Josh Rizzo stories, Page 47
In return to baseball, Shaler grad Alex Ficorilli makes impact for Clarion
Stepping away from baseball was the only recourse for Alex Ficorilli. Following the fall semester in 2018, Ficorilli’s grades weren’t where they needed to be. A lack of effort put the Clarion sophomore behind. Ficorilli decided to take a hiatus from the baseball team and focus on becoming better college...
Stellar pitching helps North Allegheny finish regular season on high note
Finishing the regular season on a heater doesn’t lend itself to happy endings. North Allegheny baseball squeaked into the playoffs a year ago, but used the momentum from playing tight games down the stretch to qualify for the PIAA Class 6A playoffs. The Tigers ended this year with eight straight...
Shaler boys volleyball adopts simple approach for playoffs
Six-foot middle blocker Steve Hoffman fits right in with the Shaler volleyball team. He’s undersized and has a persistent, defensive style of play. The Titans long have established their intent to wear down bigger teams with their tempo. “I don’t know if we are patient,” Hoffman said. “We keep moving...
Shaler girls lacrosse hopes to build on 2019 season
The Shaler Area girls lacrosse team started to turn a corner by the end of the season. While it won’t be enough to send the Titans to the WPIAL Class AAA postseason, it provided a strong foundation for the team to build on heading into next season. Shaler finished 6-10...
Chemistry helps North Allegheny girls lacrosse clinch WPIAL playoff berth
The North Allegheny girls lacrosse team found the right recipe to capture four of its final five games and earn a spot in the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs. Senior midfielder Paige Jones attributed the surge to chemistry. Italian food helped bring the Tigers together before the season started. “We had...
Shaler junior Mbalo moves closer to WPIAL goals
Cam Mbalo came into the season with lofty goals. The Shaler junior jumper is gunning for a WPIAL Class AAA championship after qualifying for the indoor state championships during the winter. Mbalo showed any pressure of such pursuits haven’t halted his progress. If the season ended after the Butler Invitational,...
Young Shaler boys lacrosse team making strides
Zach Zajakowski is getting plenty of opportunities for the Shaler boys lacrosse team, and the freshman goaltender has been an anchor. “It’s his first full year starting,” Shaler coach Bill Wightman said. “He played goalie one half of last year and defense one half. He’s real raw, and he’s our...
Offense guides North Allegheny softball under 1st-year coach
First-year North Allegheny softball coach Morgan Vescovi didn’t feel like she had to reinvent the Tigers’ program. With what the Tigers had returning, the 2003 North Allegheny graduate was confident she could help steer the program in the right direction. Despite a 5-0 loss to Pine-Richland last Wednesday, the Tigers...
North Allegheny cuts down on strikeouts, starts piling up wins
Diagnosing what has North Allegheny’s bats heating up isn’t something coach Andrew Heck has a clear answer for. Early in the season, the Tigers struggled at times by piling up strikeouts. But North Allegheny has improved steadily and broke things open over the past five games. The Tigers scored 10...
Shaler softball in contention for WPIAL playoff berth
Tom Sorce went into his second year as Shaler Area softball coach knowing the Titans’ offense needed more flair. Packing some power into the bats was a key focus of an off-season training regiment built around strength. Shaler has seven home runs — after only hitting one last season —...
North Allegheny track team builds momentum after invitational success
North Allegheny’s track and field team left quite an impression on the medal stand in the 3,200-meter event at the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational. For the girls’ portion, the Tigers didn’t leave room for many others on the medal stand. Hannah Lindgren, Ally Christy and Jenna Mlecko placed first, second and...
Shaler grad Weaver finds his niche at midfield for Heidelberg
Moving without the ball wasn’t something Liam Weaver ever put a lot of thought into. Making a position change for the Heidelberg (Ohio) men’s lacrosse team this season presented a new line of thinking. After moving from midfield to attack, the sophomore has found a niche for the Student Princes....
