Bill Beckner stories, Page 10
Norwin adds to trophy case in successful fall season
The 2025 fall sports season at Norwin will be known as the last season before the “Castle” — Norwin Knights Stadium — was demolished to the ground to make room for a new venue. It will be remembered for that … and so much more. It also was a time...
Norwin alum Jake Bazala drafted by Savannah Bananas
Pitcher Jake Bazala’s phone was going bananas Friday night. “I have been getting hammered with messages,” Bazala said. The Norwin grad took the next step in his baseball career when he was drafted by the Savannah Bananas, the high-energy barnstorming team that sold out two games last summer in Pittsburgh....
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Derry finds experienced girls basketball coach at the last minute
Derry had to scramble to find a girls basketball coach after the sudden resignation in September by Nathan Keller. Keller coached the Trojans for one season and went 4-17. The district hired Ron Moore to take over the program. Moore was the head coach at Washington from 2018-22. The Waynesburg...
Avonworth secures 4th straight trip to WPIAL 3A football final with win over North Catholic
Defending champion Avonworth jumped out to a two-touchdown lead and saw North Catholic close the gap to four points after one quarter. The slight turbulence was nothing to the top-seeded Antelopes, who barely flinched. They were hard to stop from there in a WPIAL Class 3A semifinal as they batted...
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Franklin Regional boys soccer carved out own path
Franklin Regional did not overachieve this boys soccer season. At the same time, however, it did not exactly underachieve, either. That is because outside expectations were lower than the team’s heading into another fall that stretched deep into the postseason. Consider: • The team was unranked to start the season....
After 3 playoff seasons in 4 years, Latrobe boys soccer coach steps down
Wanting to spend more time with his family — his wife, Abbie, and young son, Niko — Jake Rice stepped down as boys soccer coach at Latrobe after four seasons. “A couple of in-house parent issues made me realize I should spend more time with my own kid and less...
Strong season changes conversation for Norwin football
Norwin may not have been a prize winner this football season, but the Knights sure were good enough for a ribbon. The Knights caught the attention of fans across the WPIAL by landing on the doorstep of their first championship game appearance. After a strong regular season, Norwin broke through...
Local junior golfers selected for state developmental team
There is a new junior golf development program in Pennsylvania and some of the area’s top rising players will be a part of it. Twelve boys and 12 girls were selected to the inaugural Team Pennsylvania, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association announced Tuesday. The program (ages 13-18) is geared toward...
Franklin Regional thread runs through NCAA-bound Grove City men’s soccer team
Grove City advanced to the NCAA men’s soccer tournament for the first time since 1980. Now, “Murrysville North” wants more. Grove City (15-2-2) features several players and coaches with Franklin Regional ties: basically the entire collection of Kimmichs and a coach who helped power Franklin Regional to back-to-back WPIAL championships...
Campus clippings: Norwin grads help Clarion women’s soccer earn 1st playoff berth
The Clarion women’s soccer team qualified for the PSAC playoffs for the first time in program history, and several Norwin graduates have been part of the run. Sisters junior Alyssa Aquilio and senior Reese Aquilio have each been in the starting lineup, while freshman Carmella Simco is a freshman on...
Westmoreland H.S. notebook: Local players featured on all-conference football teams
Several local players were selected for the Big 5/6 Conference all-conference football teams. Norwin had seven players chosen in Class 6A, including quarterback Tristyn Tavares, running back Giovanni Rothrauff, punter Evan Pfeifer, Josh Lenart (LB), and Jake Knight (DB). Patrick Schmook (C), Michael DeFazio (LB) and Zack Pawling (DB) made...
Moon flips script on No. 4 Penn-Trafford, advances to WPIAL semifinals
Moon was driving early in the fourth quarter when Tigers quarterback Andrew Cross scrambled on third-and-9 from the Penn-Trafford 34. Warriors linebacker Landyn Stikkel punched the ball out from behind and it came loose from the quarterback’s hands and hit the turf. Instead of an apparent fumble and recovery by...
College basketball players to watch from Westmoreland County
College basketball season is here again. Here is a list of players to watch from Westmoreland County: Men Division II • Adam Bilinsky, Jr., G, Pitt-Johnstown (Norwin) • Landon Butler, Jr., G, West Liberty (Latrobe) • Max Butler, Fr., G, West Liberty (Latrobe) Division III • Terek Crosby, So., G,...
