Westmoreland H.S. notebook: Golfer Palmer Jackson sorting through big-time offers

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 5:51 PM

Talented Franklin Regional junior golfer Palmer Jackson won't name the schools, but he said he has “three or four” solid Division I scholarship offers from some in the ACC and Big Ten.

Jackson did say, however, he could make a verbal commitment before the summer.

“I don't want to rush into it; I want to be sure and not be one of these kids who decommits,” Jackson said. “Hopefully I will decide before the big tournament season begins.”

Jackson spent much of last season under par and finished tied for second in the PIAA and third in the WPIAL. He is also one of the top pitchers for the Panthers. He is 1-0 with a save this season.

Jackson doesn't have much down time as he works to improve in both sports.

“I go to baseball, come home, do some homework and go to the course or hit balls,” he said. “I try to find the time to do it all.”

A golf simulator at his home allows for convenient practice time.

Quite a pair

Yough baseball player Scotty Houseman is honoring two important people in his life this season with inscriptions on his cleats: his late mother, Debra, and late friend, Jordan Bryan.

Written in Sharpie on his right cleat is “RWG Mom” and “#CancerSucks.” On the left is, “Justice for Jordan.”

His mother died when Houseman was 4. Bryan, a former teammate, died last year.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Houseman also is a talented football lineman who hopes to play in college. He not only has a big heart but also big shoes: he wears size 16.

WCCA showcase

The sixth Westmoreland County Coaches Association Underclassmen Showcase is about a month away. The football event is set for 9 a.m. May 12 at Hempfield's Spartan Stadium.

The showcase puts players through agility drills and weightlifting workouts in front of dozens of college coaches.

Cost is $50 per participant. Contact information: Larry Sellitto, 412-491-1212 or pantherlas@aol.com.

Foothills announcement

The Foothills Football Classic all-star game is set for 7 p.m. June 15 at Hempfield. Organizers plan to announce rosters at their introduction night 7 p.m. April 26 at Ferrante's Lakeview.

The game returned last season after a nine-year hiatus and was played at Norwin.

Indiana offers Thrift

Norwin junior football standout Jayvon Thrift visited Indiana on Thursday, and the Hoosiers made him a scholarship offer on the spot.

Thrift, a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247sports.com, also has offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Syracuse, Buffalo, Toledo, Army, and Temple.

Recruiting is sweeping through the Norwin program.

Thrift's teammate and classmate, linebacker and receiver Gianni Rizzo, has six Division I offers: from Holy Cross, Albany, Robert Morris, Yale, Bucknell and Fordham.

Mance commits

Yough senior softball player Aubrie Mance committed to Case Western Reserve. The senior second baseman batted .468 last season with two home runs and 31 runs scored.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Hempfield Area, Latrobe, Norwin, Yough