High School category, Page 691
Franklin Regional boys swim relay takes 5th at states
The Franklin Regional boys 200 medley relay fashioned the best swim in program history at the WPIAL Class 3A championships March 3 at Pitt’s Trees Pool. They clocked a time of 1 minute, 33.50 seconds that day, and it was the standard the quartet of sophomore Holden Thomas, senior Owen...
Jeannette softball team works through grief, tries to change fortunes after 1-win season
Sydney Matijevic’s smile hid the pain in her heart. But while the Jeannette senior was smarting, she wasn’t quitting. “I love to be here,” Matijevic said Wednesday after the Jayhawks’ softball practice at the high school. “I totally love it. I’ve always loved the sport. It cheers me up and...
Jeannette baseball team will rely on heart, not numbers
When he was a baseball player at Jeannette — and a fine one at that — Marcus Clarkson drove more than a few pitches into the atmosphere at the city’s Clarkson Field. No, it is not named after Jeannette baseball coach Marcus Clarkson, but rather for his great-uncle, James “Buster”...
Norwin hockey team edges Fox Chapel for PIHL playoff win
Mario Cavallaro skated wide as two defenders closed in on his puck-handling teammate, Alex Thomas. Then, in a flash, the pair of sophomore forwards connected for some playoff magic. Thomas delivered a pass to Cavallaro, who fired his second goal of the game into the back of the net 2...
High school roundup for March 16, 2022: Fox Chapel boys advance to PIAA semifinals
J.P. Dockey blocked an Isaac Harris’ 3-point attempt with a second remaining as Fox Chapel narrowly defeated District 11 champion Northampton, 39-37, in a close quarterfinal game in the PIAA Class 6A playoffs in Chambersburg. Eli Yofan scored 14 and Colin Kwiatkowski added eight points for Fox Chapel (27-1). Yofan’s...
South Allegheny boys basketball team reaches PIAA semifinals
Heading into the program’s first state quarterfinal appearance, South Allegheny boys basketball coach Tony DiCenzo knew his team was in need of a strong offensive performance. “When we are going well, it’s because our offense is clicking in all phases,” DiCenzo said earlier this week. “If we do the things...
Seneca Valley divers compete at PIAA championships
LEWISBURG — Seneca Valley was well represented at the PIAA Class 3A boys diving championships Wednesday at Bucknell. The Raiders earned four of the five qualifying berths from the WPIAL championships Feb. 26 at North Allegheny. WPIAL silver medalist Isaiah Clerkley, a sophomore, led Seneca Valley and the WPIAL contingent...
WPIAL swimmers to race in championship heats on Day 1 of PIAA Class 3A meet
LEWISBURG — The consolation and championship finals for the first day of the WPIAL Class 3A swimming championships are set. Preliminary swims Wednesday in the 200-yard medley relay, 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 free, 100 butterfly and 200 free relay determined the top 16 in each event, and swimmers...
PIAA announces sites, times for Friday’s state basketball semifinals
The PIAA chose Norwin as host site for the rematch of New Castle and Gateway, one of two all-WPIAL pairings in the state basketball semifinals. They’ll meet at 7 p.m. Friday with the winner advancing to Hershey. New Castle defeated Gateway by 10 points when they played Feb. 28 in...
After season to remember, Highlands softball team excited for encore
The Highlands softball team now is the hunted. After Golden Rams fashioned an 18-6-1 record and made a run to the WPIAL Class 4A championship game and PIAA semifinals last season, the returning players and a couple of newcomers to the lineup hope to hold off the challenges from within...
Strong returning core has Highlands baseball team thinking of longer playoff run
Last season, the Highlands baseball team came into the WPIAL quarterfinals on a six-game winning streak but left with a third loss of the season to Blackhawk. Now, as a new season dawns, the Golden Rams, with 10 seniors and a solid nucleus of key starters back, hope to take...
WPIAL Class 3A swimmers, divers hope to make their marks as PIAA championships begin at Bucknell
After a one-year hiatus, the PIAA Class 3A and 2A swimming and diving championships are back at Bucknell University. Covid logistics moved the meets last year to Cumberland Valley High School. The change in venue didn’t hinder the WPIAL’s ability to make its mark with numerous championships and medal-winning performances....
New Castle wins ‘fist fight’ over Penn Hills in low-scoring PIAA quarterfinal
How do you describe a game with more than a dozen blocks, more than two dozen turnovers, and the first team to score 40 points won? “A total fist fight,” New Castle coach Ralph Blundo said, “and we knew that’s what it was going to be.” At the end, his...
What to watch for in WPIAL sports on March 16, 2022: Avonworth, Aliquippa square off
Welcome to Quarterfinals Wednesday in the PIAA basketball playoffs. The Avonworth boys basketball team has accomplished a lot this season. • The Antelopes reached the WPIAL championship game as the No. 8 seed before falling to Shady Side Academy. • They reached the 20-win mark by advancing to the state...
TJ’s Bilski nets hat trick, FR’s Knizner scores OT winner in Penguins Cup semifinals
Thomas Jefferson scored four second-period goals, including a hat trick by Colby Bilski, and skated past Penn-Trafford, 6-2, in the PIHL Cup Class 2A semifinals Tuesday at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center. . The victory puts the Jaguars in the Penguins Cup championship game against Franklin Regional on...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for March 15, 2022
High schools Basketball Boys PIAA playoffs Class 6A Quarterfinals Wednesday’s schedule Lower Merion (26-3) vs. Scranton (23-2) at Bethlehem Freedom, 7:30 p.m.; Roman Catholic (21-4) vs. Cheltenham (30-1) at Cardinal O’Hara, 7:30 p.m.; North Hills (26-1) vs. Archbishop Wood (19-7) at Chambersburg, 5 p.m.; Northampton (21-7) vs. Fox Chapel (26-1)...
High school roundup for March 15, 2022: Dynamic duo carries North Catholic into state semifinals
Alayna Rocco and Dacia Lewandowski each recorded double-doubles, leading WPIAL champion North Catholic to a 60-52 victory over Forest Hills in the PIAA Class 3A girls basketball quarterfinals Tuesday night. Rocco had 26 points and 10 rebounds. Lewandowski had 22 points and 10 boards. The Trojanettes (22-5) broke a 42-42...
Gateway stuns Laurel Highlands, earns 1st appearance in state basketball semifinals
There will be a WPIAL rematch in the state semifinals, but Laurel Highlands won’t be there. The previously undefeated WPIAL champions were stunned Tuesday night by a determined Gateway team that dominated on the glass, piled up second-chance points and celebrated a 55-52 victory in a PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal...
A-K Valley, Westmoreland County swimmers thrilled to return to state meet at Bucknell
A sense of normalcy is back at the PIAA swimming and diving championships, and for the numerous qualifiers from the Alle-Kiski Valley and Westmoreland County schools, it only adds to the anticipation. The championships return to Bucknell. Spectators return. The lineups for each event are back to 32 for each...
Hempfield baseball ready to make another run after reaching WPIAL finals
If there was one thing that stood out about the 2021 Hempfield baseball team, it was solid pitching. With the WPIAL’s new pitching rules, playing section games on back-to-back days, the Spartans had the luxury of being deep on the mound. Hempfield finished 16-9 overall and tied with Norwin with...
New leader, same expectations for Hempfield softball team
While there will be a new captain running the Hempfield softball ship this season, first-year coach Tina Madison said the expectations of the program will remain the same. Madison replaces legendary coach Bob Kalp, who retired after the 2021 season after coaching the Spartans for the past 25 seasons and...
Freeport softball team has designs on keeping up its playoff streak
Freeport softball has been in the playoffs 12 consecutive times, and with an experienced core returning along with younger talent, it will look to continue the streak. “We’ve made playoffs every year that I’ve been here, which is a pretty good accomplishment, and that’s a credit to the girls and...
Westmoreland PIHL playoff preview capsule for March 16, 2022
Class A Semifinals 4-Norwin (15-4) vs. 1-Fox Chapel (20-1) 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at RMU Island Sports Center Coaches: Mike Robinson, Norwin; Cam Raidna, Fox Chapel Winner plays: Winner of 7-McDowell (13-8)/3-Quaker Valley (16-5) in the championship game at 8:45 p.m. March 21 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Center, Cranberry Ice chips:...
After rebuilding year, Freeport baseball ready to contend again
Freeport baseball started from scratch last year. The cancellation of the 2020 season because of the pandemic left a gap between the 2019 team that made the state playoffs and last year’s team. Ed Carr and his staff spent the season bridging that gap, and and the coach believes the...
On night of upsets, Seneca Valley dethrones North Allegheny, Peters Township trips Pine-Richland in Penguins Cup semis
Seneca Valley’s Andrew Davis scored off a goal-mouth scramble with under seven minutes remaining in regulation and the Raiders made the goal stand up, defeating the two-time defending Penguins Cup champions North Allegheny, 2-1, in the first of two PIHL Class 3A semifinal games Monday night. Peters Township blanked Pine-Richland,...
