Bill Beckner stories, Page 89

Franklin Regional is not ready to loosen its grip on the WPIAL championship trophy just yet. The Panthers’ baseball team captured its third title last season, first since 2001, and made the PIAA playoffs before finishing 19-2. With eight seniors gone, you might expect a drop-off in talent and outlook....

Maybe the “Snider Mile” will become a thing in the future. Greensburg Salem will honor the memory of one of its top coaches and mentors by naming its track after longtime cross country and track & field coach Steve Snider. Snider died Feb. 28 after struggling with heart complications. He...

His softball team actually outdoors for a practice on the fourth day of preseason workouts, a day before a winter storm watch in the region, Jim Armstrong did a panorama of the mud-caked field at Franklin Regional. He squinted into the bright afternoon sunshine and smiled. “This is a sweet...

The Norwin wrestling program showcased some potential future standouts at the Pennsylvania Junior High Wrestling State Championships earlier this month at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown. Landon Sidun brought home gold with his victory in the 107-pound weight class. He defeated Melvin Miller in the finals, 10-4, to...

While their teams fell short of the WPIAL postseason, first-year basketball coaches Jesse Reed and Bernie Pucka saw new systems begin to take root and programs take on new personalities this winter. The boys finished 7-14 overall and 5-7 in section and lost out on a tiebreaker to make the...

Ligonier Valley senior Miles Higgins will aim for a WPIAL repeat this spring, but he’ll do so with his college plans firmly in place. Higgins committed to continue his track and field career at North Carolina Wilmington, a Division I program. The 6-foot-3 Higgins won the WPIAL Class 2A javelin...

Belle Vernon didn’t know Jack. “That No. 5, where the (heck) did he come from?” Belle Vernon coach Joe Salvino said after the game. The Leopards won’t soon forget No. 5 after what he did to them in the state playoffs. Quaker Valley is going to remember his performance for...

Boys Class 2A Second round 7-3 Greensburg Central Catholic (19-4) vs. 9-1 Ridgway (21-5) 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Clarion University Coaches: Christian Hyland, GCC; Tony Allegretto, Ridgway Winner plays: Winner of OLSH (24-0)/Carlynton (21-3) on Wednesday in quarterfinals Layup lines: GCC returned to the PIAA playoffs after four years and...

Christian Hyland had three things written on the locker room dry-erase board Wednesday night at Conemaugh Township. Three things he figured a state playoff win might boil down to. The Greensburg Central Catholic boys basketball coach scribbled down: “Run; Tall on D; Compete!” Item No. 3 was in caps and...

For the better part of three seasons, the Southmoreland girls rarely have been viewed as an underdog. But come Saturday, the Scotties (19-4) will face the top dog in WPIAL Class 4A in the second round of the PIAA playoffs. Blackhawk (25-0) awaits them for a 3:30 p.m. tip at...

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League announced rosters for its annual all-star games. The games will be April 3 at Alpha Ice Complex. Division II will start the day off at noon, followed by Class A at 2 p.m., 2A at 4 and 3A at 6. Rosters are as follows: Division...

Tim Bukowski had planned to be Ron Frederick’s right-hand man on the Southmoreland football coaching staff. But when tragedy struck, and Frederick died of heart attack the day after learning he would be the next head coach of the Scotties, Bukowski felt he needed to go beyond the call of...

Friday’s game Boys Class 4A Second round 7-4 Belle Vernon (20-4) vs. 7-1 Quaker Valley (24-0) 6 p.m. at North Allegheny Winner plays: Winner of Fairview (24-2)/Lincoln Park (18-7) Tuesday in quarterfinals Layup lines: Belle Vernon advanced to the second round for the second time in three years with a...

Belle Vernon sophomore Quinton Martin is now a five-star recruit, at least according to one reputable recruiting website. 247Sports.com has upgraded the Leopards football standout to the highest rating a prospect can receive. Being recruited as an “athlete” by many schools who are not sure if he will fit in...

Belle Vernon knows it could be in for its toughest challenge of the season. It would be that way even if the Leopards had Devin Whitlock in the lineup. But with their best player out again, it is probably going to take another all-hands-on-deck effort like the one the Leopards...

The incentive to play sports at Westmoreland County Community College in the past was minimal. Play on a team for a year or two and maybe earn credits for a future transfer to a four-year college. But things are changing in Youngwood. WCCC announced it will be joining National Junior...

DAVIDSVILLE — Greensburg Central Catholic was hooting on the way to hollering with a 19-point lead early in the fourth quarter. This first state playoff game — a new experience for all of the players and their coach — was going to be easy. Or so they thought. District 5...

Class A Quarterfinals 5-Westmont Hilltop (13-7) vs.4-Norwin (14-4) 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Palmer Imaging Arena, Delmont Winner plays: Winner of 8-North Hills/1-Fox Chapel in semifinals, 6:45 p.m. March 16 at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center, Moon Ice chips: Westmont Hilltop turned around a five-game losing streak before the new...

Decorated district amateur golfer Nathan Smith was named captain of the United States Walker Cup team for 2025, the USGA announced Wednesday. Smith, 43, who is from Brookville and lives in Pittsburgh, will guide the American team against Great Britain and Ireland when the match, played in odd-numbered years, is...

The word “monumental” was used to describe this hockey win. Norwin trailed undefeated Fox Chapel, 5-3, with three minutes to play — the Knights were down most of the night — but found a spark as the clock dripped away Feb. 24 at Alpha Ice Complex. A pair of short-handed...

After doing postgame interviews, Joe Salvino was sprayed with water as soon as he opened the door to the Belle Vernon locker room. His players surprised him with an onslaught of hydration. Salvino barely got wet, though. The veteran coach has been around plenty of celebrations over the years and...

After four years on the sideline at Point Park, Joe Lewandowski is signing off as men’s basketball coach. Initially brought aboard in an interim role, Lewandowski stayed around to lead the Pioneers on a part-time role but put in full-time hours. He also works as a ninth grade English teacher...

Boys Class 2A First round Greensburg Central Catholic (18-4) at Conemaugh Township (21-3) 7 p.m. Wednesday District seeds: Greensburg Central Catholic 7-3; Conemaugh Township 5-1 Winner plays: Winner of Ridgway (20-5)/Cambridge Springs (13-12) Saturday in second round Layup lines: Greensburg Central Catholic picked up the No. 3 seed in the...

She majors in biochemistry, but Saint Vincent’s Amanda Serapiglia also experiments in another discipline. The junior from Trafford is bringing home a bronze medal after competing in the Arnold Sports Festival’s USA Weightlifting National University Championships in Columbus, Ohio. Serepiglia, a 20-year-old cross-fitter, took third in her weight division while...

Allison Podkul and Megan Kallock used to play for neighboring high schools. But now they are college teammates and starters on the Grove City women’s basketball team. And, they’re both all-conference players. Podkul, a senior forward from Hempfield, and Kallock, a junior out of Greensburg Salem, picked up All-Presidents’ Athletic...