High School category, Page 746
Guarded optimism for Penn-Trafford after season-opening win against GCC
Playing its first game without senior forward Ben Myers, who has been a staple in the lineup, Penn-Trafford had a different look to its boys basketball team in the season opener. The 6-foot-6 Myers is done for the season with a torn ACL, making the Warriors a much more guard-oriented...
Penn-Trafford stops Imhotep Charter to win 1st state title in OT thriller
HERSHEY — It might not equal the Miracle on Ice, but Penn-Trafford’s 17-14 stunner against Imhotep Charter will hold a prominent place in Westmoreland County sports history. Nathan Schlessinger kicked a 24-yard field goal in overtime, and defensive end Conlan Greene’s sack on fourth down lifted Penn-Trafford to a thrilling...
Mt. Lebanon facing daunting challenge in state’s premier big-school program St. Joseph’s Prep
Nobody was too surprised to see St. Joseph’s Prep in Hershey. Mt. Lebanon coach Bob Palko certainly wasn’t. “They’ve been there, what, nine years in a row?” he said. Close. The Philadelphia Catholic League team is making its fifth consecutive appearance in the state finals and the eighth in nine...
Greensburg Central Catholic girls hang on vs. Mt. Pleasant
Chris Skatell, in his coaching debut at Greensburg Central Catholic, beat longtime pal Scott Giacobbi of Latrobe on Friday night, and Skatell said the Centurions were fortunate to come out on top on the opening night of high school girls basketball. Bailey Kuhns scored 17 points, Natalie Ward collected all...
Deer Lakes boys hold off pesky Moon at Highlands Tip-Off Tournament
Deer Lakes had the lead for all but about two minutes in the second half of its season opener Friday. But the Lancers had to hold on for a 55-52 victory over Moon in the opening round of the Highlands Tip-Off Tournament. Deer Lakes had a 53-45 lead with 51.4...
Highlands girls pull away from Fox Chapel in Freeport Tip-Off Tournament
The Highlands girls basketball team trailed Fox Chapel for most of the first half of Friday’s season opener at the Freeport Tip-Off Tournament. But senior guard Maria Fabregas’ 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer gave the Golden Rams a one-point advantage. Highlands didn’t look back from there as it opened the...
PIAA factoids for Saturday’s Class 6A, 3A state championship games
In 34 years of PIAA football playoffs, the WPIAL has never had more than three state champions crowned in a single year. One record has already been set this state postseason as the WPIAL sent five champions to Hershey to play in the PIAA finals. WPIAL champions Mt. Lebanon in...
Southern Columbia routs Serra Catholic, rolls to 5th consecutive PIAA title
HERSHEY — Serra Catholic punched and pulled at the football all afternoon, but the Eagles couldn’t wrestle the state championship from Southern Columbia’s steely grip. Southern Columbia rushed for nearly 400 yards, scored nine touchdowns and celebrated a record-tying fifth consecutive PIAA Class 2A title Friday with a 62-25 victory...
Central Valley set for rematch with Wyomissing for PIAA Class 3A championship
Some might think that the Wing-T offense went out with VCRs, Beanie Babies and the Pontiac Bonneville. Not so fast. Wyomissing High School still runs the Wing-T and runs it well. The Spartans are 15-0 and are ready to face Central Valley (14-0) in the PIAA Class 3A final at...
Springdale football coach Seth Napierkowski resigns after 5 seasons
It wasn’t an easy decision, but with family and work obligations increasing, Seth Napierkowski decided to step down as the Springdale football coach. After a five-year run with the Dynamos, Napierkowski submitted his resignation, and it was accepted by the Allegheny Valley School Board during Monday’s meeting. “It was something...
Serra Catholic faces tough challenge in 4-time defending champion Southern Columbia
To members of the Serra Catholic football team, the number 16 is symbolic It represents the final chapter for a group of Eagles who will look to win their program’s first state championship when they take on Southern Columbia at 1 p.m. Friday in the PIAA Class 2A title game...
High school roundup for Dec. 10, 2021: Serakowski leads Bishop Canevin comeback
Ty Serakowski had two goals and an assist as Bishop Canevin came back from two goals down to defeat Ringgold 4-2 in PIHL Class B hockey Thursday night. Aiden Malay added a goal and an assist and Braehm Brown also scored for Bishop Canevin (10-1). Nathan Boulanger and Hunter Hodgson...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Dec. 9, 2021
High schools WPIAL Basketball Friday’s schedule Boys Aquinas Academy Tournament Cheswick Christian Academy at Aquinas Academy, 8:30 p.m. Avonworth Tournament Shaler vs. Ambridge, 5:30 p.m. Winchester Thurston at Avonworth, 7 p.m. Baldwin/Peters Township Tournament Albert Gallatin at Peters Township, 7:30 p.m. Laurel Highlands at Baldwin, 7:30 p.m. Brentwood Tournament Beaver...
