Trib HSSN top storylines from the 2021-22 school year
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Saturday, July 2, 2022 | 7:05 PM
OLSH’s Jake DiMichele scores past Constitution’s Jamal Carr during the PIAA Class 2A state championship game Friday, March 25, 2022, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Penn-Trafford’s Cade Yacamelli hoists the state championship trophy with his Warriors teammates after defeating Imhotep Charter, 17-14 in overtime, in the PIAA Class 5A final on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, at Hersheypark Stadium.
Dayton Pitzer of Mt.Pleasant works at pinning Bryce Rafferty of Brookville in the 215-pound Class 2A final at the PIAA championships on Friday March 11, 2022, at Giant Center in Hershey.
Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher shoots a free throw in final second of double overtime in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game against New Castle on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Petersen Events Center.
Bethel Park’s David Kessler celebrates his double against Selinsgrove during the PIAA Class 5A championship game on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Penn State.
Nov. 19-20, 2021
WPIAL soccer teams jump-started the school year by winning five of the eight state championships. For the first time, the WPIAL won three boys titles with victories by Hampton (3A), Quaker Valley (2A) and Winchester Thurston (A).
Nov. 20, 2021
The North Allegheny boys and girls swept the PIAA Class 4A volleyball titles — again. The girls won their fifth consecutive state title in November, and the boys won their fourth in a row in May.
Nov. 26-27, 2021
The Heinz Field experience was twice as nice for the WPIAL football finals. For the first time, the league championship games were held there over two days with five contests played at the stadium.
Dec. 10-11, 2021
The WPIAL made history as the first PIAA district to send five football teams to the state finals in a single year. The weekend turned into a big celebration when Mt. Lebanon, Penn-Trafford, Aliquippa and Central Valley won.
Jan. 26, 2022
The Aliquippa football team won its PIAA appeal to remain in Class 4A for the next two seasons. The team was facing a promotion to Class 5A under the PIAA competitive-balance rule despite having one of the smallest high school enrollments in the state.
Feb. 23, 2022
The PIAA revealed plans to move the state football and soccer finals out of Hershey, the host site since 1998. They instead will be played at Cumberland Valley for the next four years.
March 4, 2022
Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher made two free throws with less than a second left in double overtime to win the WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball title over New Castle, 60-58. The matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2 lived up to the hype.
March 12, 2022
Mt. Pleasant wrestler Dayton Pitzer went 45-0 this winter as a 215-pound senior and won his third state title.
March 25, 2022
The OLSH boys finished off their second consecutive undefeated basketball season by winning the PIAA Class 2A title. In doing so, the Chargers tied the state’s longest winning streak (68 games) and became the first boys team in nearly 60 years to win back-to-back undefeated titles.
March 30, 2022
WPIAL baseball started with all eyes on North Allegheny senior Cole Young, a talented shortstop who drew MLB scouts to his games all spring. Young is projected as a first-round MLB Draft pick this month.
April 14, 2022
WPIAL executive director Amy Scheuneman announced her resignation after two years as the league’s top administrator. The WPIAL board later hired Chartiers Valley assistant superintendent Scott Seltzer as her replacement.
May 3, 2022
Time ran out for those hoping the PIAA would add a shot clock to high school basketball next winter. The PIAA basketball committee voted down that option in May, ending months of debate.
May 11, 2022
Two very successful WPIAL basketball coach were on the move. Tim McConnell, synonymous with Chartiers Valley basketball, resigned in May after 29 years to become boys coach at Bishop Canevin. This summer, Mt. Lebanon girls coach Dori Oldaker resigned after 19 years to watch her daughters play at South Fayette.
May 28, 2022
Moon distance runner Mia Cochran finished her decorated high school career with an unprecedented feat by winning the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter titles at the PIAA Class 3A track championship. In the fall, the Arkansas recruit became a three-time state cross country champion.
June 11, 2022
The Mars boys celebrated as the first WPIAL lacrosse team to win a PIAA title by defeating Marple Newtown in the Class 2A final.
June 17, 2022
Bethel Park became only the fourth WPIAL baseball team to win consecutive PIAA titles when junior Evan Holewinski pitched a three-hit shutout in the Class 5A final.
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
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