Monday's Westmoreland County Sports Notebook
Written by: Sean Meyers
February 22, 2021
Tags: Ryan Sickenberger Chase Sickenberger Landon Butler Kadyn Hannah Cooper Hornack Niko Ferra Ian Oswalt AJ Corrado Jamison Pokelmbo Dayton Pitzer Ty Cymmerman Ryan Harbert Ian Fasano Dion Lyons Rich Bowen Brad Birch Autumn Younkin Kayla Gaughan Erica Moss Giaovanna Salvio Raeann Record Shelby Frick
Burrell, Mount Pleasant wrestlers win individual gold
Six Westmoreland County wrestlers took first in the WPIAL Class AA Individual Championships over the weekend. Burrell, which also claimed its 15th-consecutive team title earlier this month, boasted four individual winners on Saturday at Canon-McMillan High School, while Mount Pleasant had two grapplers who claimed gold. The Buccaneers who added to their trophy case included freshman Cooper Hornack at 106 pounds, sophomore Niko Ferra at 120, and seniors Ian Oswalt at 138 and AJ Corrado at 160. Oswalt captured his fourth WPIAL individual title. Mount Pleasant Area’s champions were freshman Jamison Poklembo at 132 and junior Dayton Pitzer at 215. Several other county wrestlers captured silver, including Derry Area senior Ty Cymmerman, who was denied his own four-peat, at 145, Ligonier Valley’s Ryan Harbert at 138, Mount Pleasant Area’s Ian Fasano at 285 (heavyweight), and Valley’s Dion Lyons at 132. All of the aforementioned wrestlers advanced to the PIAA Southwest Regional.
Vast majority of county teams opt into basketball playoffs
The deadline for teams to opt into the WPIAL boys and girls basketball playoffs passed last week, and nearly all of the Westmoreland County squads elected to participate in the open tournaments. All 18 boys teams will play, including several teams that are currently either in first or second place in their section – Hempfield Area (7-2 6A Section 3); Franklin Regional (6-2 5A Section 3); Belle Vernon Area (9-0 Class 4A Section 3); Greensburg Central Catholic (8-1) and Jeannette (7-2), both Class 2A Section 3; and Monessen (5-2, Class 2A Section 4). On the girls side, 15 of the 18 teams in the county will participate in the playoffs, with Derry Area, Ligonier Valley, and Valley serving as the exceptions. The Trojans are 2-9 overall, the Rams are 0-10, and the Vikings are 1-6. Of the teams who will play in the postseason, squads currently in the top two spots in their section include – Norwin (9-2 Class 6A Section 1); Greater Latrobe (8-1 Class 5A Section 4); Southmoreland (10-1 Class 4A Section 3); and Monessen (7-3 Class 1A Section 2). The WPIAL playoff brackets will be released on Tuesday, and the Westmoreland County Basketball Playoff Preview Show will air on Thursday on the Westmoreland Sports Network.
Bowen resigns as Spartans football coach
After nearly a decade guiding the Hempfield Area football program, head coach Rich Bowen resigned last week. Bowen cited personal reasons for his departure from the team, although he will continue to serve as the assistant athletic director in the district for the rest of the school year. Bowen posted a record of 30-55 with Hempfield Area, including 1-4 in 2020. Bowen previously was a head coach for Serra Catholic, Elizabeth Forward, and Yough, and he was a standout player for Serra who went on to play collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh and Youngstown State University.
Ryan Sickenberger lifts Greater Latrobe with another buzzer-beater
Greater Latrobe boys basketball has had a flair for the dramatic this season, winning three times on a final shot. Last week, senior Ryan Sickenberger knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer to propel GL to a 56-53 win at home against Franklin Regional. Sickenberger, who already hit a winner earlier this year, as did his younger brother Chase, scored a game-high 17 points. Landon Butler added 16 points for the Wildcats, while Franklin Regional was paced by Kadyn Hannah, who produced 14 points. The Panthers, who won the first meeting in dominant fashion, hold a half-game lead over the Wildcats in Class 5A Section 3.
Jeannette freshman QB Birch receives major offer
Jeannette quarterback Brad Birch made history in the first game of his career, as he became the first freshman to start at QB in Jayhawks’ history. Over the next few months, Birch established himself as one of the most prolific passers in the WPIAL, and capped it off with a WPIAL Class 1A Championship. Although Birch suffered an injury in that game that ended his season, his performance this past campaign caught the eyes of college recruiters. Last week, Birch received his first Division I offer, from the University of Oregon. As a ninth-grader, Birch passed for 1,676 yards and 28 touchdowns, while also rushing for 272 yards and four scores. Oregon posted a mark of 4-3 in 2020, but surprisingly won the PAC-12 Championship Game as a replacement team. Birch became the second current Westmoreland County freshman who has received a DI offer, as Belle Vernon Area’s Quinton Martin previously garnered an offer from Pitt.
Greensburg Salem girls repeat as bowling champs
For the second straight year, Greensburg Salem girls reigned supreme in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League (WPIBL). The Golden Lions repeated as the girls champions last Thursday at Sim’s Bowling Lanes in Beaver Falls. Greensburg Salem ousted top-seeded Butler Area in the finals, 2-1. The Golden Lions won the first game against the Golden Tornadoes 215-156, but Butler Area extended the match by winning the second game 173-149. In the decisive third game, GS prevailed 188-147. To reach the finals, the Golden Lions bested Penn-Trafford 2-1 in the semis. Greensburg Salem’s bowlers included Autumn Younkin, Kayla Gaughan, Erica Moss, Giaovanna Salvio, Raeann Record, and Shelby Frick. The WPIBL singles championships will take place this week.
Hempfield Area wins rifle title
Hempfield Area’s rifle team captured the WPIAL team title last Wednesday, the fifth championship in program history. The Spartans posted a score of 799-60X, edging Trinity, which posted 798-57X. The Spartans also claimed back-to-back titles in 2018-19, as well as in 2010 and 2013. The PIAA Championship will be contested this week.