Bill Hartlep stories, Page 23
A-K Valley senior spotlight: Deer Lakes’ Justin Brannagan
It’s going to be tough for Justin Brannagan to top his game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds that lifted Deer Lakes’ boys basketball team to a 39-37 victory over Blackhawk in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. Being swarmed by teammates and fans on the court is a moment...
Pittsburgh Maulers’ season opener postponed because of severe weather
Football fans hoping to watch the Pittsburgh Maulers for the first time in nearly 40 years will have to wait another day. The Maulers’ scheduled USFL season opener against the Tampa Bay Bandits on Sunday night was postponed due to the risk of severe weather in Alabama. The game is...
Herald notebook: Fox Chapel’s Dering, Turnquist earn strength, conditioning awards
Fox Chapel senior swim team members David Dering and Lydia Turnquist were named All-American Athlete Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award recipients in swimming earlier this month. The National Strength and Conditioning Association recognizes high school and collegiate athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength and...
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Burrell’s Bella Stewart, Kiski Area’s Jacob Smith
Bella Stewart Class: Freshman School: Burrell Sport: Softball Report card: Burrell freshman catcher Bella Stewart was 3 for 4 with a double and four RBIs in helping the Bucs (4-0, 3-0) earn a 6-3 win over Highlands in a Section 1-4A game Wednesday. She also was on the receiving end...
Burrell baseball’s focus in tough section race: ‘Just compete’
Burrell baseball coach Mark Spohn wanted to get a message across to his players after a hard-to-believe 1-0 loss to rival Valley last Friday. The Bucs didn’t allow a hit – or allowed one hit, depending on the scorekeeper – and a ball didn’t leave the infield. Valley scored one...
Highlands tennis team looks to return to WPIAL playoffs
Tyler Kirin has a coaching philosophy that goes beyond wins and losses. It’s deeper than points on the court, but the principles work hand-in-hand with winning, both in tennis and in life. “I’m really proud of the young men we have, and I’m proud of the effort they put in,”...
A-K Valley senior spotlight: Deer Lakes’ Jenna Bisegna
Jenna Bisegna Deer Lakes softball ^ Deer Lakes’ softball team took a trip south to start the 2022 campaign. The Lancers came home with a 0-4 record, but they worked out some kinks, gained valuable experience and built relationships and memories that will last much longer than the spring season....
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Highlands’ Abbie Deiseroth, Valley’s Wesley Schrock
Abbie Deiseroth Class: Junior School: Highlands Sport: Softball Report card: Junior first baseman Deiseroth hit three home runs and had five RBIs in Highlands’ 12-2 victory over Freeport in a Section 1-4A game April 4. It was part of a five-homer outburst for the Golden Rams in the section opener...
North Allegheny notebook: Tigers boys volleyball off to strong start
The North Allegheny boys volleyball team has begun its journey toward contending for a fourth straight PIAA title. The Tigers, ranked No. 1 by the Western PA volleyball coaches association, opened the season by winning their host invitational, going 6-0 in pool play before defeating Penn-Trafford, Manheim Central, Ambridge, Seton...
Kim Johnson named Valley’s interim athletic director
Kim Johnson has spent the past 30 years teaching the students of the New Kensington-Arnold School District. Whether it was about the intricacies of biology or proper technique in the backstroke, she has made an impact on countless students who have passed through the halls of Valley High School. For...
Apollo-Ridge slugger off to scorching start
Knocking in 13 runs would be a relatively good statistic for most high school baseball players in Western Pennsylvania … for a season. Brandon Butler needed just two games to reach that mark in what could be a special 2022 campaign for the junior shortstop and his Apollo-Ridge teammates. Butler...
Young Burrell tennis lineup looks to contend in Section 3-2A
David Frederick and Cameron Wagner got a quick introduction to WPIAL boys tennis last season, stepping into the singles lineup and taking on some of the area’s top players. The Burrell freshmen gained valuable experience during matches and tournaments, which could serve them well as they embark on their sophomore...
Valley tennis team ready to defend Section 3 championship
Snow squalls and temperatures in the teens didn’t really signify the start of spring over the weekend, but the spring high school sports season is actually in full swing. Valley’s boys tennis team certainly has come out swinging the racquets to start the chilly campaign. The Vikings opened with a...
