Paul Schofield stories, Page 90
Girls basketball preview: Coaching hire coming soon for improving Ligonier Valley
When Tim Gustin became the Ligonier Valley boys basketball coach a month ago, he hoped the district’s school board picked the right person to replace him as girls coach. The Ligonier Valley School Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday and on the agenda is hiring a new girls coach. Athletic...
Boys basketball preview: Ligonier Valley readies for WPIAL
A little more than a month ago, Tim Gustin was preparing the Ligonier Valley girls for their return to the WPIAL after 40 years. Then Ligonier Valley boys coach John Berger decided his regular job, Chief of Police in Ligonier Valley, was too demanding during the pandemic. So Berger stepped...
Boys basketball preview: Jeannette has deep, experienced roster, hopes to avoid slow start
If the Jeannette boys basketball team can duplicate the success of the football team, then the Jayhawks could be looking at a long season. That’s what veteran coach Adrian Batts is hoping for. The elder statesman of Section 3-2A is looking forward to the season. With four starters returning, a...
Girls basketball preview: Jeannette ready to make WPIAL playoff push
When Jonathan Bass took over the Jeannette girls basketball program in 2018, he was hoping to have things turned around in three years. This is the start of his third season at Jeannette, and Bass feels things are on the right track. Even though Jeannette is coming off a 4-18...
Jeannette football turns season of distractions into memorable run
The Jeannette football team experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat during the 2020 season. It was a season of uncertainty — a shortened season with the specter of covid-19 looming constantly. It also was thrilling, with their 10th WPIAL championship. But Friday, the season ended with...
2 interception returns lift Steelton-Highspire past Jeannette in PIAA Class A football finalVideo
HERSHEY — Steelton-Highspire did to Jeannette what the Jayhawks did to opponents all season: get defensive scores. Steelton-Highspire returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the fourth quarter and held on to defeat Jeannette, 32-20, on Friday at Hersheypark Stadium to capture its third PIAA Class A football title. Daivin Pryor’s...
Jeannette defense hopes to continue causing havoc in PIAA title game
One more gigantic test remains for the Jeannette football team. That’s what the defense faces at 11 a.m. Friday in the PIAA Class A championship game at Hersheypark Stadium. High-powered Steelton-Highspire strolls into the chocolate capitol of the world with a powerful running back and dangerous group of wide receivers...
Perennial PIAA powers clash when Jeannette, Steelton-Highspire meet for Class A title
Two of the winningest teams in the state will play for the PIAA Class A title Friday. Steelton-Highspire, with 772 victories, according to PennLive.com and Dr. Roger Saylor’s records, and the WPIAL’s No. 1 team, Jeannette, with 766, will square off at 11 a.m. at Hersheypark Stadium. The schools have...
PIAA Class A football championship preview: Jeannette vs. Steelton-Highspire
No. 2 Jeannette vs. No. 1 Steelton-Highspire 11 a.m. Friday, Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey On the air: Audio: TribHSSN.triblive.com PIAA titles: Jeannette 2 (2007 in Class AA, 2017). Steelton-Highspire 2 (2007, 2008) Jeannette (10-1) Player to watch Brett Birch, Junior, 5-10, 170, WR/DB Birch received an offer from Central Michigan after...
Girls basketball preview: Veteran coach hopes young Derry roster can build on success
Things couldn’t have gone much better last season for Derry girls basketball coach Gene Brisbane, who took over a program in flux. The Trojans finished second in Section 3-3A and qualified for the WPIAL playoffs. Derry lost to Freedom, 47-32, in the opening round, but the former Hempfield and Westmoreland...
Boys basketball preview: Derry faces long road trips, tough competition in new section
When Derry boys basketball coach Tom Esposito stepped into the gymnasium on Monday, he didn’t know what to expect. “I didn’t know if 15 players would show up for the first day of practice or 25,” Esposito said. “I told them we should cherish every moment and every game we...
Jeannette football team to honor coach’s sister-in-law who died of covid-19
As Jeannette’s football team prepares for Friday’s PIAA Class A Championship game against Steelton-Highspire, coach Roy Hall is dealing with the death of his beloved sister-in-law. Dana Hall, 56, was a secretary in the school district. She died Sunday from complications from covid-19. To honor her, the team will wear...
Jeannette, state-final opponent Steelton-Highspire have rich histories
How did you spend your Saturday afternoon? Jeannette football coach Roy Hall spent it watching his team’s next opponent on video stream. His tone was a lot better than it was less than 24 hours earlier after his team’s 48-12 win against Reynolds in the PIAA Class A semifinals. Jeannette...