Topich continues tradition of strong setters for North Allegheny volleyball
Sava Topich is the latest in a long line of North Allegheny volleyball players tasked with taking over the mantle at a tradition-laden position. But Tigers coach Dan Schall doesn’t expect Topich, a senior setter, to be like AJ Schmidt or MJ Barton. History won’t make this year’s offense go....
Shaler Area girls lacrosse motivated after missing WPIAL playoffs
Having another year together has done the Shaler girls lacrosse program a lot of good. Missing out on a trip to the playoffs helped bring everyone together. “Our biggest strength is teamwork,” Titans coach Ali Nicholas said. “We work well as a team. Last year, a lot of the girls...
Shaler lacrosse team grinds through section play
Ryan Shank doesn’t spend time thinking about being exhausted after Shaler lacrosse matches. Without a deep roster, the Titans’ veterans play long minutes. Shank, a senior defenseman, is no different in that respect. What all Shaler players have developed is an ironman approach. “It’s about having the mentality,” Shank said....
Shaler baseball team already prepping for playoff chase
There will be no break for the Shaler baseball team this season. Before entering Section 2-5A play last Monday against Moon, Titans coach Brian Junker wanted to prepare his players for what would be a tight playoff chase. During a five-game stretch to open the season, Shaler took on three...
NA boys lacrosse relies on each player bringing own personality
Matt Osten and the North Allegheny boys lacrosse team have a strong baseline to guide them. The Tigers’ system provides a solid foundation for an offensive attack. Making North Allegheny’s attack special relies on each player bringing his own personality. No two players approach each situation the same way. During...
North Allegheny girls lacrosse gets defensive in season-opening win
North Allegheny girls lacrosse coach Harry Datz didn’t need much time to diagnosis what made the Tigers’ offense more potent. Behind seven goals from Old Dominion recruit Brooke Ferringer, the Tigers opened the season with a 19-9 win over Franklin Regional in their season opener. It was the most goals...
Small, young Shaler Area volleyball team adapts scheme to find success
Trapper Crain knows the Shaler boys volleyball team isn’t likely to overpower opponents. The 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter wants the Titans to set the pace. For Shaler to extend its streak of making the WPIAL playoffs to a third year, the Titans plan on moving quickly. “During preseason, we did...
Shaler Area’s Kalbaugh sets sights on another trip to state championships
Shaler junior Dalton Kalbaugh is in position to make his accomplishments a seasonal affair. Heading into the outdoor track season, Kalbaugh will try to be the only member of the Titans’ track and field team to reach states in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Kalbaugh qualified for the...
Shaler Area softball makes move to Class 5A
Tom Sorce didn’t want any hopeful Shaler softball players doomed by the pressure of a 72-hour performance. The second-year coach let all 36 players who tried out know conditioning and weightlifting would be a part of the process. Sorce said he felt people bought in. “That was the extraordinary part,”...
Shaler Area notes: Unified bocce team competes at state competition
The Shaler unified bocce team wrapped up its season last Wednesday at the state championships in Hershey. The Titans lost their two matches in pool play to North Penn Liberty and Henderson. “The experience at states was a thrill for athletes, partners and families,” Shaler coach Gina Chmielewski said. “We...
Sophomore Szazynski bolsters Shaler Area tennis lineup
Participating in tennis in some form was always a likely choice for Shaler sophomore Cam Szazynski. Szazynski enjoys watching Rafael Nadal, viewing matches on television and keeping up with old and new players. Pedigree also had something to do with Szazynski picking up the sport about two years ago. “My...
Shaler boys basketball hopes standard set continues in future
Rob Niederberger does everything possible to get the Shaler boys basketball team exposure to different styles during the summer. That strategy helped the Titans make their first appearance in the PIAA playoffs in seven years an eventful one. Shaler took District 10 champion Meadville down to the wire before losing...
North Allegheny seniors bow out in 2nd round of states
Shots didn’t fall for North Allegheny girls basketball in the second round of the PIAA Class 6A playoffs. While the lack of offense led to a 41-32 defeat against defending state champion Upper Dublin last Tuesday at Chambersburg, it didn’t change much for the Tigers. North Allegheny, which led its...
