Author: Alec Italiano
Experience pays for Franklin Regional in playoff win over Thomas Jefferson
February 18, 2019
In WPIAL basketball, playoff experience knows no bounds.
Derry’s mission: win program’s 1st playoff game
February 17, 2019
Derry’s motivation for the WPIAL boys basketball playoffs isn’t completely centered on a timeline aspect. The Trojans had not been to the postseason since 2007-08, so this has been quite a significant run.
Seton LaSalle boys eliminate Southmoreland at WPIALs
February 16, 2019
Seton LaSalle eliminated the hyphen from its name a while back.
Valley’s Darius Johnson named Valley News Dispatch’s Boys Athlete of the Year
July 7, 2018
Darius Johnson could use one of his best athletic attributes in all three of his sports. His leaping ability makes him a deadly deep threat
Saunders getting feet wet with Kiski Area boys basketball
July 6, 2018
Kiski Area split its first two games at Friday's Westmoreland County Coaches Association boys basketball shootout at Hempfield — winning comfortably in a bright-and-early gameSpringdale set to begin boys basketball coach interviews
July 3, 2018
Springdale is getting ready to enter the second phase of its boys basketball coaching search. Athletic director Ray Davis said interviews will begin next week
Deer Lakes basketball coach Parham doing instruction work in China
Terence Parham is taking another summer trip to China. The Deer Lakes boys basketball coach left over the weekend to go to China for a
Freeport’s Ally DeJidas named Valley News Dispatch Softball Player of the Year
June 30, 2018
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Ally DeJidas Freeport, jr., center field Ally DeJidas knows her favorite home run from the spring season: a three-run blast that
Aaron Albert excited to be ‘home’ coaching Kiski Area baseball
June 22, 2018
Only one school could pry Aaron Albert away from his position as Beaver's baseball coach. And that school came calling. Calling it an opportunity he
Burrell hires Leechburg’s Joel Ceraso as girls basketball coach
June 21, 2018
Joel Ceraso sees similarities to his most recent coaching job when assessing his new one. A team needing a boost after missing the playoffs Check.
Fox returns to coach at ‘special place’ Apollo-Ridge
June 15, 2018
Greg Fox had perfect timing. He bought a house in Apollo this spring, just as the Apollo-Ridge boys basketball coaching position was opening — almost
Vincentian Academy chasing 2nd PIAA baseball title in 3 seasons
June 14, 2018
Brad Bestic all but shrugged when reminded of the 10:30 a.m. first pitch for Vincentian's appearance in the PIAA Class A baseball finals Friday. Baseball
Giannotta steps down as Seneca Valley boys basketball coach
June 12, 2018
Victor Giannotta doesn't plan to stop coaching, but it won't be at Seneca Valley. Citing other andquot;basketball opportunities,andquot; Giannotta, 53, resigned after 14 seasons as
A-K Valley notebook: We Serve First Foundation sponsors volleyball campers, coach
June 7, 2018
Ellen and Tim Toy found strength through volleyball during Ellen's years-long battle with cancer, and the sport continues to serve as a way to honor
Mt. Pleasant softball again avenges loss to WPIAL champion Belle Vernon
Mt. Pleasant stewed about its WPIAL semifinal loss to Belle Vernon, a game in which the defending state champion Vikings finished without a hit and
Shady Side Academy QB/DB Moore gaining recruiters’ attention during offseason
June 6, 2018
Skyy Moore diligently reached out to college football coaches during his junior season at Shady Side Academy, following them on social media and sending out
Secrets to success: Greensburg Central Catholic’s Rice brothers share unspoken signals
June 3, 2018
James and Paul Rice share signals on the baseball field, unspoken messages to gain an edge when an opponent might least expect it. The brothers
A-K Valley baseball, softball teams coping with abrupt end to playoffs
June 2, 2018
Freeport's end-of-season softball meeting Thursday coincided with the WPIAL Class 4A softball championship game at Seton Hill. And when the Yellowjackets learned of the result
Apollo-Ridge brings back Greg Fox as boys basketball coach
June 1, 2018
Apollo-Ridge is bringing back a familiar face to lead its boys basketball program again. The district recently voted to hire Greg Fox, who previously coached
Union holds off Leechburg rally to earn berth to PIAA Class A softball playoffs
May 29, 2018
Three innings into the WPIAL Class A consolation softball game, the outcome appeared a foregone conclusion. Then, fitting for a game that would determine a
‘Fiery and determined’ Freeport seniors aim for PIAA softball playoffs
Friday represented the last day for seniors at Freeport, the Class of 2018 cleaning out lockers and picking up caps and gowns for the upcoming
Feeling blue: Leechburg softball dyes hair in bonding experience
May 27, 2018
Kristen Knapp enjoys dying her hair, and inspiration recently caused the Leechburg catcher to consider adding some blue streaks as part of the Blue Devils'
Promotion at Hampton led to Steve Sciullo’s tough decision to leave Deer Lakes
May 25, 2018
Steve Sciullo always preached the importance of family to his Deer Lakes football players. So when a too-good-to-pass-up opportunity came, Sciullo knew he had to
Class 5A baseball semifinals set in Thursday’s 3 things to watch in high school sports
May 23, 2018
All six of the WPIAL softball championship games are set for next week at Seton Hill University while five of the six baseball title contests
Valley baseball team believes ‘surreal’ run can continue
May 20, 2018
Jim Basilone's baseball life extends far enough back that he can recall the last time Valley won a postseason game. His players Not even close.
For St. Joseph softball, it’s ‘time to have fun’
May 19, 2018
St. Joseph experienced the excitement of the WPIAL softball playoffs last spring for the first time in the program's three-decade history. But with that excitement
A-K Valley notebook: Long wait for Leechburg, Freeport softball
May 18, 2018
Freeport and Leechburg originally planned to play their WPIAL softball playoff openers Thursday. They did get on the field but for a scrimmage against each
Thompson resigns as Springdale boys basketball coach
Seth Thompson never anticipated becoming a basketball coach for life. And after spending more than a decade doing it, he decided it was time to
St. Joseph uses 12-run first inning to rout Western Beaver in softball playoff opener
May 14, 2018
Anna Swierczewski said St. Joseph's seniors want to end their high school softball careers with a bang. The Spartans certainly started the postseason with one.
Former NFL lineman Sciullo steps down as Deer Lakes coach
The jolliest green giant is moving on. Steve Sciullo, the former NFL offensive lineman who led Deer Lakes to the second WPIAL playoff appearance in
Defending champions seek repeat performances at WPIAL meet
The WPIAL Class AAA and AA track and field individual finals are Thursday at Baldwin, and there are several athletes who will attempt to defendAlle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Burrell softball hopes for better luck in playoffs
May 13, 2018
Burrell might want to avoid any black cats, ladders or shattered mirrors before its WPIAL Class 3A softball playoff opener next week. The Bucs (11-4),
Determined Freeport softball team strives for 1st WPIAL title
May 12, 2018
A frequent drill during Freeport's softball practice focuses on the importance of 21 outs — always focusing on the next one, never looking back at
Plum, Freeport, Valley awarded No. 5 seeds in WPIAL baseball playoffs
May 11, 2018
The WPIAL gave the Alle-Kiski Valley a high five. That represented the seeds awarded to the Plum, Freeport and Valley baseball teams, the top ones
Freeport, Leechburg softball teams welcome 1st-round bye
May 10, 2018
Freeport allowed itself a brief moment to consider the andquot;outside possibilityandquot; of receiving the top seed in the WPIAL Class 3A softball playoffs, coach Sam
Knoch’s Jake Herrit wins award from MaxPreps, Marine Corps
Knoch senior Jake Herrit stars in a pair of sports for the Knights. That, plus volunteer work, helped him win a national award. Herrit was
Freeport hires Wayne Greiser as boys basketball coach
Freeport held an open-gym boys basketball workout Thursday, part of normal offseason training. But the session gave the Yellowjackets' new coach a chance to work
Leechburg softball confident it can make postseason run
May 9, 2018
Morgan Pierce insisted to teammates last spring that Leechburg would end its seven-year drought without winning a WPIAL playoff game. So it makes sense what
Leechburg softball snatches section title from St. Joseph
May 8, 2018
St. Joseph was eyeing a historic win for its program against one of the most successful in WPIAL softball history. Leechburg didn't let it happen.
Four softball teams from Section 1-5A competing for 2 playoff spots
May 7, 2018
Her team began the final week of the regular season with a WPIAL softball playoff spot uncertain and only one game left to secure it,
Burrell girls on track for another WPIAL team title
May 6, 2018
Faith Remich witnessed every part of the Burrell girls track and field team's growth over the past four years, from an under-the-rader program to a
Battle with cancer switches perspective for St. Joseph sophomore
A long scar covers Eli Swierczewski's upper right arm, from his elbow to his shoulder. The 16-year-old sophomore tricked one of his St. Joseph baseball
Knoch rallies past No. 2 Freeport to claim Section 1-4A title
May 3, 2018
Freeport had Knoch down to its final out, with the section title in the balance. But the Yellowjackets couldn't score the Knoch-out blow. Class 4A
No. 2 Freeport blanks Burrell to earn share of Section 1-3A title
May 1, 2018
Tori Radvan took a line drive off her right calf, then a pitch off her left knee, all within the span of five or so
In quest for championship, Burrell softball team puts focus on details
April 30, 2018
As Burrell attempted to close out its Section 1-3A softball game at Deer Lakes last week, the Bucs' coaches focused on their players' attention to
Todd Massack wants to restore Riverview football to former winning ways
April 29, 2018
Todd Massack can see the football field at Riverside Park from his kitchen window, so it's no stretch to day the success of Riverview's program
Deer Lakes’ extra-inning win over Freeport moves Lancers into playoff position
April 27, 2018
Andrew Bokulich didn't get his bunt attempts down in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he gladly will take the ultimate result of his
Freeport’s Cowan pitches immaculate inning against Deer Lakes
Freeport senior Brodey Cowan achieved a rarity on the mound in the Yellowjackets' 2-1 loss to Deer Lakes on Friday: the immaculate inning. Cowan struck
Kelly Nitowski’s grand slam leads Burrell softball over Deer Lakes
Burrell is putting Denny's on notice. The Bucs specialize in grand slams, too. Kelly Nitowski became the latest to clear the bases after clearing the
After winning 6 straight section titles, Deer Lakes softball in unfamiliar position
April 25, 2018
A small part of Deer Lakes' post-practice conversation Wednesday centered around the team's uniform choice for Thursday's Section 1-3A softball tilt against Burrell. The Lancers
Freeport baseball, softball teams adept at late-inning heroics this season
April 24, 2018
Freeport is developing something of an inside joke in its softball dugout. Early deficit No biggie. The Yellowjackets will make up for it later. Overcome
Freeport’s DeJidas tosses no-hitter, hits two home runs in victory
April 23, 2018
Freeport rallied around Ally on Monday. Junior Ally DeJidas pitched a no-hitter and slugged a pair of three-run home runs, leading Class 3A No. 2
A-K Valley notebook: Spring sports realignment affects area teams
April 19, 2018
The 2019 and '20 baseball seasons will include some sections heavy on Alle-Kiski Valley teams. The WPIAL released baseball, softball and lacrosse alignments for theA-K Valley notebook: Spring sports realignment affects area teams
The 2019 and 2020 baseball seasons will include some sections heavy on Alle-Kiski Valley teams. The WPIAL released baseball, softball and lacrosse alignments for the
Section-title aspirations driving Burrell baseball
Mark Spohn didn't waste words as he outlined what Burrell needs to do to achieve its goals in the Section 1-3A baseball race. andquot;Just keep
A-K Valley H.S. notebook: Kiski Area wrestlers want a hand
April 14, 2018
Kiski Area is seeking assistance as it looks to commemorate its championship wrestling season. The team's boosters set up a GoFundMe page as a way
Constant postponements having impact on A-K Valley baseball, softball teams
April 9, 2018
A season-opening trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., provided Deer Lakes the opportunity to play four baseball games in three days, valuable experience for early in
Freeport’s Beale, Leechburg’s Lovelace earn Valley News Dispatch Players of the Year
April 7, 2018
Freeport's Ben Beale and Leechburg's Mikayla Lovelace have been named Valley News Dispatch Basketball Players of the Year Boys Player of the Year Ben Beale
Franklin Regional softball rallies past Kiski Area to win section opener
April 6, 2018
Franklin Regional's offense for the first four innings resembled the Parkway East during Friday rush hour: plenty of traffic and not much movement. It caused
Trio of Alle-Kiski softball teams want deeper playoff runs
April 3, 2018
John Kinnamon got more than a fair share of strange looks from his Apollo-Ridge softball players when he declared playoffs as a team goal last
A-K Valley notebook: Early-season wet weather wreaking havoc on schedules
March 29, 2018
Western Pennsylvania coaches may be humming a tune familiar to grade-school children this week: Rain, rain, go away. A third consecutive day of rain Thursday
First-year baseball coaches at Springdale, Highlands, Fox Chapel happy to coach at alma mater
Brett Burger noticed one distinct difference at Springdale Junior-Senior High School from his days as a student just over a dozen years ago: D wing
A-K Valley High school notebook: Roundball Classic to feature area players, coaches
March 27, 2018
The Alle-Kiski Valley will have representation on the court and the sidelines at the Roundball Classic All-Star basketball games next month at Geneva. The two-day
Tutchstone resigns as Kiski Area boys basketball coach
Joey Tutchstone didn't sleep much Monday night, but it had nothing to do with the 3-month-old baby in the house. He was dreading his scheduled
Winter weather delays start of spring season for A-K Valley teams
March 23, 2018
Burrell checks the extended weather forecast at the end of each softball practice, hoping to get an idea of when it might take advantage of
Cager Classic notebook: Ex-Ford City standout returns as coach
March 22, 2018
Jason Kerr doesn't remember much about the 2001 Cager Classic, but he still is getting a chance to relive the experience this weekend. Kerr, the
Cager Classic last hurrah for longtime high school teammates
Cam Davies, Mikayla Lovelace and Brittany Robilio played more than 90 games together over the past four seasons at Leechburg, breaking school records and laying
A-K Valley high school notebook: Deer Lakes, Plum baseball heading south
March 20, 2018
Forget going south for the winter. A pair of Alle-Kiski Valley baseball teams are doing it to get a head start on spring. Deer Lakes
Riverview brings back Massack as football coach
March 19, 2018
Riverview received significant interest for its football coaching vacancy, including a handful of candidates with prior experience leading programs. The Raiders turned to a candidate
Plum baseball armed for success
March 18, 2018
Plum baseball coach Carl Vollmer believes his team has the right recipe to contend for a WPIAL baseball championship this spring. And it's no surpriseExperienced Plum softball team eager for outside action
The Plum softball team looked pretty good in early practices this March, at least in coach Jim McGrath's eyes. There's just one problem. andquot;Everybody looks
ITPS Classic charity basketball games face resistance over underclassmen participation
As an event organizer, Shane Phillips has read and reread Article IX of the PIAA bylaws, particularly Section 2 that deals with all-star games. The
Kiski Area’s Heater named PIAA Coach of the Year
March 13, 2018
Three Kiski Area wrestlers brought home medals from the PIAA wrestling championships, including senior Isaac Reid's first-place finish, but their coach picked up some hardware
Uncertainty clouds Deer Lakes baseball after losing 10 seniors
March 12, 2018
Josh Tysk coaches in the WPIAL, not Major League Baseball. But the differences he notices on his Deer Lakes roster compared to, say, the Houston
Deer Lakes softball to be tested in quest for 7th straight section title
Katelynn Blair remembers traveling to Penn State with the Deer Lakes softball team in 2015, when the Lancers ultimately finished as the PIAA runner-up. As
Ability to defend all 5 positions key for Highlands boys basketball
Highlands coach Tyler Stoczynski knows the time will come during games when his 6-foot-6 center, Shawn Erceg, will get matched up against an opponent's smaller,
Burrell wrestlers make best of final day at state championships
March 10, 2018
HERSHEY — Corey Christie's final high school wrestling match came down to a battle of wills, and the Burrell senior had the proper motivation. Christie
Jefferson-Morgan’s Teasale wins 4th PIAA wrestling championship
HERSHEY — Gavin Teasdale does nothing but win in Chocolate Town. The Jefferson-Morgan senior became just the 13th wrestler to win four PIAA individual titles,
4 Burrell wrestlers, Valley’s Schuffert advance to medal round at PIAA Class AA tournament
March 9, 2018
