Josh Rizzo stories, Page 47
Shaler boys soccer won’t be cowed by tough section
Shaler Area boys soccer coach Adam Hunter is hopeful the Titans are better prepared for the degree of difficulty in Section 1-AAA than at this time last year. When the WPIAL realigned conferences, three talented, competitive programs were added, and the result was a tough season for Shaler (2-15, 1-13)....
Avonworth hopes to challenge in Allegheny Conference with new QB Penrod
Playing quarterback for Avonworth will provide Park Penrod plenty of opportunities to shine. Penrod saw that while backing up Derek Johncour, who passed for 2,694 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. “I know the offense like the back of my hand,” Penrod said. “I know how it’s run. I didn’t...
Burrell boys soccer wants to muscle way into WPIAL playoffs
Starting as an underclassmen provided invaluable experience for junior midfielder Nicholas Kariotis. Having several members of the Burrell boys soccer team in similar situations allowed them to grow together. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, they were, at times, outmuscled last season. “With us getting older, we have become more mature,” Kariotis...
Burrell girls soccer, 1st-year coach building upon solid foundation
Frank Nesko does not want to put too many expectations on the Burrell girls soccer team. As the Buccaneers’ first-year coach, Nesko wants to continue building on the program’s solid foundation. During the past two seasons, Burrell lost in the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinals. The Buccaneers, who finished last season...
Fort Cherry pushes on after season-ending knee injury to starting QB
A lot of different factors influence where athletes line up for the Fort Cherry football team. Unfortunately for Rangers coach Jim Shiel, attrition is one of the largest influences on his team over the past two seasons. Long before Fort Cherry steps on the field for its opener Aug. 30...
Shaler Area looking to build on return to playoffs
Ending a long playoff drought last season allowed the Shaler Area football team to shed its label as perennial also-rans. But the Titans also are focused on making sure their surprise run to the Class 5A playoffs isn’t a case of being one-year wonders. How Shaler can make the transition...
Shaler Area to honor Junker in latest hall of fame class
Brian Junker’s spring was one he won’t easily forget. The 1995 Shaler Area graduate got the call for the school district’s athletic hall of fame in May. “No doubt, it’s an honor,” Junker said. “Just to be thought of like this where you were born and raise, it’s nice.” Meanwhile,...
North Allegheny football sets sights on elusive WPIAL Class 6A title
North Allegheny has been knocking on the door for three years for a return to the WPIAL championship at Heinz Field since the state expanded to six football classes. Each time, the Tigers were turned away by a conference rival. Senior offensive lineman Ben Grafton is eager to get back...
Shaler boys golf team returns top 4 from last season
Shaler Area boys golf coach John Brough isn’t sure where some of his players heard the team was predicted to finish last in Section 3-AAA. But the perceived slight lit a fire under the Titans, who didn’t have any golfers qualify for WPIALs last season. “They’ve been motivated, and I’ve...
Shaler boys lacrosse joins forces with Pitt club for development camp
Growing the game is a major focus for the lacrosse community. Fostering relationships and building the sport in Western Pennsylvania has led the Shaler Area lacrosse boosters to be creative. The Titans held a camp in conjunction with Pitt’s club team coach, Zach Wilfong. Pitt does not field a varsity...
Junior Miller leads strong returning core for Shaler girls golf
Emilee Miller needed to shore up the mental aspect of her golf game. The Shaler Area junior knew the perfect antagonist was within the same house. After a season when Miller qualified for the Class AAA WPIAL championships, she played a lot of rounds with her younger brother, Joey. “My...
Shaler Area girls basketball gains confidence off McKeesport Summer League title
Facing the rigors of Class 6A basketball was a major challenge for the Shaler Area girls program last season. While more experience won’t make a section featuring perennial stalwarts Norwin and North Allegheny less daunting, the Titans believe everything is moving in the right direction. In July, Shaler won the...
Aliquippa, Pitt great Darrelle Revis promotes healthy choices for children
Darrelle Revis doesn’t have to draw on the experience of others for helping lead the fight for kids to be active. The Aliquippa native has to nudge his 10-year-old son to stop playing video games and go outside. That’s why Revis, 34, hosted the second Hunger & Health Fun Fest...
