Antonio RossettI stories, Page 4
With additions to roster, Leechburg boys hungry to turn program around
Andrew McDermott is heading into his second year coaching a hungry Leechburg boys basketball team. The players, coaches and community are determined to turn the ship around. Last season, the Blue Devils finished 2-20, but with a big turnout, McDermott sees potential out of the program. “My primary goal is...
Avonworth stops Imani Christian to make 3rd straight trip to Acrisure Stadium
The Avonworth Antelopes galloped their way to Acrisure Stadium for the third straight year, defeating the Imani Christian Saints, 14-6, in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals Friday night. After a first half dominated by defense, Avonworth broke the scoreless tie late in the third quarter. After forcing Imani Christian to...
Under new leadership, young Belle Vernon girls basketball team hungry to get on the court
Belle Vernon made the WPIAL girls basketball playoffs last season but lost to Knoch in the first round. With a young group of players back, first-year coach Cornelious Nesbit is prepared to see what this year’s team can do. “I’m just getting the girls to understand my culture, my standards...
Experienced Belle Vernon boys basketball team eyes deeper playoff run
The Belle Vernon boys basketball team finished second in Section 3-4A last season, posting a 12-9 overall record, along with a 7-3 section mark. Despite the success, the Leopards fell short of their goals, losing to South Allegheny in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. Coach Joe Salvino and...
Fort Cherry survives scare from scrappy Cornell to reach Class A semifinals
After an early scare, top-seeded Fort Cherry advanced to the WPIAL Class A semifinals Friday night with a 27-20 victory over No. 9 Cornell. The Rangers went down 12-0 in the first quarter after Cornell had two straight drives that ended in touchdowns from Khylil Johnson on a 56-yard run...
Young Deer Lakes aims to skate to deep playoff run
The Deer Lakes hockey team was one game away from contending for the Penguins Cup, losing last year in the semifinals. This season, the Lancers are determined to make it a step further. Though a large senior class graduated, the returning Lancers (2-2) have high hopes for the 2024-25 season....
Quaker Valley sweeps Hopewell for 1st WPIAL Class 2A girls volleyball championship
Quaker Valley captured its first WPIAL girls volleyball title with a 3-0 win against Hopewell in the Class 2A final Saturday at Peters Township’s AHN Arena. Molly MacDonald spearheaded the Quakers with 17 kills and 13 digs. “I’m glad to help out,” MacDonald said. “I mean, we all did a...
4th-quarter touchdown pass lifts Franklin Regional past North Hills
Franklin Regional’s late-game heroics on a Chase Lemke pop pass on a fake quarterback keeper pushed the Panthers to a 17-16 victory over North Hills in the WPIAL Class 5A first round Friday night at Martorelli Stadium. It was Franklin Regional’s first playoff win since 2018. Franklin Regional was on...
Burrell hockey has sights set on Penguins Cup playoff run
The Burrell hockey team won 11 straight regular-season games heading into the playoffs last season. The Bucs fought their way to the final but came up one goal short against Neshannock. The Bucs have one thing on their mind this season and that is to make it back to the...
Westinghouse speeds away from Allderdice in 2nd half to win 3rd straight City League title
The Westinghouse Bulldogs defeated Allderdice, 40-12, scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half to win their third straight City League championship Saturday at Cupples Stadium. Lloyd Penn spearheaded the Bulldogs offense, catching four passes — all for touchdowns — for 82 yards. Khalil Green threw for 187 yards and...
West Allegheny beats Montour in OT to scramble Class 4A playoff picture
West Allegheny spoiled Montour’s senior night and threw the WPIAL Class 4A playoff bracket in a blender, claiming a share of the section championships with a 13-7 win in overtime Friday night at Montour. The Indians won their last three games of the regular season en route to their first...
Dominant Peters Township defense stops South Fayette cold
Peters Township put on a dominant defensive display Friday night, defeating South Fayette, 38-3, in a Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference clash. Peters Township racked up 436 of total offense and held the Lions to minus-20 rushing yards and 3 total yards in the game. Mickey Vaccarello spearheaded the Indians...
St. Joseph girls volleyball team continues its rapid rise in Class A
After winning nine of its first 11 matches, the St. Joseph girls volleyball team wants to ride the momentum and bring home its first section title. “It would mean everything to me, especially playing all four years, and I’m one of three generations of my family to go to the...
