Basketball

Fox Chapel’s Eli Yofan drives to the basket past Hampton’s Matt Moser to score during their game Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, at Fox Chapel.

Fox Chapel gets a win over Hampton before three-week shutdown

December 11, 2020

Before his team met Hampton on Friday for its only game in the next three weeks, Fox Chapel boys basketball coach Zach Skrinjar wrote a message on the whiteboard.

St. Joseph’s Ally Swierezwski (left) and Neshannock’s Hunter Newman battle for a loose ball in the first half Friday, Dec. 11, 2020.

St. Joseph girls ‘all-in’ on playing opener, lose to Neshannock

St. Joseph girls basketball coach Dennis Jones said there was no question his team wanted to take the court Friday to open its season less than 24 hours after Gov. Tom Wolf announced high school sports would shut down for four weeks as part of covid-19 mitigation efforts.

Riverview’s Maddie Deem competes for a loose ball during practice Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at Riverview High School.

PIAA doesn’t anticipate ‘pause’ becoming lengthy shutdown

PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi said he doesn’t believe this “pause” of interscholastic sports will drag on for months like the shutdown last spring.

Knoch junior Ryan Lang takes a jumpshot during practice on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020.

Schedules altered as WPIAL high school basketball season tips off

Welcome to opening day of the 2020-21 winter sports season.

Rochester’s Corynne Hauser celebrates in the final seconds of the WPIAL Class A championship game against West Greene last season.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class A girls basketball preseason breakdown

December 10, 2020

Getting to the WPIAL girls basketball finals will take more dedication and focus than ever this season.

Leechburg’s Dylan Cook (10) dribbles the ball around Greensburg Central Catholic defender Jacob Biros as Leechburg’s Jake Blumer (21) and GCC’s Max Pisula look on last season.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class A boys basketball preseason breakdown

This will surely be a boys basketball season like no other.

Hempfield Area’s Christian Zilli practices last month.

Some teams getting one last game in before sports shutdown begins

Basketball teams across the state found themselves with a dilemma Thursday after Gov. Tom Wolf announced the feared shutdown of high school sports, among a throng of other statewide restrictions due to the accelerated spread of covid-19.

Burrell’s Olivia Watts goes through drills during practice last month.

A-K Valley teams disappointed, not shocked by high school sports shutdown

Over the past few weeks, coaches, athletes and administrators from around the Alle-Kiski Valley have been battling the unknown.

OLSH’s Jake DiMichele scores past Sto-Rox defenders during the WPIAL Class 2A championship game last season.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class 2A boys basketball preseason breakdown

This will surely be a boys basketball season like no other.

Serra Catholic’s Nicole Pawlowski works against Laurel’s Danielle Pontius during the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals last season.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball preseason breakdown

Getting to the WPIAL girls basketball finals will take more dedication and focus than ever this season.

Highlands’ Maria Fabregas is one of the team’s top returners.

Highlands girls basketball excited about prospects for new season

December 9, 2020

The Highlands girls basketball team is ready to surprise people this season.

Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst (1) dribbles beside Blackhawk defender Tyler Fedisin (23) on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in WPIAL basketball playoffs at North Allegheny Senior High School.

Boys basketball preview: Highlands ready to take on challenges

The Highlands boys basketball team is ready for the challenge. Multiple challenges actually.

South Allegheny’s Bryce Epps tries to drive past Beaver Falls’ Jye McKenzie (24) in a WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal Feb. 20, 2020.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class 3A boys basketball preseason breakdown

December 8, 2020

This will surely be a boys basketball season like no other.

North Allegheny coach Spencer Stefko calls in a play during a WPIAL Class 6A semifinal game against Upper St. Clair Feb. 25, 2020 at North Hills.

North Allegheny girls basketball coach Spencer Stefko returns after battling covid

North Allegheny’s Spencer Stefko, the reigning PIAA Class 6A girls basketball coach of the year, will never forget this past Thanksgiving.

Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock shoots a 3-pointer during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against Highlands Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball preseason breakdown

December 7, 2020

This will surely be a boys basketball season like no other.

Southmoreland’s Gracie Spadaro (15) and Maddie Moore celebrate after defeating McKeesport Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, at Southmoreland High School.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class 4A girls basketball preseason breakdown

Getting to the WPIAL girls basketball finals will take even more dedication and focus than ever this season.

Valley’s Ben Aftanas brings the ball upcourt during practice on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, at Valley High School.

Boys basketball preview: Valley wants redemption after missing playoffs

After three straight trips to the WPIAL playoffs, the Valley boys basketball team was not as fortunate last season as it skidded to a 4-17 overall record and a 3-9 mark in Section 3-3A.