Sports

Quaker Valley’s Alex MacDonald will throw for the Amherst College track and field team.

Quaker Valley thrower’s dedication carries him to Amherst track team

December 18, 2022

By all indications, Quaker Valley senior Alex MacDonald is a humble guy.

Penn Hills senior Maura Wade arrives at a surprise ceremony where she was awarded a $5,000 scholarship by The Point on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2022.

Penn Hills senior thrilled by surprise scholarship announcement

Jamie Wade had a difficult task ahead of her. After finding out her daughter, Maura, had won a $5,000 scholarship as part of The Point’s Friday Night Rivalry series, Jamie wanted to find the right way to surprise her with the news.

Penn Hills quarterback Julian Dugger earned first-team honors in the Northeast Conference.

Penn Hills notebook: Bowlers show early promise

Local bowling teams have gotten off to a tough start to the season. Penn Hills’ boys team has lost its first two matches.

Pine-Richland team captains Katie Yanni (left) and Kaili Doctor celebrate beating North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 4A girls volleyball championship Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at UPMC Events Center.

Banner fall season for Pine-Richland athletics

There will be quite a few updates to the banners in the Pine-Richland gym.

Plum junior Mareana Pilyih eyes up an approach during warmups before a match with Gateway at New Great Valley Lanes in North Versailles

Big things ahead for Plum bowling team

Mareana Pilyih stands head and shoulders above the girls East section in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League after four games.

In this Dec. 23, 1972, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back Franco Harris (32) eludes a tackle by the Oakland Raiders’ Jimmy Warren as he runs 42-yards for a touchdown after catching a deflected pass during an AFC Divisional NFL football playoff game in Pittsburgh. Harris’ scoop of a deflected pass and subsequent run for the winning touchdown, is forever known as the “Immaculate Reception.”

Steelers greats recall The Immaculate Reception as it turns 50

Editor’s note: This story originally published on Dec. 18, 2022, three days before the death of Franco Harris.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Dec. 17, 2022

December 17, 2022

High Schools

The Allderdice bench celebrates a 3-pointer by Logan Golle during a PIAA Class 6A playoff game against Central Catholic last season.

High school roundup for Dec. 17, 2022: Allderdice takes care of Montour

Logan Golle hit four 3-pointers on the way to scoring 24 points to lead Allderdice to a 64-42 victory over Montour in nonsection boys basketball Saturday.

Riverview forward Jack Betler (15) celebrates a 61-38 victory over Valley with teammates on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Freeport Middle School.

George Guido: Riverview builds momentum after early upset over Greensburg C.C.

The biggest upset of the young basketball season thus far was Riverview’s 58-54 victory over Greensburg Central Catholic to open the boys Section 3-2A season Friday in Oakmont.

Apollo-Ridge’s Nick Curci is tackled by Ligonier Valley’s Nick Lonas and Mason Mohnkern on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at Apollo-Ridge’s Owens Field.

2022 Valley News Dispatch Offensive Player of the Year: Apollo-Ridge’s Nick Curci

In a year where several outstanding players in the Alle-Kiski Valley distinguished themselves, one saved his team’s season three times.

Freeport’s Jacksen Reiser takes out Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin during WPIAL Class 3A semifinal action Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at Gateway High School.

2022 Valley News Dispatch Defensive Player of the Year: Freeport’s Jacksen Reiser

Jacksen Reiser was focused on making the most of his senior season with the Freeport football team.

Leechburg’s Braylan Lovelace stretches the ball into the end zone ahead of Clairton’s Taris Wooding in the fourth quarter Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 at Neil C. Brown Stadium.

2022 Valley News Dispatch Football All-Stars

Here’s a look at the Valley News Dispatch’s 2022 football all-stars:

Franklin Regional wide receiver Ayden Hudock (16) makes two Plum defenders miss Sept. 30.

2022 Tribune-Review Westmoreland County Football All-Stars

Here’s a look at the 2022 Tribune-Review Westmoreland County football all-stars:

Highlands’ Katelyn Myers is fouled by Kiski Area’s Abbie Johns Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, at Highlands High School.

WPIAL girls basketball rankings for week of Dec. 18, 2022

Class 6A

Mars’ Brady Jordan shoots over Kiski’s Connor Flemm during their game on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, at Kiski Area High School.

WPIAL boys basketball rankings for week of Dec. 18, 2022

Class 6A

A-K Valley athletes of the week: Deer Lakes’ Ben Korol, St. Joseph’s Julie Spinelli

Julie Spinelli

Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Derry’s Gabe Carbonara and Franklin Regional’s Sarah Penrod

Gabe Carbonara

Franklin Regional’s Cam Rowell celebrates a 3-pointer against Penn-Trafford last season.

Franklin Regional boys use diligent defense to get off to fast start

Jesse Reed was a prolific scorer in high school and college, so when he started coaching, he figured he would have offensive-minded teams that ran the floor nonstop and finished breaks with layups and highlight dunks.