Hempfield East, Latrobe surge atop D31 standings

With June coming to a close, Hempfield East and Latrobe are tied atop the District 31 American Legion baseball standings. The Mud Dogs and Jethawks are each 11-3 in league play, ahead of third-place Bushy Run, which sits at 9-3. Latrobe opened a busy week last Monday with an 8-3 home triumph against Hempfield East, followed with an 8-3 victory in eight innings at Homer City on Tuesday, knocked off homestanding Young Township 12-8 on Wednesday, once again ousted Hempfield East 10-3 at the University of Pitt-Greensburg, and wrapped up the week with a 10-2 win at home against Mount Pleasant Area on Sunday. Sandwiched in between their setbacks to the Jethawks, the Mud Dogs claimed a 5-1 road win at Homer City on Wednesday, and prevailed 7-6 at home against Murrysville on Thursday.

Norwin falls in Tre Cunningham Memorial final

The Norwin boys basketball team reached the title game in the fifth-annual Tre Cunningham Memorial Basketball Tournament over the weekend, but the Knights ultimately came up short against Imani Christian Academy. The three-day event, which honors former Jeannette multi-sport athlete Tre Cunningham, included a dozen teams. After pool play on Thursday and Friday, the Knights edged host Jeannette 45-40, and then bested Indiana Area 54-40 in the semifinals. However, the Saints claimed gold with a 66-57 win in the championship clash, despite 19 points from Mario Csukas and 16 points courtesy of Stef Giannikas. Hempfield Area also made the semis, but lost to Imani Christian 56-41.

Jeannette hires new soccer coaches

Jeannette approved new head coaches for both the Jayhawks boys and girls soccer programs last week. Luke Brummett, a 2018 graduate of Jeannette, will lead the boys squad, which went 2-12-0 last fall, including 1-9-0 in Class 1A Section 4. Brummett served as an assistant at Jeannette last year under Steve Pons, who was at the helm of the program for two seasons. Brummett played college soccer at the University of Pitt-Greensburg, Westmoreland County Community College, and Carlow University. Meanwhile, veteran coach Derek Cuthbert will lead the Jayhawks girls, who compiled a record of 0-12-0 in 2024. Cuthbert has previous coaching experience with the girls teams at Greensburg Central Catholic and Penn-Trafford, including guiding the Warriors to a WPIAL crown in 2003. He fills the void left by Billy Bryant, who led Jeannette for four campaigns.

Katarski tabbed to lead Mount Pleasant boys

Mark Katarski was approved as the new boys basketball coach of his alma mater, Mount Pleasant Area, last week. Katarski’s coaching resume is extensive, highlighted by 10 years at the helm of the Seton Hill University women. He also guided Chatham University for six seasons, and was an assistant at Niagara University, as well as the University of Pitt-Greensburg. This past season, he joined Hempfield Area boys as an assistant, but took over the program on an interim basis after Bill Swan resigned from the position amid an investigation. With the Vikings, Katarski inherits a squad that went winless last season, finishing 0-22, including 0-10 in Class 3A Section 4. As a result, the district opened the position after Annie Malkowiak served as the head coach for two seasons.

Norwin’s Stoner wins county junior amateurs

Preston Stoner, a 2025 graduate of Norwin, captured the Westmoreland County Junior Amateur crown last Wednesday at Latrobe Country Club. Stoner carded a 1-under-par 71, one stroke better than Jack Sacriponte of Greater Latrobe. Kiski Area’s Max Mottura placed third with a round of 74, while the Cavaliers won the team title, edging the host Wildcats 233-236.