Bill Beckner stories, Page 164
Norwin grad Alayna Gribble making successful comeback at St. Joseph’s
From academics to basketball, Alayna Gribble likes to stay a step ahead of things in her life. She prefers to be on time and get her work done early. Why wait? On a Monday, she already is thinking about Wednesday’s plans. Procrastination is like a turnover on a fast break:...
Greensburg Salem girls basketball shut down for 10 more days
One step forward, two steps back. Greensburg Salem cannot seem to gain any traction in girls basketball due to the covid-19 pandemic, which once again has halted play in the program. Team activities have been suspended for 10 more days due to a covid case. Coach Rick Klimchock’s team will...
New Greensburg Salem AD getting comfortable in homecoming
Frank Sundry had not walked the hallways at Greensburg Salem for more than 16 years when he returned to take over as the school’s athletic director in October. The environment still felt familiar, the sites had not changed much and there was a sense of comfort returning to his alma...
Norwin notebook: Jayla Wehner running the point at Marian
Former Norwin standout Jayla Wehner was in a giving mood during the holiday season. The freshman point guard for the women’s basketball team at Marian (Ind.), an NAIA school in Indianapolis, put together a career day as she led the offense in a home victory earlier this month. The floor...
Norwin athletes return to action after preaching positivity during shutdown
Tried and true, some Norwin athletes were ready when Gov. Tom Wolf put high school sports on pause again for three weeks. No practice? No problem. That is because they had been through this before. They endured a previous delay in the spring, training on their own and taking part...
Coronavirus taking bite out of Allen Deep’s usual basketball showcase schedule
Basketball season in western Pennsylvania would not seem complete without the showcase events organized by Allen Deep. His various charity events, from multiple team shootouts across the region to the season-capping Roundball Classic at Geneve, have become seasonal staples. The WPIAL resumed on-court action Friday, but this unusual season likely...
Westmoreland high school notes: Norwin’s Stecko gives verbal commitment to Mount St. Mary’s
From the first time he watched college baseball on television, Ty Stecko wanted to play at the next level. He believed he could grow into a Division I talent, and his confidence blossomed over time and caught up with his skills. “I believed in myself through my childhood,” he said....
Leading medical expert says some winter sports run greater covid risk than others
With a disclaimer, Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease and critical care physician, said he is all for winter sports resuming in the WPIAL. He wants to see people active and living their normal lives again. Adalja, who has discussed the effects of covid-19 and “dark days ahead” with media...
Franklin Regional boys give rude Class 5A welcome to Latrobe
Latrobe has been in the WPIAL’s largest classification since it began playing basketball decades ago. But the Wildcats got a humbling welcome to Class 5A when the covid-stalled season restarted Friday night. The Wildcats, making their debut in the classification after dropping from 6A, struggled to string together offense and...
High school basketball will have much different look — and sound — when it resumesVideo
When Buddy Valinsky coached in the City League, basketball games were played in the afternoon in front of only a few fans. Some games had no audience because of intensified, neighboring rivalries officials feared could lead to trouble. “It was pretty quiet sometimes,” said Valinsky, who coached Allderdice, his alma...
Franklin Regional football program, WCCA mourn loss of Larry Sellitto
Every head football coach has a right-hand man. For longtime Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta, it was Larry Sellitto. “He was my best friend,” Botta said. “He was there during good times and bad. One of the most supportive people I have ever met. He was loved by so many...
Starting 5: A guide to the 2020-21 Westmoreland County high school basketball season
WPIAL basketball season resumes Friday following a three-week pause initiated by Gov. Tom Wolf. Here is a look at the top storylines, teams and players to watch around Westmoreland County. Boys 5 Storylines An invisible opponent: A season unlike any other is about to unfold, and the manner in which...
Former Slippery Rock, Woodland Hills star Jaimire Dutrieuille awarded for ‘noteworthy bravery’
A selfless act of courage by Jaimire Dutrieuille saved someone’s life and almost ended his. It is the reason he will receive the NCAA Award of Valor, presented to a current or former student-athlete, coach or administrator who demonstrates “noteworthy bravery.” As guidelines state, someone who, when “confronted with a...
