High School category, Page 608
Highlands continues unexpected search for girls basketball coach
The hiring process to find a new girls basketball coach at Highlands is in its second week after Jason Kerr suddenly stepped down from the position after one year. “Jason did a good job in his one year as head coach, but we now are moving forward to find the...
Chartiers Valley runners set sights on qualifying for PIAA meet
The Chartiers Valley boys and girls cross country teams are not shy about their goals this fall. “Our goal for the boys and girls team is to challenge for a state qualifying spot,” Chartiers Valley cross country coach Lori Poe said. “If we keep working hard and improving throughout the...
Central Catholic, North Allegheny battle for edge in WPIAL’s unpredictable Class 6A
After watching the first few weeks, Central Catholic coach Terry Totten suggests a new plan for finding the best team in 6A. “Put us all in a bag and pull two out,” Totten said. “Whoever plays well that night is the winner.” Yes, the WPIAL’s big-school classification is the league’s...
Trib HSSN don’t-miss high school football matchups for 2022 Week 4
Following two straight weeks of ultra-competitive games, the opening weekend of conference play landed some big-time eyebrow raisers as the Trib HSSN top-ranked teams in Class 6A, 5A and 3A all lost. What surprises are in store for Week 4 as we officially kick off the first weekend of autumn?...
Penn-Trafford freshman Mia Williams, South Park senior Nicole Kempton capture WPIAL tennis titles
Penn-Trafford freshman Mia Williams and South Park senior Nicole Kempton did something Thursday that had never been done at their school: win a WPIAL girls tennis title. And both did it with dominating performances despite cool temperatures and gusty wind conditions at Bethel Park. During the first day of the...
Through the Years: West Deer opened new stadium with loss to Mars
Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look at the players, coaches and events that shaped our scholastic legacy. In its fourth season, West Deer, playing its first game at Braves Stadium, fell to Mars, 21-12, on Sept. 30, 1947. A 25-yard...
Trib HSSN football players to watch for 2022 Week 4
Here are four WPIAL high school football players to watch in Week 4: Brock Borgo Hampton, jr., RB/OLB Borgo returned an interception for a touchdown and also ran for 174 yards and a score on 22 carries last week as Hampton shut out Kiski Area, 38-0. The Talbots (2-2, 1-0)...
As buzz builds, undefeated Hempfield football team stays grounded
The first 4-0 start in 51 years has made Hempfield football the talk of tailgates and round tables. Hempfield is back — and in full force. The idea of the Spartans being “for real” is becoming a real thing as they get set to host No. 1 Penn-Trafford (3-1) on...
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: First-year QBs finding rhythm
First-year quarterbacks have embraced their role behind center and, as a result, some teams have not missed a beat offensively through a few weeks of the WPIAL season. Ten area teams have a new quarterback, including Franklin Regional (2-1) with senior Roman Sarnic, who rushed for 126 yards on 28...
Back from the shore, Chick’s Picks has some sure-fire Week 4 winners
Chick’s Picks and her trusty crystal ball made their annual trip to the beach this week. Preparing for a full day of fun in the sun, Chick’s Picks lathered up the crystal ball with plenty of sunscreen as the adventure began. Moments after Chick’s Picks got her first hint of...
What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Sept. 22, 2022: City League football championship rematch
Week 4 of the high school football season begins with a possible preview of the District 8 championship game later this fall. Undefeated powerhouse Westinghouse will battle defending champion Allderdice at Cupples Stadium at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Bulldogs appear to be the class of the City League this season....
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Sept. 21, 2022
High schools Golf Boys Wednesday’s results Class 3A Section 7 South Fayette 206, Chartiers Valley 230 Medalist: Derek Armfield (SF) 38 Upper St. Clair 185, West Allegheny 220 Medalists: Connor McKenzie, Johnny McShane (USC) 35 Section 8 North Catholic 204, Shaler 220 Class 2A Section 4 Our Lady of the...
Top seeds reach finals at WPIAL girls tennis singles championships
Penn-Trafford freshman Mia Williams cruised through two matches as the top seed and will play for the WPIAL Class 3A girls tennis championship at 1 p.m. Thursday at Bethel Park. Williams will face Upper St. Clair senior and No. 2 seed Maggie Stief in the finals. Williams topped Oakland Catholic’s...
