Bill Beckner stories, Page 182
Westmoreland boys, girls basketball teams prepare to adjust to new sectionsVideo
It is like the bell is ringing in the hallways for the Greensburg Salem basketball programs. It’s time to change classes. Both teams will move up in classification next season. The WPIAL released new section alignments last week. and Westmoreland coaches have mixed feedback on the changes, most of which...
Senior Spotlight: Norwin slugger missed chance to lace line drives on school’s new field
Editor’s note: Each day, Trib HSSN will spotlight WPIAL spring athletes whose senior years were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. Who knew? One of Norwin’s top softball players used to kick a soccer ball around and had big dreams in that sport. Alex Dillner took a lot enjoyment out...
Westmoreland High School notebook: Ex-P-T coach Rocco looking forward to keeping up with his kids
Jim Rocco said he dedicated his soul to basketball. But he won’t sell his soul to the game with other important commitments in his life. Rocco last week resigned as the boys basketball coach at Penn-Trafford after five seasons. His son, Zach, just finished his senior season, and the point...
Top WRs highlight Penn-Trafford Warrior Football Hall of Fame class
While Penn-Trafford is known for producing game-breaking quarterbacks, the program might be slightly underrated when it comes to developing wide receivers — the guys who catch many of those passes. Tony Babeo played for the Warriors from 1989-91 and pulled in more receptions than anyone who wore green and gold,...
Mt. Pleasant athletes etched names in school’s record books
Editor’s note: This is the 13th in an 18-part series profiling nominees for the Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete Excellence Awards. They will be remembered for big plays — splash plays, even — from their thrilling prep careers at Mt. Pleasant. Heather Gardner and Jake Johnson were headliners. But mention their names...
Senior Spotlight: Mt. Pleasant center fielder a ‘difference-maker’
Editor’s note: Each day, Trib HSSN will spotlight WPIAL spring athletes whose senior years were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. When she was about 8 years old, Sydney Kanuch was playing catch with her grandma. Grandma had never done this before but saw no harm in a simple backyard...
Former WPIAL great Tanisha Wright starts WNBA coaching career in Las Vegas
Tanisha Wright retired from the WNBA in 2019 to cap a 14-year playing career. Now the former West Mifflin and Penn State star is returning to the women’s professional league as a coach. Wright on Wednesday was named an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces, coached by former Detroit Pistons...
Senior Spotlight: Trinity standout left 3-sport legacy
Editor’s note: Each day, Trib HSSN will spotlight WPIAL spring athletes whose senior years were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. Trinity was in the thick of a state title chase in girls basketball when covid-19 shut down the PIAA playoffs. That was painful enough for Marlaina Bozek, a starting...
Norwin’s Federovich goes extra mile for charity
Challenge accepted. Matt Federovich set out to run a mile every hour for 24 hours as part of a web challenge. But when the Norwin senior was approaching mile No. 20, he became tired and sore. That is when the standout track athlete and soccer player received some helpful advice...
WPIAL newcomer Ligonier Valley lands in basketball sections
Each time the WPIAL releases section alignments for 2020-21, Ligonier Valley feels more welcomed to the league. Football conferences came out in January, and the Rams, who are leaving District 6 for District 7, were pleased with their draw. On Tuesday, the WPIAL peeled back the curtain to reveal new...
Virtual games help ease loss of season for Belle Vernon softballVideo
Monday was supposed to mark the start of the WPIAL baseball and softball playoffs. But it was the opening day of the regular season for one team — kind of. Belle Vernon softball coach Tom Rodriguez, through some figuring and fantasy, drew up the outcomes of the Leopards’ first five...
Penn-Trafford basketball coach Jim Rocco resigns
The resignation of Jim Rocco was accepted Monday night at Penn-Trafford, bringing an end to his five-year tenure as boys basketball coach. Rocco will continue to teach forensic science at the high school but no longer will lead the Warriors, who were 54-57 under him with three WPIAL playoff appearances....