Kiski Area boys tennis taking aim at WPIAL playoff berth
The Kiski Area boys tennis team was a win away from a WPIAL playoff berth last season. With the entire young lineup returning, coach Trent Goerk and the Cavaliers are focused on a trip to the postseason. “We definitely hope to have the playoffs in our sights for the kids,”...
A-K Valley senior spotlight: Valley’s Ben Aftanas
A new sports season has begun, which means it’s again time for Ben Aftanas to get to work. The Valley senior is putting on a third uniform this school year as he takes the field as a captain for the Vikings baseball team. Also a golfer and basketball player, Aftanas...
After trip to PIAA playoffs, future remains promising for Highlands boys basketball
Members of the Highlands boys basketball team wanted a second chance. After having their WPIAL playoff run stalled in the semifinals with a 61-44 loss to Laurel Highlands, the Golden Rams turned their focus to the PIAA tournament. They rebounded with a PIAA first-round victory over Brashear and earned another...
A-K Valley senior spotlight: Highlands’ Carter Leri
All basketball teams need leaders, someone to motivate and encourage as well as to provide a steady calmness when things get intense. Carter Leri was a sophomore reserve when Highlands won the 2020 WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball title. He watched and learned from others before him and became a...
Burrell’s Cooper Hornack named 2022 Valley News Dispatch Wrestler of the Year
There is room for one wrestler to stand atop the podium in Hershey’s Giant Center. Hundreds of wrestlers in each weight class start the season with hopes of being that person, having their name called on the PA system as their coach drapes a gold medal around their neck at...
2022 PIAA Class 6A girls basketball championship breakdown: Mt. Lebanon vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh
PIAA Class 6A girls basketball final Mt. Lebanon vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh 5 p.m. Saturday, Giant Center, Hershey On the air: TV: PCN; Audio: TribLive HSSN; Radio: 95.3 FM PIAA titles: Mt. Lebanon 3 (2009, ‘10, ‘11), Plymouth Whitemarsh 0 Mt. Lebanon (27-1) Coach: Dori Oldaker Probable starting lineup No., Name,...
2022 PIAA Class 2A girls basketball championship breakdown: Neshannock vs. Southern Columbia
PIAA Class 2A girls basketball final Neshannock vs. Southern Columbia Noon Friday, Giant Center, Hershey On the air: TV: PCN PIAA titles: Neshannock 0, Southern Columbia 0 Neshannock (28-2) Coach: Luann Grybowski Probable starting lineup No., Name, Ht., Cl., Pos. 1, Neleh Nogay, 5-6, sr., G 11, Addilae Watts, 5-7,...
2022 PIAA Class 5A girls basketball championship breakdown: Chartiers Valley vs. Cardinal O’Hara
PIAA Class 5A girls basketball final Chartiers Valley vs. Cardinal O’Hara 5 p.m. Friday, Giant Center, Hershey On the air: TV: PCN; Audio: TribLive HSSN; Radio: 95.3 FM PIAA titles: Chartiers Valley 1 (2019), Cardinal O’Hara 1 (2021) Chartiers Valley (28-2) Coach: Tim McConnell Probable starting lineup No., Name, Ht.,...
2022 PIAA Class A boys basketball championship breakdown: Bishop Canevin vs. St. John Neumann
PIAA Class A boys basketball final Bishop Canevin vs. St. John Neumann 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Giant Center, Hershey On the air: TV: PCN PIAA titles: Bishop Canevin 0, St. John Neumann 0 Bishop Canevin (24-4) Coach: Gino Palmosina Probable starting lineup No., Name, Ht., Cl., Pos. 3, Amari Evans, 6-3,...
2022 WPIAL Class 2A baseball preseason breakdown
Last spring was a celebration as district athletes returned to the diamond after the 2020 season was canceled because of covid-19 shutdowns. Baseball thrived throughout the WPIAL as six new champions were crowned, some in dramatic fashion. That success carried over to the state playoffs as WPIAL teams captured two...
2022 WPIAL Class 2A softball preseason breakdown
Last spring was a celebration as district athletes returned to the diamonds after the 2020 season was canceled because of the covid-19 shutdowns. Softball was a success throughout as the WPIAL crowned four new champions while Laurel and West Greene remained on top in 2A and A. District softball squads...
St. Joseph softball team will rely on players’ ability to play multiple positions
Position flexibility is key for any softball team but even moreso for those in Class A. St. Joseph enters the 2022 season with 12 players on its roster and just one senior. Though the small roster might provide some challenges, it also will offer opportunities for players to show their...
