champion in Class 6A boys basketball this season. It’s a sure thing.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Nov. 26, 2022

High schools

Springdale’s John Hughes averaged double digits in scoring last season.

Springdale basketball team wants to improve on playoff loss

November 26, 2022

After a slow start, Springdale won seven of eight boys basketball games down the stretch to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.

The Springdale girls basketball team is working toward earning a third consecutive trip to the WPIAL playoffs.

Springdale girls no longer focused on roster size, turn attention to success

At a glance

Westinghouse’s Donte Taylor tackles Farrell’s Brandon Chambers for a loss during their PIAA Class 2A state quarterfinal Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Cupples Stadium.

Westinghouse shuts down Farrell, sets up PIAA semifinal showdown with WPIAL champion

Westinghouse fans have a variety of chants and cheers, but “go defense go” seemed to have a little extra enthusiasm Saturday afternoon at Cupples Stadium.

Coach John Skiba and Apollo-Ridge authored the upset of the year when they knocked off Serra Catholic on Oct. 21.

Guido: After memorable season, time to hand out annual football awards

With the unusually quick convergence of the fall sports season with the winter sports, our sports department has been as busy as the guy who runs the fake snowmaking machine for Hallmark Christmas movies.