Bill Hartlep stories, Page 19

Brooke Signorella had just earned a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles at the annual Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational, but her sprint wasn’t quite over. The Highlands sophomore quickly returned to the starting line because as soon as the hurdles were cleared from the track it was time for her next...

Three weeks into the season, the Springdale softball team had managed to play just two games. Senior pitcher Alexis Hrivnak made an impact in both of them. Wet weather and subsequent poor field conditions have kept the Dynamos in the dugout, but when they are on the field, they have...

Hannah Simpson Class: Junior School: Kiski Area Sport: Softball Report card: Kiski Area broke out the bats Wednesday afternoon to take down Indiana in a Section 1-5A game. Junior pitcher Hannah Simpson was 3 for 4 with five RBIs to help lead the offensive attack. The Seton Hill commit earned...

Ed Smith is looking for improvement, and he sees it happening every day. Freeport’s first-year girls lacrosse coach has witnessed his 16-member team grow and develop with every practice and game this season. “They’ve improved every game,” he said. “Last week was the best we’ve played yet.” Freeport is off...

Deer Lakes’ boys volleyball team had a special season in 2021, going 7-0 en route to winning a Section 2-2A title and earning a trip to the WPIAL playoffs. It was a senior-heavy group that lost to Thomas Jefferson in the first round of the postseason. Many of the current...

It’s going to be tough for Justin Brannagan to top his game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds that lifted Deer Lakes’ boys basketball team to a 39-37 victory over Blackhawk in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. Being swarmed by teammates and fans on the court is a moment...

Football fans hoping to watch the Pittsburgh Maulers for the first time in nearly 40 years will have to wait another day. The Maulers’ scheduled USFL season opener against the Tampa Bay Bandits on Sunday night was postponed due to the risk of severe weather in Alabama. The game is...

Fox Chapel senior swim team members David Dering and Lydia Turnquist were named All-American Athlete Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award recipients in swimming earlier this month. The National Strength and Conditioning Association recognizes high school and collegiate athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength and...

Bella Stewart Class: Freshman School: Burrell Sport: Softball Report card: Burrell freshman catcher Bella Stewart was 3 for 4 with a double and four RBIs in helping the Bucs (4-0, 3-0) earn a 6-3 win over Highlands in a Section 1-4A game Wednesday. She also was on the receiving end...

Burrell baseball coach Mark Spohn wanted to get a message across to his players after a hard-to-believe 1-0 loss to rival Valley last Friday. The Bucs didn’t allow a hit – or allowed one hit, depending on the scorekeeper – and a ball didn’t leave the infield. Valley scored one...

Tyler Kirin has a coaching philosophy that goes beyond wins and losses. It’s deeper than points on the court, but the principles work hand-in-hand with winning, both in tennis and in life. “I’m really proud of the young men we have, and I’m proud of the effort they put in,”...

Jenna Bisegna Deer Lakes softball ^ Deer Lakes’ softball team took a trip south to start the 2022 campaign. The Lancers came home with a 0-4 record, but they worked out some kinks, gained valuable experience and built relationships and memories that will last much longer than the spring season....

Abbie Deiseroth Class: Junior School: Highlands Sport: Softball Report card: Junior first baseman Deiseroth hit three home runs and had five RBIs in Highlands’ 12-2 victory over Freeport in a Section 1-4A game April 4. It was part of a five-homer outburst for the Golden Rams in the section opener...

The North Allegheny boys volleyball team has begun its journey toward contending for a fourth straight PIAA title. The Tigers, ranked No. 1 by the Western PA volleyball coaches association, opened the season by winning their host invitational, going 6-0 in pool play before defeating Penn-Trafford, Manheim Central, Ambridge, Seton...

Kim Johnson has spent the past 30 years teaching the students of the New Kensington-Arnold School District. Whether it was about the intricacies of biology or proper technique in the backstroke, she has made an impact on countless students who have passed through the halls of Valley High School. For...

Knocking in 13 runs would be a relatively good statistic for most high school baseball players in Western Pennsylvania … for a season. Brandon Butler needed just two games to reach that mark in what could be a special 2022 campaign for the junior shortstop and his Apollo-Ridge teammates. Butler...

David Frederick and Cameron Wagner got a quick introduction to WPIAL boys tennis last season, stepping into the singles lineup and taking on some of the area’s top players. The Burrell freshmen gained valuable experience during matches and tournaments, which could serve them well as they embark on their sophomore...

Snow squalls and temperatures in the teens didn’t really signify the start of spring over the weekend, but the spring high school sports season is actually in full swing. Valley’s boys tennis team certainly has come out swinging the racquets to start the chilly campaign. The Vikings opened with a...

The Kiski Area boys tennis team was a win away from a WPIAL playoff berth last season. With the entire young lineup returning, coach Trent Goerk and the Cavaliers are focused on a trip to the postseason. “We definitely hope to have the playoffs in our sights for the kids,”...

A new sports season has begun, which means it’s again time for Ben Aftanas to get to work. The Valley senior is putting on a third uniform this school year as he takes the field as a captain for the Vikings baseball team. Also a golfer and basketball player, Aftanas...

Members of the Highlands boys basketball team wanted a second chance. After having their WPIAL playoff run stalled in the semifinals with a 61-44 loss to Laurel Highlands, the Golden Rams turned their focus to the PIAA tournament. They rebounded with a PIAA first-round victory over Brashear and earned another...

All basketball teams need leaders, someone to motivate and encourage as well as to provide a steady calmness when things get intense. Carter Leri was a sophomore reserve when Highlands won the 2020 WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball title. He watched and learned from others before him and became a...

There is room for one wrestler to stand atop the podium in Hershey’s Giant Center. Hundreds of wrestlers in each weight class start the season with hopes of being that person, having their name called on the PA system as their coach drapes a gold medal around their neck at...

PIAA Class 6A girls basketball final Mt. Lebanon vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh 5 p.m. Saturday, Giant Center, Hershey On the air: TV: PCN; Audio: TribLive HSSN; Radio: 95.3 FM PIAA titles: Mt. Lebanon 3 (2009, ‘10, ‘11), Plymouth Whitemarsh 0 Mt. Lebanon (27-1) Coach: Dori Oldaker Probable starting lineup No., Name,...

PIAA Class 2A girls basketball final Neshannock vs. Southern Columbia Noon Friday, Giant Center, Hershey On the air: TV: PCN PIAA titles: Neshannock 0, Southern Columbia 0 Neshannock (28-2) Coach: Luann Grybowski Probable starting lineup No., Name, Ht., Cl., Pos. 1, Neleh Nogay, 5-6, sr., G 11, Addilae Watts, 5-7,...