Bill Beckner stories, Page 68
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Coach returns to Ligonier Valley girls basketball
Ligonier Valley named a new girls basketball coach four days before the official start of practice. The coach not only is an alum but the all-time leading scorer for the program (1,606 points) and a Rams Hall of Famer. Christy (Clark) Hajjar, a 1991 graduate, was hired Monday to replace...
Belle Vernon rushes back to WPIAL final with dominant win over East Allegheny
When it comes time to choose a ball carrier for each running play, Belle Vernon has options. Penn State commit Quinton Martin and speedsters Jake Gedekoh and Kole Doppelheuer give the Leopards a nice interplay of gears. “I can’t say enough about our skills guys,” coach Matt Humbert said. “It’s...
6 WPIAL linemen named finalists for 5th annual Bill Fralic Award
A scratched Atlanta Falcons helmet. A Pitt helmet dotted with reward stickers. A shiny national player of the year trophy. A Penn Hills No. 79 jersey that casts a shadow like the man who wore it. Those items and more will be part of a special exhibit honoring local football...
With loaded roster, long playoff run could await Greensburg Central Catholic girls
When Greensburg Central Catholic’s girls run their continuation sets on the basketball court, the offense is constantly resetting, coach Chris Skatell said. There is passing and cutting, rotating to new spots and a constant refresh to create shots. This season will be one big reset for the Centurions, who could...
With top scorers back, Greensburg Central Catholic boys in position to contend again
With its top two scorers back and four more players who spot-started at times last season joining them, Greensburg Central Catholic is a contender again in WPIAL Class 2A boys basketball. “I like that this team has guys that are ready to step up,” senior guard Tyree Turner said. “A...
PIAA: Central Bucks South won’t receive penalty after wearing wrong jerseys vs. Norwin
The PIAA said there is no penalty for a team that does not bring the proper colored uniform to a playoff event. Philadelphia-area school Central Bucks South and Norwin wore white uniforms in a PIAA Class 4A boys soccer semifinal Tuesday night at Chambersburg, causing a stir among Norwin fans,...
For Norwin boys, wild, dramatic playoff ride came to a halt one stop short
CHAMBERSBURG — Unable to produce the tying goal like they had done so many times before, and unable to push for overtime and penalty kicks to fit their calling card, Norwin fell to Central Bucks South on Tuesday night, 1-0, in the PIAA Class 4A semifinals to bring a historic...
Central Bucks South ends improbably playoff run for Norwin boys soccer team
CHAMBERSBURG — Both soccer teams brought their white uniforms Tuesday night, so Central Bucks South wore fluorescent green mesh pinnies over their jerseys. Norwin coach Scott Schuchert would have given his team the shirt off his back if it meant moving on to the state finals. But it wasn’t meant...
Rosters set for 2023 Western Pa. Soccer Coaches Association boys all-star games
The Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association boys all-star games will be Nov. 25 at Pine-Richland. The first game features Class A vs Class 2A at noon, followed by Class 3A vs. 4A at 2 p.m. Coaches are Nick Malabri of Bentworth (Class A), Marc Bellora of South Park (2A), Matt...
Westmoreland County campus clippings: Seton Hill football finishes on winning streak
Seton Hill went out on a winning note. Junior receiver Mark Bails had three touchdown catches and junior quarterback Jake Cruz threw for three scores as the Griffins secured their first winning season since 2008 with a 30-10 victory over Millersville in the regular-season finale. Bails finished with four receptions...
PIHL announces October players of the month
With 10 goals and six assists in four games last month, Norwin’s Alex Thomas surged to the top spot in the PIHL scoring leaders. He’s developed a reputation as one of the most league’s most prolific scorers. Thomas was selected as the PIHL Class 2A Player of the Month, joining...
Westmoreland PIAA boys soccer playoff capsule: Games for Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023
PIAA boys soccer playoffs Class 4A semifinals Norwin (17-5-1) vs. Central Bucks South (18-5-2) 6 p.m. Tuesday, Chambersburg High School, Chambersburg Winner plays: Winner of Council Rock North (19-3-1)/Conestoga (22-0-1) in championship, 7 p.m. Friday at Eagle View Middle School, Mechanicsburg Coaches: Scott Schuchert, Norwin; Kyle Pettican, Central Bucks South...
Westmoreland County campus clippings: Franklin Regional grads earn AMCC honors
Penn State Behrend senior defender Justin LeDonne (Franklin Regional) was selected as the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference co-defensive soccer player of the year, sharing the honor with Jack Leahy of Alfred State. LeDonne, a glue player on the Lions’ back line, also earned All-AMCC first team honors as he helped...
