Bill Beckner stories, Page 25
Zion Moore leads Belle Vernon past Derry, running winning streak to 7
Late in the first half, Zion Moore saw two toddlers wander onto the court and waddle his way. The Belle Vernon senior guard delicately picked one of them up and passed him over the scorer’s table and then directed the other back to the bleachers. Moore knew them, so he...
Pittsburgh Riveters sign Franklin Regional grad Sydney Lindeman
The Pittsburgh Riveters SC has not played a game yet, but the new pre-professional women’s soccer team just strengthened its defense. The team, set to begin play in May in the USL W League, signed Towson redshirt sophomore and Franklin Regional alum Sydney Lindeman. The 21-year-old defender played club soccer...
Shootout at Seton Hill ready to tip off this weekend
Event director Allen Deep didn’t consider altering the schedule for the Shootout at Seton Hill basketball showcase this weekend, even with five games Sunday that will take fans away from watching the AFC and NFC championship games. The original schedule will remain status quo. The weekend is about basketball, not...
Westmoreland County boys basketball notebook: Noah Felentzer filling scoring role at Southmoreland
Noah Felentzer expected to get the basketball more this season for Southmoreland. With the graduation of career 1,500-point scorer Ty Keffer, his scoring would be pivotal to the team’s success. Whether he realized it or not, Keffer helped Felentzer prepare for the go-to role. “I think what prepared me most...
Jim Render, Charlie Batch, Zack Washington Sr. selected to National H.S. Football Hall of Fame
A coaching great and two former star playmakers from the WPIAL are headed for the National High School Football Hall of Fame. Longtime Upper St. Clair coach Jim Render, quarterback Charlie Batch of Steel Valley and running back Zack Washington Sr. of Jeannette are among 33 inductees who will be...
After super start, Franklin Regional girls realize more work lies ahead
A perfect 6 for 6 through the first half of its Section 1-5A schedule, the Franklin Regional girls basketball team breathed a little easier but remained guarded as it collectively glanced at the standings. There still was plenty of work to be done. First place is a precious place to...
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Balance, depth key factors in Penn-Trafford’s unbeaten run
Penn-Trafford began the week as one of only three undefeated girls basketball teams in the WPIAL. While the unblemished run has been impressive, it isn’t altogether surprising to the team doing the winning. Veteran coach John Giannikas, who is in his 18th season leading the Warriors (16-0, 8-0), thought last...
Southmoreland turns to former Yough star Dustin Shoaf, 23, to lead football program
Dustin Shoaf hasn’t taken a handoff like this since college. Just a couple of months ago, the former standout running back was lending his expertise as an assistant coach at Jeannette, which made a surprise run to the WPIAL Class A semifinals. Now, the 23-year-old is the head coach at...
Penn-Trafford boys rout Albert Gallatin for 3rd win in row
The first time Penn-Trafford played Albert Gallatin, the Warriors could not seal the deal, watching a late lead fade in a one-point loss on the road. In the rematch, the Warriors stuck the landing — and won by 20. Not only did the Warriors show their depth — 11 players...
Hempfield grad Kason Harrell grateful to lead team to tournament title in Ireland
When he left the Yough boys basketball coaching staff last year, Kason Harrell was unsure of what his own basketball future would entail. Would he coach elsewhere, continue to train young players or keep grinding in the gym to try to prolong his professional playing career? Harrell opted to press...
After seeing big lead evaporate, Penn-Trafford girls find extra gear to top Latrobe
With Latrobe fast on their bumper and their 18-point lead shaved to one, the Penn-Trafford girls basketball team did the only thing they could to quell the situation in the third quarter: They got mad. “Coach Chuck (Fontana) always talks about us being relentless,” Lady Warriors guard Torrie DeStefano said....
Westmoreland County campus clippings: GCC grad Bailey Kuhns among NEC’s best at Mercyhurst
Holding a spot on a Division I roster and being a Division I player are different things. It’s about actions and results that go beyond landing a spot at a school. Bailey Kuhns found herself on a Division I team when Mercyhurst jumped from the D-II PSAC. Now, the junior...
