Bill Beckner stories, Page 152

Zach Kokoska was on the path to becoming a pitcher in college. No, really. “I was a left-hander who could throw 90 (mph),” the former Latrobe standout said. “Coaches jumped all over that.” But when he began to hit for power and average, that ship quickly sailed. When he left...

Defense was a big part of Saint Vincent’s run to a conference championship. Coaching had a little to do with it, too. Both were exemplified by a key senior and the Bearcats’ unfettered leader on the sidelines. The Presidents’ Athletic Conference recognized both with postseason awards Wednesday. Saint Vincent guard...

The dance goes on for Bryce Butler. A sophomore guard at West Liberty, Butler has helped the Hilltoppers (18-4) reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament. The Latrobe alum had four points and six rebounds in a 78-61 win over Hillsdale. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Butler...

Al Yeschenko had a good couple of days. He guided a Beadling Club ‘07 boys soccer team to a tournament championship Sunday in Delaware. On Monday, he was hired as the boys head soccer coach at Belle Vernon. Yeschenko was an assistant last year with the man he is replacing,...

What is a punter without his long-snapper? Or a kicker without his holder? Norwin has a talented pair of special teamers, and they are headed to a national showcase as a package deal. Sophomores Joey Castle and Xander Smith are headed to the National Kicking Rankings Top 20 Invitational on...

Fundamentals are a big part of the coaching staff’s philosophy at Greensburg Central Catholic. Nothing is taken for granted in preparation for each opponent. Nothing is too simplified. “We work on the basic fundamentals all the time and try to get them down,” junior pitcher Zach David said. “Our coaching...

Brittany Stawovy is on the move. After completing a four-year playing career at West Virginia Wesleyan, the senior basketball player has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Stawovy, a Greensburg Central Catholic graduate, is unable to continue with a post-grad program, so she is looking to play one more season somewhere...

Greensburg Central Catholic softball has been a slow build since coach Mike Gaffney took over six years ago. There always were talented players, but Gaffney had to play them at varying positions on the field, many times in spots that didn’t quite suit them. It all was out of necessity....

Just about every WPIAL team starts a season with goals of winning section and WPIAL titles. What’s the point if that is not the case, right? But only a select few have the talent to change those goals from words into actions; to follow them through to a finish. Count...

Jim Armstrong remembers the day it all came crashing down. “We were in the gym playing kickball,” the Franklin Regional softball coach said. “It kind of dawned on me what was about to happen. It was over.” The PIAA canceled spring sports last year as the coronavirus pandemic began to...

As the NCAA Tournament tipped off Friday afternoon, Aaron Smetanka was preparing for kickoff. Yes, kickoff. In March. The Saint Vincent football coach was finalizing gameday plans for the Bearcats’ season opener at Grove City. Elsewhere on campus, the women’s basketball team was practicing for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship...

Jeannette is taking its girls basketball program in a new direction. The district opened the coaching position held for the last three seasons by Jonathan Bass after the Jayhawks finished 0-19 this season. The team was 0-6 in section play but opted to enter the WPIAL open playoff tournament and...

Thomas Louisy had pondered coaching high school soccer in the past. “I had hundreds of offers,” he said. “I just never had been interested in coaching high school.” But then the recruitment started, and he made a quick pivot. The Franklin Regional job opened after his longtime cohort, Rand Hudson,...

With the WPIAL sending only champions to the PIAA playoffs this year in basketball, local fans only can wonder what might have been for some teams in the state tournaments — the ultimate second chance for teams that were tripped up in the district playoffs. Take Norwin’s girls. The Knights...

With one of its largest senior classes — and arguably one of its most talented — the Norwin boys lacrosse team is hoping for a season that extends into the WPIAL playoffs. Sixth-year coach Chad Good’s team could match his namesake. “We always have high expectations,” Good said. “We have...

Otterbein senior Hannah Dobrinick, a Penn-Trafford grad, has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week. A first baseman, Dobrinick went 7 for 11 in a four-game series against John Carroll with a pair of two-run home runs. She drove in five runs and scored seven times. She...

Jeannette is taking its girls basketball program in a new direction. The district opened the coaching position held for the last three seasons by Jonathan Bass after the Jayhawks finished 0-19 this season. The team was 0-6 in section play but opted to enter the WPIAL open playoff tournament and...

Seton Hill baseball powered its way to an upset and continued a hot start. The top four hitters in the Griffins’ lineup homered as Seton Hill took down No. 10 Millersville, 13-6, to mark its best start since 2012. The team has risen to No. 1 in the National Collegiate...

Softball season opens Saturday for Mt. Aloysius and junior standout Lydia DeFazio, a player who will carry a unique distinction into a doubleheader at Pitt-Greensburg. DeFazio, a Penn-Trafford product, is the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Preseason Player of the Year. She was bestowed that honor last season before the pandemic...

Saint Vincent advanced in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference women’s basketball tournament and Bearcats’ coach Jimmy Petruska reached a milestone. Petruska, in his 10th season, registered win No. 200 of his career as SVC downed visiting Waynesburg, 87-59, in the PAC quarterfinals. Saint Vincent (8-0) advances to play Westminster (6-4) at...

The Saint Vincent men’s basketball team snapped a six-game losing streak, and the feat came with a bonus: The Bearcats advanced in the PAC postseason. SVC (3-7) toppled Waynesburg, 72-58, in the play-in round to advance to Tuesday’s quarterfinals at Geneva. The Bearcats used a 45-point second half to pull...

John Altieri was cleared for a trip to Hershey for the PIAA Wrestling Championships, but the Norwin senior’s participation in the state tournament looked like it might be in question after a brutal body slam. During the PIAA West Super Regional at Altoona, Altieri won a championship at 145 pounds,...

Franklin Regional sent a number of swimmers to the medal stand at the WPIAL Class AAA Championships at Upper St. Clair. “I am very happy with our results from WPIALs,” Panthers coach Victor Santoro said. “All three girls relays won medals.” The girls 200-yard freestyle relay finished fifth, the 200-yard...