Freshman phenom leads group of versatile athletes on Baldwin gymnastics team
She is beyond being a freshman prospect. Baldwin’s Abby Rexrode was one of the top freshman athletes in the area in the 2021-22 school year. Rexrode flourishes in the gym, working out year-round and looking to perfect her techniques and routines. The Baldwin underclassman won both WPIAL and state all-around...
North Allegheny again finishes atop Class 6A Trib Cup standings
North Allegheny winning the Trib HSSN Cup comes as no surprise. The fact that it was closer than usual made things interesting in the 6A chase. A strong athletic season at Mt. Lebanon kept it close, but in the end, NA still won comfortably to keep intact its two-decade streak...
Impact players made season successful for PIHL girls league runners-up
The inaugural season of the highly anticipated PIHL girls division has been completed. One of the top squads in the league was Team Central, which finished as PIHL runner-up with an 8-4 record. Coached by RMU youth hockey coordinator Joe Cummings, the Central girls won six of seven regular-season games...
Baldwin’s Cherico gains perspective, makes plans in 1st year as AD
Anthony Cherico was appointed this spring as athletic director in the Baldwin-Whitehall school district. The board of directors voted to appoint Cherico to the fulltime position in late March. He previously served as Baldwin’s interim AD throughout the 2021-22 school year. Cherico, 46, was a coach and teacher in the...
Baldwin, TJ players among trailblazers in PIHL girls hockey league
Team Central of the PIHL is playing not only for today but for the future as well. Coached by Joe Cummings, Central is one of six teams participating in the inaugural PIHL girls division this year. The history-making season was supposed to start in 2020; however, those plans were put...
Baldwin baseball team showed potent offense
The Baldwin baseball team was an offensive juggernaut this spring. Baldwin hit .305 for the season with 16 home runs and 25 doubles. The Highlanders finished 10-10 overall. “The calling card for this team was its offense,” coach Steve Bucci said. “We had a really solid season. We didn’t qualify...
Norwin softball team, ‘coming in hot,’ beats Baldwin in playoff opener
Norwin softball had its team banquet the night before the playoff opener. Odd timing? For sure. But it also allowed the Lady Knight to spin forward instead of looking back. To offer pep talks and atta-girls rather than farewell hugs and nostalgia. This season isn’t over yet. “We’re coming in...
Softball playoff capsule: Baldwin vs. Norwin, Monday, May 16, 2022
WPIAL softball playoffs Class 6A First round 9-Baldwin (4-11) vs. 8-Norwin (5-9) 3 p.m. Monday at West Mifflin Winner plays: 1-Hempfield (12-3) at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Penn-Trafford Players to watch: Gabby Jaquay, Fr., Baldwin; Madie Kessler, Jr., Norwin Last year’s finish: Baldwin — Lost to Bethel Park, 9-1, in...
Rain soaks Baldwin Invitational but doesn’t dim Quaker Valley hurdler’s sunny outlook
A cold rain drenched everyone at the Baldwin Invitational, but Quaker Valley hurdler Nora Johns was among those not too bothered by the wet weather. “Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I’d thought,” she said. “There was a nice breeze. It wasn’t too warm. And the rain wasn’t too hard,...
What to watch for in WPIAL sports on May 4, 2022: Softball playoff berths on the line
Win and you’re in. Those four words are sweet music to the ears of any high school team on the bubble as section play winds down. In district softball, several teams can earn a playoff berth with a victory Wednesday — weather permitting, of course. • In Section 1-6A, Baldwin...
WPIAL track notebook: Baldwin Invitational returns to 1-day format
When Baldwin track and field coach Ed Helbig approached the Baldwin-Whitehall School District administration about the 48th annual Baldwin Track and Field Invitational, they wanted the event to be held over two days because of covid concerns. But with the covid threat diminishing, Helbig was told recently the meet could...
OLSH returns to top of Class 2A in latest boys volleyball coaches’ rankings
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is back on top of the Class 2A rankings as the Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association released its Week 6 WPIAL boys top-10 polls Monday morning. The Chargers defeated No. 5 Ambridge, 3-1, in Section 1 play last week and also toppled No. 4...
Anthony Cherico named athletic director at Baldwin
After serving as Baldwin’s interim athletic director throughout the 2021-22 school year, Anthony Cherico has been named the school district’s athletic director. The Baldwin-Whitehall School District board of directors voted to appoint him late last month. “Mr. Cherico will bring leadership to the position,” board member Karen Brown said in...
What to watch for in WPIAL sports for April 4, 2022: Section games on tap in baseball, softball
Last week, five of the 20 WPIAL baseball sections got the early jump on section games. On Monday, teams from the other 15 sections join in on the fun. Of course, as is the case all week long it appears, weather permitting. Of the 20 district sections, only three ended...
Altavilla leaves legacy in Baldwin girls basketball program
Athleticism is deeply rooted in her family. It’s in the genes. Senior hoopster Morgan Altavilla, 17, carried on the athletic tradition established in recent years at Baldwin by her older brothers, Doug and Nick. Baldwin’s second-year basketball coach Jamal Woodson labeled Altavilla as one of the top female players in...
2022 WPIAL Class 6A softball preseason breakdown
Last spring was a celebration as district athletes returned to the diamonds after the 2020 season was canceled because of 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 also...
Strong 1st quarter leads No. 8 North Allegheny past No. 9 Baldwin in WPIAL playoff opener
Tuesday marked the playoff opener for the North Allegheny boys, but the Tigers felt they’d already had a postseason mindset for a while now. For that, they credit life in Section 1. So, when the postseason officially arrived, senior Matt McDonough made four 3-pointers in the first quarter, the team’s...
Baldwin’s Abby Rexrode follows up WPIAL gold with PA Classic all-around title
One week after claiming a gold medal at the WPIAL gymnastics championships, Baldwin’s Abby Rexrode again found herself atop the medals podium. The freshman gymnast posted an all-around score of 37.767 to win the title at the PA Classic gymnastics championships Saturday at Moon. Though not sponsored by the PIAA,...
Hard work pays off for Baldwin freshman at WPIAL gymnastics championships
Baldwin’s coaching staff was confident in freshman Abby Rexrode’s chances going into the WPIAL gymnastics individual championship meet. “Abby had a great performance at the WPIAL finals,” coach Jodi Cummings said. “She’s strong on all four events. We knew if she would hit her routines, she would be at the...
‘Undermanned’ Thomas Jefferson wrestling team finds ways to win
Heavy graduation losses deemed it a rebuilding year for the Thomas Jefferson wrestling team. The Jaguars scraped together a 4-1 section record and were 10-9 overall Feb. 9 following their 39-30 loss to Bethel Park. “Losing seven seniors has hurt us. The team has been undermanned all year,” TJ coach...
Baldwin, TJ, Brentwood boys make strides during playoff seasons
Here is a rundown on the 2021-22 regular season for boys basketball teams in the South Hills: Baldwin Baldwin junior James Wesling had a record-setting performance that was heard loud and clear around the WPIAL. Opposing players and coaches immediately took notice. A 6-foot-1 guard, Wesling connected for 48 points...
Chartiers Valley scores comeback win over Baldwin
The Chartiers Valley boys basketball team’s nonsection game Tuesday at Baldwin was a lot like its season: a mistake-prone slow start followed by a slow comeback trot and then an all-out gallop to the finish line for the victory. The Colts fell behind early on the road but chipped away...
Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Team of the Week for Jan. 24, 2022
Jeff Ackermann knows a thing or two about winning basketball. He led Moon to three straight WPIAL boys basketball championships from 2004-2006. He then took over the Pine-Richland program and led the Rams to back-to-back district gold in 2016-2017. Now he is in his second season at Baldwin. After the...
Baldwin, Brentwood boys basketball teams in playoff hunt
The Baldwin boys basketball team registered one of its biggest wins in recent memory, socking host Bethel Park, 86-66, on Jan. 18 in a pivotal Section 2-6A game. James Wesling, a 6-foot-1 sharp-shooting junior guard, was sensational for the Highlanders, pouring in a career-high 48 points. The Highlanders’ 20-point victory...
Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Player of the Week for week ending Dec. 18, 2021
The Baldwin girls basketball team won all three games last week to improve to 4-1 overall thanks to the standout scoring from Morgan Altavilla. The senior scored a total of 68 points in the Highlanders victories. Her quick start is hardly a surprise to her coach, Jamal Woodson. “Morgan is...
