Basketball

Despite loss in section opener, signs point to strong season for Leechburg boys

January 6, 2022

Leechburg had hoped to augment its hot 7-0 start with a victory in the Section 3-A opener at Imani Christian on Tuesday.

Norwin’s Brianna Zajicek drives to the basket against North Allegheny during their Section 1-6A game on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, at North Allegheny High School.

Westmoreland girls basketball notebook: Southmoreland-Greensburg Salem lives up to billing

January 5, 2022

It was a girls game played on night when the spotlight shined on the top boys basketball action in the WPIAL.

Freeport’s Ava Soilis drives to the basket past Deer Lakes’ Lydia Guthrie (left) and Reese Hasley during their game on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, at Freeport Middle School.

Junior guard steps into go-to role for Freeport girls basketball team

With two regular starters out of the lineup Monday for a Section 1-4A matchup against Burrell, Ava Soilis set out to lift up her youthful Freeport teammates.

Moon’s Emma Theodorsson takes a shot as time expires during a game against Chartiers Valley last season.

What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 6, 2022: Moon girls basketball faces test

So far, there has been a full Moon in the sky over Class 5A in WPIAL girls basketball.

Quaker Valley’s Adou Thiero scores past Lincoln Park’s Brandin Cummings during their Section 2-4A game Dec. 23.

Trib 10: Neighbors top season’s 1st WPIAL basketball power rankings

We allowed three weeks for teams to flex their muscles at the start of the 2022 season. Now it’s time to see which teams are showing off the most early season power.

Southmoreland’s Gracie Spadaro is efended by Belle Vernon’s Kaci Bitonti (left) and Farrah Reader on Mondau, Jan. 3, 2022.

Southmoreland girls will forge ahead rather than dwell on early section loss

For Southmoreland, it’s not as much about the loss as it is what happens after it.

Latrobe’s Vinny Kilkeary escapes Notre Dame’s Adam Schweitzer in the 120-pound consolation bout during the Powerade Wrestling Tournament last Thursday.

What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 5, 2022: Favorites emerge on mats

Wednesday is another busy night of dual meets in WPIAL team wrestling with over 30 sub-section matches scheduled.

Quaker Valley’s Adiou Thiero and OLSH’s Jake DiMichele

High school roundup for Jan. 4, 2022: OLSH’s DiMichele, QV’s Thiero make history

Jake DiMichele hit five 3-pointers, scored 29 points and reached the 2,000-point mark for his career to lead Our Lady of the Sacred Heart to a 78-38 boys basketball victory over South Side in Section 1-2A Tuesday night.

Hempfield’s Joe Fiedor drives past Norwin’s Ty Stecko during their Section 3-6A game Tuesday.

High-scoring Hempfield boys hold off Norwin in section opener

January 4, 2022

On two previous occasions this season, Hempfield scored 77 points — and lost.

Belle Vernon’s Viva Kreis tries to drive past Southmoreland’s Olivia Cernuto on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

Belle Vernon makes splash in 4A girls basketball, shocks No. 1 Southmoreland

January 3, 2022

Belle Vernon dunked No. 1 Southmoreland then went for a dip.

Burrell girls get 1st victory of season, beat Freeport

The Burrell girls basketball team was not able to taste the thrill of victory over its first eight games.

Chartiers Valley’s Carter Mastovich works against New Castle’s Michael Graham during a game last season.

What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Jan. 4, 2022: Boys basketball section action tips off

Tuesday has been a day a lot of WPIAL boys basketball teams in the two smallest classifications have had circled on their new calendars. Section play finally tips off.

North Hills’ Royce Parham scores over North Allegheny defenders last season.

Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Team of the Week for Jan. 3, 2022

Five years ago, the North Hills boys basketball team reached the WPIAL semifinals, losing to eventual Class 6A champion Pine-Richland. The Indians finished 19-7.

Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Player of the Week for Jan. 3, 2022

Last year in 13 games for Propel Braddock Hills, Ben Mayhew scored a total of 77 points.

Trib HSSN girls basketball player of the week for week ending Jan. 2, 2022

After years of success, the Beth-Center girls basketball program struggled last season, finishing with a 3-11 record that included 10 straight losses.

Monessen’s Sydney Caterino is defended by Union’s Kayla Fruehstorfer in a WPIAL Class A playoff game Thursday, March 4, 2021.

Trib HSSN girls basketball team of the week for week ending Jan. 2, 2022

January 2, 2022

A lot of attention deservedly has been paid to the Union boys basketball team this season. A preseason top-five team, the Scotties were 7-0 before losing to Class 2A power Neshannock in the finals of the Neshannock Holiday Tournament.

North Allegheny’s Lydia Betz blocks a shot by Pine-Richland’s M.J. Laird during their game on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at North Allegheny High School. NA won,

This week on Trib HSSN: Week of Jan. 3, 2022

Happy New Year from all of us at Trib Total Media and HSSN! Now that the holidays are behind us, we begin the New Year with plenty of winter scholastic sports this week on the TribLive High School Sports Network.