HERSHEY — Ian Oswalt works on spin moves sometimes as a joke during Burrell wrestling practices. Given how well it worked when he pulled it
Kiski Area’s Levett, Reid aim to join McCutcheon as PIAA wrestling champion
HERSHEY — Noah Levett and Isaac Reid looked up to Matt McCutcheon as they grew up in the Kiski Area youth wrestling program. They need
Seeking 4th straight PIAA wrestling title, Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale advances to semifinals
HERSHEY — Gavin Teasdale is halfway to history. The Jefferson-Morgan senior moved one step closer to becoming the 13th wrestler to win four PIAA individualAlle-Kiski high school notebook: Cager Classic will have scorers galore
March 8, 2018
The Cager Classic has featured a number of top players throughout its 22-year history, and the latest edition will include 2,000-point scorers and Division I
After strong start, Kiski Area sends all 5 qualifiers to PIAA wrestling quarterfinals
HERSHEY — Nick Delp didn't want to ruin Kiski Area's dinner plans. After watching three of his teammates win their first-round matchups back-to-back-to-back on the
Jefferson-Morgan’s Teasdale among 16 WPIAL wrestlers to advance to PIAA quarterfinals
HERSHEY — Gavin Teasdale has a habit of coming up big in the Giant Center, and he provided more evidence of that Thursday morning. The
Valley heavyweight Schuffert among 3 A-K Valley wrestlers to reach PIAA Class AA quarterfinals
HERSHEY — A PIAA official briefly stopped David Schuffert on Thursday morning because he wasn't wearing the pass around his neck he needed to access
Worth the weight: Preparation, diet, exercise helps area wrestlers stay in peak condition
March 7, 2018
David Schuffert likes to torture his Valley wrestling teammates sometimes. The junior heavyweight doesn't exactly have to follow the same diet protocols as most wrestlers,
A-K Valley wrestlers look forward to PIAA tournament debuts
March 6, 2018
Jack Blumer sat by himself after losing in the so-called andquot;blood roundandquot; during the WPIAL Class AAA wrestling championships in 2017, his dreams of qualifying
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Kiski Area’s Reid reflects after claiming title
Isaac Reid pointed both index fingers to the ceiling in Canon-McMillan's gym, then animatedly switched to a raise-the-roof motion after winning his first title in
Kiski Area’s Reid reflective after winning first WPIAL title
March 5, 2018
Isaac Reid pointed both index fingers to the ceiling in Canon-McMillan's gym, then animatedly switched to a raise-the-roof motion after winning his first title in
Kiski Area sets school record with 4 WPIAL wrestling champs
March 3, 2018
Jack Blumer called his shot. So did his coach. And it paved the way for a record-breaking day for Kiski Area at the WPIAL Class
Kiski Area’s Noah Levett suffers injury but says he will be good for WPIAL wrestling semis
March 2, 2018
Noah Levett moved closer to his goal of his first WPIAL wrestling championship Friday, but it didn't come without some nervous moments. The Kiski Area
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Hutcherson decides to step away at Armstrong
March 1, 2018
Greg Hutcherson founded his Top Level All-Stars AAU program with the slogan andquot;Hard work pays off.andquot; As he began to see the work with his
In final trip to WPIAL tournament, Kiski Area’s Levett finally gets to be the favorite
February 28, 2018
Noah Levett needed just one glance at his weight bracket to confirm the difficulty of his task at the WPIAL wrestling championships the past three
Franklin Regional tops section rival Highlands to advance to WPIAL title game
February 27, 2018
Franklin Regional coach Steve Scorpion didn't believe his team ever got in a counterpunch during a Section 3-5A loss to Highlands last month. In a
WPIAL finals berth on the line in rubber match between Franklin Regional, Highlands
February 26, 2018
As is the norm at such times, WPIAL basketball coaches said all the right things upon the release of the playoff seeds and brackets earlier
Burrell’s Oswalt, Valley’s Schuffert rebound after narrow losses, take 3rd at regionals
February 24, 2018
Ian Oswalt had other goals for Saturday night than wrestling in the third-place match at the PIAA Class AA Southwest Regional. But when his best-laidSewickley Academy boys basketball dispatches Leechburg
February 23, 2018
Sewickley Academy's all-around game might not have been its sharpest, but the Panthers' shooting certainly looked the part of a No. 1 seed. Jett Roesing
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Section shake-up rekindles rivalries
If coaches anywhere can count on one constant, it's change. That oxymoron aside, WPIAL basketball will undergo a shake-up over the next two seasons as
Defending champion Chartiers-Houston girls hold off Leechburg to reach semifinals
February 22, 2018
As unlikely as it appeared just minutes earlier, Leechburg's record-breaking senior class made one last run at some more history. A 17-point deficit gave way
St. Joseph, Quigley Catholic girls have built WPIAL playoff rivalry in recent seasons
Barely five minutes elapsed after St. Joseph's WPIAL playoff victory over Geibel last weekend before Chloe Kurpakus brought up the subject of the Spartans' next
Kiski Area girls basketball coach Ionadi resigns
Nick Ionadi frequently spent seven days a week in the gym working with his girls basketball pupils. But with extra hours cropping up in his
Ambridge rallies in 2nd half to top Deer Lakes in WPIAL Class 4A 1st round
February 21, 2018
The story of David and Goliath seemed an apt comparison for Deer Lakes' and Ambridge's boys basketball playoff game in a visual sense Wednesday, what
Advance ticket sales for Highlands, Springdale boys basketball
A pair of Alle-Kiski Valley boys basketball teams are holding advance ticket sales Thursday for their WPIAL quarterfinal games. Highlands is selling tickets for the
Burrell wrestler Ethan Awes prepares for final shot at making state tournament
February 20, 2018
Ethan Awes' season began with the same high hopes as many of his fellow wrestlers. Somewhere along the way, it turned into what the Burrell
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Class AAA wrestlers set for sectionals
WPIAL Class AA got its individual postseason going last week. Now it's Class AAA's turn. Sectional tournaments Saturday will mark the beginning of the individual
A-K Valley basketball teams seek elusive playoff wins
February 19, 2018
Shortly after taking over as Deer Lakes boys basketball coach in 2015, Terence Parham learned how much time had elapsed since the Lancers last tastedAllderdice boys make it a 5-peat in City League
February 17, 2018
No two seasons are alike, but the last five in City League boys basketball have ended with Allderdice raising the trophy. Jackson Blaufeld scored a
A-K Valley high school notebook: Leechburg’s Mikayla Lovelace to face fellow 2,000-point scorer
Mikayla Lovelace played against Sam Breen and Brenna Wise earlier in her high school career and has a close friendship with Amani Johnson and AlexaWorth the Waite: Sophomore leads Allderdice to City League girls basketball title
The smallest player on the court had the biggest impact down the stretch for Allderdice. Emma Waite, a 5-foot sophomore guard, sparked a 12-0 run
Riverside beats Burrell at its own game in opening round
February 16, 2018
A strong defense spearheaded Burrell's success this season, helping the Bucs overcome an inconsistent offense. But although the Bucs won a share of a section
A-K Valley boys basketball teams rely on backcourt leaders
February 15, 2018
Asked to detail his role, and those of his fellow backcourt members at Valley, Dru Stokes ticked them off one by one. There's junior Nyjewel
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Teams stay busy during layoff
Not expecting a long layoff before his team's WPIAL playoff opener, Deer Lakes boys basketball coach Terence Parham waited to begin talking with fellow coachesA-K Valley wrestling notebook: Class AA wrestlers again have quick turnaround for WPIALs
February 14, 2018
For the second consecutive season, less than a day will separate the first two tournaments of WPIAL's Class AA individual postseason. Sectional tournaments for Class
Burrell, Valley wrestlers prepare for individual tournaments
During his days as a record-setting wrestler at Shady Side Academy, Dane Johnson always wanted to fast-forward to the individual portion of the season. He
Highlands, Fox Chapel boys rewarded with byes for late-season charges
February 13, 2018
Uncertainty surrounded Highlands at the beginning of the boys basketball season, the graduation of four starters from one of the more successful stretches in recent
Basketball coaches play guessing game in advance of WPIAL pairings meeting
February 12, 2018
One game may not make or break a season, but it can have an impact on a team's postseason fate. So after Freeport gutted outFreeport’s Beale scores 30 in OT victory at Deer Lakes
February 9, 2018
Freeport didn't forget its Section 1-4A finale last season, when Deer Lakes came onto the Yellowjackets' home floor and denied them a share of a
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Springdale boys experience ‘eerie situation’
February 8, 2018
Springdale probably can't be blamed if it feels a case of unwanted deja vu going into its Section 2-2A boys basketball finale Friday at Riverview.
Plum girls earn playoff spot with win over Franklin Regional
In a game tied at halftime with a playoff berth on the line, Plum's young players showed how much they've grown since the start of
Alle-Kiski wrestling notebook: Burrell goes blond for PIAA tournament
February 7, 2018
Burrell wrestling might be going for the gold this weekend in Hershey, but the Bucs already went platinum. As part of a yearly tradition, Burrell's
Springdale boys face familiar circumstance in section finale
The math is simple for Springdale's boys basketball team as the Dynamos prepare for their Section 2-2A finale Friday at arch-rival Riverview. Win, and Springdale
Fouls become common occurrence for rivals Deer Lakes, Valley
Deer Lakes and Valley added some evidence to the adage about familiarity breeding contempt Tuesday night. The Section 1-4A boys basketball rivals' second meeting in
Valley boys win foul-fest against Deer Lakes
February 6, 2018
For the second time in four days, Deer Lakes and Valley played a physical, whistle-filled, down-to-the-wire basketball game. The similarities ended there. A fast-paced, chaotic
Burrell, Kiski Area prepare for ‘business trip’ in Hershey
Kiski Area may swing by Hershey's Chocolate World sometime this weekend after competing in the PIAA wrestling tournament. But the Cavaliers have a bigger treat
Losses to top teams prepare Sewickley Academy boys for postseason run
February 5, 2018
Sewickley Academy has had no shortage of big-time opponents on its schedule, and the Panthers have one more big test before they set out to
Burrell wrestling relishes every WPIAL team championship
February 4, 2018
As he basked in the fourth and final WPIAL team championship of his Burrell wrestling career, Shaun Gates looked in the rearview mirror at some
Cheswick Christian basketball teams push toward playoffs
Clinton Blazevich looks for the right balance when establishing expectations for the Cheswick Christian girls basketball team. He tries not to aim too high, not
Coaching staff stability key for Burrell, Kiski Area wrestling programs
February 2, 2018
Danny Starr sees dozens of different faces on the team photos that plaster the walls of Kiski Area's wrestling room. Yet for all the variedBurrell boys basketball beats SSA to forge tie for 1st in section
One primary thought ran through Jake Okapol's mind as he maneuvered around teammate Donovan Russell's pick in the final minute Friday. andquot;Win the game,andquot; he
Bellinotti resigns as Burrell football coach
February 1, 2018
Dave Bellinotti had long, difficult questions in recent weeks about his future at Burrell. In the end, he decided the time was right to moveKiski Area wrestlers storm past Greensburg Salem into WPIAL semifinals
January 31, 2018
Kiski Area wrestlers fully plugged in to watch Bobby Lawrence's 126-pound bout during the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals Wednesday, the final matchup of the Cavaliers'
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Burrell freshmen making impact
January 30, 2018
If there's such a thing as a rookie wall in high school wrestling, Burrell's freshmen don't appear to have received the memo. The Bucs' three
Deer Lakes girls savor rare win at Burrell
Victoria Keibler remembers her older teammates telling her about Deer Lakes' struggles at Burrell when she joined the Lancers as a freshman. So it felt
Russell makes giant strides for Burrell boys basketball
For his role as Giant Rumblebuffin in Burrell's fall production of andquot;The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,andquot; Donovan Russell needed to don stilts. TheDeer Lakes girls hold off Burrell in critical Section 1-4A matchup
End-of-game situations don't get much run at Deer Lakes girls basketball practices. But with a game critical to the Lancers' playoff hopes hanging in the
Monessen guard Henderson’s 55-point game among WPIAL, state’s best
January 25, 2018
In case you missed it, Monessen's Lyndon Henderson scored 55 points on Wednesday night, the highest scoring output of the season in the WPIAL. Henderson,
Burrell’s Corrado upsets top-ranked Kazalas of Quaker Valley
January 24, 2018
Burrell's coaches told A.J. Corrado to wrestle aggressively against Quaker Valley's John Rocco Kazalas during their 132-pound bout in the semifinals of the Section 3-AA
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Burrell gets look at state’s top competition
Although Wednesday represents the official start of the team wrestling postseason with WPIAL sectional tournaments, Burrell already began its stretch run last weekend at Brookville's
Burrell chasing 15th straight section tournament title
Shaun Gates admits to not knowing the exact number of consecutive section team tournaments Burrell won. Given the length of the streak — the total
WPIAL boys basketball playoff races heating up in Alle-Kiski Valley
January 23, 2018
Back in the gym Monday after a pair of narrow losses last week, Deer Lakes was focusing squarely on its upcoming schedule. The Lancers couldn't
Leechburg boys riding high after Jeannette upset
January 22, 2018
The congratulatory text messages and phone calls spilled in to Corey Smith's phone for much of the weekend after Leechburg's 47-42 upset of Class 2A
Washington guides Quaker Valley to 11-0 start, No. 1 ranking with greater goals still ahead
Quaker Valley basketball is looking like a platinum-selling band. The team is holding steady at No. 1, and their leading scorer is climbing the charts
Riverview fires football coach Matt Bonislawski
January 20, 2018
Matt Bonislawski was proud of what he accomplished in his two seasons as Riverview's football coach, so it came as a surprise to him when
A-K Valley high school notebook: Fox Chapel field hockey player Abby Pitcairn to play in Germany
Fox Chapel senior Abby Pitcairn already has plenty of international field hockey experience, and she'll take it to the highest level next month. Pitcairn will
Valley pulls away from Freeport, secures longest win streak in 11 years
Nyjewel Carter believes Valley saves its best for last — as in the fourth quarter. That certainly was the case Friday night. An early fourth-quarter
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Leechburg’s Lovelace living at the line
January 19, 2018
The charity stripe has been a fine line for Leechburg's Mikayla Lovelace this season. Lovelace, who broke her own school record by scoring 44 points
WPIAL wrestling teams earn subsection championships
January 18, 2018
The WPIAL team wrestling postseason is all but set. More than a dozen teams wrapped up subsection championships Wednesday night, earning first-place seeds for the
No. 1 Burrell wrestlers roll past rival Valley, clinch top spot in Section 3B
The expected battle for the Section 3B wrestling title never materialized Wednesday night. With four Valley starters out of the lineup, Class AA No. 1Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Allegheny Conference gets makeover
January 17, 2018
The Allegheny Conference needs a new name. After being the home to a high number of Alle-Kiski Valley football teams in recent seasons, the league
Kiski Area’s Reid: Return from pulmonary embolism ‘worked out perfectly’
Isaac Reid walked to the center of the mat and wrestled for a grand total of zero seconds before getting his arm raised by theKiski Area wrestling wins annual rivalry match with Burrell
With the WPIAL wrestling playoffs looming and both teams gearing up for a title defense, the annual match between Burrell and Kiski Area became even
Kiski Area’s Reid set to return after pulmonary embolism
January 16, 2018
At perhaps his darkest moment as he dealt with a pulmonary embolism in his lung, Isaac Reid wondered if he would ever wrestle again. That
Valley boys basketball gets healthy, remains cautious
Deonte Ross spent the first five weeks of basketball season at the end of Valley's bench, sometimes in agony not from the cracked tibia that
Alle-Kiski Valley high school basketball notebook: Springdale boys get tough
January 12, 2018
The Springdale football program takes pride in its hustle and toughness, as evidenced by late legendary coach Chuck Wagner's andquot;hang in there toughandquot; saying. It
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Highlands hires Jeff Campbell as baseball coach
January 11, 2018
Jeff Campbell's full-time job kept him from pursuing the Highlands baseball coaching position in the past, but he can add it to his resume now.
Springdale boys get defensive in victory over Leechburg
January 10, 2018
After a somewhat lacking late-December defensive performance, Springdale re-emphasized that part of its game in practice. The performance on that end of the court since
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Kiski Area, Burrell set for rivalry match
January 9, 2018
The match is taking place later than usual, but Burrell and Kiski Area will renew their Alle-Kiski Valley wrestling rivalry next week. Class AAA No.
Dual, individual tournaments post different dynamic for area wrestlers
Corey Christie heard his Burrell teammates' cheers as he tangled with Southmoreland's Tyler Griffiths during the 152-pound championship match at the Westmoreland County Coaches AssociationHighlands hires Campbell as new baseball coach
Highlands has a new baseball coach. Former assistant Jeff Campbell will take over for Brett Burger, who resigned after one season to take over the
Burrell wrestling to recognize 2008 PIAA title team Jan. 12 against Hempfield
January 8, 2018
Burrell will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its 2008 PIAA Class AA wrestling championship at the Bucs' nonsection match Friday against Hempfield. Alumni from the
A-K Valley high school notebook: Girls basketball teams vying for playoff spots in Section 1-4A
January 7, 2018
Three of the returning playoff teams from girls basketball Section 1-4A began something of a round-robin last week, each looking to bounce back from a
Deer Lakes girls shrug off slow start to get back on playoff path
January 6, 2018
After Deer Lakes missed 16 of 17 3-point attempts in a victory over St. Joseph last week, coach Dave Petruska cautioned the Lancers not to
Deer Lakes girls log 1st section win by dropping Burrell
January 5, 2018
Deer Lakes began to show signs of progress over the holiday break, but the Section 1-4A standings provided no evidence: The team remained stuck in
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Area teams enjoying win streaks
January 4, 2018
Thursday brought the resumption of section play in WPIAL basketball after the holiday break, the stretch runs for teams hoping to qualify for the postseason,
Burrell, Kiski Area, Valley wrestling teams gear up for WCCA tournament
January 3, 2018
Burrell, Kiski Area and Valley faced difficult competition over the holidays, and they'll get more of it this weekend. The 65th annual Westmoreland County Coaches
Valley wrestler David Schuffert works on mental approach to big matches
January 2, 2018
David Schuffert can't fully explain the difference in the way he wrestled in a pair of tournament championship matches this season compared with the bouts
No question Christian Hack providing leadership for Leechburg boys
Christian Hack joined Leechburg's quiz team for the first time this school year, traveling with his classmates to monthly competitions. When it comes to answering
Chuck Wagner’s death, Freeport volleyball’s state title among A-K Valley’s top 10 sports stories for 2017
December 30, 2017
The Alle-Kiski Valley sports scene had plenty to celebrate in 2017, from historic playoff runs to record-breaking performances. The area also mourned the losses of
A-K Valley notebook: Springdale girls break losing skid, Plum freshman stands out
December 28, 2017
John Broderick heard plenty of kudos from referees and fans about the improvement the Springdale girls basketball team showed during the early portion of the
Springdale boys hold off St. Joseph rally to secure victory
Springdale and St. Joseph no longer share the same boys basketball section, but their habit of playing nail-biters remains. The rivals went down to the
Springdale girls basketball team’s progress pays off with victory to end long losing streak
John Broderick heard plenty of kudos from referees and fans about the improvement the Springdale girls basketball team showed during the early portion of the
Fox Chapel boys share wealth, end skid with win vs. Armstrong
A two-game losing streak put something of a damper on Fox Chapel's holiday, but the short break also enabled the Foxes to find their form.Kiski Area’s Miller focused on Powerade tournament title
December 27, 2017
As Darren Miller analyzed his sophomore wrestling season, he didn't entirely like what he saw. Miller's statistics and accomplishments — a 47-4 record that includedAlle-Kiski Valley boys basketball teams work around inexperience
Joe Tutchstone paused a conversation at Kiski Area boys basketball practice last week to join his team in a drill. The Cavaliers coach took theAlle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Hack’s milestone part of strong season at Leechburg
December 25, 2017
Christian Hack is having a strong senior season for the Leechburg boys basketball team, and he added a milestone to it last week. Hack reached
A-K Valley high school basketball notebook: Injuries to key players plaguing teams early
December 22, 2017
Injuries can create holes in even the most complete basketball rotations, and a few teams around the Alle-Kiski Valley are feeling the pain. Fox Chapel,
Winchester Thurston girls rally to defeat St. Joseph
December 21, 2017
So pleased was St. Joseph coach Sally Ackerman with her players' performance Thursday night — even in a losing effort — that she said afterwardA-K Valley wrestling notebook: No. 1 Kiski Area braces for showdown with No. 2 Big Macs
December 19, 2017
Kiski Area rolled to easy victories in its first six matches of the season, but the WPIAL Class AAA No. 1 Cavaliers face a big
Freeport senior Ben Beale born to play basketball
December 18, 2017
A Little Tikes toybox stuffed with old Freeport basketball jerseys and warmups sat in Ben Beale's house during his childhood, and he took full advantage
Plum sophomore Little sidelined by heart condition
December 16, 2017
A poster is taped to the ceiling above Anthony Little's bed, where he can see it every day when he wakes. The gift from former
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Teams begin section play
December 14, 2017
Just a week into the regular season, the games are already getting bigger. Thursday marked the opening of section competition in WPIAL basketball for girls
Burrell wrestling nearing 100th straight section victory
Burrell's dominance of WPIAL Class AA wrestling begins at home. The Bucs' 69-12 victory over Riverview on Wednesday was their 99th consecutive in section competition,
Freeport boys enjoy highest scoring output in 12 years
Freeport's boys basketball team came close to the turn of the century in its Tuesday nonsection game against Apollo-Ridge. Ultimately, the Yellowjackets fell short, andquot;settlingandquot;A-K Valley notebook: Burrell wrestling returning to King of the Mountain
December 13, 2017
Burrell didn't compete in any wrestling tournaments during opening weekend, but the Bucs will get a strong test this weekend as they make their annualIowa all-stars to compete at Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
The 44th annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, scheduled for March 25 at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House, is bringing in competitors from one of the sport's top
Highlands wrestling coach Walters draws from past for program’s future
December 12, 2017
Grant Walters put his wrestlers through something of a boot camp this summer, bringing in coaches from his past to relay their experience, knowledge and
Kiski Area’s Reid sidelined after pulmonary embolism diagnosis
Isaac Reid expects to cap his high school wrestling career as a PIAA champion. For now, those plans are on hold. Reid, Kiski Area's senior
Lovelace reaches 1,500 points, leads Leechburg girls to tournament victory
December 9, 2017
It seems Mikayla Lovelace saves her biggest milestones for games against Kiski Area. Less than 12 months after the Leechburg senior standout reached the 1,000-point
Quaker Valley ready to finish ‘beautiful trip’ against Middletown in PIAA Class 3A title game
December 8, 2017
Through a season filled with firsts and big game after big game, Quaker Valley has risen to the moment each time on the field. For
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Apollo-Ridge girls teams to ‘play up’ next season
December 7, 2017
The WPIAL realignment brought on last season by the PIAA's increase in classifications in many sports forced Apollo-Ridge to take what athletic director Ray Bartha
Winning tradition motivates Kiski Area wrestlers
December 6, 2017
Chris Heater saw trophies and other commemorative artifacts from Kiski Area's wrestling history scattered around the high school halls. He had them collected together and
Burrell wrestlers work to stay atop WPIAL
December 5, 2017
Win WPIAL championships on a yearly basis, as the Burrell wrestling team accomplished over the past decade-plus, and it becomes more than just a goal.
A-K Valley high school notebook: Ross Greece re-opens his college recruiting
December 2, 2017
The andquot;Hollywoodandquot; recruiting story took a twist. Kiski Area senior Ross Greece, who verbally committed to Robert Morris last month, is reopening his recruitment after
Quaker Valley tops Sharon to reach 1st PIAA Class 3A championship game
December 1, 2017
Quaker Valley won its WPIAL title in a battle of wills. Its PIAA semifinal was showcase of skills. Quarterback Ricky Guss accounted for all six
Tutchstone nurturing inexperienced Kiski Area boys basketball team
November 28, 2017
Joe Tutchstone wore a shirt recognizing Kiski Area's 2013 boys basketball section championship at Tuesday's practice. Just as every year, that remains Tutchstone's expectation for
Kiski Area girls gain confidence for upcoming season
A renovated gymnasium at Kiski Area features a sparkling new floor along with some other aesthetic adjustments. The girls basketball team is eyeing its own
Quaker Valley boys have championship goals
November 27, 2017
Quaker Valley has yet to have its full team in for a boys basketball practice this season, but coach Mike Mastroianni was clear: He's perfectly
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Area players sweep Allegheny Conference’s top honors
The WPIAL's all-conference football teams and awards continue to roll in, and three players with Alle-Kiski Valley ties swept the Allegheny Conference's top honors. Freeport
New-look Burrell girls optimistic for upcoming season
November 22, 2017
A recent open gym at Burrell featured the next generation of the girls basketball program, with about two dozen players — many junior high-aged —
Burrell boys motivated to start fast this season
Fond of motivational tactics and themes, Shawn Bennis is investing in wristbands for his Burrell boys basketball players this fall. The accessories are inspired by
Quaker Valley seniors rewarded for effort with WPIAL championship
November 18, 2017
Sewickley police welcomed the buses as they returned from Heinz Field and escorted them through town. Quaker Valley football was home, and for the first
New coach Meaghan Volek wants to continue Burrell girls basketball tradition
November 16, 2017
Meaghan Volek remembers Burrell most for the smell of chlorine — pungent in the gym, and stronger still in the locker room. And given her
Leechburg’s Lovelace commits to IUP
November 15, 2017
IUP's women's basketball coaches saw Mikayla Lovelace play in person when scouting Vincentian's Lexie Griggs two seasons ago. andquot;I guess I should thank her for
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Freeport volleyball players honored
The Freeport girls volleyball team is headed to Johnstown for the PIAA Class AA championship Saturday, and several of the Yellowjackets' individuals also received recognition
Kiski Area senior Reid looks forward to career at Lock Haven
November 13, 2017
The letters from Lock Haven came frequently early in Isaac Reid's wrestling recruitment, before he could officially talk to schools. And once that quiet period
Kiski Area’s Levett signs to wrestle with Bucknell
November 8, 2017
Noah Levett didn't feel much different Wednesday after making his college decision official. He still has his eyes on one major goal for high school.
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: One and done for area football teams
November 4, 2017
The Alle-Kiski Valley endured a shutout on the opening weekend of the WPIAL football playoffs. With the losses of Fox Chapel to Penn-Trafford in Class
Alle-Kiksi Valley high school football notebook: History repeats at Fox Chapel
November 2, 2017
Nick Gizzo and Micah Morris achieved a Fox Chapel rarity this fall when each topped 1,000 yards rushing during the regular season. Rare, but not
Ground game key to success for Springdale, Fox Chapel, Freeport
Tom Loughran won a pair of WPIAL and PIAA football championships in 32 seasons at South Park using a traditional I-formation on offense: andquot;The quarterback
Scheduling conflict means Springdale kicker will play in Friday’s soccer final
November 1, 2017
Faced with a decision between two sports, Logan Panza chose his first love. Panza, a Springdale senior, will start at defender when the Dynamos play
Freeport looks to avenge loss to Seton LaSalle in 1st round contest
Austin Romanchak admitted part of him wanted to see Seton LaSalle as Freeport's opponent in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. The
Fox Chapel lineman Cohen commits to Bryant
October 31, 2017
Jesse Cohen didn't recognize Bryant's scholarship offer when it originally came in the summer. But when the school's coaches reaffirmed it last week, he readily
Quaker Valley basketball player Washington commits to Drexel
October 30, 2017
Already regarded as one of the top senior basketball players around Pittsburgh, the next move for Quaker Valley's Coletrane Washington is to make it onAlle-Kiski Valley football teams set to learn playoff foes
Few football teams' seasons come without adversity. Fox Chapel lost four of its first five games. Freeport faced a must-win situation in Week 8 toAlle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Football playoff teams ready for road
October 28, 2017
Seth Napierkowski experienced playoff life the past two seasons as an offensive assistant at Springdale, but he'll get a whole new taste of the postseason.