Westmoreland County basketball notebook: Teams jumping right into section play
A number of local basketball teams will take to the court Friday night and finally open the season after the state’s three-week shutdown of winter sports ended earlier this week. Many teams will jump right into section play. Hempfield, for example, will host Fox Chapel in a boys Section 3...
Norwin catcher Ty Stecko gives verbal commitment to Mount St. Mary’s
From the first time he watched college baseball on television, Ty Stecko wanted to play at the next level. He believed he could grow into a Division I talent and his confidence blossomed over time, soon catching up with the fast pace set by his skill set. “I believed in...
Franklin Regional alum Spencer Lee presented Hodge Trophy as top college wrestler
On the same day the Heisman Trophy was presented to college football’s top player, Spencer Lee was handed wrestling’s equivalent of the award. Lee, a senior at Iowa and a Franklin Regional alum, was presented in person the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s most dominant college wrestler from the...
Carlow men’s basketball making season debut on ESPN3
Swade Redman plans to graduate from Carlow in the spring. He longs to play one final basketball season with the Celtics. For now, he’ll settle for one game. Redman, a Jeannette graduate, will lead his teammates in their national television debut Monday night. The Celtics will visit Youngstown State in...
Westmoreland campus clippings: Norwin grad Wehner in giving mood; Butler finally healthy
Former Norwin standout Jayla Wehner was in a giving mood during the holiday season. The freshman point guard for the women’s basketball team at Marian (Ind.), a NAIA school in Indianapolis, put together a career day last week in a home victory. The floor leader dished out 10 assists in...
Greensburg Salem opts to resume winter sports Monday
Greensburg Salem is walking back a lengthy pause on winter sports and will now resume practices Monday like most of the WPIAL. Golden Lions first-year athletic director Frank Sundry confirmed Sunday the district’s plans to eradicate initial plans to suspend winter sports until Jan. 26. “I support any measure that...
Top 10 Westmoreland County sports stories of 2020Video
Sports at every level, from pee wees to the pros, have been affected by the menacing coronavirus. There is no dodging it. The global pandemic used 2020 for its big scene, an opponent teams couldn’t even see, stopping some seasons in their tracks and leaving others in tatters. Much to...
Jeannette grad Lamont Robinson, McKeesport’s Swin Cash up for Basketball Hall of Fame
LaMont “Showboat” Robinson and Swin Cash already cemented their places in Western Pennsylvania basketball history with their contributions to the game at multiple levels. Now both are hoping to see their names alongside some of the game’s greats. Robinson and Cash are on the ballot for the Naismith Memorial Basketball...
Westmoreland high school notes: GCC girls soccer player Winnor commits to New Hampshire
Bethany Winnor, a key player on the girls soccer team at Greensburg Central Catholic that won the WPIAL Class A title and finished runner-up in the PIAA this season, will play NCAA Division I soccer. The junior midfielder announced Tuesday her commitment to New Hampshire. Winnor, who led GCC with...
Sean Knapp, Rick Stimmel among state golf postseason award winners
When Sean Knapp wins a golf tournament, he often finds a way to contend for the same title the following year. He has an olfactory sense for finding the top of leaderboards on the amateur circuit. The Oakmont native and Hannastown Golf Club member also has a penchant for raking...
New Hampshire gets commitment from GCC soccer’s Bethany Winnor
Bethany Winnor, a key player on the girls soccer team at Greensburg Central Catholic that won the WPIAL Class A title and finished runner-up in the PIAA this season, will play NCAA Division I college soccer. The junior midfielder announced Tuesday her commitment to New Hampshire. Winnor, who led GCC...
Westmoreland campus clippings: Stone transferring to Robert Morris
In a matter of four days, Brandon Stone set his college basketball career on a new course. Last Saturday, he left the La Salle campus. On Monday, he entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. By Tuesday, he had a new suitor: Robert Morris. It happened that quickly for the former Southmoreland...