Westmoreland high school notebook: WCCA scholarship winners announced
The Westmoreland County Coaches Association announced its scholarship winners for 2024. Each year, the WCCA scholarship committee receives and reviews applications of seniors from county high schools and then determines the winners. Three graduates received $2,000, and five others were awarded $1,500. The $2,000 winners were: • Mikaela Shine of...
Norwin distance runner to run at St. Francis (Pa.), joining his sister on the track and field team
Proximity to home and quality of education were driving factors for Thomas Gaydos in the college recruiting process. The Norwin senior distance runner’s plan of action was precise, and it led him up the mountain to Loretto, where he committed to run track and cross country at St. Francis (Pa.)...
Hempfield boys basketball team falls to Mt. Lebanon in 1st game under interim coach
Playing its first game this season without head coach Bill Swan, who is on paid administrative leave until further notice while the school district investigates an undisclosed complaint against him, the Hempfield boys basketball team struggled to find its rhythm and focus Friday night in a 60-27 loss to Mt....
Westmoreland boys basketball notes: Jeannette, GCC change rankings after 1st section meeting
Jeannette boys basketball coach Adrian Batts and his counterpart at Greensburg Central Catholic, Christian Hyland, tried to think big picture after their first Section 1-2A matchup of the season. Greensburg Central Catholic (12-1, 6-0) won 53-47 to take over first place while handing the host Jayhawks (11-1, 5-1) their first...
End nears for Latrobe’s Butler basketball dynasty
When Latrobe assistant basketball coach Eric Butler greets opposing coaches before games or talks to them in postgame handshake lines, he hears a similar refrain. “They always say, ‘Are there any more Butler boys coming up?’ ” Butler said. “They always joke with me about it. It’s kind of a...
Jayla Peterson offers scoring punch to talented Greensburg Central Catholic backcourt
Erica Gribble is used to getting compliments on her game. The junior at Greensburg Central Catholic is one of the WPIAL’s top guards and a Richmond commit. But this year, she is getting complements, as in, a helping hand from her teammate and friend, fellow junior Jayla Peterson. No. 4-ranked...
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Norwin rebounds from 3-game skid
A losing streak can teach a team a lot about itself, especially a team that isn’t used to losing. Take Norwin, the defending WPIAL 6A champion. The Knights recently dropped three straight — to North Catholic, Shaler and No. 1 Upper St. Clair. They had not endured such a streak...
Hempfield boys basketball coach placed on administrative leave, game postponed
The Norwin at Hempfield boys basketball game was postponed Tuesday night but not because of winter weather. Hempfield called off the game as it looks into a complaint against Spartans head coach Bill Swan, who has been placed on administrative leave. Mark Holtzman, superintendent at Hempfield, said the school board...
Saint Vincent hires Casey Goff as new football coach
Saint Vincent canvassed the country, searching far and wide for the best candidate to take over its football program. Coaches with NFL, Big Ten and NCAA Division II experience were considered, officials said. But at the end of the day, SVC was won over by a guy who got his...
Norwin girls clamp down on Hempfield for 3rd straight win
Norwin takes pride in holding teams under 40 points, so, when Hempfield began to creep closer to that mark, the Knights went into lockdown mode. “The key is to hold them under 40,” Norwin guard Liz Yarosik said. “We reward ourselves for that. Defense is a team effort. Help the...
After 3 decades, Rick Bertagnolli steps down as Cal (Pa.) softball coach
The man who turned Cal (Pa.) softball into a national power is leaving the dugout. Longtime coach Rick Bertagnolli is calling it a career after 30 years leading the Vulcans. The veteran leader won 71.4% of his games, compiling a record of 972-389 and leading Cal to back-to-back NCAA Division...
Westmoreland County campus clippings: GCC grad Matt Metrosky draws interest in transfer portal
Looking for a new college football team, Matt Metrosky could still end up playing close to home. The junior lineman, who was a member of the Pitt football team the last four years as a walk-on, recently entered the NCAA transfer portal and immediately got a nibble on the line....
Westmoreland high school notebook: GCC’s Crosby gets offer from Penn
Surprisingly, Samir Crosby did not receive all-state recognition this season, but that has not stopped Division I college programs from courting the junior football standout from Greensburg Central Catholic. College offers continue to roll in. Crosby, a big-play quarterback and defensive back, grabbed his second opportunity from an Ivy League...
