Chris Harlan stories, Page 62
WPIAL asks Greensburg Central Catholic to explain possible recruiting violations
The WPIAL is looking into possible recruiting violations by Greensburg Central Catholic. The WPIAL board on Wednesday ruled three transfers eligible after hearings, including eighth-grader Samir Crosby, who switched schools from Jeannette to Greensburg Central Catholic. However, the WPIAL has asked GCC administrators to respond in writing to “potential recruiting...
North Allegheny wrestling coach Sunny Abe resigns prior to postseason tournaments
North Allegheny wrestling coach Sanshiro “Sunny” Abe, a former NCAA champion and Olympic wrestler, resigned with one meet left in the regular season and the individual tournaments still ahead. Athletic director Bob Bozzuto said Abe resigned Wednesday for “personal reasons,” but Bozzuto didn’t elaborate. Abe was in his seventh season...
New Castle’s Joe Cowart resigns after 10 seasons, sent 2 former players to NFL
Not many WPIAL football coaches have had two former players active in the NFL at the same time, but New Castle’s Joe Cowart did during his coaching tenure, which came to a close this winter. Cowart resigned in late January after 10 seasons as New Castle’s football coach, but will...
Aliquippa ‘hitting stride,’ defeats Seton LaSalle for 1st-place tie in Section 2
A young basketball team can age considerably in the short span of 25 days. Aliquippa had a noticeable growth spurt between its two games against Seton LaSalle, said Quips coach Nick Lackovich, who starts three sophomores and two juniors. About a month after a heart-breaking loss in overtime, Aliquippa played...
Pine-Richland hires Penn Hills’ Jon LeDonne as football coach
As a parent with three kids in the district, Jon LeDonne already wore a number of hats around Pine-Richland. Scorekeeper for middle school basketball. Coach for a fourth-grade girls team. Scorers’ table duty at youth wrestling matches. “I see him at every event,” athletic director Joe Gironda said. “You’d think...
Mt. Lebanon’s Bob Palko named Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the YearVideo
Mt. Lebanon football coach Bob Palko, who led the Blue Devils to their first state championship, was named the 2021 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year on Sunday. The winner was announced on national television during the NFL Pro Bowl in Las Vegas. Nominees watched the all-star...
With longtime coach out of retirement, North Allegheny swim teams out to achieve more excellence
Longtime North Allegheny swimming coach Corky Semler didn’t hesitate when athletic director Bob Bozzuto asked if he was interested in coming out of retirement this winter. “I told him absolutely not,” said Semler, with a laugh. “I’m retired.” But the swim program Semler helped build into a WPIAL powerhouse needed...
Trib HSSN girls basketball rankings for Feb. 5, 2022
Class 6A Rank, Team, W-L, Last 1. Mt. Lebanon, 19-0, 1 2. North Allegheny, 17-1, 2 3. Norwin, 14-4, 4 4. Upper St. Clair, 15-4, 3 5. Peters Township, 10-8, NR Out: Seneca Valley (11-7, 5) Class 5A Rank, Team, W-L, Last 1. Chartiers Valley, 17-1, 1 2. Trinity, 15-1,...
Trib HSSN boys basketball rankings for Feb. 5, 2022
Class 6A Rk., Team, W-L, Last 1. North Hills, 18-0, 1 2. Fox Chapel, 18-1, 2 3. Central Catholic, 15-4, 3 4. Upper St. Clair, 13-5, 4 5. North Allegheny, 12-6, NR Out: Pine-Richland (10-9, 5) Class 5A Rk., Team, W-L, Last 1. Laurel Highlands, 18-0, 1 2. New Castle,...
Butler finds ‘desperation mode,’ boosts playoffs hopes by defeating Pine-Richland
One team in Butler’s brutal section may be left home when the playoffs start, which has the Golden Tornado convinced it can’t lose another game. In fact, senior Raine Gratzmiller described the players’ mindset as “desperation mode.” But their situation got a little less dire Friday night when they celebrated...
WPIAL delays release of football schedules over ‘unique situation’ with Aliquippa
The WPIAL decided not to release new football schedules this week because of a “unique situation” facing one of its schools. The WPIAL didn’t name the school in an email sent Thursday to athletic directors, but the situation involves Aliquippa, which wants to play in Class 3A rather than 4A....
Western Pa.’s Top 10 football prospects for the Class of 2023
Some of the nation’s top college football recruiters will visit Western Pennsylvania often in the coming months, because the WPIAL and City League have an uncommitted four-star Rivals recruit in the 2023 class. They’re now on the clock. In all, there is a trio of four-star juniors in the area,...
WPIAL disciplines South Side, Steel Valley football after hearing on racial allegations
The South Side and Steel Valley football teams must complete educational training organized by the WPIAL to “further develop cultural competency” after their playoff game in November ended with accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct and racial slurs. If not completed, the WPIAL board can impose a variety of additional disciplinary options,...
