Ray Fisher stories, Page 44
Thomas Jefferson baseball to gain experience on the fly
Thomas Jefferson’s baseball roster is a bit misleading. “We are a young team,” coach Tim Vickers said. “While there are nine seniors on the roster, only two of them had varsity experience (prior to this season). Our expectation is to simply get better every day.” The coronavirus pandemic that shut...
Brentwood baseball knocking off rust
The Brentwood Spartans experienced a rocky start on the diamond, losing their first three games including back-to-back section defeats to Fort Cherry. Brentwood opened the season with three returning starters from 2019, along with six first-year players and four others. “Some of them were able to play over the summer,...
Baldwin baseball rebuilding project making progress
As Dorothy says repeatedly in the iconic movie “The Wizard of Oz,” there’s no place like home. Veteran coach Steve Bucci would agree, as he has returned to his roots to take over the Baldwin baseball team. Bucci, with WPIAL and PIAA titles on his resume, was hired at his...
Penn Hills’ Silverman is a student-athlete for all seasons
Jonah Silverman is a unique two-sport athlete at Penn Hills. This spring, Silverman’s competing in track and field and baseball. And that’s after he participated in soccer and football in the fall, followed by a stint with the indoor track team this winter. “Even though I’ve played baseball since I...
Penn Hills’ Anthony Sciulli healthy, ready to anchor pitching staff
Anthony Sciulli represents a blueprint for perseverance and overcoming obstacles. The senior right-hander has developed into the unofficial ace of the Penn Hills pitching staff. And that’s after going through years of injuries and diligent rehabbing. “My biggest influences on my athletic career are my mom and also the injuries...
Young Thomas Jefferson softball lineup looks to surprise in Class 5A
There is no mystery behind the success of the Thomas Jefferson softball program. “We are looking to replace a talented group of seniors with highly talented freshmen, sophomores and juniors,” TJ coach Heidi Karcher said It sounds like the definition of a rock-solid, winning program that reloads rather than rebuilds....
Experience in middle of field strengthens Brentwood softball squad
Despite the cancellation of the 2020 softball season because of covid-19 restrictions, Brentwood still has four returning starters back. The Spartans appear to be strong up the middle with juniors Bailey Herrea (P/SS), Kellie Bruschi (SS/P) and senior Sidney Wuenschell (CF) back, along with a fourth returning starter in junior...
Baldwin finding balance as unusual softball season kicks into gear
Baldwin softball coach Gina Fuchs is counting on junior shortstop Maleah Pacella to be the team’s linchpin this season, both offensively and defensively. Pacella hit .483 as a freshman in 2019 and can play either middle infield position. “I expect Maleah to anchor our defense at shortstop,” Fuchs said. “She...
Father-son duo forms backbone of Penn Hills volleyball program
Joe Mitlo has latched onto several integral roles this year on the Penn Hills boys volleyball team. He is a 6-foot-2 middle hitter, senior team leader, team captain, student-athlete, team player, a teaching tool at times, plus he is the coach’s son. “To be honest, I sometimes forget that I’m...
Penn Hills baseball team follows 2-sport captains into battle
A trio of co-captains who play two sports but excel on the diamond — Josh Zambito, Anthony Sciulli and Josh Gerken — will lead the Penn Hills baseball team into this season. Zambito, a first baseman and pitcher, was a two-way lineman on the football team. His baseball skills are...
Thomas Jefferson grad off to award-winning start for Fairmont State basketball
Thomas Jefferson grad Alyssa DeAngelo made a big splash in the Fairmont State women’s basketball program this season. A 5-foot-10 guard/forward, DeAngelo was named the Mountain East Conference Freshman of the Year. “I was surprised when I saw the MEC awards come out. I was not sure what to expect,”...
Gateway softball seeing where pieces fit after canceled season
Gateway’s softball team has taken a basic approach to the 2021 season, homing in directly on the game’s fundamentals. “We are working on the basics to be able to make the routine plays in the field and minimize mental mistakes,” coach Scott Lewis said. “We are working on hitting just...
