Spartans win WCCA 7-on-7

Overcoming a scary injury to one of their key players, Hempfield Area went undefeated to capture the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Larry Sellitto Memorial 7-on-7 Passing Tournament on Thursday. Competing at Greater Latrobe High School, the Spartans ousted the host Wildcats 34-6 in the title game to win the third 7-on-7 title in team history, and the first since 2017. In that title clash, senior Jake Kosinski suffered an injury after a collision with a teammate, and was taken via ambulance to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, where he was released later that night. Kosinski had a touchdown and an interception in the championship performance. Quarterback Carden Lippmann, meanwhile, tossed four TD passes in the victory. The Spartans were 5-0 through Bracket A play, winning a point-differential tiebreaker against Penn-Trafford, which also was 5-0. In the pool play, Hempfield Area defeated Mount Pleasant Area, Greater Latrobe B Team, Derry Area, Greensburg Salem, and Kiski Area. Meanwhile, the Wildcats won Bracket B at 4-0-1.

Jethawks rally to upend Bushy Run in D31 Championship

The District 31 American Legion Championship was decided in dramatic fashion last Wednesday, as top-seeded Latrobe rallied for a 3-2 walk-off win against Bushy Run. Played at Legion Keener Park, the Jethawks prevailed when Ty Wisniewski scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Joey Razza. The Jethawks tied the game earlier in the inning, courtesy of a bases-loaded walk drawn by Mason Fridley. The outcome spoiled a stellar effort on the hill by Beavers’ hurler Jayden Kennedy, who worked into the seventh inning, allowing seven hits and one earned run. Razza was equally effective for Latrobe, as he tossed 6.2 innings, permitting six hits and a pair of earned runs. Both teams, along with Homer City and Burrell, advanced to the Region 7 Tournament.

Owls, Pumpers advance to LDATL Championship

After more than a week of postseason play, the championship matchup is set for the Latrobe-Derry Area Teener League. Top-seeded St. Joes and No. 3 Heat Siphon made it to the title series by going undefeated through the double-elimination portion of the bracket. The Owls opened their postseason with a 9-8 win against Cooperstown, smashed VFW 15-3, and knocked off the Derry Ukes 8-4 on Friday to secure their spot. Similarly, the Pumpers commenced the postseason with a 10-9 triumph against St. Anthony’s, followed with a 14-12 victory against F.O.E, and then bested the Eagles again on Friday, 8-5. The best-of-three championship series begins tonight at 6:30 p.m., with Game Two slated for Tuesday, and the decisive game, if necessary, on Wednesday.

Burrell’s Ansani, Miller step down

A pair of notable coaches at Burrell stepped down this month, as wrestling coach Steve Ansani and baseball coach Jay Miller have vacated their positions. In his two seasons with the Buccaneers on the mat, Ansani’s teams captured the WPIAL Class 2A Team Championship in 2025, and finished as WPIAL runner-up this winter. A 1978 graduate of Valley, Ansani previously coached the Vikings, and then served as an assistant under Burrell head coach Josh Shields through the 2023-24 campaign. Miller led Burrell baseball for three years, capturing postseason wins in each of those seasons. A Yough graduate who also played baseball at Westmoreland County Community College, Miller was an assistant at Burrell for five years under longtime coach Mark Spohn. This spring, the Bucs finished 11-10 overall, defeating Mohawk in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs before falling to Ellwood City in the quarterfinals.

Rick Klimchock hired to guide Bobcats WBB

A familiar face will lead the University of Pitt-Greensburg women’s basketball program, as Rick Klimchock was announced as the new head coach today. Klimchock, who has been an assistant coach to his son, Chris, with the UPG men’s team, replaced Julie Bolden, who led the Bobcats for two seasons. In addition to his role at Pitt-Greensburg, Klimchock served as the helm of the Greensburg Salem girls for the past nine seasons. Previously, he guided the Franklin Regional girls, and the boys squads at Jeannette and Saltsburg. Last season, the Bobcats sputtered to a mark of 1-24 overall, including 1-15 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC).