GCC girls return to title game

For the third year in a row, the Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball team will play for WPIAL gold. The Centurions punched their ticket with a dominant 67-30 win against Beaver Falls in the Class 3A semifinals Saturday at Peters Township. The third-seeded Centurions left no doubt against the No. 2 Tigers, taking a 43-11 lead into halftime. Erica Gribble paced GCC with 27 points, including five 3-pointers, while Avery Jones netted 13 points and Jayla Peterson scored 10. Earlier last week, GCC knocked off sixth seed Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 57-42 in the quarterfinals, as Gribble tallied 25 points. As a result, Greensburg Central Catholic (19-6) will face top-seeded Shady Side Academy (22-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Petersen Events Center in a rematch of last year’s title game.

Trojans dominate at WPIAL individual wrestling championships

A sextet of Derry Area wrestlers took home gold on Saturday, as the Trojans dominated the WPIAL Class 2A Individual Championships at Chartiers Valley High School. The Trojans golden performance commenced at 107 pounds, as Mason Keesecker defeated Central Valley’s Angelo Boni via a 7-2 decision. Patrick Bulger took first at 114, courtesy of a 5-0 decision against Javeon Chambers of Highlands. At 139, Michael McNeal bested Bentworth’s Drake McClure 6-3. Ewan Olson prevailed at 160, as he knocked off Alek Palko of Jefferson-Morgan with a 5-1 decision. Mason Horwat continued the success for the Trojans at 172, recording a pin against Laurel’s Dominic Willis. Lastly, Brady Brown scored a 17-2 tech fall against Beth-Center’s Malachi Peak at 189. Moreover, Camden Olson claimed a silver for the Trojans, as he fell in the 133 final. A couple of Burrell wrestlers also took gold, as Cameron Baker scored a 16-5 major decision against Avonworth’s Auston Kosanovic at 127, while Julian Bertucci prevailed at 145 with a 7-3 decision against Emmett Wolfe of McGuffey. Meanwhile in Class 3A at Canon-McMillan High School, four Westmoreland County grapplers took gold. Norwin’s Landon Sidun prevailed at 121, courtesy of a pinfall against Hempfield Area’s Nico Kapusta. Michael Ruane of Franklin Regional stood atop the podium at 152, as he edged Plum’s Owen Campbell by a 2-1 decision. At 189, Kiski Area’s Mario Hutcherson notched a 14-3 major decision against Hunter Snyder of Greater Latrobe. Lastly, Belle Vernon Area’s Elijah Brown scored a 4-0 decision against Kiski Area’s Cooper Roscosky in the 215-pound bracket. Moreover, a trio of Norwin wrestlers took silver – Brooks Blasko (139), Nathan Klingensmith (145), and Jake White (160).

Johnson hired to lead FR football

Franklin Regional approved Brian Johnson as the new football coach last week. Johnson, who served as an assistant coach under Lance Getsy for the past three years, now takes the reins following Getsy’s departure after five years. Johnson, a Woodland Hills alum, previously served as an assistant coach with the Wolverines, and also had a stint at Mount Lebanon. He was the offensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator for the Panthers last season, as the team sputtered to a 1-9 mark, including 0-6 in the Class 5A Big East Conference. Johnson also serves as the director of facilities in the district.

Greensburg Salem hockey opens PIHL playoffs

The PIHL Penguins Cup Playoffs begin in Class A tonight, and Greensburg Salem is in the fold. The Golden Lions claimed the No. 7 seed from the Gold Division, courtesy of a record of 8-10-0-2. With 26 points, GS won a tiebreaker over West Allegheny to secure the final playoff berth. As a result, the Golden Lions will play the second seed from the Blue Division, Quaker Valley, at the Ice Castle Arena in Castle Shannon tonight at 9 p.m. The PIHL playoffs start next week in Class AAA, Class AA, and Division 2.

Hempfield’s Droste wins bowling crown

Amelia Droste of Hempfield Area captured the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League (WPIBL) Girls Singles Championship Thursday in dramatic fashion. Competing at AMF Mt Lebanon Lanes, the Spartans senior rolled a 239 in the title match, narrowly edging Brooklynn Then of Plum. In the qualifying round, Droste compiled a three-game series of 669. In the semifinals, Droste knocked off Charlotte Eller of Ellwood City 223-182.