Franklin Regional notebook: Hockey team builds momentum

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Franklin Regional hockey took momentum in the form of a two-game winning streak into the holiday break.

The Panthers followed a 5-3 victory over Bishop McCort with a 6-3 win against Armstrong to move to 6-3-0-1 on the season.

Matt Rutkowski had a hat trick and an assist against Armstrong, while Derek German, Jackson Falkner and Max Williams each scored once.

The Panthers were set to resume league play Jan. 2 at Bishop McCort in Johnstown for the start of a stretch in three games in seven days.

All-Big East selections

Big-play senior wide receiver Ayden Hudock, junior running back Kyle Dupill and junior kicker Joey Bayne all made the Class 5A All-Big East Conference list for offense.

On the defensive side, all-conference picks included junior defensive tackle Andrew Devola and senior linebacker Owen Sinclair.

Basketball update

The Franklin Regional boys basketball team turned some heads with an impressive road win.

The Panthers improved to 7-1 with a 61-53 victory over Class 6A North Allegheny during the Holiday Bash at North Allegheny.

Cooper Rankin led the way with 22 points and Cam Rowell added 19 as the Panthers overcame a 38-point night from the Tigers’ Joe Dopirak.

Franklin Regional’s girls had a second-half lead but could not hold off Canon-McMillan in a 57-54 loss at the Hoopfest at Cal (Pa.).

Addison Musto had 15 points, including five 3-pointers, while Madi DeRiggi scored 12 and Olivia Orndoff 11 in the loss for the Panthers (1-8).

Scholarship winners

A pair of recent Franklin Regional grads received the annual Mike Rettger Memorial scholarships, presented during the boys basketball showcase named after Rettger.

Christina Putigano, a freshman at Pitt, and Jake Kimmich, a freshman soccer player at Grove City, were this year’s recipients of $2,000 scholarships.

Recruiting

Two Franklin Regional swimmers signed letters of intent to continue their career in college.

Holden Thomas will swim at George Washington, while Ben Holm solidified his commitment to IUP.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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