Playoff-bound Springdale wears down Greensburg Central Catholic
October 27, 2017
Two major components comprise the backbone of Springdale's football tradition: a powerful running game and frequent trips to the WPIAL playoffs. With a postseason berth
A-K Valley football notebook: Strong 2nd halves key for Freeport success
October 26, 2017
Freeport's playoff-clinching victory over Keystone Oaks in Week Eight followed a familiar pattern: a systematic grinding-down of its opponent in the second half. The Yellowjackets
Swarming defense helps Freeport beat Keystone Oaks, clinch playoff spot
October 20, 2017
Freeport knows the pitfalls of youth. The Yellowjackets now are learning the benefits of experience. A season after a four-game losing streak wiped away its
A-K Valley football notebook: Eastern Conference opponents rank high
October 19, 2017
Not many teams play multiple opponents ranked in the top 10 of the state during the regular season. Unless, of course, you reside in Class
Freeport, Keystone Oaks playing for playoff berth in Allegheny Conference
October 18, 2017
Freeport's John Gaillot reiterates the philosophy each week that every Allegheny Conference game is a playoff game. He did the same Tuesday as his YellowjacketsA-K Valley notebook: Freeport girls soccer eyes high playoff seed
October 16, 2017
With the final day of WPIAL section soccer taking place Monday, boys and girls can begin focusing on the postseason. The WPIAL soccer committee willA-K Valley football notebook: Freeport hopes to avoid similar finish to ’16
October 12, 2017
As Freeport chases its second Allegheny Conference championship in three years, the memory of the way last year ended is sticking in the back of
Freeport, Seton LaSalle to play for de facto Allegheny Conference crown
October 11, 2017
Only after finishing off a Week 6 victory over Apollo-Ridge did Freeport begin to admit the magnitude of its upcoming game at Seton LaSalle. Given
Alle-Kiski high school notebook: Fox Chapel boys golf readies for WPIAL semis
October 8, 2017
Fox Chapel came close to a WPIAL championship in boys golf each of the past two seasons — agonizingly so last year. The Foxes will
Alle-Kiski Valley high school football notebook: Jeannette honors Chuck Wagner
October 7, 2017
Springdale planned to honor Chuck Wagner before its game against Jeannette on Friday at Veterans Memorial Field, but the Dynamos received a surprise when the
Apollo-Ridge follows Freeport’s formula for early-season success
October 4, 2017
A team heavily reliant on underclassmen after losing its top playmakers to graduation takes the Allegheny Conference by storm, winning four of its first five
Alle-Kiski Valley high school football notebook: Muzzy Colosimo expects call from WPIAL
September 30, 2017
The repercussions for the game-ending brawl between Valley and Ellwood City on Friday night have yet to be fully realized, but that likely will changeBrentwood starts fast, rolls to homecoming win over Deer Lakes
September 29, 2017
A midseason nonconference game proved to be the perfect chance for Brentwood to snap a three-game losing streak. For Deer Lakes, the wait to getA-K Valley football notebook: Riverview, Springdale to honor Wagner on Friday night
September 28, 2017
Riverview's annual night football game, scheduled for 7 Friday against Springdale, took on greater significance Monday after the death of legendary coach Chuck Wagner. Not
Burrell’s Tiger Hubbard hopes for roaring finish at WPIAL golf championships
September 27, 2017
Tiger Hubbard played for the first time on the Advocates Professional Golf Tour over the summer, and as he watched his competitors — golfers whoA-K Valley high school notebook: No. 1 Freeport, Deer Lakes brace for volleyball showdown
September 25, 2017
Deer Lakes hopes to become a consistent WPIAL girls volleyball championship contender. To do that, the Lancers have to get past a team in theirHigh school football notebook: Freshmen playing key roles for Apollo-Ridge
September 24, 2017
There are more than a dozen freshmen on the Apollo-Ridge football roster, and four of them — Klay Fitzroy, Logan Harmon, Keighton Reese and Jake
Derry defense shines in shutout of South Park
September 22, 2017
Sure, Derry's offense outscored South Park's in its win Friday. But it was the Trojans' defense that put up more points than both offenses combined.
A-K Valley football notebook: Highlands hopes to avenge loss to Mars
September 21, 2017
Logan Crise can't forget the final play of Highlands' game last season against Mars. It's not exactly an easy one to get over. With an
Allegheny Conference matchup with Shady Side Academy starts key stretch for Freeport
September 20, 2017
Were he to pick a genre of movie for the Shady Side Academy film he's viewing this week, Freeport coach John Gaillot might choose horror,
Quaker Valley set to honor ’67 football team in Hall of Fame
September 18, 2017
Fifty years later, the memories remain strong for the 1967 Quaker Valley football team. One of the best teams in the school's history and champions
A-K Valley high school football notebook: Kiski Area’s Greece picks up offer from Robert Morris
September 16, 2017
Kiski Area senior Ross Greece picked up his second scholarship offer, and first at the Football Championship Subdivision level, from Robert Morris on Saturday. TheNo. 1 Steel Valley shows off passing game in win over Valley
September 15, 2017
Steel Valley had moments when it showed how good it can be. Other times, not so much. The Ironmen, defending PIAA Class 2A champs and
A-K Valley football notebook: Underclassmen adapt quickly for Apollo-Ridge
September 14, 2017
At Apollo-Ridge, the kids are all right — or perhaps even better than that. The Vikings, who start four freshmen in Jacob Fello, Klay Fitzroy,
Northwest Nine matchup carries weight for Highlands, Knoch
September 13, 2017
During Dom Girardi's days as an assistant at Knoch, he noticed a different mentality in the players leading up to games against Highlands. More excitement.
Molitor entering Quaker Valley Hall twice in one week
September 11, 2017
While some members of the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame have résumés filled with gaudy point totals and school records, Scott Molitor's body ofA-K Valley high school notebook: Burrell girls soccer revives its singing career
How's this for an encore: The Alle-Kiski Valley's most recognizable musical soccer players are singing again this season. With the sound system malfunctioning before their
Four boys golf teams in Section 1-AA battling for two playoff spots
September 10, 2017
Hal Biehl didn't hazard a guess about how the second half of the Section 1-AA boys golf race would play out. Doing so would seem
Alle-Kiski Valley notebook: Records fall in Highlands football loss to New Castle
September 9, 2017
When the dust settles and the statistics are compiled, Highlands' 48-47, double-overtime loss Friday to New Castle will go down as one of the moreLate score leads Fox Chapel past Woodland Hills
September 8, 2017
Fox Chapel seemed to have lost composure and gone on its way to 0-3 with less than 10 minutes to go, but the Foxes made
A-K Valley high school football notebook: Gildea newest member of Plum’s ‘Kicker Crew’
September 7, 2017
In the vein of Penn State's andquot;Linebacker U,andquot; Plum football has developed something of a andquot;Kicker Crew.andquot; Senior Jackson Gildea became just the most recentEF’s Benedek-Martik connection snaps Derry’s regular-season win streak
September 1, 2017
Elizabeth Forward did not play a Week Zero game, but the Warriors came out for Week 1 in midseason form. Warriors quarterback Zachary Benedek threw
Recent rivalry game results motivate Plum, Kiski Area
August 30, 2017
Ross Greece recalled the last time Kiski Area visited Plum's Mustangs Stadium, in 2014, one of the low points in the Cavaliers' recent history. InJeannette’s Kennedy saves day versus East Allegheny
August 25, 2017
The big-time players showed up in back-and-forth battle, but Jeannette's Robert Kennedy came up with the final big play. Kennedy broke up a two-point conversionA-K Valley football notebook: Springdale hopes to improve before conference opener with Clairton
August 24, 2017
Springdale faces an enormous challenge in its Class A Eastern Conference opener: a road date with Clairton, the three-time defending WPIAL Class A champion. By
Freeport football in unique situation without a Week 1 opponent
John Gaillot has nothing on his calendar for the first night of September. It's an odd situation for a high school football coach, to have
Springdale 1st-year coach Napierkowski returns to alma mater Burrell for opener
Seth Napierkowski knows his way around Burrell's Buccaneer Stadium, but he still may need some directions finding the visiting locker room Friday night. andquot;I'm going
In-control Ross set to channel emotional, hard-hitting style into bigger role for Valley
August 22, 2017
Deonte Ross walks a fine line with his emotions on the football field. One of Valley's leaders on the field, Ross often channeled his intensity
Veteran leaders ready to set tone for Quaker Valley
August 21, 2017
Only weeks after a surprise coaching change had Quaker Valley football in the headlines, the Quakers are back to business as usual on the eve
First day of football practice brings energy, hope for A-K Valley teams
August 14, 2017
As Deer Lakes players sprinted to midfield Monday afternoon, the last warm-up drill before breaking into defensive work, coach Steve Sciullo broke away from a
Munizza’s archiving efforts land him in Quaker Valley hall of fame
Whether you're looking to find out Quaker Valley's football record in the 1960s or verify who the 400-meter record holder is at the school, JohnVeshio hits ground running with Quaker Valley football
August 9, 2017
Jerry Veshio has held plenty of titles at Quaker Valley, but at this point in his career, he was trying to trim the list, not
Volleyball standout Schneider set to join Quaker Valley HOF
August 7, 2017
When Quaker Valley volleyball hit a high point in the early 2000s, Janette Schneider was in the middle of the action. Schneider, a four-year starter
2017 Diamond Dolls Softball All-Stars
June 24, 2017
Morgan Ryan finished off a great career as a Hempfield pitcher this season. Bailey Parshall still has one year left as a pitcher at Belle Vernon, but already has had a great career. The two were so good this season - and in their careers - that the MSA Sports staff found it impossible to pick one over the other as Player of the Year. So there is a double take on Player of the Year this year. Ryan and Parshall have been selected co-Players of the Year and lead the MSA Diamond Dolls softball all-star team. The Diamond Dolls are the top 12 players in the WPIAL, regardless of position, and they are picked by the MSA staff. Here are thumbnail sketches of the players of the year and the rest of the Diamond Dolls team.
Central York Tops North Allegheny for 3-A Volleyball Gold
June 10, 2017
The North Allegheny boys' volleyball team opened the 2017 season with a victory over Central York for the championship at the NA Invitational in late March. The Tigers were hoping to finish the season the same way it began, with another win over Central York. The storybook finish was not to be, however, as the Tigers lost their only match of the season on Saturday in the PIAA Class AAA championship, a 3-1 defeat to the Panthers from District 3. North Allegheny started strong and won the opening set convincingly, 25-20. Canyon Tuman posted four kills and Luke Visgitis totaled three kills and a pair of blocks. Tuman and teammate Jason Stiefvater hammered out a team-best 12 kills apiece.
WPIAL Alum Q&A – Sam Mersing
June 5, 2017
As the spring sports season nears a conclusion, the WPIAL Alum Q&A takes a look back at a former Montour star who just concluded a successful baseball career at the University of Pittsburgh. Sam Mersing is this week's feature for the final spotlight for the 2016-17 school year. Mersing began his varsity career with the Spartans as a freshman in 2010, and helped the team qualify for the postseason, following a three-year absence. That campaign, Montour went 15-7, defeating Greensburg Salem in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs, but then falling to Hopewell in the semifinals.Scholastic Notebook – 02/06/2015
February 6, 2015
Penn State football coach James Franklin lost out on the top player in the WPIAL class of 2015 when Central Valley’s Jordan Whitehead signed with Pitt. Other than Whitehead, Penn State had plenty of success in the WPIAL. At least more than the Nittany Lions have had in recent history. Penn State signed four players from the WPIAL this season. That might not seem like a lot, but it is more than the past four classes combined. In fact, only twice in the past 10 years has Penn State landed four or more players from the WPIAL. In 2010, Penn State signed five WPIAL players and four in 2007. Two of the past four years, Penn State did not sign one WPIAL player.Scholastic Notebook – 04/20/2014
April 20, 2014
If you look at the three sports of football, basketball and baseball, Baldwin has been more like Baldloss the past few years. But finally, the baseball team is putting the win back in Baldwin. Things have been absolutely perfect so far this spring for the Baldwin baseball team. The Highlanders have a perfect 7-0 record after a 13-3 victory over Gateway on Saturday. This winning is new for the three teams of football, basketball and baseball at Baldwin. There hasn’t been a winning season in those three major sports since the basketball team went 14-8 in the 2009-10 season and the baseball team went 12-6 in the 2010 season. The football team hasn’t had a winning season since 2003.FREE AU$1400 On line casino Bonus!
January 1, 2013
Get up to five identical reels and 243 win traces on each one of many 50 free spins on this great slots.2012-2013 WPIAL GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW
December 3, 2012
When it comes to finding the top girls basketball teams in WPIAL Class AAAA this season, the South Hills are alive.Section 4 of Class AAAA is loaded with strong teams this season. The section always is good, but got even better this season with the addition of Chartiers Valley. Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair are three other teams in the section that are among the best in Class AAAA.The season gets underway Friday night and here is a preview:CLASS AAAASECTION 1Team to beatPenn-Trafford. The Warriors finished 18-5 last season and have a strong backcourt tandem with senior guards Taylor Cortazzo and Nicole Hyland.Two more to watchKiski Area and Norwin.2012 PIHL Penguins Cup High School Hockey CLASS A Blog
March 24, 2012
It's championship time, so that means it's MSA Sports blog time! Sure, we are the only place to listen to all three PIHL Penguins Cup Championship Games live (and archived), but if you don't have the time and want a quick update on the happenings of the high school hockey finals all day long from the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.CLASS A: #1 QUAKER VALLEY QUAKERS vs. #2 MARS PLANETSThe Champions:FINAL SCORE: Quaker Valley 4, Mars 2.GOAL! Mars is making it interesting, cutting it to 4-2 Quaker Valley on a Power Play goal by Robert Foley. One minute to go here in this one.GOAL! Mars will not be shut out in this one. Robert Foley scores with 4:21 remaining to make it now 4-1 Quaker Valley.
2012 WPIAL Class AAA Individual Wrestling Results
March 4, 2012
The WPIAL Individual Championships finished the same way the Team Championships did, with the Canon-McMillan Big Macs on top. Canon-McMillan finished first in the team standings with 216.5 points, over 100 more than the 2nd place team Central Catholic (112 points). Franklin Regional (111 points), Hampton (107.5 points), and Greensburg Salem (99 points) wrapped up the top five.Helping Canon-McMillan win the team race were 8 wrestlers making it to the finals. Conner Schram (120), Solomon Chishko (138), outstanding wrestler Cody Wiercioch (182), and Cody Klempay (285) were all champions for the Big Macs, as they will take 8 wrestlers to Hershey next week. Franklin Regional will have 4 wrestlers advance to the PIAA tournament while Central Catholic, Kiski, North Allegheny, and Upper St. Clair will all have 3 wrestlers advancing.Peters Twp and Sewickley Academy Win PIAA Girls Team Tennis Crowns
October 27, 2011
Three of the four finalists in the 2011 PIAA Girls Team Tennis Championships were from District 7 as 2011 WPIAL champions Peters Township in AAA and Sewickley Academy in AA became 2011 PIAA Girls Team Tennis champions Saturday in Hershey.CTK 2010 – WPIAL/City League Week Two Scrimmages
August 21, 2010
One scrimmage is in the books and one more coming up this weekend as WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League football teams continue to prepare for the kickoff of the 2010 season. Scrimmage number two will take place this Friday, August 27th and Saturday, August 28th. Here is a rundown of all the second week scrimmages involving WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League high school football teams.
