Avella

Success across sports spectrum leads Greensburg CC to Trib Cup in Class A

The battle for the HSSN Trib Cup in Class A in 2021-2022 turned into one of the closest and most unique battles where overall success won out. In the end, it was Greensburg Central Catholic hoisting the cup aloft again, this despite the school only winning one district championship all...
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...
Tri-County South: Top rushers Landan Stevenson, Colin Brady lead all-conference selections

Mapletown’s Landan Stevenson and West Greene’s Colin Brady play for small schools but they put up big numbers. The two running backs finished among the Top 10 rushers in the WPIAL this season, earning all-conference honors in the Class A Tri-County South. Stevenson, a junior, rushed for 1,725 yards and...
WPIAL Class A roundup: OLSH takes down No. 3 Cornell in Big Seven Conference

Nehemiah Azeem ran for two touchdowns as OLSH slipped past No. 3 Cornell, 13-12. for a Class A Big Seven Conference win Friday night. OLSH (6-3, 4-3) clinched a playoff berth with the victory. Sincere Kimbrough threw for 110 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders (7-2, 6-1), who had...
There’s no disguising Birdie’s ability to pick Westmoreland County winners

Last week: 8-4 (66.7%) Season: 79-31 (71.8%) With a fingernail flick, a piece of candy corn soars across the office and hits a copy editor on the back of the head. “It’s good!” the Birdie shouts, raising his fists into the air and disturbing a lifestyles writer and a news...
WPIAL Class A roundup: Lovelace scores 6 TDs as Leechburg earns 1st playoff berth since ’88

Leechburg clinched its first playoff appearance since 1988 by earning a 66-6 victory over Imani Christian (2-6, 1-5) in the WPIAL Class A Eastern Conference on Friday night. Braylan Lovelace ran 32 times for 183 yards and six touchdowns for Leechburg. The Blue Devils (7-2, 4-2) have scored 137 points...
WPIAL Class A roundup: Henderson’s 2 TDs carry No. 3 Cornell past No. 5 Rochester

Tim Henderson scored on an 80-yard kickoff return and a 53-yard run to lead No. 3 Cornell to a 14-7 victory over No. 5 Rochester in a battle of top teams in the Class A Big Seven Conference on Friday night. Henderson’s TD run for the Raiders (6-1, 5-0) broke...
WPIAL Class A roundup: No. 2 OLSH edges Union in double overtime

Stephen Greer scored on a 6-yard run in overtime to cap No. 2 OLSH’s 37-36 comeback win against Union (5-1, 3-1) in the WPIAL Class A Big Seven Conference on Friday night. Greer finished with 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns for OLSH (5-1, 3-1), which trailed 30-7 after the...
Avella looks to keep ball rolling after breakthrough season

For Avella coach Ryan Cecchini, last year’s run to the playoffs showed that even if his program doesn’t always have the biggest roster, it can compete in the WPIAL. The Eagles surprised a lot of people by finishing second in the Tri-County South and earning their first playoff berth since...
Alle-Kiski Valley WPIAL baseball playoff capsules for May 19, 2021

Wednesday’s games Class 5A First round 5-Plum (11-6) vs. 12-Latrobe (11-8) 4:30 p.m. at Norwin Coaches: Carl Vollmer, Plum; Matt Basciano, Latrobe Winner plays: Winner of 4-South Fayette (15-3)/13-Peters Township (8-10) Friday (time, site TBD) in quarterfinals. Players to watch: Ethan Kircher, Sr., C, Plum; Chase Sickenberger, Jr., INF, Latrobe...
A-K Valley basketball playoff capsules: Games for Thursday, March 4, 2021

Here’s a look at Thursday’s WPIAL basketball playoff games involving A-K Valley teams: Boys First round Class 4A 11-Burrell (9-9) at 6-Central Valley (10-5) 6 p.m. Thursday Coaches: Mike Fantuzzo, Burrell; Brandon Ambrose, Central Valley Winner plays: Winner of 19-Beaver (2-16) at 3-Montour (12-7), 6 p.m. Monday About Burrell: After...
Three more teams forced to pull out of WPIAL basketball tournament

Springdale and Avella boys and Shenango girls have been forced to pull out of WPIAL basketball playoffs. Because of covid-related protocols, Springdale, the fourth seed in Class 2A, was forced to forfeit its first-round game with No. 13 Winchester Thurston, which was set to be played Wednesday. Springdale coach Aaron...
California leads Tri-County South with 9 all-conference football players

California running back Jaeden Zuzak, the WPIAL’s third-leading rusher this season, was among 45 players named all-conference in the Class A Tri-County South. The Trojans led with nine all-conference players. Zuzak rushed for 1,571 yards and 28 touchdowns for California (6-1, 6-0), which went undefeated in the conference. Trojans’ coach...
Jeannette makes quick work of Avella in WPIAL Class A opening round

If Jeannette coach Roy Hall was worried his players were looking ahead, they made sure early on Friday night to ease his mind. The Jayhawks took care of business against an overmatched Avella squad, scoring on their first seven possessions and adding scores on a kickoff return and a fumble...
WPIAL Class A football quarterfinals preview

WPIAL Class A quarterfinals No. 6 Avella (5-2) vs. No. 3 Jeannette (6-1) 7 p.m. Friday at McKee Stadium, Jeannette On the air: Video at TribHSSN.TribLive.com; Audio at 95.3 FM. Winner plays: Winner of No. 2 Rochester (6-1) and No. 7 Springdale (5-2), 7 p.m. Nov. 6 (site TBD) Coaches:...
The Birdie treats his readers to Westmoreland County playoff picks

Last week: 9-0 (100 %) Season: 64-21 (75.3 %) Halloween is the Birdie’s favorite holiday, A. Because he gets candy, B. Because he gets candy, and C. Because it means playoff time. The Birdie, fresh off a perfect week, has a question for the Halloween steering committee: “Do we have...