Westmoreland County PIAA soccer playoff preview capsule for Nov. 8, 2025
PIAA boys soccer playoffs Class 3A Quarterfinals 7-2 Franklin Regional (19-4) vs. 3-1 Conrad Weiser (25-0-1) 5 p.m. Saturday, Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona Winner plays: Winner of 7-1 West Allegheny (15-6)/8-1 Allderdice (15-5) on Tuesday in semifinals (time, site TBD) Coaches: Nick White, Franklin Regional; Derek Long, Conrad Weiser Players...
Westmoreland County football notebook: All 3 phases clicking for Jeannette
Jeannette has been spreading the wealth with an all-hands-on-deck approach of late. The Jayhawks only have 22 players, but seven have found the end zone in the last three weeks — in six different ways. Jeannette (8-3), which will face Clairton (10-1) on Friday night in the WPIAL Class A...
‘We know what we’re up against’: Jeannette plenty familiar with No. 2 Clairton
When Jeannette lost to Clairton earlier in the season, Jayhawks football coach Tommy Paulone put 20 golf balls in a vase — 16 white, three blue and one yellow. The white represented how many practices the team had left in the season. Blue and yellow were for the remaining games,...
Familiar foes collide when Penn-Trafford, Moon square off in Class 5A quarterfinals
A bye week allowed Penn-Trafford to spend extra time in the film room. “In two weeks, we’ve watched 11 Moon games,” Warriors coach John Ruane said. The Warriors already were familiar with Moon before spending hours learning more about the Tigers in a darkened room. Now, they feel like they...
WPSCA announces all-state boys soccer players
Thirteen boys received all-state accolades from the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association. The list was announced Tuesday, and players include: • Mark Bence, Shady Side Academy • Thomas Bridges, Franklin Regional • Rocco DiDomenico, Fox Chapel • Owen Eastgate, Seneca Valley • Colin Froelich, Peters Township • Xavier Jackson, Bethel...
High school notebook: Franklin Regional boys soccer player Bridges earns all-state honor
Franklin Regional junior Thomas Bridges continues to carry the flag for soccer defenders everywhere. First, the center back was named the Section 3-3A Player of the Year. Now, the 6-foot-2 bruiser earned Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State honors. Bridges’ size, skill and versatility make him the envy of many...
Westmoreland County PIAA soccer playoff preview capsule for Nov. 4, 2025
PIAA boys soccer playoffs Class 3A First round 7-2 Franklin Regional (18-4) at 6-1 Hollidaysburg (17-2-1) 7 p.m. Tuesday, Tiger Stadium, Hollidaysburg Winner plays: Winner of 3-1 Conrad Weiser (21-0-1)/7-3 Thomas Jefferson (19-3-1) on Saturday in quarterfinals (time, site TBD) Coaches: Nick White, Franklin Regional; Craig Shale, Hollidaysburg Players to...
Westmoreland County campus clippings: Belle Vernon grad Devin Whitlock shines at receiver at IUP
When he played at Belle Vernon, Devin Whitlock was a big-play quarterback who could change the game with his arm, his legs or both. He was the focal point of opposing defenses each week. These days, he is making plays with his arms and hands. A redshirt sophomore at IUP,...
Franklin Regional soccer maintains standard through coaching roller coaster
Coaching turnover, while necessary at times and inevitable at others, can be damaging to an athletic program at any level. Even the good ones. It can cause rifts, distractions and impatience as a new leader fosters change and buys time to implement a system. Franklin Regional, though, hasn’t had issues...
Norwin will be without lineman Lucas Altier for playoffs after blood clot diagnosis
Norwin will go into the WPIAL Class 6A football playoffs without one of its top linemen. The Knights (7-3) are rallying around Lucas Altier as they prepare to face North Allegheny (7-3) on Friday in the semifinals. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound senior tackle will not be able to play. He is...
West Allegheny rallies past Franklin Regional to capture WPIAL boys soccer championship
Sophomore Michael Johnson is a lightweight wrestler at West Allegheny and competes at 106 pounds. He spends the fall season playing midfielder and defender for the soccer team where, oftentimes, he is the smallest player on the field. On Saturday afternoon, the diminutive speedster played a gigantic role as he...
Norwin notebook: 3 soccer players earn all-WPIAL honors
Norwin had three soccer players selected to the 2025 all-WPIAL teams. For the girls, who won a section title and made the WPIAL semifinals for the first time in six years, seniors Nicole Bown and Cameryn Reed made the 4A list. Senior Ryan Schoemer was a pick for boys 4A....