Experience pays for Franklin Regional in playoff win over Thomas Jefferson
February 18, 2019
In WPIAL basketball, playoff experience knows no bounds.
Derry’s mission: win program’s 1st playoff game
February 17, 2019
Derry’s motivation for the WPIAL boys basketball playoffs isn’t completely centered on a timeline aspect. The Trojans had not been to the postseason since 2007-08, so this has been quite a significant run.
Seton LaSalle boys eliminate Southmoreland at WPIALs
February 16, 2019
Seton LaSalle eliminated the hyphen from its name a while back.
Valley’s Darius Johnson named Valley News Dispatch’s Boys Athlete of the Year
July 7, 2018
Darius Johnson could use one of his best athletic attributes in all three of his sports. His leaping ability makes him a deadly deep threat
Saunders getting feet wet with Kiski Area boys basketball
July 6, 2018
Kiski Area split its first two games at Friday's Westmoreland County Coaches Association boys basketball shootout at Hempfield — winning comfortably in a bright-and-early gameSpringdale set to begin boys basketball coach interviews
July 3, 2018
Springdale is getting ready to enter the second phase of its boys basketball coaching search. Athletic director Ray Davis said interviews will begin next week
Deer Lakes basketball coach Parham doing instruction work in China
Terence Parham is taking another summer trip to China. The Deer Lakes boys basketball coach left over the weekend to go to China for a
Freeport’s Ally DeJidas named Valley News Dispatch Softball Player of the Year
June 30, 2018
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Ally DeJidas Freeport, jr., center field Ally DeJidas knows her favorite home run from the spring season: a three-run blast that
Aaron Albert excited to be ‘home’ coaching Kiski Area baseball
June 22, 2018
Only one school could pry Aaron Albert away from his position as Beaver's baseball coach. And that school came calling. Calling it an opportunity he
Burrell hires Leechburg’s Joel Ceraso as girls basketball coach
June 21, 2018
Joel Ceraso sees similarities to his most recent coaching job when assessing his new one. A team needing a boost after missing the playoffs Check.
Fox returns to coach at ‘special place’ Apollo-Ridge
June 15, 2018
Greg Fox had perfect timing. He bought a house in Apollo this spring, just as the Apollo-Ridge boys basketball coaching position was opening — almost
Vincentian Academy chasing 2nd PIAA baseball title in 3 seasons
June 14, 2018
Brad Bestic all but shrugged when reminded of the 10:30 a.m. first pitch for Vincentian's appearance in the PIAA Class A baseball finals Friday. Baseball
Giannotta steps down as Seneca Valley boys basketball coach
June 12, 2018
Victor Giannotta doesn't plan to stop coaching, but it won't be at Seneca Valley. Citing other andquot;basketball opportunities,andquot; Giannotta, 53, resigned after 14 seasons as
A-K Valley notebook: We Serve First Foundation sponsors volleyball campers, coach
June 7, 2018
Ellen and Tim Toy found strength through volleyball during Ellen's years-long battle with cancer, and the sport continues to serve as a way to honor
Mt. Pleasant softball again avenges loss to WPIAL champion Belle Vernon
Mt. Pleasant stewed about its WPIAL semifinal loss to Belle Vernon, a game in which the defending state champion Vikings finished without a hit and
Shady Side Academy QB/DB Moore gaining recruiters’ attention during offseason
June 6, 2018
Skyy Moore diligently reached out to college football coaches during his junior season at Shady Side Academy, following them on social media and sending out
Secrets to success: Greensburg Central Catholic’s Rice brothers share unspoken signals
June 3, 2018
James and Paul Rice share signals on the baseball field, unspoken messages to gain an edge when an opponent might least expect it. The brothers
A-K Valley baseball, softball teams coping with abrupt end to playoffs
June 2, 2018
Freeport's end-of-season softball meeting Thursday coincided with the WPIAL Class 4A softball championship game at Seton Hill. And when the Yellowjackets learned of the result
Apollo-Ridge brings back Greg Fox as boys basketball coach
June 1, 2018
Apollo-Ridge is bringing back a familiar face to lead its boys basketball program again. The district recently voted to hire Greg Fox, who previously coached
Union holds off Leechburg rally to earn berth to PIAA Class A softball playoffs
May 29, 2018
Three innings into the WPIAL Class A consolation softball game, the outcome appeared a foregone conclusion. Then, fitting for a game that would determine a
‘Fiery and determined’ Freeport seniors aim for PIAA softball playoffs
Friday represented the last day for seniors at Freeport, the Class of 2018 cleaning out lockers and picking up caps and gowns for the upcoming
Feeling blue: Leechburg softball dyes hair in bonding experience
May 27, 2018
Kristen Knapp enjoys dying her hair, and inspiration recently caused the Leechburg catcher to consider adding some blue streaks as part of the Blue Devils'
Promotion at Hampton led to Steve Sciullo’s tough decision to leave Deer Lakes
May 25, 2018
Steve Sciullo always preached the importance of family to his Deer Lakes football players. So when a too-good-to-pass-up opportunity came, Sciullo knew he had to
Class 5A baseball semifinals set in Thursday’s 3 things to watch in high school sports
May 23, 2018
All six of the WPIAL softball championship games are set for next week at Seton Hill University while five of the six baseball title contests
Valley baseball team believes ‘surreal’ run can continue
May 20, 2018
Jim Basilone's baseball life extends far enough back that he can recall the last time Valley won a postseason game. His players Not even close.
For St. Joseph softball, it’s ‘time to have fun’
May 19, 2018
St. Joseph experienced the excitement of the WPIAL softball playoffs last spring for the first time in the program's three-decade history. But with that excitement
A-K Valley notebook: Long wait for Leechburg, Freeport softball
May 18, 2018
Freeport and Leechburg originally planned to play their WPIAL softball playoff openers Thursday. They did get on the field but for a scrimmage against each
Thompson resigns as Springdale boys basketball coach
Seth Thompson never anticipated becoming a basketball coach for life. And after spending more than a decade doing it, he decided it was time to
St. Joseph uses 12-run first inning to rout Western Beaver in softball playoff opener
May 14, 2018
Anna Swierczewski said St. Joseph's seniors want to end their high school softball careers with a bang. The Spartans certainly started the postseason with one.
Former NFL lineman Sciullo steps down as Deer Lakes coach
The jolliest green giant is moving on. Steve Sciullo, the former NFL offensive lineman who led Deer Lakes to the second WPIAL playoff appearance in
Defending champions seek repeat performances at WPIAL meet
The WPIAL Class AAA and AA track and field individual finals are Thursday at Baldwin, and there are several athletes who will attempt to defendAlle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Burrell softball hopes for better luck in playoffs
May 13, 2018
Burrell might want to avoid any black cats, ladders or shattered mirrors before its WPIAL Class 3A softball playoff opener next week. The Bucs (11-4),
Determined Freeport softball team strives for 1st WPIAL title
May 12, 2018
A frequent drill during Freeport's softball practice focuses on the importance of 21 outs — always focusing on the next one, never looking back at
Plum, Freeport, Valley awarded No. 5 seeds in WPIAL baseball playoffs
May 11, 2018
The WPIAL gave the Alle-Kiski Valley a high five. That represented the seeds awarded to the Plum, Freeport and Valley baseball teams, the top ones
Freeport, Leechburg softball teams welcome 1st-round bye
May 10, 2018
Freeport allowed itself a brief moment to consider the andquot;outside possibilityandquot; of receiving the top seed in the WPIAL Class 3A softball playoffs, coach Sam
Knoch’s Jake Herrit wins award from MaxPreps, Marine Corps
Knoch senior Jake Herrit stars in a pair of sports for the Knights. That, plus volunteer work, helped him win a national award. Herrit was
Freeport hires Wayne Greiser as boys basketball coach
Freeport held an open-gym boys basketball workout Thursday, part of normal offseason training. But the session gave the Yellowjackets' new coach a chance to work
Leechburg softball confident it can make postseason run
May 9, 2018
Morgan Pierce insisted to teammates last spring that Leechburg would end its seven-year drought without winning a WPIAL playoff game. So it makes sense what
Leechburg softball snatches section title from St. Joseph
May 8, 2018
St. Joseph was eyeing a historic win for its program against one of the most successful in WPIAL softball history. Leechburg didn't let it happen.
Four softball teams from Section 1-5A competing for 2 playoff spots
May 7, 2018
Her team began the final week of the regular season with a WPIAL softball playoff spot uncertain and only one game left to secure it,
Burrell girls on track for another WPIAL team title
May 6, 2018
Faith Remich witnessed every part of the Burrell girls track and field team's growth over the past four years, from an under-the-rader program to a
Battle with cancer switches perspective for St. Joseph sophomore
A long scar covers Eli Swierczewski's upper right arm, from his elbow to his shoulder. The 16-year-old sophomore tricked one of his St. Joseph baseball
Knoch rallies past No. 2 Freeport to claim Section 1-4A title
May 3, 2018
Freeport had Knoch down to its final out, with the section title in the balance. But the Yellowjackets couldn't score the Knoch-out blow. Class 4A
No. 2 Freeport blanks Burrell to earn share of Section 1-3A title
May 1, 2018
Tori Radvan took a line drive off her right calf, then a pitch off her left knee, all within the span of five or so
In quest for championship, Burrell softball team puts focus on details
April 30, 2018
As Burrell attempted to close out its Section 1-3A softball game at Deer Lakes last week, the Bucs' coaches focused on their players' attention to
Todd Massack wants to restore Riverview football to former winning ways
April 29, 2018
Todd Massack can see the football field at Riverside Park from his kitchen window, so it's no stretch to day the success of Riverview's program
Deer Lakes’ extra-inning win over Freeport moves Lancers into playoff position
April 27, 2018
Andrew Bokulich didn't get his bunt attempts down in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he gladly will take the ultimate result of his
Freeport’s Cowan pitches immaculate inning against Deer Lakes
Freeport senior Brodey Cowan achieved a rarity on the mound in the Yellowjackets' 2-1 loss to Deer Lakes on Friday: the immaculate inning. Cowan struck
Kelly Nitowski’s grand slam leads Burrell softball over Deer Lakes
Burrell is putting Denny's on notice. The Bucs specialize in grand slams, too. Kelly Nitowski became the latest to clear the bases after clearing the
After winning 6 straight section titles, Deer Lakes softball in unfamiliar position
April 25, 2018
A small part of Deer Lakes' post-practice conversation Wednesday centered around the team's uniform choice for Thursday's Section 1-3A softball tilt against Burrell. The Lancers
Freeport baseball, softball teams adept at late-inning heroics this season
April 24, 2018
Freeport is developing something of an inside joke in its softball dugout. Early deficit No biggie. The Yellowjackets will make up for it later. Overcome
Freeport’s DeJidas tosses no-hitter, hits two home runs in victory
April 23, 2018
Freeport rallied around Ally on Monday. Junior Ally DeJidas pitched a no-hitter and slugged a pair of three-run home runs, leading Class 3A No. 2
A-K Valley notebook: Spring sports realignment affects area teams
April 19, 2018
The 2019 and '20 baseball seasons will include some sections heavy on Alle-Kiski Valley teams. The WPIAL released baseball, softball and lacrosse alignments for theA-K Valley notebook: Spring sports realignment affects area teams
The 2019 and 2020 baseball seasons will include some sections heavy on Alle-Kiski Valley teams. The WPIAL released baseball, softball and lacrosse alignments for the
Section-title aspirations driving Burrell baseball
Mark Spohn didn't waste words as he outlined what Burrell needs to do to achieve its goals in the Section 1-3A baseball race. andquot;Just keep
A-K Valley H.S. notebook: Kiski Area wrestlers want a hand
April 14, 2018
Kiski Area is seeking assistance as it looks to commemorate its championship wrestling season. The team's boosters set up a GoFundMe page as a way
Constant postponements having impact on A-K Valley baseball, softball teams
April 9, 2018
A season-opening trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., provided Deer Lakes the opportunity to play four baseball games in three days, valuable experience for early in
Freeport’s Beale, Leechburg’s Lovelace earn Valley News Dispatch Players of the Year
April 7, 2018
Freeport's Ben Beale and Leechburg's Mikayla Lovelace have been named Valley News Dispatch Basketball Players of the Year Boys Player of the Year Ben Beale
Franklin Regional softball rallies past Kiski Area to win section opener
April 6, 2018
Franklin Regional's offense for the first four innings resembled the Parkway East during Friday rush hour: plenty of traffic and not much movement. It caused
Trio of Alle-Kiski softball teams want deeper playoff runs
April 3, 2018
John Kinnamon got more than a fair share of strange looks from his Apollo-Ridge softball players when he declared playoffs as a team goal last
A-K Valley notebook: Early-season wet weather wreaking havoc on schedules
March 29, 2018
Western Pennsylvania coaches may be humming a tune familiar to grade-school children this week: Rain, rain, go away. A third consecutive day of rain Thursday
First-year baseball coaches at Springdale, Highlands, Fox Chapel happy to coach at alma mater
Brett Burger noticed one distinct difference at Springdale Junior-Senior High School from his days as a student just over a dozen years ago: D wing
A-K Valley High school notebook: Roundball Classic to feature area players, coaches
March 27, 2018
The Alle-Kiski Valley will have representation on the court and the sidelines at the Roundball Classic All-Star basketball games next month at Geneva. The two-day
Tutchstone resigns as Kiski Area boys basketball coach
Joey Tutchstone didn't sleep much Monday night, but it had nothing to do with the 3-month-old baby in the house. He was dreading his scheduled
Winter weather delays start of spring season for A-K Valley teams
March 23, 2018
Burrell checks the extended weather forecast at the end of each softball practice, hoping to get an idea of when it might take advantage of
Cager Classic notebook: Ex-Ford City standout returns as coach
March 22, 2018
Jason Kerr doesn't remember much about the 2001 Cager Classic, but he still is getting a chance to relive the experience this weekend. Kerr, the
Cager Classic last hurrah for longtime high school teammates
Cam Davies, Mikayla Lovelace and Brittany Robilio played more than 90 games together over the past four seasons at Leechburg, breaking school records and laying
A-K Valley high school notebook: Deer Lakes, Plum baseball heading south
March 20, 2018
Forget going south for the winter. A pair of Alle-Kiski Valley baseball teams are doing it to get a head start on spring. Deer Lakes
Riverview brings back Massack as football coach
March 19, 2018
Riverview received significant interest for its football coaching vacancy, including a handful of candidates with prior experience leading programs. The Raiders turned to a candidate
Plum baseball armed for success
March 18, 2018
Plum baseball coach Carl Vollmer believes his team has the right recipe to contend for a WPIAL baseball championship this spring. And it's no surpriseExperienced Plum softball team eager for outside action
The Plum softball team looked pretty good in early practices this March, at least in coach Jim McGrath's eyes. There's just one problem. andquot;Everybody looks
ITPS Classic charity basketball games face resistance over underclassmen participation
As an event organizer, Shane Phillips has read and reread Article IX of the PIAA bylaws, particularly Section 2 that deals with all-star games. The
Kiski Area’s Heater named PIAA Coach of the Year
March 13, 2018
Three Kiski Area wrestlers brought home medals from the PIAA wrestling championships, including senior Isaac Reid's first-place finish, but their coach picked up some hardware
Uncertainty clouds Deer Lakes baseball after losing 10 seniors
March 12, 2018
Josh Tysk coaches in the WPIAL, not Major League Baseball. But the differences he notices on his Deer Lakes roster compared to, say, the Houston
Deer Lakes softball to be tested in quest for 7th straight section title
Katelynn Blair remembers traveling to Penn State with the Deer Lakes softball team in 2015, when the Lancers ultimately finished as the PIAA runner-up. As
Ability to defend all 5 positions key for Highlands boys basketball
Highlands coach Tyler Stoczynski knows the time will come during games when his 6-foot-6 center, Shawn Erceg, will get matched up against an opponent's smaller,
Burrell wrestlers make best of final day at state championships
March 10, 2018
HERSHEY — Corey Christie's final high school wrestling match came down to a battle of wills, and the Burrell senior had the proper motivation. Christie
Jefferson-Morgan’s Teasale wins 4th PIAA wrestling championship
HERSHEY — Gavin Teasdale does nothing but win in Chocolate Town. The Jefferson-Morgan senior became just the 13th wrestler to win four PIAA individual titles,
4 Burrell wrestlers, Valley’s Schuffert advance to medal round at PIAA Class AA tournament
March 9, 2018