3 Baldwin girls basketball seniors to take games to next level
Anna Lucarelli proved to be a rarity in the Baldwin girls basketball program. Lucarelli was a four-year captain for the Highlanders, an uncommon role at any level and one she genuinely embraced. “I am really grateful. I have had some great coaches to help me on and off the court,”...
Bar set high for Thomas Jefferson boys, girls basketball programs
There is a sunny disposition in both Thomas Jefferson basketball programs heading into 2021-22. The senior-driven boys team will have key players back from this year’s 18-5 unit, while the girls team has high hopes to build off its 12-10 record thanks to a host of talented underclassmen. “I really...
Penn Hills senior shortstop excited for return to diamond
Improvement is a key word in the Penn Hills softball program. After missing last season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Indians are hoping to improve from their sixth-place finish in Section 2-5A in 2019. The Indians are led by senior shortstop Irlynn Richardson. “She’s a good kid,” coach Rich...
Penn Hills baseball works toward ultimate goal of return to playoffs
The Penn Hills baseball coaches promote a family atmosphere in their program. “We have really been focusing on proper conditioning, proper weight training and the many different situations that arise during a baseball game,” said Dale Banks, assistant head coach to Rodney Stubbs. “We preach family first, but we also...
Jeannette baseball will lean on pair of veteran players
Jeannette baseball has been a perennial playoff contender in recent years under the guidance coach Marcus Clarkson. The Jayhawks advanced to the postseason five consecutive years, from 2015 to ’19, and reeled in the ’17 WPIAL Class A title with a 7-3 victory against section rival Greensburg Central Catholic at...
Jeannette softball team to rely on youth
A priority early for the Jeannette softball team was a high-alert search for players at the high school. “There is no feeder program here, and I had to cancel my first scrimmage due to having only eight players,” said Joe Giacomin, the Jayhawks’ first-year coach. “After every practice, I ask...
Penn Hills volleyball hopes to make up for lost time
The Penn Hills boys volleyball team is glad to be back in the gym and is looking forward to competing in 2021. “My expectations for this season are to play,” said Jay Mitlo, the Indians veteran coach. “One year was taken from these guys, and we are elated to get...
Penn Hills track team ready for anything after canceled season
The 2021 track season at Penn Hills will be filled with many unknowns. One thing for certain is youth will be served this spring. “I have a very young team this year,” said veteran coach Lee Zelkowitz. “All the coaches are enjoying working with these athletes. They are very motivated...
Brentwood basketball seasons started strong, ran out of steam
Brentwood’s basketball season started with a bang but fizzled out at the end. After a 12-0 start in a season delayed a month by covid-related concerns, the girls team dropped its final two games, including a 47-44 decision at home to Beaver Falls in the first round of the WPIAL...
Building blocks in place for Baldwin basketball
The potential is there for a big 2021-22 season for the Baldwin boys basketball team. Really big. The Highlanders will have several key players back from this year’s team. “We return the majority of our team,” said first-year coach Jeff Ackermann. “We do lose two great seniors, but I think...
Upper St. Clair basketball coach Danny Holzer talks WPIAL titles, his successful career, son’s hockey exploits
It was a great week of sports for the Holzer household. Thomas Jefferson’s hockey team, sparked by senior forward Riley Holzer’s two goals, beat Baldwin, 3-1, on March 9 to climb into a tie for first place in the PIHL Class AA Southwest Division. Two days later, the Jaguars skated...
TJ bowler completes quick climb to top with school’s first WPIBL singles title
Nick Johnson has been bowling competitively for only three years. This year has proven to be special. And historic. Johnson, a junior at Thomas Jefferson, is the first bowler in school history to win a WPIBL singles championship. “TJ bowling has had some good bowlers in the past that have...
Thomas Jefferson senior closes curtain on family swimming dynasty
And then there was one. Luke Pletz, the last of the Pletz siblings, ended his prominent high school career in the pool March 6 at Upper St. Clair at the WPIAL Class AA championship meet. And thus a family legacy of quality swimming at the scholastic level ceased. A senior...
