Ray Fisher stories, Page 24
With senior-loaded lineup, Thomas Jefferson in position to claim another section title
Thomas Jefferson has won 25 section titles in girls volleyball in school history. The Jaguars are well on their way to No. 26 this season thanks to a fast start in Section 3-3A. They are seeking their third straight section crown and 11th in the past 12 seasons. TJ was...
Advance scout Jim Smoyer, an ‘invaluable’ part of Thomas Jefferson’s football program
Thomas Jefferson football aficionado Jim Smoyer is like most high school fans. He rarely misses a game on Friday nights. But Smoyer, a 1988 TJ grad and a former football player for the Jaguars, doesn’t attend a myriad of games involving his alma mater. Instead, Smoyer checks out the team...
Thomas Jefferson boys soccer overcomes injuries to get off to strong start
Thomas Jefferson, expected to be a contender for a section title in boys soccer, found itself reeling from injuries in the first month of the season. Two returning starters and a top underclassman expected to be a big contributor missed the early part of the schedule recovering from offseason knee...
Despite graduation losses, Sewickley Academy boys soccer off to fast start
The 2023 season would be considered a time to rebuild for most soccer programs after losing nine seniors to graduation. Not so at Sewickley Academy. The Panthers, minus co-section player of the year Adin Zorn and three other graduated all-section players — midfielders Hudson Colletti, Michael DiSantis and Lucas Mendoca...
Furman South honored to be 1st Quaker Valley hockey player inducted into school’s hall of fame
Furman South’s brilliant hockey career has been filled with a series of firsts. • The 2006 Quaker Valley graduate skated on the first state championship hockey team in program history. • South ranks first in numerous statistical season- and career-long categories, including most goals in a season, career goals, most...
Bethel Park volleyball ‘young but competitive’ so far this season
Bethel Park was a veteran girls volleyball squad in 2022 with eight seniors and three juniors. The Black Hawks finished 10-6 overall and 6-4 in Section 2-4A as Peters Township and Canon-McMillan tied for first at 9-1. “This year’s team is young but competitive,” coach Brooke Muraco said. “We are...
Strong start fuels Bethel Park boys soccer toward postseason run
If the first month of the season was any indication, the Bethel Park boys soccer team was looking at a fantastic finish in 2023. As of Sept. 17, Bethel Park was undefeated at 6-0 and in first place in Section 3-3A, one game ahead of Thomas Jefferson (5-1) and Ringgold...
New Quaker Valley hall of famer Justin Shegog raised basketball program’s profile
Justin Shegog was a mover and a shaker in the gym as well as for the entire Quaker Valley boys basketball program. Athletic director Mike Mastroianni, who doubles as the coach for the QV boys hoops team, coached Shegog from 1996-2000. Mastroianni said Shegog laid the foundation for success for...
Senior standouts set tone for Quaker Valley soccer
Two of the stars on last year’s boys soccer team at Quaker Valley are back for their senior season. Defensive specialist Nick Allan, the reigning player of the year in Section 4-2A, and midfielder Matteo Castellini were named section all-stars in 2022. The 5-foot-9 Allan is third-year starter, second-year captain...
Sewickley Academy golfers look to carry on culture created by late coach Win Palmer
The 2021 season was an aberration for the Sewickley Academy boys golf program. The Panthers won WPIAL championships for eight consecutive years starting in 2013 only to have the impressive streak end in 2021. The Sewickley golfers returned to championship status last year as they claimed their ninth team title...
Trusted to get athletes back to health, Dr. Jeff Mulholland to join Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame
He has received the highest of praise and is considered one of the best in his profession. For almost three decades, Dr. Jeff Mulholland has provided a level of medical coverage for the Quaker Valley athletic program that rivals both collegiate and professional teams. He is regarded as one of...
6 athletes from Quaker Valley Class of 2023 playing in college
Six former Quaker Valley students — all 2023 graduates — are continuing their athletic careers at the next level, including Nora Johns, who will compete in basketball and track and field at Ohio Wesleyan. Jakub Pickett is playing football at Cal (Pa.). A four-year starter in high school, Pickett led...
Former football standout Dean Cvitkovic took unusual path to Quaker Valley Hall of Fame
Dean Cvitkovic graduated from Quaker Valley almost 50 years ago. His name still is well-known and respected in area football circles. A 1974 QV grad, Cvitkovic is considered one of the most accomplished football players in school history. As such, he will be inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall...
Quaker Valley girls soccer hopes gradual improvements pave path to playoffs
Quaker Valley’s girls soccer team finished with an 8-7-2 record in 2022, a slight improvement from its 7-9-2 mark the season before. With seven returning starters, the Quakers, coached by Maggie Behun and Rachel Loudermilk, are hopeful for a bigger step forward in 2023. “We have a handful of experienced...
Longtime Sewickley Academy athletic director Win Palmer, who also coached 3 sports, dies at 65
One of the best ways many describe Win Palmer is that he was a gentleman’s gentleman. Palmer, athletic director at Sewickley Academy for the past 22 years, died Thursday at Allegheny General Hospital at age 65 from cardiovascular complications. . Palmer left an indelible mark on the Sewickley Academy and...
Fast, experienced roster has Thomas Jefferson girls soccer thinking big
Thomas Jefferson’s girls soccer team has great expectations for the 2023 season. The Jaguars won the Section 2-3A championship last year with a 13-1 record and ended up 17-3 overall. “We expect to repeat as section champs and compete with the top teams,” coach Sean Richter said. “We have an...
Multi-sport Quaker Valley athlete brings giant medal collection into school’s hall of fame
To say Tabitha Bemis was a multiple medalist at Quaker Valley would be a vast understatement. She actually ranks as one of the all-time leading medal winners in WPIAL and PIAA history. Between all of her postseason qualifications, Bemis reeled in 43 total medals — including 18 gold — in...
Quaker Valley golfers motivated by near-miss at WPIAL team tournament
One shot made all the difference for the Quaker Valley boys golf team last season, as the Quakers placed third in the WPIAL Class 2A tournament by the narrowest of margins. Sewickley and Belle Vernon finished regulation play at the WPIAL event tied for the top spot in Class 2A...
Bar set high for Bethel Park boys soccer
Last season may be difficult to match for this year’s Bethel Park boys soccer team. The Black Hawks finished second with an 11-3 record in Section 3-3A, which was won by Thomas Jefferson at 13-1. Bethel Park handed the Jaguars their only section loss Sept. 22 by a 3-1 score....
Carlynton hoping for turnaround season under new coach
The Class A Black Hills Conference wasn’t a friendly environment for Carlynton last season. The Cougars went 0-7 in conference play and 0-10 overall. Fourth-year coach Rich Piccinini resigned, and John Tortorea has taken over. Tortorea was head coach at Quaker Valley from 2011-16, compiling a 30-29 record. The Quakers’...
New coaching regime looks to get Brentwood back to playoffs
Brentwood’s football team finished 2-4 in the Class 2A Century Conference last season and 3-7 overall. Longtime coach Kevin Kissel resigned. Nick Caponi, who served as an assistant under Kissel for 18 years, fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking over. “So far, the coaching staff has loved how hard the...
Quaker Valley’s Mya Eshenbaugh relishes experience at USSSA All American Softball Games
Mya Eshenbaugh enjoyed a unique summer sojourn. The Quaker Valley Middle School student participated in the USSSA All American Softball Games during the week of July 31 through Aug. 5 in Viera Beach, Fla., at the USSSA Space Coast Complex. “It was a great experience for me,” Eshenbaugh said. “I...
Seton LaSalle rebuilds roster after winless campaign
Tim Storino is hoping the 2022 season was a valuable learning experience for the Seton LaSalle football team. The Rebels did not win a game in 10 tries and were outscored 470-114. Flipping the calendar to 2023 offers glimmers of hope and enthusiasm for Seton LaSalle. “Yes, it was a...
Quaker Valley determined to develop a winning mentality
The 2022 season appeared promising in the early going for the Quaker Valley football team. QV won its Class 3A Western Conference opener under first-year coach Jason Cappa, defeating Seton LaSalle, 40-22. It was all downhill after that. The Quakers lost their next six by wide margins to end up...
Star receiver back to provide spark to Thomas Jefferson offense
Veteran coach Bill Cherpak has seen his share of talented wide receivers at Thomas Jefferson. He’s expecting a banner season from senior wideout Sean Sullivan. “Sean should absolutely dominate every game he plays,” Cherpak said, “He has great explosion and speed down the field as well as incredible ball skills...