PKs are OK for Norwin boys soccer team as it marches on in PIAA tournament
CHAMBERSBURG — These days, when regulation ends and two overtimes conclude with no result, the Norwin boys soccer team doesn’t clock out and go home. No, when it is time for penalty kicks, Norwin calls in the Knight Shift. The team’s penalty-shooting unit is 3-0 this postseason and has the...
Westmoreland high school notes: Area players selected to All-WPIAL volleyball lists
The area was well represented on the All-WPIAL lists for girls volleyball. WPIAL semifinalist Greensburg Central Catholic had two Class A first-team selections: sophomore right-side hitter Ashlyn Black and junior outside hitter Eva Denis, who held her own quite well at 5-foot-4. Senior setter Ella Dindak and senior outside hitter...
Norwin boys get another thrilling penalty-kick win in PIAA quarters
CHAMBERSBURG — As the pink sky faded into darkness and one overtime gave way to another, Norwin’s confidence grew. As time melted off the clock in the second overtime, the Knights began to feel it. Another shootout was imminent. It was their time to shine. Again. “We’ve been to PKs...
Norwin notebook: Irwin resident wins World Series ring
For the second year in a row, a man with ties to North Huntingdon is bringing home a World Series ring. Last year, former Norwin star JJ Matijevic earned a ring with the Houston Astros’ taxi squad. This fall, Jon George is getting one as a scout for the Texas...
Franklin Regional boys soccer will enter next season with new coach, plenty of talent
Franklin Regional has a coaching vacancy with the sudden departure of two-year coach Lukas Petersen, who is moving to Maryland because his wife has a new job there. The position might be one of the most attractive in the state, which isn’t hyperbole considering the Panthers only lose five seniors...
South Side lives up to top seed, takes care of Greensburg Central Catholic
Have run, will travel. South Side’s well-oiled wing-T rushing attack was as advertised Friday night — complemented by a hint of pinpoint passing at the right times— in the WPIAL Class A football quarterfinals. The top-seeded Rams ran for 280 yards and seven touchdowns and rolled over No. 8 Greensburg...
Ligonier Valley to host 2nd annual WCCA girls volleyball match
The inaugural Westmoreland County Coaches Association girls volleyball match was a rousing success last fall, so it was a no-brainer for organizers to bring the event back. This year’s match is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at Ligonier Valley. Rosters were announced Thursday. Hempfield’s Ashten Flynn will coach the...
Westmoreland County boys soccer playoff preview for Nov. 11, 2023
PIAA soccer playoffs Boys Class 4A Quarterfinals Norwin (16-5-1) vs. Abington (21-3) 3 p.m. Saturday, Chambersburg High School, Chambersburg Winner plays: Winner of Central Bucks South (17-5-2)/North Allegheny (17-2-3) Tuesday in semifinals (time, site TBD) Coaches: Scott Schuchert, Norwin; Randy Garber, Abington Players to watch: George Bunovich, Norwin; Brandon Murataj,...
Norwin hockey’s Alex Thomas signs with NAHL’s Colorado Grit
Colorado Grit general manager Gaven Bickford said Alex Thomas has quick lateral moves on the ice. Thomas, a skillful forward from North Huntingdon, moved his pen left to right when he signed a tender with the Grit, a North American Hockey League team. “It’s a great feeling knowing that somebody...
Gritty defense carries Norwin soccer to new heights
“Castle on locks.” It has become a familiar catchphrase for the Norwin boys soccer team, particularly the four back-liners who help senior goalkeeper Anthony Scalise guard the vault. The Castle, of course, is their home stadium. But a strict defense also travels well, as evidenced by the team’s historic postseason...
Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Veteran QBs lead playoff teams
If there is one thing the three remaining WPIAL football playoff teams from Westmoreland County have in common, it is leadership under center. Latrobe, Belle Vernon and Greensburg Central Catholic boast experienced quarterbacks who are just as threatening as runners as they are passers. Those leaders could hold the key...
Greensburg C.C. prepares for South Side’s vaunted rushing attack
In a way, Greensburg Central Catholic can’t entertain the thought of pulling an upset until it can prevent South Side’s football team from pulling its guards. “They can run it so well,” GCC first-year coach JT Thompson said of the top-seeded Rams (11-0), who will play No. 8 GCC in...