Peters Township defense clamps down in 2nd half in win over Moon
Peters Township’s defense blanked Moon in the second half, pushing the Indians to a 23-14 win Friday night at Tiger Stadium. Peters Township trailed 14-7 going into the second half after back-to-back big plays for Moon. Andrew Cross hit Jared Moyer on a 74-yard pass to tie it 7-7 and...
Upper St. Clair snaps Peters Township’s winning streak in clash of Class 5A powers
Upper St. Clair snapped Peters Township’s 17-game regular season winning streak Friday night, as Julian Dahlem ran 24 times for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-7 victory at Panther Stadium. Dahlem’s signature moment came with the Panthers leading 14-7 with 5:29 left in the game. On a third-and-32...
OLSH’s fully charged defense shuts down Ligonier Valley
The Our Lady of the Sacred Heart defense held Ligonier Valley to just 107 yards of offense, leading the Chargers to a 28-7 victory Friday night in Moon. Vann Kavals recorded three sacks, Owen Nestor had an interception, and Talen Ellis tallied two interceptions. “I feel like all year we’ve...
Big plays in passing game carry Montour past Knoch
Montour used its explosive offense to defeat Knoch, 44-14, in a nonconference game Friday at Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium. Montour (3-0) piled up 636 yards of total offense. Trey Hopper led the charge, completing 12 of 22 passes for 428 yards in two touchdowns. Seven of those completions went...
Sanctuary Boxing Club earns medals at women’s championships as gym builds momentum
The Sanctuary Boxing Club in New Kensington continued its impressive run, earning national recognition at the USA Boxing women’s championships Aug. 17-20 in Lafayette, La. Makya Wade, 10, and Kabrynna Wiley, 8, won gold, and Katie Kerecz, 12, secured a silver and won the mitt competition with coach Rich Cantolina....
Highlands football game vs. New Castle canceled by lightning
It’s a myth that lighting never strikes the same spot twice. That proved to be true at New Castle when the Highlands Golden Rams took on the Red Hurricanes at Taggart Stadium. After an hour wait and multiple lightning strikes, Highlands vs. New Castle was canceled. New Castle coach Fred...
Led by line, Shady Side Academy runs past Burrell
The Shady Side Bulldogs barked up the right tree. Cam Mallory, Darrin Haynes and Shady Side Academy bulldozed Burrell, defeating it 42-7 at Buccaneer Stadium. Shady Side’s 166 rushing yards and 276 total yardage in the first half boosted them past the Buccaneers. Running back Haynes and quarterback Mallory led...
Bolstered by veterans, transfers, Robert Morris excited for return to NEC
Robert Morris finished its last football season in the Big South with a 2-4 record and a 4-7 mark overall. The Colonials will look for better results this season as they return to the NEC, a conference they helped start in 1996. The Colonials finished 6-1 in the NEC in...
Beaver, Amari Jackson make game’s biggest plays to knock off Westinghouse
Beaver held off Westinghouse, 28-26, to cap off a season-opening tripleheader Saturday at the Wolvarena in thrilling fashion. With Westinghouse down 28-26 late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Khalil Green took it to the Beaver 36-yard line on a 35-yard run. On fourth-and-4, a pass interference penalty set Westinghouse up...
Leechburg gets 2 scores late to get past Apollo-Ridge
Leechburg was down 14-7 on Friday at Veterans Memorial Field against Apollo-Ridge. But the Blue Devils battled until the end, tallying 12 points in the fourth quarter and earning them a 19-14 victory. The Blue Devils were led by Jayden Floyd, who completed 13 out of 18 passes with a...
Burgettstown looks to use toughness to make another trip to playoffs
When Burgettstown seemed to be down and out last season, the Blue Devils made a push and made the playoffs, using their physicality and aggression. Burgettstown defeated OLSH, Carlynton, and Avella in a row to earn a postseason berth. “We may not be the fastest guys, we might not be...
Bishop Canevin’s goal: Keep playing ’til it’s cold outside
Bishop Canevin’s football program continues to achieve success, going 40-9 under coach Rich Johnson. Last season, Bishop Canevin went 10-2 and was 6-1 in conference play, advancing to the WPIAL semifinals before falling to eventual champion Fort Cherry. The Crusaders, who won a WPIAL title in 2021, are now looking...
