Tag: Belle Vernon

Penn-Trafford’s Torrie DeStefano celebrates with Raya Johnson after scoring an and-one against Franklin Regional’s Katherine Yaniga during a WPIAL Class 5A first-round game Feb. 13. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)

Westmoreland County high school basketball notebook: Penn-Trafford girls winning with democracy

February 20, 2026

Calling out plays like “Tornado” and “Cyclops,” Chuck Fontana directed his Penn-Trafford girls basketball team to a 50-39 WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal win over Indiana on Wednesday night.

Elizabeth Forward's Kaelynn Settles and Mia Sostaric celebrate during Thursday's victory over Belle Vernon. (Mike Darnay | Mon Valley Independent)

Elizabeth Forward avenges regular-season losses, beats Belle Vernon in Class 4A quarters

February 19, 2026

The third time wasn’t the charm for the Belle Vernon girls basketball team Thursday.

Quaker Valley’s Sam Chapman shoots as Belle Vernon’s Elijah Majors defends in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Jeff Helsel | Mon Valley Independent)

Quaker Valley dethrones defending champ Belle Vernon in Class 4A quarterfinals

Belle Vernon knew that it would have to be mistake-free on offense and defense if it wanted to travel to Quaker Valley — the top seed in Class 4A — and return home with a victory Wednesday night.

Hempfield’s Lucas Simmons pressures Norwin’s King Carver after a steal in the final second of overtime Feb. 6. (Christopher Horner | TribLive)

Westmoreland County high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 19, 2026

February 18, 2026

Boys

Greensburg Central’s Nolan Althof pressures Shady Side Academy’s Morgan Kane on Jan. 8. (Christopher Horner | TribLive)

Westmoreland County high school basketball preview capsules for Feb. 18, 2026

February 17, 2026

Girls

Belle Vernon’s Saylor Lee looks to shoot as Mt. Pleasant’s Ryleigh Drzal and Lexis Baker (5) defend Feb. 2. (Jenn Codeluppi | Mon Valley Independent)

Westmoreland County high school basketball playoff capsules for Feb. 16, 2026

February 15, 2026

Girls

Belle Vernon’s Luca Ghilani (left) drives past Burrell’s Ryan Wass during their WPIAL Class 4A first-round game Friday. (Mike Darnay | Mon Valley Independent)

Defending WPIAL champ Belle Vernon smothers Burrell in Class 4A 1st round

February 13, 2026

Belle Vernon boys basketball coach Ricky Tyburski picked up his first career playoff win Friday as his Leopards dominated No. 9 Burrell to open defense of last year’s WPIAL Class 4A championship.