Aliquippa beats odds, wins PIAA Class 4A championship
HERSHEY — Aliquippa has a Class A enrollment, yet the small-school Quips were crowned Thursday night as the best 4A football team in the state. In a word, their coach called it “unbelievable.” Freshman running back Tiqwai Hayes, who’s quickly becoming the school’s next superstar, rushed for 141 yards and...
PIAA Class 2A football championship breakdown: Serra Catholic vs. Southern Columbia
PIAA Class 2A football championship Serra Catholic vs. Southern Columbia 1 p.m. Friday, Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey On the air: TV: PCN PIAA titles: Serra Catholic 0; Southern Columbia 11 (1994, 2002, ‘03, ‘04, ‘05, ‘06, ‘15, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20) Serra Catholic (15-1) Player to watch: Ryan Brooks Brooks is...
Starting 5: A-K Valley basketball teams, players and storylines to watch in 2021-22
Starting 5s Girls 5 Teams to Watch Knoch: With three starters back, including Valley News Dispatch first-team all-star selection Madilyn Boyer and second-team pick Nina Shaw, the Knights hope to make waves again. Knoch went 7-0 in section play last year but was denied a section title because of the...
Trib HSSN 2021-22 WPIAL Class A girls basketball preseason breakdown
It has been a broken record for three straight years and counting. Rochester and West Greene dominate the rest of Class A in the regular season and district playoffs and reach the WPIAL finals. Then the page turns to the Rams getting the better of the Pioneers in the finals...
Trib HSSN 2021-22 WPIAL Class A boys basketball preseason breakdown
The Bishop Canevin boys basketball program finally won its first WPIAL championship last season and is the preseason favorite to repeat. But with plenty of talent back and some notable transfers around the classification, it won’t be easy for the Crusaders to win gold again. Here is a rundown of...
PIAA factoids for Friday’s Class 5A, 2A state championship games
In 34 years of PIAA football playoffs, the WPIAL has never had more than three state champions crowned in a single year. One record has already been set this state postseason as the WPIAL prepares to send five champions to Hershey to play in the PIAA finals. Another record will...
Penn-Trafford ready to make history as underdogs in state championship game
No matter what happens Friday, the Penn-Trafford football team has made history. In the school’s 50th season, the team won its first WPIAL title, played in and won its first PIAA playoff game and now is headed to its first PIAA championship game. A victory against Imhotep Charter (11-1) in...
Dozen new A-K Valley high school basketball coaches set for season to tip off
Rich Mull certainly wasn’t alone when he officially took over the head coaching duties of the Plum girls basketball team in August. He was one of a dozen coaches making that transition – six boys and six girls – among Alle-Kiski Valley teams at various points in the offseason. “The...
Starting 5: Westmoreland basketball teams, players and storylines to watch
Teams to watch Boys Belle Vernon — The Leopards will be one of the hottest tickets in the WPIAL with their fast-paced style and athleticism producing big numbers and highlights. Electric is not a strong enough word. Greensburg Central Catholic — Blessed with height and senior experience from a WPIAL...
Latrobe’s fabulous frontcourt among top headline-grabbers in Westmoreland County hoops
WPIAL basketball season opens Friday, and big expectations — emphasis on big — are coming out of Latrobe. The Wildcats girls basketball team is far from a long shot because it is long across the roster. Teams will be hard-pressed to match Latrobe’s height, which will be complemented by the...
PIAA Class 5A football championship breakdown: Penn-Trafford vs. Imhotep Charter
PIAA Class 5A football championship Penn-Trafford vs. Imhotep Charter 7 p.m. Friday, Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey On the air: TV: PCN; Radio: KDKA-AM (1020), KDKA-FM (100.1), WHJB-FM (107.1); Streaming audio: tribhssn.triblive.com PIAA titles: Penn-Trafford 0; Imhotep Charter 1 (2015) Penn-Trafford (12-2) Player to watch: Cade Yacamelli The Wisconsin recruit has done...
4 from WPIAL tabbed state soccer coaches of year
Adam Brownold guided the Winchester Thurston boys soccer team to its first PIAA championship, its second WPIAL title and a 23-0-1 record. The run of success this season led to him being named to the WPIAL Class A co-coach of the year. But the wins, and accolades, kept coming. Brownold...