High school roundup for Sept. 21, 2022: Mt. Lebanon wins South Hills showdown
Sarah Kushnir and Leah Kessler scored to lead Mt. Lebanon to a 2-0 victory over Bethel Park (7-2, 5-2) in a matchup of top teams in Section 2-4A girls soccer Wednesday. Melia Peer had two assists for the Blue Devils (8-0-2, 6-0). Aquinas Academy 3, Ellis School 0 – Bella...
Gesinski sisters connect to lead Mt. Pleasant girls soccer past Southmoreland
Sisters Riley and Morgan Gesinski couldn’t wait to play varsity soccer together so they could make an impact for fast-rising Mt. Pleasant. They are both good players individually, but they showed what they can do as a pair Wednesday night in an important road victory that kept Mt. Pleasant undefeated....
‘Essential’ midfielders drive Mt. Pleasant boys soccer team
Opponents sometimes get lost in the triangle. The Mt. Pleasant boys soccer triangle. Junior Luke Rivardo, senior Dylan Donitzen and junior Chase McCoy make up a midfield that can leave teams rearranging their defenders and altering their gameplan to combat the three-sided unit. The trio has helped the young Vikings...
Mt. Pleasant swim star Lily King to attend national select camp
Fast-rising Mt. Pleasant sophomore swimmer Lily King will train with other future Olympic hopefuls next month and learn more about how to manage her budding career. An elite junior competitor, King was one of just 51 girls in the 14/15-year-old age range nationally to get an invite to the USA...
Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Returning players boost Jeannette
Jeannette welcomed junior Austin Emery and senior Deyton Conrad back this week. Both were clearly glad to be back. A junior and key facilitator and scorer for the Jayhawks, Emery sustained a calf contusion against Knoch on Sept. 6 and had not played until Monday’s practice. Conrad missed time with...
A-K Valley football players to watch in 2022 Week 4
Gavin Croney Freeport, sr., QB/DB The first-year starter at QB has shown his ability to both run and pass for the Yellowjackets (3-1). He has thrown for 267 yards and five touchdowns and also has carried 27 times for 132 yards and two scores. He will attempt to lead Freeport...
A-K Valley don’t miss high school football matchups for 2022 Week 4
Class 5A Big East Conference Plum (3-1, 1-0) at 5-Gateway (3-1, 0-1) 7 p.m. Friday, Antimarino Stadium, Monroeville The rivalry game returns a two-year hiatus as the Mustangs dropped down to Class 4A. Gateway won the 2019 meeting, 44-0. Plum is 1-12-1 all-time against Gateway. Plum rolled to a 42-13...
The Birdie delivers Week 4 A-K Valley football picks with a hard candy shell
Last week: 10-2 Season: 37-7 (84.1%) As The Birdie was waddling through his local supermarket one day this week, he noticed the giant Halloween displays at the end of each aisle. This makes some people angry because they haven’t even put their pool noodles away for the year yet, and...
2022 Western Pa. high school football schedule, broadcasts for Week 4
Thursday City League Westinghouse at Allderdice, 7 p.m. Friday WPIAL Class 6A North Allegheny at Central Catholic, 7 p.m. (HSSN*) Seneca Valley at Mt. Lebanon, 7 p.m. (HSSN*) Class 5A Allegheny Six Bethel Park at Baldwin, 7 p.m. Peters Township at Upper St. Clair, 7 p.m. (HSSN*) Big East Penn-Trafford...
Unbeaten Hempfield readies for its biggest game in decades, a clash with Penn-Trafford
It’s one of the biggest questions asked by casual high school football fans in Westmoreland County: Why can’t Hempfield be a consistent winner? Why can’t the largest school in the county be successful? The school has been very successful in other sports such as baseball, basketball, softball, cross country, track...
Westmoreland County don’t miss high school football matchups for 2022 Week 4
Class 4A Big Seven Conference Laurel Highlands (2-2, 0-1) at Latrobe (2-2, 0-1) 7 p.m., Friday, Memorial Stadium, Latrobe Both teams are coming off conference opening losses. Laurel Highlands was blanked by McKeesport, 33-0, and Latrobe was beaten by Thomas Jefferson, 31-21. The Wildcats have dropped their past two games....
Hempfield’s resurgence has Birdie all atwitter as he makes Westmoreland County Week 4 picks
Last week: 9-4 (69.2%) Season: 37-8 (82.2%) Hempfield fever has stricken the Birdie. He came to work Monday morning with his face painted blue and white, and he was wearing a tattered Rick Druschel throwback jersey. Management told him to change clothes, so he put on his Gino Caesar camo...
