Bill Beckner stories, Page 29
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Balance, depth key factors in Penn-Trafford’s unbeaten run
Penn-Trafford began the week as one of only three undefeated girls basketball teams in the WPIAL. While the unblemished run has been impressive, it isn’t altogether surprising to the team doing the winning. Veteran coach John Giannikas, who is in his 18th season leading the Warriors (16-0, 8-0), thought last...
Southmoreland turns to former Yough star Dustin Shoaf, 23, to lead football program
Dustin Shoaf hasn’t taken a handoff like this since college. Just a couple of months ago, the former standout running back was lending his expertise as an assistant coach at Jeannette, which made a surprise run to the WPIAL Class A semifinals. Now, the 23-year-old is the head coach at...
Penn-Trafford boys rout Albert Gallatin for 3rd win in row
The first time Penn-Trafford played Albert Gallatin, the Warriors could not seal the deal, watching a late lead fade in a one-point loss on the road. In the rematch, the Warriors stuck the landing — and won by 20. Not only did the Warriors show their depth — 11 players...
Hempfield grad Kason Harrell grateful to lead team to tournament title in Ireland
When he left the Yough boys basketball coaching staff last year, Kason Harrell was unsure of what his own basketball future would entail. Would he coach elsewhere, continue to train young players or keep grinding in the gym to try to prolong his professional playing career? Harrell opted to press...
After seeing big lead evaporate, Penn-Trafford girls find extra gear to top Latrobe
With Latrobe fast on their bumper and their 18-point lead shaved to one, the Penn-Trafford girls basketball team did the only thing they could to quell the situation in the third quarter: They got mad. “Coach Chuck (Fontana) always talks about us being relentless,” Lady Warriors guard Torrie DeStefano said....
Westmoreland County campus clippings: GCC grad Bailey Kuhns among NEC’s best at Mercyhurst
Holding a spot on a Division I roster and being a Division I player are different things. It’s about actions and results that go beyond landing a spot at a school. Bailey Kuhns found herself on a Division I team when Mercyhurst jumped from the D-II PSAC. Now, the junior...
Westmoreland high school notebook: WCCA scholarship winners announced
The Westmoreland County Coaches Association announced its scholarship winners for 2024. Each year, the WCCA scholarship committee receives and reviews applications of seniors from county high schools and then determines the winners. Three graduates received $2,000, and five others were awarded $1,500. The $2,000 winners were: • Mikaela Shine of...
Norwin distance runner to run at St. Francis (Pa.), joining his sister on the track and field team
Proximity to home and quality of education were driving factors for Thomas Gaydos in the college recruiting process. The Norwin senior distance runner’s plan of action was precise, and it led him up the mountain to Loretto, where he committed to run track and cross country at St. Francis (Pa.)...
Hempfield boys basketball team falls to Mt. Lebanon in 1st game under interim coach
Playing its first game this season without head coach Bill Swan, who is on paid administrative leave until further notice while the school district investigates an undisclosed complaint against him, the Hempfield boys basketball team struggled to find its rhythm and focus Friday night in a 60-27 loss to Mt....
Westmoreland boys basketball notes: Jeannette, GCC change rankings after 1st section meeting
Jeannette boys basketball coach Adrian Batts and his counterpart at Greensburg Central Catholic, Christian Hyland, tried to think big picture after their first Section 1-2A matchup of the season. Greensburg Central Catholic (12-1, 6-0) won 53-47 to take over first place while handing the host Jayhawks (11-1, 5-1) their first...
End nears for Latrobe’s Butler basketball dynasty
When Latrobe assistant basketball coach Eric Butler greets opposing coaches before games or talks to them in postgame handshake lines, he hears a similar refrain. “They always say, ‘Are there any more Butler boys coming up?’ ” Butler said. “They always joke with me about it. It’s kind of a...
Jayla Peterson offers scoring punch to talented Greensburg Central Catholic backcourt
Erica Gribble is used to getting compliments on her game. The junior at Greensburg Central Catholic is one of the WPIAL’s top guards and a Richmond commit. But this year, she is getting complements, as in, a helping hand from her teammate and friend, fellow junior Jayla Peterson. No. 4-ranked...
