Monday's Westmoreland County Sports Notebook
Written by: Sean Meyers
December 23, 2019
Tags: Justin Huss Christian Zilli Ty Bilinsky Gracie Spadaro Rachel Wobrak Colten McCutcheon Jarred Stein Jack Hughes Jack Sieber Bob Kovalcin
Derry’s Huss suffers serious injury
While Derry Area’s Justin Huss has been widely recognized as one of the best football players in the area, he was also off to a strong start on the hardwood for the Trojans. Huss’ basketball campaign came to an unfortunate ending, however, as he sustained a serious injury on Friday, breaking his right leg. Huss broke both his fibula and tibia during a home victory against Freeport Area, and was taken to the hospital. Huss suffered a similar injury to his other leg prior to his junior year of football. It will not be known if he needs surgery for about two weeks. Huss’s senior football season for Derry Area was one for the ages, as he established single-game rushing records in back to back weeks, and produced one of the best individual seasons in Trojans’ history. He also participates in track and field for Derry Area.
Hempfield Area boys basketball wins rivalry matchup
When Hempfield Area and Norwin do battle in any sport, the competitive juices seem to flow just a little bit more. That was seemingly the case on Friday, when the Spartans bested the Knights in the boys basketball section opener for both squads. Hempfield Area claimed a 48-35 win in Class 6A Section 3, while Norwin tasted its first defeat of the campaign. A suffocating defensive effort, particularly in the first half, allowed the Spartans to prevail, as they limited Norwin to just two three-pointers made. Christian Zilli paced Hempfield Area with 13 points, the only Spartan to reach double figures. Meanwhile, Ty Bilinsky led Norwin with 14 points.
Southmoreland, Belle Vernon girls prevail in county tilts
Southmoreland and Belle Vernon Area proved their superiority on a pair of county girls basketball clashes last Thursday. In Class 4A Section 3 action, Southmoreland steamrolled Yough 61-14, while Belle Vernon Area claimed a decisive 59-23 win against Mount Pleasant Area. The Scotties, who sit at 7-0 following a nonsection win against Greensburg Salem on Saturday, outscored the Cougars 22-3 in the opening quarter, and followed up with a 21-2 advantage in the second stanza. Gracie Spadaro led a balanced offensive attack, as she netted 15 points. The Leopards, meanwhile, clamped down on the Vikings, holding Mount Pleasant to just two points in each the first and third quarters. Rachel Wobrak provided a team-leading 15 points for BVA, which improved to 4-2 overall. Following the setbacks, the Cougars and Vikings are 2-6 and 1-6, respectively.
Spartans, Cavs come up short at elite wrestling meet
Squaring off against two of the best teams in the entire WPIAL on Friday, both Hempfield Area and Kiski Area failed to register a victory. In a quad-meet involving Canon-McMillian and Seneca Valley, the Spartans lost to the Big Macs 39-28, and then fell to the Raiders 46-23. Meanwhile, the host Cavs, the back-to-back defending WPIAL Class AAA champs, lost to Seneca Valley 35-29, and to Canon-Mac 32-30. Hempfield Area and Kiski Area each entered the event with 7-0 records.
Jeannette announces HOF class
After the inaugural Jayhawk Athletic Hall of Fame Class was inducted last year, Jeannette will enshrine a dozen individuals, as well as a legendary team, as part of the 2019 class. Last week, Jeannette announced the newest inductees, which includes: Earl Highlands (Class of 1963, basketball), Greg Hall (1976, wrestling), LuAnn Mills (1980, basketball), Bob Powell (1985, track), Mycal Jones (1997, football), Shelley Muto (1999, soccer), Michael Dent (2004, football), Carl Davis (basketball), Paul Gaudi (contributor), as well as legends division inductees Markley Barnes (football), John Love (1930, football), and John Eibner (1934, football). Additionally, the entire 1971 Jayhawks football team will be inducted. The ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2020 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield Township.
Greater Latrobe, Penn-Trafford hockey head into break with wins
In the final week of PIHL play before a lengthy holiday break, Greater Latrobe and Penn-Trafford each captured victories. The Wildcats played their most competitive game of the season, but remained undefeated courtesy of a 2-1 victory at home against Armstrong last Monday. Colten McCutcheon and Jarred Stein scored first period goals, and that was enough offense for GL, as goaltender Greg Irons made 29 saves. At 11-0-0, Greater Latrobe is the top team in Class AA, and one of just two teams in the entire PIHL that remains unblemished. That same night, Penn-Trafford registered a 9-4 victory against Mars Area at Center Ice Arena in Delmont. The Warriors were led by Jack Hughes, who had two goals and three assists, and Jack Sieber, who produced three goals and an assist.
Kovalcin returns to guide Greater Latrobe softball
With a proven track record with the Greater Latrobe softball program, Bob Kovalcin is back to guide the Wildcats. Kovalcin was hired as head coach last week, replacing Rick Kozusko, who resigned after last season. Kovalcin guided the program from 2004 until 2012, and claimed all three of the school’s WPIAL Championships during his tenure. Kozusko, meanwhile, stepped aside after three years at the helm. Last season, the Wildcats went 12-7, falling to Hampton in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. Yough head coach Art “Dutch” Harvey was also a candidate for the position before he elected to return to the Cougars.
Blainefield resigns as Monessen football coach
Monessen football head coach Mike Blainefield announced his resignation last week, and his reason cast some doubt over the future of the program. Blainefield, who guided the Greyhounds for three years, cited the dwindling roster size as a factor. Monessen concluded the 2019 campaign with just 13 healthy players. After making the postseason in each of Blainefield’s first two seasons, the Greyhounds finished 4-6 this campaign, outside of the playoffs. Blainefield, a 2004 graduate of Monessen, was on Monessen’s staff before replacing Joe Salvino as head coach in 2017. The Greyhounds compete in the Class 1A Tri-County South Conference.