Norwin boys basketball surges

Using a strong second half, Norwin boys basketball cruised past Penn-Trafford 69-55 last Tuesday in a Westmoreland County rivalry clash. The host Knights outpaced the Warriors by a margin of 46-26 in the second half. Mario Csukas notched a game-high 22 points for Norwin, while Nate Kuch added 13 points. Caleb Dubyak and Ethan McDonald each tallied nine points to lead the Warriors. That win sparked an impressive week for the Knights, who edged Pine-Richland 66-64 and host Franklin Regional 61-60 on Friday and Saturday, respectively, at the annual Mike Rettger Tournament. Chris McKnight hit the winning shot against the Rams, and he scored 14 points against the Panthers to claim the tournament MVP honors.

GCCs Crosby pledges to Georgetown

Greensburg Central Catholic senior Samir Crosby, one of the most prolific football players in Westmoreland County, pledged his commitment to Georgetown University over the weekend. Crosby selected the Hoyas over offers from the University of Akron, Miami University (Ohio), the University of Buffalo, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Sacred Heart University, Fordham University, and North Carolina A&T University. This season, Crosby threw for 555 yards and six touchdowns, rushed 109 times for 1,016 yards, caught 19 passes for 267 yards, and scored 23 total touchdowns, while also posting 80 tackles, one interception, and one sack on defense. The Centurions went 5-6 overall this campaign, falling to Bishop Canevin in the first round of the WPIAL Class 1A playoffs.

Hempfield’s Williams wins PIHL honors

Hempfield Area senior forward JJ Williams was recognized as the PIHL Class AA Player of the Month for November. Williams tallied four goals and five assists, totaling nine points in the month, which includes four points on the power play. On the season, Williams, an assistant captain, has compiled nine goals and nine assists in 10 games. The Spartans currently sit in second place in Class AA with 26 points.

Valley cancels girls hoops season

Valley has cancelled its girls basketball season as a result of low roster numbers. The Vikings had a dozen players sign up in the fall, but only four attended the practices in recent weeks. Last season, Valley went 2-19 overall, including 1-13 in Class 4A Section 1. The Vikings were slated to compete in a section against Derry Area, Burrell, Oakland Catholic, North Catholic, Knoch, Highlands, and Freeport Area. Those games will be ruled no contest instead. Because of their inability to play this season, the Vikings will not be awarded a schedule through the WPIAL for the next two-year cycle, but the team can play an independent schedule during that time.

Griffins legendary coach Hall retires

Rick Hall, the legendary Seton Hill University women’s volleyball coach, has announced his retirement. Hall guided the Griffins for 41 seasons, compiling a record of 822-452. When competing in the NAIA, Hall guided the Griffs to four national tournament appearances. Since the Griffins joined the NCAA, Hall’s teams made 13 conference tournament appearances, highlighted by winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship in 2018. This fall, SHU went 15-12 overall, including 7-7 in the PSAC, qualifying for the conference tournament. A graduate of Greater Latrobe High School and Saint Vincent College, Hall was inducted into the inaugural Seton Hill University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

This week on WSN

The winter sports are in full swing this week on the Westmoreland Sports Network airwaves, beginning on Tuesday, as Norwin girls basketball hosts Thomas Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Penn-Trafford wrestling aims to defend its home mat against Plum at 7 p.m. Thursday features a pair of girls basketball broadcasts, as Franklin Regional hosts Plum and Hempfield Area welcomes North Hills, with both games slated for 7:30 p.m. tipoffs. On Friday, boys basketball section play takes center stage, as Franklin Regional welcomes Penn-Trafford in Class 5A Section 1, while Hempfield Area hosts Mount Lebanon in a Class 6A Section 2 bout. The busy week concludes on Saturday at the University of Pitt-Greensburg, as the Bobcats host Alfred State College for an AMCC doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.