Penn-Trafford field hockey gaining ground on PIAA competition
Since Cindy Dutt took over the Penn-Trafford field hockey program, the gap between her team and teams in Eastern Pennsylvania has shrunk. But the Warriors, who claimed their fifth consecutive WPIAL Class AA title this season, are searching still for that elusive first win in the PIAA playoffs. “When we...
Jeannette uses huge second half to roll Reynolds, wrap up trip to state finalsVideo
TRANSFER — Reynolds played Jeannette tough in the first half of Friday’s PIAA Class A semifinal. But a 12-minute outburst by the Jayhawks in the third quarter quickly turned a close game into a rout and had the District 10 champions thinking about the winter season. Jeannette (10-1) scored 27...
Franklin Regional volleyball on cusp of first state title
It’s been a season of firsts for the Franklin Regional girls volleyball team. The team won its first WPIAL championship and is making its first trip to the PIAA championship game. Will the season end with another first? Senior Aly Kindelberger thinks so. “I think we’re playing with great confidence...
John Berger resigns as Ligonier Valley boys basketball coach
Ligonier Valley boys basketball coach John Berger recently resigned, athletic director Wesley Siko said. Berger cited work demands as the reason he can no longer coach the team. Berger is the Ligonier Borough Chief of Police. Berger coached the Rams the past two seasons. The team played in the District...
Jeannette defense ready for PIAA semifinal test against Reynolds’ rushing attack
The first thing Jeannette football coach Roy Hall told his players at Monday’s practice was to forget about winning the WPIAL title. That game is over. Jeannette won the school’s 10th WPIAL championship Saturday, claiming the Class A title with an impressive and shocking 45-14 victory against Eastern Conference rival...
WPIAL wrestling notebook: Norwin hires coach with college, national team experience
Norwin has a new wrestling coach. It’s Connellsville grad Kyle Martin, an up-and-coming coach who has been an assistant at a couple of colleges and coached USA Wrestling’s national and Pennsylvania teams. Martin was a finalist for the Connellsville job that went to former Greensburg Central Catholic coach and Mt....
PSAC cancels winter sports for 2020-21 season
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced Wednesday that the winter sports seasons and championships have been canceled because of the coronavirus. The cancellation comes following a vote of the league’s board of directors. Teams in the PSAC are Seton Hill, Cal (Pa.), IUP, Slippery Rock, Clarion, Pitt-Johnstown, Edinboro, Mercyhurst, Gannon,...
Aly Kindelberger delivers for Franklin Regional volleyball in state semifinalsVideo
Franklin Regional senior Aly Kindelberger was delivering cake pops to her teammates after Tuesday’s PIAA Class 3A semifinal match against DuBois. It was appropriate because moments earlier, she delivered the team to a 3-0 sweep against District 9 champion DuBois and a berth in the PIAA championship game against Bethlehem...
Jeannette freshman QB Brad Birch likely out for Friday’s state playoff game
Jeannette freshman quarterback Brad Birch probably won’t play in Friday’s PIAA Class A semifinal game against Reynolds. Birch had a cast on his left ankle after suffering an undisclosed injury during Saturday’s WPIAL final against Clairton. Jeannette defeated Clairton, 45-14. The injury occurred during Jeannette’s first possession of the second...
Franklin Regional faces well-rested DuBois in PIAA Class 3A volleyball semifinals
It’s been an unusual and crazy fall sports season because of covid-19. Teams have been forced to postpone or cancel competitions. Some teams even forfeited playoff games. The DuBois girls’ volleyball team is making its first appearance in the PIAA Class 3A playoffs Tuesday, but it hasn’t played a match...
After ‘unbelievable’ win against Clairton, Jeannette must turn focus to next opponent
It took a day, but Jeannette football coach Roy Hall started to recognize what his team accomplished Saturday in the WPIAL Class A championship game. What Jeannette did to Clairton is something the Bears usually do to opponents: The Jayhawks smashed them. Jeannette (9-1) took advantage of six Clairton turnovers...
Penn-Trafford notebook: Hockey team opens with win
Penn-Trafford opened the 2020-21 season Nov. 5 by defeating Mars, 3-2, in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League action. Ryan Crombie’s goal in the third period snapped a 2-2 tie. The Warriors also got goals from Nick Loughner and Bennett Dupilka. Penn-Trafford dropped its next game, falling to Hempfield, 5-1. The Warriors...