Shady Side Academy tops No. 4 South Allegheny to narrow section title race
Shady Side Academy used quickness and aggression to build a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead Tuesday night, a favorable position where many teams might then slow the tempo. Hold the ball. Run the clock. One problem: That’s not in Shady Side’s nature, but the Bulldogs still showed patience down the stretch, grabbed...
Clairton’s Tyler Boyd extends Super Bowl streak for Big 33 Football Classic
Thanks to former Clairton star Tyler Boyd, the Big 33 Football Classic’s Super Bowl streak lives on. Every Super Bowl has included at least one alumni from the high school football all-star game, a remarkable streak that Boyd will extend for another year as a wide receiver for the AFC...
TribHSSN boys basketball rankings for Jan. 29, 2022
Class 6A Rk., Team, W-L, Last 1. North Hills, 15-0, 1 2. Fox Chapel, 16-1, 2 3. Central Catholic, 13-4, 3 4. Upper St. Clair, 11-4, 4 5. Pine-Richland, 10-7, 5 Out: none Class 5A Rk., Team, W-L, Last 1. Laurel Highlands, 16-0, 1 2. New Castle, 14-1, 2 3....
TribHSSN girls basketball rankings for Jan. 29, 2022
Class 6A Rank, Team, W-L, Last 1. Mt. Lebanon, 17-0, 2 2. North Allegheny, 15-1, 1 3. Upper St. Clair, 15-3, 3 4. Norwin, 12-4, 4 5. Seneca Valley, 11-5, 5 Out: none Class 5A Rank, Team, W-L, Last 1. Chartiers Valley, 15-1, 1 2. Trinity, 13-1, 3 3. South...
Greensburg Central Catholic boys hold off Winchester Thurston, take over 1st place
Greensburg Central Catholic and Winchester Thurston were scheduled to meet three weeks ago, but that boys basketball game was postponed, so the teams could only study one another from a distance. “I’m sure both teams have seen each other on film a little bit,” GCC coach Christian Hyland said, “but...
Aliquippa plans to build new football stadium, receives $250,000 from NFL
Aliquippa’s aging football stadium will be torn down and rebuilt this year with a little help from the NFL. The school recently received a $250,000 grant from the NFL Foundation, said Aliquippa superintendent Phillip Woods, who hopes to solicit donations from additional organizations as well. The school district also in...
Hampton hiring new football coach as Jacque DeMatteo ends 14-year stint
For the first time in 14 years, Hampton soon will have a new football coach. The district will hire a replacement as soon as next month for coach Jacque DeMatteo, who resigned this winter after an 11-1 season and winning the Greater Allegheny Conference title. DeMatteo stepped down as coach...
Aliquippa wins PIAA appeal, remains in Class 4A football
Add another win to Aliquippa’s record. The PIAA board on Wednesday accepted Aliquippa’s appeal and agreed to leave the Quips in Class 4A football for the next two seasons, a victory that let the reigning state champions avoid a promotion to 5A under the PIAA’s competitive-balance rule. The board voted...
Moon’s Mia Cochran repeats as Pa. Gatorade girls cross country award winner
Moon’s Mia Cochran has defended yet another cross country title. The senior repeated as Pennsylvania Gatorade Girls Cross Country Player of the Year on Monday, recognition for winning the PIAA Class 3A title last fall for the third year in a row. The 5-foot-7 Arkansas recruit also won the WPIAL...
With heavy hearts, OLSH ties WPIAL record for longest winning streakVideo
As Our Lady of the Sacred Heart made WPIAL history Monday night, the boys basketball team wasn’t focused on what it was playing for, but rather who. Jake DiMichele scored 31 points, Dawson Summers had a triple-double and the Chargers tied for the longest winning streak in WPIAL history —...
Mt. Lebanon’s Alex Tecza commits to Navy football, joining Blue Devils teammate
Mt. Lebanon’s Alex Tecza has played football with teammate Eli Heidenreich for as long as he can remember. As it turns out, high school graduation won’t break their bond. Tecza committed to play football for Navy on Friday, five months after Heidenreich also committed to the Midshipmen. However, their lifelong...
TribHSSN boys basketball rankings for Jan. 23, 2022
Class 6A Rk., Team, W-L, Last 1. North Hills, 13-0, 1 2. Fox Chapel, 13-1, 2 3. Central Catholic, 11-4, 3 4. Upper St. Clair, 10-4, NR 5. Pine-Richland, 8-7, 4 Out: Seneca Valley (6-8, 5) Class 5A Rk., Team, W-L, Last 1. Laurel Highlands, 13-0, 1 2. New Castle,...