Jeannette seniors have winning mentality in athletics, classroom
Editor’s note: This is the ninth in an 18-part series profiling nominees for the Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete Excellence Awards. All Justin Cramer needs is a challenge. Tell him the quarterback is quick to the outside and he’ll show you how slow he can make him look. Tell Cramer his wrestling...
New Southmoreland girls soccer coach couldn’t stay off sidelines long
Josh Pajak thought about taking a break from coaching after he left the Mt. Pleasant girls soccer program. He was set for an extended vacation from the game. Then the Southmoreland girls job opened, and he began to entertain the thought of leading a team at his alma mater. Pajak...
Century Soccer nears program record for college recruits
Century Soccer is one of the region’s most popular clubs, and it continues to help churn out dozens of college recruits. The club was headed toward a record-breaking year for next-level commitments before the coronavirus, but it likely will set a new mark as recruiting begins to return to normalcy...
Poised for big season, Seton Hill baseball accepts cruel fate of emotional year
Tanner Froelich said his team’s “why” is greater than any other team’s when it comes to the disappointment felt by the cancellation of the college baseball season, the evil work of the debilitating coronavirus. “We had such a great start to the year,” said Froelich, a redshirt freshman catcher for...
Senior Spotlight: Hempfield softball standout filled resume with championships, clutch hits
Editor’s note: Each day, Trib HSSN will spotlight WPIAL spring athletes whose senior years were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. With a soft-spoken demeanor and somewhat unassuming presence at the plate, Ashley Orischak can be deceiving. If you want to hear the Hempfield senior softball player make noise, put...
H.S. notebook: New Penn-Trafford soccer coach hopes to ‘take it to the next level’
Judging by Jimmy Mastroianni’s enthusiasm, he is more than ready to get started coaching the Penn-Trafford girls soccer team. “Make no mistake,” he said. “We are looking to take it to the next level.” Mastroianni takes over for Jackie Bartko, who resigned after five successful seasons leading the Warriors. Bartko...
PIHL still hoping to play last 6 playoff games, crown champions
Still wanting and waiting, the PIHL is holding out hope it can finish its postseason. But numerous factors must fall into place for high school hockey teams to return to the ice. League commissioner John Mucha said Friday the six varsity playoff games — five Penguin Cup games that include...
Latrobe hockey still waiting to see if it will play for Penguins CupVideo
One game to go. One abandoned, unresolved game that was left to stew in the penalty box for something it didn’t do. Latrobe is a single victory from a Class AA championship, but the Wildcats’ final PIHL game might never happen. The Penguins Cup final against Baldwin has sat in...
Greensburg Central Catholic duo made mark as students, winners
Editor’s note: This is the sixth in an 18-part series profiling nominees for the Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete Excellence Awards. Nate Ward and Samantha Nemeth have a lot in common. Both are outstanding soccer players with college careers in their best sport awaiting them. Both also have a flair for the...
Virtual reality: Western Pa. coaching clinics move to web
Health officials are trying to stop the spread. Burrell football coach Shawn Liotta still is teaching teams how to run it. Liotta refers to the football offense, not the coronavirus, when he addresses a captive audience via his laptop computer. The coronavirus’ spread, though, has not stopped coaches like Liotta...
Senior Spotlight: Thomas Jefferson slugger ‘the epitome of what a team player is’
Editor’s note: Each day, Trib HSSN will spotlight WPIAL spring athletes whose senior years were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. Coming to terms with the new normal is half the battle for high school senior athletes who had their spring seasons ripped from their grasp. The waves of fear...
Recovered from arm surgery, Derry pitcher Hood eager to get back into action
One of the great joys of an injured athlete is the day they can return to live action. The day the wait is over, when all of the rehab and patience-testing cashes in its coins. But that day will have to wait for Ryan Hood. The sophomore baseball player from...
Well-rounded Derry standouts Huss, Kelly up for awards
Editor’s note: This is the third in an 18-part series profiling nominees for the Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete Excellence Awards. A pair of 4.0 students and three-sport athletes from Derry had as much to give in the classroom as they did in athletics. Justin Huss and Kamryn Kelly found a way...