HERSHEY — Ian Oswalt works on spin moves sometimes as a joke during Burrell wrestling practices. Given how well it worked when he pulled it
Kiski Area’s Levett, Reid aim to join McCutcheon as PIAA wrestling champion
HERSHEY — Noah Levett and Isaac Reid looked up to Matt McCutcheon as they grew up in the Kiski Area youth wrestling program. They need
Seeking 4th straight PIAA wrestling title, Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale advances to semifinals
HERSHEY — Gavin Teasdale is halfway to history. The Jefferson-Morgan senior moved one step closer to becoming the 13th wrestler to win four PIAA individualAlle-Kiski high school notebook: Cager Classic will have scorers galore
March 8, 2018
The Cager Classic has featured a number of top players throughout its 22-year history, and the latest edition will include 2,000-point scorers and Division I
After strong start, Kiski Area sends all 5 qualifiers to PIAA wrestling quarterfinals
HERSHEY — Nick Delp didn't want to ruin Kiski Area's dinner plans. After watching three of his teammates win their first-round matchups back-to-back-to-back on the
Jefferson-Morgan’s Teasdale among 16 WPIAL wrestlers to advance to PIAA quarterfinals
HERSHEY — Gavin Teasdale has a habit of coming up big in the Giant Center, and he provided more evidence of that Thursday morning. The
Valley heavyweight Schuffert among 3 A-K Valley wrestlers to reach PIAA Class AA quarterfinals
HERSHEY — A PIAA official briefly stopped David Schuffert on Thursday morning because he wasn't wearing the pass around his neck he needed to access
Worth the weight: Preparation, diet, exercise helps area wrestlers stay in peak condition
March 7, 2018
David Schuffert likes to torture his Valley wrestling teammates sometimes. The junior heavyweight doesn't exactly have to follow the same diet protocols as most wrestlers,
A-K Valley wrestlers look forward to PIAA tournament debuts
March 6, 2018
Jack Blumer sat by himself after losing in the so-called andquot;blood roundandquot; during the WPIAL Class AAA wrestling championships in 2017, his dreams of qualifying
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Kiski Area’s Reid reflects after claiming title
Isaac Reid pointed both index fingers to the ceiling in Canon-McMillan's gym, then animatedly switched to a raise-the-roof motion after winning his first title in
Kiski Area’s Reid reflective after winning first WPIAL title
March 5, 2018
Isaac Reid pointed both index fingers to the ceiling in Canon-McMillan's gym, then animatedly switched to a raise-the-roof motion after winning his first title in
Kiski Area sets school record with 4 WPIAL wrestling champs
March 3, 2018
Jack Blumer called his shot. So did his coach. And it paved the way for a record-breaking day for Kiski Area at the WPIAL Class
Kiski Area’s Noah Levett suffers injury but says he will be good for WPIAL wrestling semis
March 2, 2018
Noah Levett moved closer to his goal of his first WPIAL wrestling championship Friday, but it didn't come without some nervous moments. The Kiski Area
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Hutcherson decides to step away at Armstrong
March 1, 2018
Greg Hutcherson founded his Top Level All-Stars AAU program with the slogan andquot;Hard work pays off.andquot; As he began to see the work with his
In final trip to WPIAL tournament, Kiski Area’s Levett finally gets to be the favorite
February 28, 2018
Noah Levett needed just one glance at his weight bracket to confirm the difficulty of his task at the WPIAL wrestling championships the past three
Franklin Regional tops section rival Highlands to advance to WPIAL title game
February 27, 2018
Franklin Regional coach Steve Scorpion didn't believe his team ever got in a counterpunch during a Section 3-5A loss to Highlands last month. In a
WPIAL finals berth on the line in rubber match between Franklin Regional, Highlands
February 26, 2018
As is the norm at such times, WPIAL basketball coaches said all the right things upon the release of the playoff seeds and brackets earlier
Burrell’s Oswalt, Valley’s Schuffert rebound after narrow losses, take 3rd at regionals
February 24, 2018
Ian Oswalt had other goals for Saturday night than wrestling in the third-place match at the PIAA Class AA Southwest Regional. But when his best-laidSewickley Academy boys basketball dispatches Leechburg
February 23, 2018
Sewickley Academy's all-around game might not have been its sharpest, but the Panthers' shooting certainly looked the part of a No. 1 seed. Jett Roesing
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Section shake-up rekindles rivalries
If coaches anywhere can count on one constant, it's change. That oxymoron aside, WPIAL basketball will undergo a shake-up over the next two seasons as
Defending champion Chartiers-Houston girls hold off Leechburg to reach semifinals
February 22, 2018
As unlikely as it appeared just minutes earlier, Leechburg's record-breaking senior class made one last run at some more history. A 17-point deficit gave way
St. Joseph, Quigley Catholic girls have built WPIAL playoff rivalry in recent seasons
Barely five minutes elapsed after St. Joseph's WPIAL playoff victory over Geibel last weekend before Chloe Kurpakus brought up the subject of the Spartans' next
Kiski Area girls basketball coach Ionadi resigns
Nick Ionadi frequently spent seven days a week in the gym working with his girls basketball pupils. But with extra hours cropping up in his
Ambridge rallies in 2nd half to top Deer Lakes in WPIAL Class 4A 1st round
February 21, 2018
The story of David and Goliath seemed an apt comparison for Deer Lakes' and Ambridge's boys basketball playoff game in a visual sense Wednesday, what
Advance ticket sales for Highlands, Springdale boys basketball
A pair of Alle-Kiski Valley boys basketball teams are holding advance ticket sales Thursday for their WPIAL quarterfinal games. Highlands is selling tickets for the
Burrell wrestler Ethan Awes prepares for final shot at making state tournament
February 20, 2018
Ethan Awes' season began with the same high hopes as many of his fellow wrestlers. Somewhere along the way, it turned into what the Burrell
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Class AAA wrestlers set for sectionals
WPIAL Class AA got its individual postseason going last week. Now it's Class AAA's turn. Sectional tournaments Saturday will mark the beginning of the individual
A-K Valley basketball teams seek elusive playoff wins
February 19, 2018
Shortly after taking over as Deer Lakes boys basketball coach in 2015, Terence Parham learned how much time had elapsed since the Lancers last tastedAllderdice boys make it a 5-peat in City League
February 17, 2018
No two seasons are alike, but the last five in City League boys basketball have ended with Allderdice raising the trophy. Jackson Blaufeld scored a
A-K Valley high school notebook: Leechburg’s Mikayla Lovelace to face fellow 2,000-point scorer
Mikayla Lovelace played against Sam Breen and Brenna Wise earlier in her high school career and has a close friendship with Amani Johnson and AlexaWorth the Waite: Sophomore leads Allderdice to City League girls basketball title
The smallest player on the court had the biggest impact down the stretch for Allderdice. Emma Waite, a 5-foot sophomore guard, sparked a 12-0 run
Riverside beats Burrell at its own game in opening round
February 16, 2018
A strong defense spearheaded Burrell's success this season, helping the Bucs overcome an inconsistent offense. But although the Bucs won a share of a section
A-K Valley boys basketball teams rely on backcourt leaders
February 15, 2018
Asked to detail his role, and those of his fellow backcourt members at Valley, Dru Stokes ticked them off one by one. There's junior Nyjewel
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Teams stay busy during layoff
Not expecting a long layoff before his team's WPIAL playoff opener, Deer Lakes boys basketball coach Terence Parham waited to begin talking with fellow coachesA-K Valley wrestling notebook: Class AA wrestlers again have quick turnaround for WPIALs
February 14, 2018
For the second consecutive season, less than a day will separate the first two tournaments of WPIAL's Class AA individual postseason. Sectional tournaments for Class
Burrell, Valley wrestlers prepare for individual tournaments
During his days as a record-setting wrestler at Shady Side Academy, Dane Johnson always wanted to fast-forward to the individual portion of the season. He
Highlands, Fox Chapel boys rewarded with byes for late-season charges
February 13, 2018
Uncertainty surrounded Highlands at the beginning of the boys basketball season, the graduation of four starters from one of the more successful stretches in recent
Basketball coaches play guessing game in advance of WPIAL pairings meeting
February 12, 2018
One game may not make or break a season, but it can have an impact on a team's postseason fate. So after Freeport gutted outFreeport’s Beale scores 30 in OT victory at Deer Lakes
February 9, 2018
Freeport didn't forget its Section 1-4A finale last season, when Deer Lakes came onto the Yellowjackets' home floor and denied them a share of a
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Springdale boys experience ‘eerie situation’
February 8, 2018
Springdale probably can't be blamed if it feels a case of unwanted deja vu going into its Section 2-2A boys basketball finale Friday at Riverview.
Plum girls earn playoff spot with win over Franklin Regional
In a game tied at halftime with a playoff berth on the line, Plum's young players showed how much they've grown since the start of
Alle-Kiski wrestling notebook: Burrell goes blond for PIAA tournament
February 7, 2018
Burrell wrestling might be going for the gold this weekend in Hershey, but the Bucs already went platinum. As part of a yearly tradition, Burrell's
Springdale boys face familiar circumstance in section finale
The math is simple for Springdale's boys basketball team as the Dynamos prepare for their Section 2-2A finale Friday at arch-rival Riverview. Win, and Springdale
Fouls become common occurrence for rivals Deer Lakes, Valley
Deer Lakes and Valley added some evidence to the adage about familiarity breeding contempt Tuesday night. The Section 1-4A boys basketball rivals' second meeting in
Valley boys win foul-fest against Deer Lakes
February 6, 2018
For the second time in four days, Deer Lakes and Valley played a physical, whistle-filled, down-to-the-wire basketball game. The similarities ended there. A fast-paced, chaotic
Burrell, Kiski Area prepare for ‘business trip’ in Hershey
Kiski Area may swing by Hershey's Chocolate World sometime this weekend after competing in the PIAA wrestling tournament. But the Cavaliers have a bigger treat
Losses to top teams prepare Sewickley Academy boys for postseason run
February 5, 2018
Sewickley Academy has had no shortage of big-time opponents on its schedule, and the Panthers have one more big test before they set out to
Burrell wrestling relishes every WPIAL team championship
February 4, 2018
As he basked in the fourth and final WPIAL team championship of his Burrell wrestling career, Shaun Gates looked in the rearview mirror at some
Cheswick Christian basketball teams push toward playoffs
Clinton Blazevich looks for the right balance when establishing expectations for the Cheswick Christian girls basketball team. He tries not to aim too high, not
Coaching staff stability key for Burrell, Kiski Area wrestling programs
February 2, 2018
Danny Starr sees dozens of different faces on the team photos that plaster the walls of Kiski Area's wrestling room. Yet for all the variedBurrell boys basketball beats SSA to forge tie for 1st in section
One primary thought ran through Jake Okapol's mind as he maneuvered around teammate Donovan Russell's pick in the final minute Friday. andquot;Win the game,andquot; he
Bellinotti resigns as Burrell football coach
February 1, 2018
Dave Bellinotti had long, difficult questions in recent weeks about his future at Burrell. In the end, he decided the time was right to moveKiski Area wrestlers storm past Greensburg Salem into WPIAL semifinals
January 31, 2018
Kiski Area wrestlers fully plugged in to watch Bobby Lawrence's 126-pound bout during the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals Wednesday, the final matchup of the Cavaliers'
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Burrell freshmen making impact
January 30, 2018
If there's such a thing as a rookie wall in high school wrestling, Burrell's freshmen don't appear to have received the memo. The Bucs' three
Deer Lakes girls savor rare win at Burrell
Victoria Keibler remembers her older teammates telling her about Deer Lakes' struggles at Burrell when she joined the Lancers as a freshman. So it felt
Russell makes giant strides for Burrell boys basketball
For his role as Giant Rumblebuffin in Burrell's fall production of andquot;The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,andquot; Donovan Russell needed to don stilts. TheDeer Lakes girls hold off Burrell in critical Section 1-4A matchup
End-of-game situations don't get much run at Deer Lakes girls basketball practices. But with a game critical to the Lancers' playoff hopes hanging in the
Monessen guard Henderson’s 55-point game among WPIAL, state’s best
January 25, 2018
In case you missed it, Monessen's Lyndon Henderson scored 55 points on Wednesday night, the highest scoring output of the season in the WPIAL. Henderson,
Burrell’s Corrado upsets top-ranked Kazalas of Quaker Valley
January 24, 2018
Burrell's coaches told A.J. Corrado to wrestle aggressively against Quaker Valley's John Rocco Kazalas during their 132-pound bout in the semifinals of the Section 3-AA
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Burrell gets look at state’s top competition
Although Wednesday represents the official start of the team wrestling postseason with WPIAL sectional tournaments, Burrell already began its stretch run last weekend at Brookville's
Burrell chasing 15th straight section tournament title
Shaun Gates admits to not knowing the exact number of consecutive section team tournaments Burrell won. Given the length of the streak — the total
WPIAL boys basketball playoff races heating up in Alle-Kiski Valley
January 23, 2018
Back in the gym Monday after a pair of narrow losses last week, Deer Lakes was focusing squarely on its upcoming schedule. The Lancers couldn't
Leechburg boys riding high after Jeannette upset
January 22, 2018
The congratulatory text messages and phone calls spilled in to Corey Smith's phone for much of the weekend after Leechburg's 47-42 upset of Class 2A
Washington guides Quaker Valley to 11-0 start, No. 1 ranking with greater goals still ahead
Quaker Valley basketball is looking like a platinum-selling band. The team is holding steady at No. 1, and their leading scorer is climbing the charts
Riverview fires football coach Matt Bonislawski
January 20, 2018
Matt Bonislawski was proud of what he accomplished in his two seasons as Riverview's football coach, so it came as a surprise to him when
A-K Valley high school notebook: Fox Chapel field hockey player Abby Pitcairn to play in Germany
Fox Chapel senior Abby Pitcairn already has plenty of international field hockey experience, and she'll take it to the highest level next month. Pitcairn will
Valley pulls away from Freeport, secures longest win streak in 11 years
Nyjewel Carter believes Valley saves its best for last — as in the fourth quarter. That certainly was the case Friday night. An early fourth-quarter
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Leechburg’s Lovelace living at the line
January 19, 2018
The charity stripe has been a fine line for Leechburg's Mikayla Lovelace this season. Lovelace, who broke her own school record by scoring 44 points
WPIAL wrestling teams earn subsection championships
January 18, 2018
The WPIAL team wrestling postseason is all but set. More than a dozen teams wrapped up subsection championships Wednesday night, earning first-place seeds for the
No. 1 Burrell wrestlers roll past rival Valley, clinch top spot in Section 3B
The expected battle for the Section 3B wrestling title never materialized Wednesday night. With four Valley starters out of the lineup, Class AA No. 1Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Allegheny Conference gets makeover
January 17, 2018
The Allegheny Conference needs a new name. After being the home to a high number of Alle-Kiski Valley football teams in recent seasons, the league
Kiski Area’s Reid: Return from pulmonary embolism ‘worked out perfectly’
Isaac Reid walked to the center of the mat and wrestled for a grand total of zero seconds before getting his arm raised by theKiski Area wrestling wins annual rivalry match with Burrell
With the WPIAL wrestling playoffs looming and both teams gearing up for a title defense, the annual match between Burrell and Kiski Area became even
Kiski Area’s Reid set to return after pulmonary embolism
January 16, 2018
At perhaps his darkest moment as he dealt with a pulmonary embolism in his lung, Isaac Reid wondered if he would ever wrestle again. That
Valley boys basketball gets healthy, remains cautious
Deonte Ross spent the first five weeks of basketball season at the end of Valley's bench, sometimes in agony not from the cracked tibia that
Alle-Kiski Valley high school basketball notebook: Springdale boys get tough
January 12, 2018
The Springdale football program takes pride in its hustle and toughness, as evidenced by late legendary coach Chuck Wagner's andquot;hang in there toughandquot; saying. It
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Highlands hires Jeff Campbell as baseball coach
January 11, 2018
Jeff Campbell's full-time job kept him from pursuing the Highlands baseball coaching position in the past, but he can add it to his resume now.
