Westmoreland high school notes: Local basketball teams set for holiday events

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 22, 2018 | 9:48 PM

Christmas break means holiday basketball tournament time.

Spectators will have several options on the local schedule this week. Most tournaments are round-robins, which means there is no championship and consolation, and will be played across Thursday and Friday.

The Jeannette boys team is used to traveling over the break, but the Jayhawks will host their own tournament.

On Thursday, Serra Catholic plays Indiana at 6 p.m., followed by West Mifflin and Jeannette at 7:30. Serra is a section opponent so Jeannette can get a good look at the Eagles but won’t play them.

Friday’s schedule has Serra vs. West Mifflin at 6 and Indiana vs. Jeannette at 7:30.

“It was something we had talked about for a couple years and decided to do our own,” Jeannette coach Adrian Batts said of the tournament. “Years ago, Jeannette had a tip-off tournament. We thought it would be nice to bring something back.”

Greensburg Salem again will host a two-day boys tournament, and Penn-Trafford welcomes girls and boys teams, which will play a staggered schedule over Thursday and Friday.

The six-team schedule at Greensburg Salem features new teams and matchups. On Thursday, Hempfield plays Laurel Highlands at 5 p.m., followed by Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Connellsville at 6:30, and Frazier vs. Greensburg Salem at 8.

And the Penn-Trafford schedule Thursday has Plum and Penn-Trafford boys at 1 p.m., Norwin and McKeesport girls at 2:30, Norwin vs. McKeesport boys at 4, and Ringgold vs. Penn-Trafford (girls)at 5:30.

The Greensburg Salem tournament on Friday has Frazier vs. Laurel Highlands at 5 p.m.; Westinghouse vs. Hempfield at 6:30; and Connellsville vs. Greensburg Salem at 8.

At Penn-Trafford on Friday: Penn-Trafford vs. McKeesport girls at 1 p.m., Plum vs. Norwin boys at 2:30, Norwin vs. Ringgold girls at 4, and Penn-Trafford vs. McKeesport boys at 5:30.

Remember me?

Derry boys basketball coach Tom Esposito, who returned to lead the Trojans for a second stint after a decade-plus hiatus, will coach against another former program over the holiday break.

Esposito and Derry will take on Homer-Center on Thursday during the first day of the Richland tournament. Esposito coached Homer-Center from 1994-99.

Walker drawing interest

Norwin sophomore Jayden Walker could be one of the top college prospects to come out of the WPIAL in the coming years. A 6-foot-4 left-handed pitcher, Walker already is hearing from Division I programs, including Maryland, Purdue and Kent State. Walker is a starting forward for the Knights basketball team.

Rizzo invited

Norwin senior football player Gianni Rizzo was invited to the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl on Jan. 14 at NRG Park, home the Houston Texans.

Rizzo, a standout linebacker and receiver, signed last week with Youngstown State. He said he plans to play in the all-star game.

Recruiting roundup

Norwin junior quarterback Jack Salopek, who already has an offer from Pitt, was offered by Massachusetts. Salopek, under duress much of this season, completed 116 of 226 passes for 1,790 yards and 15 touchdowns.

UMass has a new coach in Walt Bell, who left Florida State where he was the offensive coordinator.

• Jake Nebinski, one of the soccer players who helped lead Norwin to a WPIAL runner-up finish this season, committed to Cal (Pa.). He had 27 assists and 11 goals for the Knights.

• Greensburg Salem senior Keara Lint committed to Cal (Pa.) for cross country and track and field.

• Yough standout football player Dustin Shoaf added his fifth Division II offer, from Mercyhurst. The other offers are from Seton Hill, Slippery Rock, Lake Erie and Cal (Pa.). Shoaf was the WPIAL’s leading rusher the last two seasons.

• Belle Vernon senior football lineman Anthony Rebar added offers from IUP and Gannon.

• Basketball standout Tess Myers, a junior at North Catholic and a Lower Burrell native, was offered by UNC-Charlotte. That college program landed Jeannette star Ciara Gregory several years ago, and recently signed Franklin Regional senior guard Cali Konek.

Myers’ sister, Natalie, is a forward at IUP.

Festa on the move

Former Franklin Regional football player Eric Festa left Concord after a season and spent this last year away from football. But now he might get back into the game.

Festa (6-feet, 270 pounds) already has an offer from Slippery Rock and said Cal (Pa.) is showing interest.

“I didn’t want to rush into a new school without considering all options first,” Fests said.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Burrell, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Yough