BVA boys cruise past Burrell in playoff opener

In an all-Westmoreland clash in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball postseason, defending champion Belle Vernon Area coasted to a 60-45 home victory against Burrell. The No. 8 Leopards (14-9) jumped out to a 20-9 advantage after the opening quarter, and extended their advantage to 33-14 at the half against the ninth-seeded Buccaneers (10-13). Three BVA players finished in double digits, led by a dozen points courtesy of AJ Watson off the bench, while Luca Ghilani and Cam Jenko each scored 10. Ryan Wass paced the Bucs with 12 points, while Sam Conte finished with 10 points. As a result, BVA will face top-seeded and homestanding Quaker Valley in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Klimchock retires from GS girls basketball

After nine years guiding the Greensburg Salem girls basketball program, and nearly 40 years overall coaching high school basketball, Rick Klimchock announced his retirement from the Golden Lions last week. During his decorated tenure on the sidelines, Klimchock compiled a record of 425-318. Prior to his stint with the Golden Lions, Klimchock served as the helm of the Franklin Regional girls for six years, the Jeannette boys for 14 years, and the Saltsburg boys for a couple of years. He also had a pair of assistant coaching stints at Greensburg Central Catholic, his alma mater. Moreover, Klimchock spent time as an assistant at Saint Vincent College, and currently is on staff for the men’s team at the University of Pitt-Greensburg, where his son, Chris, is the head coach. This season, the Golden Lions went 8-13 overall, including 3-9 in Class 5A Section 2, failing to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.

Hempfield captures rifle team championship

For the seventh time in program history, the Hempfield Area rifle team reigned atop the WPIAL. The Spartans took the gold last Tuesday at the Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen’s Club. Hempfield Area compiled a team score of 798-64x, edging Butler Area 798-57x. Chloe Snyder was the top marksman for the Spartans, scoring 100-9x, while Charlotte Auckerman, Caitlyn Andree, Izabell Orczeck, and Mackenzie Thomas all tallied 100-8x, and Abigail Hice notched 100-7x. Hempfield previously won team titles in 2010, 2013, 2018-19, and 2021-22.

Snider tabbed as SHU volleyball coach

A former great in the PSAC was hired to lead Seton Hill University volleyball last week, as the Griffins tabbed Clarion University grad Cassidy Snider as the head coach. She replaces the legendary Rick Hall, who retired after 41 years leading the Griffs. Less than two years removed from her college playing career, Snider was an assistant coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania last season. On the court with the Golden Eagles, Snider was the PSAC West Freshman of the Year and a two-time PSAC West Athlete of the Year. In the fall, the Griffins went 15-12 overall, including 7-7 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), falling in the opening round of the conference tournament at East Stroudsburg University.

Bearcats claim PAC wrestling crown

Saint Vincent College wrestling repeated as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) champions over the weekend. Competing at Hiram College, the Bearcats racked up a team score of 118.5, besting runner-up Thiel College, which accumulated 100 points. The Bearcats were paced by four individual champions – Logan Connolly (133 pounds), Tyler Debnar (141), Anthony Orlandini (149), and Logan Bechtold (165). Additionally, a quartet of Bearcats finished in second place – Ryan Yocum (157), Chase Brandebura (174), Chase Stuchal (197), and Jonah McCoy (285 pounds). As a result, SVC advances to the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament at Ohio Northern University, beginning on Feb. 27.

This week on WSN

WPIAL playoff basketball will be at the forefront this week on the Westmoreland Sports Network, beginning tonight with a Class 6A boys first-round clash, as the No.9 Norwin Knights travel to face eight seed Fox Chapel Area at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Franklin Regional boys host Shaler Area in Class 5A, while the Southmoreland boys welcome Washington in 3A, both in first-round matchups at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, a Class 5A girls quarterfinals will serve as a rubber match between No. 6 Penn-Trafford and third-seeded Indiana Area, played at Norwin High School at 7 p.m. Norwin will also serve as the venue on Friday, when the homestanding Knights girls square off against Hempfield Area at 7 p.m. Lastly on Saturday, the University of Pitt-Greensburg plays host to Pitt-Bradford for a doubleheader.