Monday's Westmoreland County Sports Notebook
Written by: Sean Meyers
January 06, 2020
Tags: Sammy Starr Jack Blumer Nick Delp Brayden Roscosky Briar Priest Ty Linsenbigler Isaiah Vance Kurtis Phipps John Altieri Ryan Weinzen Carter Dibert Nat Roth Ian Oswalt John Meyers Ryan Sickenberger Michael Noonan Zach Rocco Jake Johnson Olivia Gribble Torian Jenkins Logan Deri
Kiski Area claims another WCCA wrestling title
For the fifth straight year, Kiski Area proved to be at the pinnacle of Westmoreland County wrestling. The Cavaliers took home gold once again in the team competition at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling event over the weekend. It was far from easy for the host Cavaliers, however, as Kiski Area needed a late surge to edge Hempfield Area. The Cavs compiled 263 points, while Hempfield Area accumulated 224.5. Norwin, Greater Latrobe, and Burrell rounded out the top five. A quartet of grapplers took first for Kiski Area – Sammy Starr (152 pounds), Jack Blumer (160), Nick Delp (170), and Brayden Roscosky (195). Two other Cavs finished as runners up, while three more placed third. The Spartans received first-place finishes from Briar Priest (106), Ty Linsenbigler (145), and Isaiah Vance (285). Other winners included Kurtis Phipps (126), John Altieri (138), and Ryan Weinzen (182) of Norwin, Franklin Regional’s Carter Dibert (113), Greater Latrobe’s Nate Roth (120), Burrell’s Ian Oswalt (132), and Greensburg Salem’s John Meyers (220). A few top county wrestlers were noticeably absence from the event, as Greater Latrobe’s Gabe Willochell and Mount Pleasant Area’s Dayton Pitzer were unable to compete due to injury.
Wildcats, Vikings prevail in county battles
The WPIAL resumed section play for boys basketball last Friday, which included a pair of key county showdowns. In Class 6A Section 3, Greater Latrobe knocked off Penn-Trafford 63-41. The host Wildcats, who improved to 1-1 in section action, limited the Warriors to eight or fewer points in each of the final three quarters. Offensively, they were led by Ryan Sickenberger and Michael Noonan, who scored 24 and 23 points, respectively. Zach Rocco netted 23 points for the Warriors, who fell to 1-1 in section play. Elsewhere, Mount Pleasant fended off a late surge to edge Derry Area 51-49 in Class 4A Section 1. The homestanding Vikings, who improved to 2-0 in the section, made a defensive stand in the closing seconds, forcing a turnover. They were led by senior Jake Johnson, who netted 23 points. Derry Area, which dropped to 1-1, received a dozen points each from Tanner Nicely and Tyson Webb.
Four county girls hoops teams hold top spots
With a few weeks elapsed in the WPIAL girls basketball section slate, a quartet of local teams hold possession of first place. In Class 6A Section 1, Norwin is alone at the top, at 4-0. The Knights gained sole possession of that spot courtesy of a key 63-55 victory against North Allegheny on Thursday. Olivia Gribble had 16 points for Norwin in the contest. In 4A Section 3, Southmoreland sits in first, at 4-0. The Scotties, who are 10-0 overall, face a tough slate with Elizabeth Forward and Belle Vernon Area upcoming this week. Surprisingly, Derry Area is tied for the top position in Class 3A Section 3. The Trojans, at 3-1, are deadlocked with Carlynton, although the Cougars won the head-to-head meeting. Lastly, Greensburg Central Catholic is knotted with Clairton atop Class 1A Section 3. GCC, 2-0, notched a section victory against Aquinas Academy last week.
Local hockey teams return to the ice
With the holiday break now in the rear-view mirror, the majority of the local hockey teams return to PIHL competition this week. On Monday, both Franklin Regional and Penn-Trafford are in action in Class AA. The Panthers play on the road against Plum at 9 p.m., while the Warriors travel to face Hampton at 9:10. Franklin Regional, at 8-2-0, is tied for the second most points in all of Class AA, behind only undefeated Greater Latrobe, which is idle this week. Meanwhile in Class A, Greenburg Salem, Norwin, and Kiski Area all play on Monday. Greensburg Salem hosts Beaver Area at 7:15, Kiski Area travels to play North Hills at 7:15, and Norwin is on the road against Chartiers Valley at 9:10. Norwin and Greensburg Salem are in second and third, respectively, in the Southeast Division, trailing Bishop McCort, while Kiski Area is behind only Indiana Area in the Northeast Division. Burrell is also in action in Class B on Monday, on the road against Carrick at 7.
UPG men’s basketball continues hot start
The University of Pitt – Greensburg men’s basketball team continued its strong play into 2020, as the Bobcats knocked off the University of Pitt – Bradford 76-62 on Saturday. The host Bobcats had four players score in double figures, with reserve Torian Jenkins notching 12 points and 18 boards in the victory. The win marked the ninth in the past 10 tilts for UPG, with the lone setback coming against first-place LaRoche University. At 6-1 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC), the Bobcats have already eclipsed their conference win total from each of the past three seasons.
Norwin grad Deri to play in college showcase
A former Westmoreland County football standout who just wrapped up a stellar college career now has the opportunity to prove he can play professionally, as well. Logan Deri, a Norwin grad who enjoyed an outstanding career as a defensive back at West Liberty University, is participating in the College Gridiron Showcase from Jan 3-8. This past season, Deri led his squad in tackles, with 61, and added 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. The invite all-star event, held in Fort Worth, Texas, includes drills, meetings, and interviews with pro scouts and team executives.