Westmoreland County high school notebook: Belle Vernon junior officially a ‘Rising Star’

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, May 11, 2024 | 11:01 AM

One of the WPIAL’s most prolific scorers over the past couple of years will be part of Roundball Classic history.

For the first time, the annual all-star basketball games will feature multiple underclassman games for juniors and sophomores.

Belle Vernon junior Zion Moore was selected to play in the Rising Stars feature game at 8 p.m. May 26 at North Allegheny.

Moore, who averaged 26.3 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists last season for the Leopards, has 1,585 career points.

He will play on the Blue team, which will be coached by New Castle’s Ralph Blundo.

His teammates will be juniors Rowan Carmichael of Avonworth, Ralphie Blundo of New Castle, Nate Wesling of Baldwin, Isaiah Jeter of Central Valley, Lucas Stanley of Union, Michael Santicola of Moon and Courtney Wallace of Neighborhood Academy and sophomores Dave Kwiat of Neshannock, Josh Pratt of Aliquippa, Julian Semplice of Chartiers Valley, Nick Trklja of Thomas Jefferson and Damian Harrison of New Castle.

The Red team, coached by South Allegheny’s Tony DiCenzo, will comprise juniors Tori Grooms of Uniontown, RJ Sledge of Imani Christian, Rhaki Lum of Lincoln Park, Brady Mayo of Beaver, Calvin Winfrey of Central Catholic and Donte Tisinger of Johnstown and sophomores Tyler Peppin of Seneca Valley, Drew Cook of South Allegheny, Christian Williams of Central Catholic, Grant Spacciapolli of Pine-Richland, Bobby Fadden of Mohawk and Eric James of North Hills.

Stein honored

Jeannette sophomore Grace Stein quickly is becoming one of the top softball pitchers in the WPIAL.

MaxPreps recognized her as its Pennsylvania softball athlete of the week. Stein struck out 44, did not issue a walk and allowed six hits in three games, two against St. Joseph and one vs. Leechburg.

She also had three doubles, a home run and seven RBIs.

Stein moved to 9-1 with a 0.36 ERA, 140 K’s and zero walks. She was hitting .467.

Volleyball playoffs

The WPIAL boys volleyball playoff field is set.

Norwin (15-1) earned the No. 4 seed in Class 3A and a bye in the first round.

Hempfield (9-6) is No. 9 and will visit No. 8 Baldwin (10-8) at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the opener.

Penn-Trafford (13-3) is No. 6 and will host No. 11 Upper St. Clair (7-8) at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

In 2A, Derry (9-7) is No. 3 and had a bye.

No. 7 Latrobe (6-9) will host No. 10 Thomas Jefferson (11-4) at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A team from Westmoreland County has not won a WPIAL title in the sport since Penn-Trafford in 2016.

BVA combine

Belle Vernon will host a 5 Star Regional Football Combine from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at James Weir Stadium.

The event, presented by the Rising Stars Football Academy and the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association, is open to players in grades eight through 12 (uncommitted seniors).

Participants will be evaluated by college coaches in several drills, including the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, vertical jump, broad jump and more.

More information: risingstarsfootball academy.com.

Recruiting

• Jeannette senior basketball player Isaiah Mallich has opportunities to play at the Division III level, but the guard decided to play for the club team at Robert Morris.

• Casey Rose Colcombe, a senior at Norwin, will continue her track and field career at Point Park. Colcombe will compete in hurdles and jumps.

• Latrobe baseball player Riley Smith will continue his career at Westmoreland County Community College.

• Penn-Trafford baseball player Travis Kovarik, a right-handed pitcher, will play at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

• Mt. Pleasant soccer player Riley Gesinski signed to play at Pitt-Greensburg.

• Cassidy Cole, a senior at Mt. Pleasant, will be a cheerleader at Gannon.

• Franklin Regional senior Kylie Klinger will run cross country at Westmoreland County Community College.

• Yough football player Mike Nogy will play football at Saint Vincent. Nogy is a defensive back and kick returner.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Hempfield, Jeannette, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford