Sports

Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst, celebrating after scoring against Knoch on Feb. 3, 2021, had 24 points in a first-round win over Albert Gallatin on Monday night.

High-octane Highlands roars past Albert Gallatin in Class 5A first round

February 21, 2022

Backed by junior guard Jimmy Kunst’s 24 points and a 32-point second quarter, fifth-seeded Highlands made quick work of No. 12 Albert Gallatin, 76-44, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs Monday night.

Ligonier Valley senior Matthew Marinchak loses his glasses as he drives past Avonworth’s Colin Crawford on Monday in a WPIAL Class 3A playoff game.

Avonworth uses speed on defense, offensive spurts to take down Ligonier Valley

It took Avonworth a little more than a quarter to hit its stride Monday in its WPIAL Class 3A first-round game, but when it did, Ligonier Valley couldn’t keep up.

St. Joseph’s Julie Spinelli brings the ball upcourt against Apollo-Ridge on Jan. 19.

St. Joseph girls halt playoff losing streak

The St. Joseph girls basketball team is back in the WPIAL postseason win column.

Freeport’s Abby DeJidas shoots a three-pointer against Highlands on Feb. 7, 2022, at Highlands High School.

Alle-Kiski Valley WPIAL basketball playoff capsules for Feb. 22, 2022

Boys

WPIAL suspends former Greensburg Central Catholic assistant football coach for recruiting

The WPIAL has suspended a former Greensburg Central Catholic assistant football coach for violating PIAA rules against recruiting.

Jenna Dawson (right) and her Belle Vernon teammates face Quaker Valley in the playoffs Tuesday.

Westmoreland WPIAL basketball playoff capsules for Feb. 22, 2022

Tuesday’s games

Knoch wrestling coach Bob Waldron has guided the team to a 7-11 record this season.

Knoch wrestlers look to rebound in individual tournament

The Knoch wrestling team has experienced the ups and downs of the WPIAL season.

Ligonier Valley’s James Brown takes down Derry’s Charles Banks at 126 pounds in a dual meet last month.

Westmoreland Senior Spotlight: Ligonier Valley’s James Brown

Last season, Ligonier Valley senior James Brown broke his leg in the third practice of the season.

Sam Pine is a senior on the Plum hockey team.

A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Plum’s Sam Pine

Sam Pine likes being busy when he’s on the ice. He prefers being engaged in the action in front of his net, rather than watching play develop at the other end of the rink.

Allderdice celebrates its City League title with a 60-44 victory over Brashear on Feb. 20, 2022, at the Petersen Events Center.

Allderdice fends off Brashear to win City League boys title

February 20, 2022

Coming off an upset win over Obama Academy in the City League semifinals, the Brashear boys entered Sunday’s championship game with designs on their first title since 1989.

Deer Lakes’ Armend Karpuzzi (left) celebrates with Justin Brannagan after Brannagan’s 3-pointer to beat Blackhawk, 39-37, at the buzzer during WPIAL Class 2A first-round playoff action Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, at Deer Lakes High School.

Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Team of the Week for week ending Feb. 20, 2022

Outside of Quaker Valley and Montour, the top two seeds in the WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball playoffs, the hottest team in the classification coming into the postseason was Section 1 third-place finisher Deer Lakes.

Mohawk’s Erynne Capalbo (right) helped lead the Warriors into the 2021 WPIAL playoffs.

Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Team of the Week for week ending Feb. 20, 2022

While most of last season’s WPIAL basketball champions continued to enjoy great success this winter, that wasn’t the case for the Mohawk girls basketball program.

Obama Academy’s Samaree Perkins (left), coach Monique McCoy and Rickie Johnson talk about Sunday’s Championship game victory over Allderdice.

Obama Academy gets past Allderdice, wins 5th City League championship

In just 11 seasons, Obama Academy has established itself as a City League power in girls basketball. The Eagles on Sunday won their fifth City crown since the school opened for the 2011-12 school year with a 58-40 victory over Allderdice.