Shaler Area’s Fugh, Bendel to continue football careers together
Choosing to play football at John Carroll provided Brennan Fugh with many opportunities for building on strong family ties. Fugh’s cousin, Alex Kline, finished his college career with more than 1,000 yards receiving at the school. In addition, when the 2019 Shaler Area graduate heads to school, a member of...
Shaler grad Agbale brings strong body of work to Shippensburg
Oyinda Agbale wasn’t one of the students who thought health class was funny. While some students snickered at the topics typically discussed, Agbale became interested and found a career path. Agbale, a 2019 Shaler Area graduate, will have a busy freshman year at Shippensburg. Adjusting to playing volleyball at the...
North Allegheny’s Miller sisters make college commitments
Paige and Abby Miller had visions of what they were looking for in a college. They believe they found the right fit with their recent commitments to Division I volleyball programs. The North Allegheny sisters will be 816 miles apart, but each found what they were seeking. Abby, a rising...
Shaler’s Cordera reaps rewards of switch to 1st base
Kelsey Cordera had an opportunity to do some different things during her senior year at Shaler Area. Instead of taking her usual position in center field, Cordera was asked to play first base. It was the first time in three or four years she had played the position regularly. “I...
Shaler Area grad Gumto carries load for Cal (Pa.) bullpen
Patrick Gumto wasn’t consistently sharp with his curveball command entering his freshman year at Cal (Pa.). Getting Division II batters out with off-speed pitches required the Shaler Area graduate to dig in his memory. Gumto, with the guidance of Vulcans pitching coach Joey Noro, worked on improving his slider, a...
Youth camp helps build foundation for Shaler football program
James Ryan didn’t want to see any momentum the Shaler Area football team gained fade. The third-year Titans football coach was able to see tangible progress at the school’s annual football camp. Recently, the school saw 109 kids participate in a summer camp at the high school aimed at getting...
Shaler Area’s Mbalo seeks to challenge himself, improve high jump
Finding a way atop the medal stand in the WPIAL Class AAA triple jump wasn’t the end of the story for Shaler Area’s Cam Mbalo. A junior season full of strong performances earned Mbalo a full schedule for the summer. When Mbalo went to North Carolina A&T on June 15,...
Visit to father’s former stomping grounds sold North Catholic’s Myers on Duquesne
Tess Myers’ connection with basketball runs deep within her family. By choosing Duquesne, North Catholic’s 5-foot-10 incoming senior guard and Lower Burrell resident chose to follow in her father’s legacy. Joe Myers played in 103 games for the Dukes in the early 1980s and scored more than 1,000 points. Myers’...
Shaler Area coaches weigh in on public-private school playoff debate
Who the opponents are on the Shaler Area girls basketball team’s schedule is of no great concern to coach Cornelious Nesbit. Whatever Nesbit needs to do to keep his team prepared is of utmost importance. When it comes to what he thinks of the “Parity in Interscholastic Athletics Act,” Nesbit...
Postseason losses a ‘learning experience’ for North Allegheny softball team
Two bumps to end the season didn’t spell doom for first-year North Allegheny softball coach Morgan Vescovi. Along the way, the Tigers finished in a three-way tie for the WPIAL Section 2-6A crown and advanced to the WPIAL championship. North Allegheny’s season came to an end with a 2-0 loss...
Shaler volleyball hopes to continue growing after reaching PIAA playoffs
Trapper Crain would like, if possible, to give up his role as an outside hitter for the Shaler Area boys volleyball team. There are several tall underclassmen who the 5-foot-10 junior recognizes will give the team a more significant height advantage. Crain started at the position to help out a...
Derry gives undefeated Meadville run for its money in PIAA loss
John Kerr constantly was looking to stay focused and intense. The 6-foot-6 Derry senior outsider hitter knew a lax effort wasn’t going to work during a PIAA Class AA quarterfinal Saturday at Penn Hills. Undefeated District 10 champion Meadville never planned to take its foot off the gas pedal. The...
