Westmoreland high school notebook: WPIAL names dot Outlaws roster

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 25, 2020 | 3:58 PM

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Travel softball has turnover, just like the high school level. But some teams, like the Ohio Outlaws 18U squad, have managed to sew together the same group for an extended time. It is a valued trait in the current circumstances.

“I have coached these same girls for four seasons,” said coach Jim Hoffner of Greensburg. “Some have been together longer than that. Keeping them together has been a blessing. We know everything about them and how they perform mentally and physically.”

And the consistent names are a close second to the group’s talent level. All 12 players have been offered a Division I scholarship.

“The most important part is they are all excellent in the classroom (too),” Hoffner said.

Ten of the girls play in the WPIAL. Several have been on WPIAL title-winning teams.

Included on the roster are Ligonier Valley’s Jane Garver (a senior headed to Robert Morris), Southmoreland’s Faith Miller (senior, Robert Morris) and Jessica Matheny (junior, Robert Morris), Hempfield’s Emma Hoffner (junior, Ohio) and Ashley Orischak (junior, St. Francis (Pa.)) and Latrobe’s Jordan Tallman (junior, Georgetown).

Other seniors are Annalia Paoli of Albert Gallatin, who first committed to Pitt but will play at Ohio, Allison Lowery of Laurel Highlands (Robert Morris), Cassie Carlson of Baldwin (Youngstown State), Madison Hershberger of Albert Gallatin (Kent State) and Yasmine Logan of Penn Hills (Ohio).

The status of the travel season is uncertain. If nothing else, there might be a late start with a truncated schedule that could begin as late as August.

Gribble all-state

Norwin senior basketball player Olivia Gribble was the only Westmoreland County girl to make the Pennsylvania Sportswriters’ All-State team. Gribble, who averaged 15.8 points and made 80 3-pointers this past season, was a Class 6A third-team selection.

Gribble is a Division III Marietta commit.

Light-up night

Last week, Belle Vernon came up with a unique way to honor the Class of 2020. The school issued a “Friday Night Lights Challenge” to the district. It turned on the lights at James Weir Stadium at 8:20 p.m. (20:20 military time) and asked the community to turn on their porch lights at the same time.

Nusser to Cal (Pa.)

Belle Vernon senior basketball player Cam Nusser, who missed most of the Leopards’ postseason run to the WPIAL Class 4A title game and PIAA second round, announced he will play at Cal (Pa.).

Seton Hill lands Cleland

Penn-Trafford softball standout Brooke Cleland didn’t get a junior season because of the coronavirus, but she did commit to play at Seton Hill.

A power-hitting outfielder, she hit .470 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs last year to help lead the Warriors to a PIAA Class 5A championship.

Recruiting

• Greensburg Salem senior quarterback Trent Patrick will continue his playing career at Waynesburg.

• Kyle Silk, a senior football player at Ligonier Valley, is headed to Saint Vincent. Silk transferred from United and was ineligible for football last season.

Two teammates also made college decisions. Senior quarterback/receiver/linebacker Sam Sheeder committed to Division III Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute, Ind. Senior Alex Torrance, an offensive lineman and defensive tackle, plans to attend Waynesburg.

• Jada Bass, the top girls basketball scorer at Jeannette last season, will play at Carlow.

• Penn State Behrend will be the destination for Franklin Regional senior basketball player Johnny O’Toole.

A 6-7 forward, O’Toole averaged about 10 points and seven rebounds this season.

• Mikey Gaffney, a senior at Hempfield, decided to play basketball at Pitt-Greensburg.

• Yough senior infielder/pitcher Steven Manon will continue his career at Saint Vincent.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland, Yough