Westmoreland County girls basketball notebook: Norwin rebounds from 3-game skid
A losing streak can teach a team a lot about itself, especially a team that isn’t used to losing. Take Norwin, the defending WPIAL 6A champion. The Knights recently dropped three straight — to North Catholic, Shaler and No. 1 Upper St. Clair. They had not endured such a streak...
Hempfield boys basketball coach placed on administrative leave, game postponed
The Norwin at Hempfield boys basketball game was postponed Tuesday night but not because of winter weather. Hempfield called off the game as it looks into a complaint against Spartans head coach Bill Swan, who has been placed on administrative leave. Mark Holtzman, superintendent at Hempfield, said the school board...
Saint Vincent hires Casey Goff as new football coach
Saint Vincent canvassed the country, searching far and wide for the best candidate to take over its football program. Coaches with NFL, Big Ten and NCAA Division II experience were considered, officials said. But at the end of the day, SVC was won over by a guy who got his...
Norwin girls clamp down on Hempfield for 3rd straight win
Norwin takes pride in holding teams under 40 points, so, when Hempfield began to creep closer to that mark, the Knights went into lockdown mode. “The key is to hold them under 40,” Norwin guard Liz Yarosik said. “We reward ourselves for that. Defense is a team effort. Help the...
After 3 decades, Rick Bertagnolli steps down as Cal (Pa.) softball coach
The man who turned Cal (Pa.) softball into a national power is leaving the dugout. Longtime coach Rick Bertagnolli is calling it a career after 30 years leading the Vulcans. The veteran leader won 71.4% of his games, compiling a record of 972-389 and leading Cal to back-to-back NCAA Division...
Westmoreland County campus clippings: GCC grad Matt Metrosky draws interest in transfer portal
Looking for a new college football team, Matt Metrosky could still end up playing close to home. The junior lineman, who was a member of the Pitt football team the last four years as a walk-on, recently entered the NCAA transfer portal and immediately got a nibble on the line....
Westmoreland high school notebook: GCC’s Crosby gets offer from Penn
Surprisingly, Samir Crosby did not receive all-state recognition this season, but that has not stopped Division I college programs from courting the junior football standout from Greensburg Central Catholic. College offers continue to roll in. Crosby, a big-play quarterback and defensive back, grabbed his second opportunity from an Ivy League...
New coach encourages growth in Norwin swim teams
New Norwin swimming and diving coach Kathy Bernardi believes her athletes will get out of the sport what they put into it. She took over the program after the resignation of Doug Watson and brings instant enthusiasm to a program with very thin rosters. “I am excited to be taking...
Franklin Regional notebook: Hockey team heats up heading into new year
The Franklin Regional hockey team countered a three-game losing streak with two straight wins heading into 2025. JJ Tensuan netted the game-winner off an assist from Grant Williams 37 seconds into overtime to lift the Panthers to a 4-3 win over Pine-Richland. Joey Casella had two goals and Ryan Crouse...
Samir Crosby lifts No. 2 Greensburg CC over No. 1 Jeannette in much-anticipated showdown
Samir Crosby didn’t play basketball last season because he wanted to lift weights and get ready for football. He came back to the sport this year and showed some serious muscle in a big-time matchup against his hometown team. The Greensburg Central Catholic junior scored a game-high 19 points, including...
OF Claire Mitchell joins Hempfield pipeline to Division I softball
At this rate, Hempfield is going to be able to fill out a full lineup card with NCAA Division I college players next softball season. Junior Claire Mitchell this week became the sixth returning Spartans standout to commit to a high-level program as she chose the University of Maryland Baltimore...
No. 1 Shady Side Academy impresses in decisive win over No. 2 Greensburg Central Catholic
The No. 1 has been following the Shady Side Academy girls basketball team around this season. No. 1 ranking in the WPIAL. No. 1 ranking in the state. No. 1 defensive scoring average in Class 3A. The defending WPIAL champion Bulldogs are also making a one-game-at-a-time go of things as...
Veteran coaches Joe Salvino, Paul Sapotichne set to square off with Belle Vernon, Greensburg Salem
Call it a coaching matchup for the ages. It is not often that veteran coaches like Joe Salvino and Paul Sapotichne square off in the same gym for a section boys basketball game. Though the WPIAL longtimers have coached against each other before — Sapotichne thinks it wasn’t in “a...