Springdale boys get defensive in victory over Leechburg
January 10, 2018
After a somewhat lacking late-December defensive performance, Springdale re-emphasized that part of its game in practice. The performance on that end of the court since
A-K Valley wrestling notebook: Kiski Area, Burrell set for rivalry match
January 9, 2018
The match is taking place later than usual, but Burrell and Kiski Area will renew their Alle-Kiski Valley wrestling rivalry next week. Class AAA No.
Dual, individual tournaments post different dynamic for area wrestlers
Corey Christie heard his Burrell teammates' cheers as he tangled with Southmoreland's Tyler Griffiths during the 152-pound championship match at the Westmoreland County Coaches AssociationHighlands hires Campbell as new baseball coach
Highlands has a new baseball coach. Former assistant Jeff Campbell will take over for Brett Burger, who resigned after one season to take over the
Burrell wrestling to recognize 2008 PIAA title team Jan. 12 against Hempfield
January 8, 2018
Burrell will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its 2008 PIAA Class AA wrestling championship at the Bucs' nonsection match Friday against Hempfield. Alumni from the
A-K Valley high school notebook: Girls basketball teams vying for playoff spots in Section 1-4A
January 7, 2018
Three of the returning playoff teams from girls basketball Section 1-4A began something of a round-robin last week, each looking to bounce back from a
Deer Lakes girls shrug off slow start to get back on playoff path
January 6, 2018
After Deer Lakes missed 16 of 17 3-point attempts in a victory over St. Joseph last week, coach Dave Petruska cautioned the Lancers not to
Deer Lakes girls log 1st section win by dropping Burrell
January 5, 2018
Deer Lakes began to show signs of progress over the holiday break, but the Section 1-4A standings provided no evidence: The team remained stuck in
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Area teams enjoying win streaks
January 4, 2018
Thursday brought the resumption of section play in WPIAL basketball after the holiday break, the stretch runs for teams hoping to qualify for the postseason,
Burrell, Kiski Area, Valley wrestling teams gear up for WCCA tournament
January 3, 2018
Burrell, Kiski Area and Valley faced difficult competition over the holidays, and they'll get more of it this weekend. The 65th annual Westmoreland County Coaches
Valley wrestler David Schuffert works on mental approach to big matches
January 2, 2018
David Schuffert can't fully explain the difference in the way he wrestled in a pair of tournament championship matches this season compared with the bouts
No question Christian Hack providing leadership for Leechburg boys
Christian Hack joined Leechburg's quiz team for the first time this school year, traveling with his classmates to monthly competitions. When it comes to answering
Chuck Wagner’s death, Freeport volleyball’s state title among A-K Valley’s top 10 sports stories for 2017
December 30, 2017
The Alle-Kiski Valley sports scene had plenty to celebrate in 2017, from historic playoff runs to record-breaking performances. The area also mourned the losses of
A-K Valley notebook: Springdale girls break losing skid, Plum freshman stands out
December 28, 2017
John Broderick heard plenty of kudos from referees and fans about the improvement the Springdale girls basketball team showed during the early portion of the
Springdale boys hold off St. Joseph rally to secure victory
Springdale and St. Joseph no longer share the same boys basketball section, but their habit of playing nail-biters remains. The rivals went down to the
Springdale girls basketball team’s progress pays off with victory to end long losing streak
John Broderick heard plenty of kudos from referees and fans about the improvement the Springdale girls basketball team showed during the early portion of the
Fox Chapel boys share wealth, end skid with win vs. Armstrong
A two-game losing streak put something of a damper on Fox Chapel's holiday, but the short break also enabled the Foxes to find their form.Kiski Area’s Miller focused on Powerade tournament title
December 27, 2017
As Darren Miller analyzed his sophomore wrestling season, he didn't entirely like what he saw. Miller's statistics and accomplishments — a 47-4 record that includedAlle-Kiski Valley boys basketball teams work around inexperience
Joe Tutchstone paused a conversation at Kiski Area boys basketball practice last week to join his team in a drill. The Cavaliers coach took theAlle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Hack’s milestone part of strong season at Leechburg
December 25, 2017
Christian Hack is having a strong senior season for the Leechburg boys basketball team, and he added a milestone to it last week. Hack reached
A-K Valley high school basketball notebook: Injuries to key players plaguing teams early
December 22, 2017
Injuries can create holes in even the most complete basketball rotations, and a few teams around the Alle-Kiski Valley are feeling the pain. Fox Chapel,
Winchester Thurston girls rally to defeat St. Joseph
December 21, 2017
So pleased was St. Joseph coach Sally Ackerman with her players' performance Thursday night — even in a losing effort — that she said afterwardA-K Valley wrestling notebook: No. 1 Kiski Area braces for showdown with No. 2 Big Macs
December 19, 2017
Kiski Area rolled to easy victories in its first six matches of the season, but the WPIAL Class AAA No. 1 Cavaliers face a big
Freeport senior Ben Beale born to play basketball
December 18, 2017
A Little Tikes toybox stuffed with old Freeport basketball jerseys and warmups sat in Ben Beale's house during his childhood, and he took full advantage
Plum sophomore Little sidelined by heart condition
December 16, 2017
A poster is taped to the ceiling above Anthony Little's bed, where he can see it every day when he wakes. The gift from former
A-K Valley basketball notebook: Teams begin section play
December 14, 2017
Just a week into the regular season, the games are already getting bigger. Thursday marked the opening of section competition in WPIAL basketball for girls
Burrell wrestling nearing 100th straight section victory
Burrell's dominance of WPIAL Class AA wrestling begins at home. The Bucs' 69-12 victory over Riverview on Wednesday was their 99th consecutive in section competition,
Freeport boys enjoy highest scoring output in 12 years
Freeport's boys basketball team came close to the turn of the century in its Tuesday nonsection game against Apollo-Ridge. Ultimately, the Yellowjackets fell short, andquot;settlingandquot;A-K Valley notebook: Burrell wrestling returning to King of the Mountain
December 13, 2017
Burrell didn't compete in any wrestling tournaments during opening weekend, but the Bucs will get a strong test this weekend as they make their annualIowa all-stars to compete at Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
The 44th annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, scheduled for March 25 at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House, is bringing in competitors from one of the sport's top
Highlands wrestling coach Walters draws from past for program’s future
December 12, 2017
Grant Walters put his wrestlers through something of a boot camp this summer, bringing in coaches from his past to relay their experience, knowledge and
Kiski Area’s Reid sidelined after pulmonary embolism diagnosis
Isaac Reid expects to cap his high school wrestling career as a PIAA champion. For now, those plans are on hold. Reid, Kiski Area's senior
Lovelace reaches 1,500 points, leads Leechburg girls to tournament victory
December 9, 2017
It seems Mikayla Lovelace saves her biggest milestones for games against Kiski Area. Less than 12 months after the Leechburg senior standout reached the 1,000-point
Quaker Valley ready to finish ‘beautiful trip’ against Middletown in PIAA Class 3A title game
December 8, 2017
Through a season filled with firsts and big game after big game, Quaker Valley has risen to the moment each time on the field. For
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Apollo-Ridge girls teams to ‘play up’ next season
December 7, 2017
The WPIAL realignment brought on last season by the PIAA's increase in classifications in many sports forced Apollo-Ridge to take what athletic director Ray Bartha
Winning tradition motivates Kiski Area wrestlers
December 6, 2017
Chris Heater saw trophies and other commemorative artifacts from Kiski Area's wrestling history scattered around the high school halls. He had them collected together and
Burrell wrestlers work to stay atop WPIAL
December 5, 2017
Win WPIAL championships on a yearly basis, as the Burrell wrestling team accomplished over the past decade-plus, and it becomes more than just a goal.
A-K Valley high school notebook: Ross Greece re-opens his college recruiting
December 2, 2017
The andquot;Hollywoodandquot; recruiting story took a twist. Kiski Area senior Ross Greece, who verbally committed to Robert Morris last month, is reopening his recruitment after
Quaker Valley tops Sharon to reach 1st PIAA Class 3A championship game
December 1, 2017
Quaker Valley won its WPIAL title in a battle of wills. Its PIAA semifinal was showcase of skills. Quarterback Ricky Guss accounted for all six
Tutchstone nurturing inexperienced Kiski Area boys basketball team
November 28, 2017
Joe Tutchstone wore a shirt recognizing Kiski Area's 2013 boys basketball section championship at Tuesday's practice. Just as every year, that remains Tutchstone's expectation for
Kiski Area girls gain confidence for upcoming season
A renovated gymnasium at Kiski Area features a sparkling new floor along with some other aesthetic adjustments. The girls basketball team is eyeing its own
Quaker Valley boys have championship goals
November 27, 2017
Quaker Valley has yet to have its full team in for a boys basketball practice this season, but coach Mike Mastroianni was clear: He's perfectly
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Area players sweep Allegheny Conference’s top honors
The WPIAL's all-conference football teams and awards continue to roll in, and three players with Alle-Kiski Valley ties swept the Allegheny Conference's top honors. Freeport
New-look Burrell girls optimistic for upcoming season
November 22, 2017
A recent open gym at Burrell featured the next generation of the girls basketball program, with about two dozen players — many junior high-aged —
Burrell boys motivated to start fast this season
Fond of motivational tactics and themes, Shawn Bennis is investing in wristbands for his Burrell boys basketball players this fall. The accessories are inspired by
Quaker Valley seniors rewarded for effort with WPIAL championship
November 18, 2017
Sewickley police welcomed the buses as they returned from Heinz Field and escorted them through town. Quaker Valley football was home, and for the first
New coach Meaghan Volek wants to continue Burrell girls basketball tradition
November 16, 2017
Meaghan Volek remembers Burrell most for the smell of chlorine — pungent in the gym, and stronger still in the locker room. And given her
Leechburg’s Lovelace commits to IUP
November 15, 2017
IUP's women's basketball coaches saw Mikayla Lovelace play in person when scouting Vincentian's Lexie Griggs two seasons ago. andquot;I guess I should thank her for
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Freeport volleyball players honored
The Freeport girls volleyball team is headed to Johnstown for the PIAA Class AA championship Saturday, and several of the Yellowjackets' individuals also received recognition
Kiski Area senior Reid looks forward to career at Lock Haven
November 13, 2017
The letters from Lock Haven came frequently early in Isaac Reid's wrestling recruitment, before he could officially talk to schools. And once that quiet period
Kiski Area’s Levett signs to wrestle with Bucknell
November 8, 2017
Noah Levett didn't feel much different Wednesday after making his college decision official. He still has his eyes on one major goal for high school.
