Sports

Latrobe’s Lane Ruffner chases after a puck during a matchup with Upper St. Clair, Monday, October 15, at Ice Castle.

Latrobe’s Lane Ruffner signs with Wichita of North American Hockey League

December 6, 2019

Latrobe senior Lane Ruffner is ready to take the next step in his hockey career.

Quaker Valley boys basketball coach Mike Mastroianni gives direction during a practice on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Mastroianni is nearing his 500th career win.

Quaker Valley basketball coach Mike Mastroianni chasing win No. 500

During his time at Quaker Valley, boys basketball coach Mike Mastroianni has built a culture that has allowed the program to reach new heights of success.

Southern Columbia’s Jake Davis intercepts a pass intended for Avonworth’s Theo Newhouse-Godine during the PIAA Class 2A state championship game Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Hersheypark Stadium.

Southern Columbia routs Avonworth in record-setting PIAA championship

HERSHEY — Avonworth’s Park Penrod and Trevor Faulkner connected for an electric 43-yard touchdown pass on the opening possession Friday, and for more than 4 minutes, the Antelopes led the state championship.

SSA head soccer coach Mary Lynch talks to team after win on Oct. 9, 2018 against Jeannette.

Shady Side Academy’s Mary Lynch named Regional Coach of the Year

Throughout the postseason, a few WPIAL soccer coaches have earned coach of the year honors. Earlier this week another one joined the group.

Shaler Area sports notebook: Swim team must overcome small roster

December 5, 2019

Keith Simmons knows winning dual meets will be a tough task for the Shaler Area swim program this season.

Shaler girls basketball coach Cornelious Nesbit prepares his team for the 2019-2020 season Nov. 25, 2019.

Shaler girls basketball will lean on trio of seniors

Shaler Area girls basketball coach Cornelious Nesbit doesn’t mince words with seniors Emily Cavacini, Meghan Lacey and Claire Grunden.

Carlynton’s Jada Lee goes in for a layup.

Signal Item girls basketball preview: Division I players give teams high hopes

The Carnegie-area girls basketball teams were 3-for-3 in playoff berths last season. Chartiers Valley topped the list, going undefeated (30-0) and winning WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A titles. Carlynton went 19-5 and advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals. Bishop Canevin (23-4) went undefeated in Section 3-2A and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals and the second round of states.

Sherron Schifino brings the ball up court for Point Park against Bryant & Stratton on Nov. 16, 2019.

Penn Hills grad Sherron Schifino bursts onto scene at Point Park

After a year away from basketball, Sherron Schifino has reappeared on the Pittsburgh basketball scene, this time at Point Park.

Penn Hills wrestler Rob Harris prepares for the 2019-2020 season Dec. 4, 2019.

Penn Hills wrestlers look to take next step

Penn Hills has its largest roster during Jeremy Packer’s time as coach, but the Indians will look for the continued growth from junior Hunter Shields.

North Hills’ basketball team prepares for the 2019-20 season Nov. 23, 2019.

North Hills girls ready to tackle difficult challenges

When Jim Dudas accepted the head coaching job for the North Hills girls basketball team, he knew it was going to be a challenge. He didn’t know the challenge to implement his system and culture would be impacted by the injury bug.

North Allegheny’s Katerina Balouris (33) celebrates with teammates after defeating Norwin in the WPIAL Class 6A girls semifinals last season.

North Allegheny girls finding their way with revamped roster

Every year is a new situation and new challenge for North Allegheny girls basketball coach Spencer Stefko.

Hampton senior Gillian Mulcahy, pictured with her parents Lisa and Steve, will continue her volleyball career at Waynesburg.

Hampton’s Gillian Mulcahy finds perfect fit with Wanyesburg volleyball

Sometimes everything comes together perfectly.

Hampton wrestler Dawson Dietz (right) prepares for the 2019-2020 season Dec. 5, 2019.

Healthy Hampton could pose problems for mat opponents

After a breakout year in 2017 and with nearly every major competitor returning, Hampton’s wrestling team seemed primed to take a step forward to WPIAL title contender last season.

West Greene’s Ben Jackson (34) hurdles California’s Nathan O’Savage (21) during their game Oct. 4, 2019, at West Greene.

WPIAL rushing champ Ben Jackson to play at Army

West Greene’s Ben Jackson, the first rusher in WPIAL history to rack up more than 3,000 yards in a season, has made his college choice.

Central Valley’s Ameer Dudley carries past Thomas Jefferson’s Nathan Werderber during the second quarter of their game Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Center.

Top quarterbacks to square off when Central Valley, Wyoming Area meet for PIAA 3A title

As Central Valley football coach Mark Lyons and Wyoming Area’s Randy Spencer look back on the past four months that have led up to their teams meeting on Saturday in the PIAA Class 3A championship game, they both found that the turning points for their respective teams were remarkably similar.

Butler’s Ethan Morton dunks to score two of his 51 points against Pine-Richland last season.

A listing of Friday’s boys and girls high school basketball tip-off tournaments

Boys

Pine Richland’s Seth Bolin celebrates with Eli Jochem after Jochem torched North Allegheny for a touchdown this season.

Pine-Richland, South Fayette join 5A football as PIAA officially draws up new classifications in all sports

Claiming a Class 5A title in WPIAL football will be that much more difficult next season, according to enrollment numbers released by the PIAA Thursday.