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: One and done for area football teams
November 4, 2017
The Alle-Kiski Valley endured a shutout on the opening weekend of the WPIAL football playoffs. With the losses of Fox Chapel to Penn-Trafford in Class
Alle-Kiksi Valley high school football notebook: History repeats at Fox Chapel
November 2, 2017
Nick Gizzo and Micah Morris achieved a Fox Chapel rarity this fall when each topped 1,000 yards rushing during the regular season. Rare, but not
Ground game key to success for Springdale, Fox Chapel, Freeport
Tom Loughran won a pair of WPIAL and PIAA football championships in 32 seasons at South Park using a traditional I-formation on offense: andquot;The quarterback
Scheduling conflict means Springdale kicker will play in Friday’s soccer final
November 1, 2017
Faced with a decision between two sports, Logan Panza chose his first love. Panza, a Springdale senior, will start at defender when the Dynamos play
Freeport looks to avenge loss to Seton LaSalle in 1st round contest
Austin Romanchak admitted part of him wanted to see Seton LaSalle as Freeport's opponent in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. The
Fox Chapel lineman Cohen commits to Bryant
October 31, 2017
Jesse Cohen didn't recognize Bryant's scholarship offer when it originally came in the summer. But when the school's coaches reaffirmed it last week, he readily
Quaker Valley basketball player Washington commits to Drexel
October 30, 2017
Already regarded as one of the top senior basketball players around Pittsburgh, the next move for Quaker Valley's Coletrane Washington is to make it onAlle-Kiski Valley football teams set to learn playoff foes
Few football teams' seasons come without adversity. Fox Chapel lost four of its first five games. Freeport faced a must-win situation in Week 8 toAlle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Football playoff teams ready for road
October 28, 2017
Seth Napierkowski experienced playoff life the past two seasons as an offensive assistant at Springdale, but he'll get a whole new taste of the postseason.
Playoff-bound Springdale wears down Greensburg Central Catholic
October 27, 2017
Two major components comprise the backbone of Springdale's football tradition: a powerful running game and frequent trips to the WPIAL playoffs. With a postseason berth
A-K Valley football notebook: Strong 2nd halves key for Freeport success
October 26, 2017
Freeport's playoff-clinching victory over Keystone Oaks in Week Eight followed a familiar pattern: a systematic grinding-down of its opponent in the second half. The Yellowjackets
Swarming defense helps Freeport beat Keystone Oaks, clinch playoff spot
October 20, 2017
Freeport knows the pitfalls of youth. The Yellowjackets now are learning the benefits of experience. A season after a four-game losing streak wiped away its
A-K Valley football notebook: Eastern Conference opponents rank high
October 19, 2017
Not many teams play multiple opponents ranked in the top 10 of the state during the regular season. Unless, of course, you reside in Class
Freeport, Keystone Oaks playing for playoff berth in Allegheny Conference
October 18, 2017
Freeport's John Gaillot reiterates the philosophy each week that every Allegheny Conference game is a playoff game. He did the same Tuesday as his YellowjacketsA-K Valley notebook: Freeport girls soccer eyes high playoff seed
October 16, 2017
With the final day of WPIAL section soccer taking place Monday, boys and girls can begin focusing on the postseason. The WPIAL soccer committee willA-K Valley football notebook: Freeport hopes to avoid similar finish to ’16
October 12, 2017
As Freeport chases its second Allegheny Conference championship in three years, the memory of the way last year ended is sticking in the back of
Freeport, Seton LaSalle to play for de facto Allegheny Conference crown
October 11, 2017
Only after finishing off a Week 6 victory over Apollo-Ridge did Freeport begin to admit the magnitude of its upcoming game at Seton LaSalle. Given
Alle-Kiski high school notebook: Fox Chapel boys golf readies for WPIAL semis
October 8, 2017
Fox Chapel came close to a WPIAL championship in boys golf each of the past two seasons — agonizingly so last year. The Foxes will
Alle-Kiski Valley high school football notebook: Jeannette honors Chuck Wagner
October 7, 2017
Springdale planned to honor Chuck Wagner before its game against Jeannette on Friday at Veterans Memorial Field, but the Dynamos received a surprise when the
Apollo-Ridge follows Freeport’s formula for early-season success
October 4, 2017
A team heavily reliant on underclassmen after losing its top playmakers to graduation takes the Allegheny Conference by storm, winning four of its first five
Alle-Kiski Valley high school football notebook: Muzzy Colosimo expects call from WPIAL
September 30, 2017
The repercussions for the game-ending brawl between Valley and Ellwood City on Friday night have yet to be fully realized, but that likely will changeBrentwood starts fast, rolls to homecoming win over Deer Lakes
September 29, 2017
A midseason nonconference game proved to be the perfect chance for Brentwood to snap a three-game losing streak. For Deer Lakes, the wait to getA-K Valley football notebook: Riverview, Springdale to honor Wagner on Friday night
September 28, 2017
Riverview's annual night football game, scheduled for 7 Friday against Springdale, took on greater significance Monday after the death of legendary coach Chuck Wagner. Not
Burrell’s Tiger Hubbard hopes for roaring finish at WPIAL golf championships
September 27, 2017
Tiger Hubbard played for the first time on the Advocates Professional Golf Tour over the summer, and as he watched his competitors — golfers whoA-K Valley high school notebook: No. 1 Freeport, Deer Lakes brace for volleyball showdown
September 25, 2017
Deer Lakes hopes to become a consistent WPIAL girls volleyball championship contender. To do that, the Lancers have to get past a team in theirHigh school football notebook: Freshmen playing key roles for Apollo-Ridge
September 24, 2017
There are more than a dozen freshmen on the Apollo-Ridge football roster, and four of them — Klay Fitzroy, Logan Harmon, Keighton Reese and Jake
Derry defense shines in shutout of South Park
September 22, 2017
Sure, Derry's offense outscored South Park's in its win Friday. But it was the Trojans' defense that put up more points than both offenses combined.
A-K Valley football notebook: Highlands hopes to avenge loss to Mars
September 21, 2017
Logan Crise can't forget the final play of Highlands' game last season against Mars. It's not exactly an easy one to get over. With an
Allegheny Conference matchup with Shady Side Academy starts key stretch for Freeport
September 20, 2017
Were he to pick a genre of movie for the Shady Side Academy film he's viewing this week, Freeport coach John Gaillot might choose horror,
Quaker Valley set to honor ’67 football team in Hall of Fame
September 18, 2017
Fifty years later, the memories remain strong for the 1967 Quaker Valley football team. One of the best teams in the school's history and champions
A-K Valley high school football notebook: Kiski Area’s Greece picks up offer from Robert Morris
September 16, 2017
Kiski Area senior Ross Greece picked up his second scholarship offer, and first at the Football Championship Subdivision level, from Robert Morris on Saturday. TheNo. 1 Steel Valley shows off passing game in win over Valley
September 15, 2017
Steel Valley had moments when it showed how good it can be. Other times, not so much. The Ironmen, defending PIAA Class 2A champs and
A-K Valley football notebook: Underclassmen adapt quickly for Apollo-Ridge
September 14, 2017
At Apollo-Ridge, the kids are all right — or perhaps even better than that. The Vikings, who start four freshmen in Jacob Fello, Klay Fitzroy,
Northwest Nine matchup carries weight for Highlands, Knoch
September 13, 2017
During Dom Girardi's days as an assistant at Knoch, he noticed a different mentality in the players leading up to games against Highlands. More excitement.
Molitor entering Quaker Valley Hall twice in one week
September 11, 2017
While some members of the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame have résumés filled with gaudy point totals and school records, Scott Molitor's body ofA-K Valley high school notebook: Burrell girls soccer revives its singing career
How's this for an encore: The Alle-Kiski Valley's most recognizable musical soccer players are singing again this season. With the sound system malfunctioning before their
Four boys golf teams in Section 1-AA battling for two playoff spots
September 10, 2017
Hal Biehl didn't hazard a guess about how the second half of the Section 1-AA boys golf race would play out. Doing so would seem
Alle-Kiski Valley notebook: Records fall in Highlands football loss to New Castle
September 9, 2017
When the dust settles and the statistics are compiled, Highlands' 48-47, double-overtime loss Friday to New Castle will go down as one of the moreLate score leads Fox Chapel past Woodland Hills
September 8, 2017
Fox Chapel seemed to have lost composure and gone on its way to 0-3 with less than 10 minutes to go, but the Foxes made
A-K Valley high school football notebook: Gildea newest member of Plum’s ‘Kicker Crew’
September 7, 2017
In the vein of Penn State's andquot;Linebacker U,andquot; Plum football has developed something of a andquot;Kicker Crew.andquot; Senior Jackson Gildea became just the most recentEF’s Benedek-Martik connection snaps Derry’s regular-season win streak
September 1, 2017
Elizabeth Forward did not play a Week Zero game, but the Warriors came out for Week 1 in midseason form. Warriors quarterback Zachary Benedek threw
Recent rivalry game results motivate Plum, Kiski Area
August 30, 2017
Ross Greece recalled the last time Kiski Area visited Plum's Mustangs Stadium, in 2014, one of the low points in the Cavaliers' recent history. InJeannette’s Kennedy saves day versus East Allegheny
August 25, 2017
The big-time players showed up in back-and-forth battle, but Jeannette's Robert Kennedy came up with the final big play. Kennedy broke up a two-point conversionA-K Valley football notebook: Springdale hopes to improve before conference opener with Clairton
August 24, 2017
Springdale faces an enormous challenge in its Class A Eastern Conference opener: a road date with Clairton, the three-time defending WPIAL Class A champion. By
Freeport football in unique situation without a Week 1 opponent
John Gaillot has nothing on his calendar for the first night of September. It's an odd situation for a high school football coach, to have
Springdale 1st-year coach Napierkowski returns to alma mater Burrell for opener
Seth Napierkowski knows his way around Burrell's Buccaneer Stadium, but he still may need some directions finding the visiting locker room Friday night. andquot;I'm going
In-control Ross set to channel emotional, hard-hitting style into bigger role for Valley
August 22, 2017
Deonte Ross walks a fine line with his emotions on the football field. One of Valley's leaders on the field, Ross often channeled his intensity
Veteran leaders ready to set tone for Quaker Valley
August 21, 2017
Only weeks after a surprise coaching change had Quaker Valley football in the headlines, the Quakers are back to business as usual on the eve
First day of football practice brings energy, hope for A-K Valley teams
August 14, 2017
As Deer Lakes players sprinted to midfield Monday afternoon, the last warm-up drill before breaking into defensive work, coach Steve Sciullo broke away from a
Munizza’s archiving efforts land him in Quaker Valley hall of fame
Whether you're looking to find out Quaker Valley's football record in the 1960s or verify who the 400-meter record holder is at the school, JohnVeshio hits ground running with Quaker Valley football
August 9, 2017
Jerry Veshio has held plenty of titles at Quaker Valley, but at this point in his career, he was trying to trim the list, not
Volleyball standout Schneider set to join Quaker Valley HOF
August 7, 2017
When Quaker Valley volleyball hit a high point in the early 2000s, Janette Schneider was in the middle of the action. Schneider, a four-year starter
2017 Diamond Dolls Softball All-Stars
June 24, 2017
Morgan Ryan finished off a great career as a Hempfield pitcher this season. Bailey Parshall still has one year left as a pitcher at Belle Vernon, but already has had a great career. The two were so good this season - and in their careers - that the MSA Sports staff found it impossible to pick one over the other as Player of the Year. So there is a double take on Player of the Year this year. Ryan and Parshall have been selected co-Players of the Year and lead the MSA Diamond Dolls softball all-star team. The Diamond Dolls are the top 12 players in the WPIAL, regardless of position, and they are picked by the MSA staff. Here are thumbnail sketches of the players of the year and the rest of the Diamond Dolls team.
Central York Tops North Allegheny for 3-A Volleyball Gold
June 10, 2017
The North Allegheny boys' volleyball team opened the 2017 season with a victory over Central York for the championship at the NA Invitational in late March. The Tigers were hoping to finish the season the same way it began, with another win over Central York. The storybook finish was not to be, however, as the Tigers lost their only match of the season on Saturday in the PIAA Class AAA championship, a 3-1 defeat to the Panthers from District 3. North Allegheny started strong and won the opening set convincingly, 25-20. Canyon Tuman posted four kills and Luke Visgitis totaled three kills and a pair of blocks. Tuman and teammate Jason Stiefvater hammered out a team-best 12 kills apiece.
WPIAL Alum Q&A – Sam Mersing
June 5, 2017
As the spring sports season nears a conclusion, the WPIAL Alum Q&A takes a look back at a former Montour star who just concluded a successful baseball career at the University of Pittsburgh. Sam Mersing is this week's feature for the final spotlight for the 2016-17 school year. Mersing began his varsity career with the Spartans as a freshman in 2010, and helped the team qualify for the postseason, following a three-year absence. That campaign, Montour went 15-7, defeating Greensburg Salem in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs, but then falling to Hopewell in the semifinals.Scholastic Notebook – 02/06/2015
February 6, 2015
Penn State football coach James Franklin lost out on the top player in the WPIAL class of 2015 when Central Valley’s Jordan Whitehead signed with Pitt. Other than Whitehead, Penn State had plenty of success in the WPIAL. At least more than the Nittany Lions have had in recent history. Penn State signed four players from the WPIAL this season. That might not seem like a lot, but it is more than the past four classes combined. In fact, only twice in the past 10 years has Penn State landed four or more players from the WPIAL. In 2010, Penn State signed five WPIAL players and four in 2007. Two of the past four years, Penn State did not sign one WPIAL player.Scholastic Notebook – 04/20/2014
April 20, 2014
If you look at the three sports of football, basketball and baseball, Baldwin has been more like Baldloss the past few years. But finally, the baseball team is putting the win back in Baldwin. Things have been absolutely perfect so far this spring for the Baldwin baseball team. The Highlanders have a perfect 7-0 record after a 13-3 victory over Gateway on Saturday. This winning is new for the three teams of football, basketball and baseball at Baldwin. There hasn’t been a winning season in those three major sports since the basketball team went 14-8 in the 2009-10 season and the baseball team went 12-6 in the 2010 season. The football team hasn’t had a winning season since 2003.FREE AU$1400 On line casino Bonus!
January 1, 2013
Get up to five identical reels and 243 win traces on each one of many 50 free spins on this great slots.2012-2013 WPIAL GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW
December 3, 2012
When it comes to finding the top girls basketball teams in WPIAL Class AAAA this season, the South Hills are alive.Section 4 of Class AAAA is loaded with strong teams this season. The section always is good, but got even better this season with the addition of Chartiers Valley. Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair are three other teams in the section that are among the best in Class AAAA.The season gets underway Friday night and here is a preview:CLASS AAAASECTION 1Team to beatPenn-Trafford. The Warriors finished 18-5 last season and have a strong backcourt tandem with senior guards Taylor Cortazzo and Nicole Hyland.Two more to watchKiski Area and Norwin.2012 PIHL Penguins Cup High School Hockey CLASS A Blog
March 24, 2012
It's championship time, so that means it's MSA Sports blog time! Sure, we are the only place to listen to all three PIHL Penguins Cup Championship Games live (and archived), but if you don't have the time and want a quick update on the happenings of the high school hockey finals all day long from the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.CLASS A: #1 QUAKER VALLEY QUAKERS vs. #2 MARS PLANETSThe Champions:FINAL SCORE: Quaker Valley 4, Mars 2.GOAL! Mars is making it interesting, cutting it to 4-2 Quaker Valley on a Power Play goal by Robert Foley. One minute to go here in this one.GOAL! Mars will not be shut out in this one. Robert Foley scores with 4:21 remaining to make it now 4-1 Quaker Valley.
