Belle Vernon Area football advances to semis

Top-seeded Belle Vernon Area scored eight unanswered touchdowns en route to a 55-7 victory at home against No. 9 East Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals last Friday. Quinton Martin led the way, amassing 18 carries for 204 yards and four scores, all in the first half. Jake Gedekoh added 55 yards on eight attempts, including a touchdown run, while Steve Macheska, Tanner Steeber, and Cole Doppleheuer also scored for BVA. In addition to his TD on a recovery after a blocked punt, Macheska led the defensive charge for the Leopards, with a sack and a fumble recovery. The Wildcats opened the scoring on a 5-yard run from QB Michael Cahill in the first quarter, but were held off the scoreboard the rest of the contest. Belle Vernon Area, which improved to 8-2, moves on to the Class 3A semifinals to battle fourth-seeded Freeport Area on Friday at Gateway High School. The Leopards were the only Westmoreland County team to move on, as Greater Latrobe fell to Thomas Jefferson 21-6 in the 4A bracket, while Ligonier Valley was overwhelmed 52-0 by Beaver Falls in 2A.

GCC, Kiski Area boys highlight All-WPIAL soccer honors

The Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association released its All-WPIAL boys soccer selections last week, and more than a dozen Westmoreland County players earned the accolades. The standouts honored included Norwin defender Owen Christopher; Anders Bordoy, a forward, midfielder Nate Coleman, and Maddox Anderson, a goalkeeper, for Kiski Area; Franklin Regional midfielder Colton Hudson and defender Jake Kimmich; midfielder Luke Rivardo of Mount Pleasant Area; Joe Obeldobel, a midfielder for Yough; Trevor Kovatch, a forward for Belle Vernon Area; Jeannette forward Jordan Taylor; and forwards Carlo Denis and Kyler Miller, and midfielder Jake Gretz, of Greensburg Central Catholic. Additionally, Denis was named the WPIAL Class 1A Player of the Year for the Centurions.

Kushner’s late goal keeps GS hockey perfect

Greensburg Salem hockey remained unblemished last week, courtesy of a dramatic 3-2 victory at home against Indiana Area at the Kirk Nevin Arena in Greensburg on Thursday. Chase Kushner netted two goals, including the winner with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, and added an assist to help the Golden Lions improve to 6-0-0. Kushner opened the scoring in the first on a powerplay tally, and Carter Cherok scored in the second period for GS. The Little Indians pulled even with less than six minutes remaining in the third, however, setting the stage for Kushner’s heroics. In the victory, Cherok posted a two-point effort, while goalie Tristan Gonzalez made 14 saves. With 12 points, GS is tied with Fox Chapel Area for first in the PIHL Class A Blue Division. The Golden Lions and Foxes meet tonight in a game broadcast on the Westmoreland Sports Network.

Seton Hill MBB opens with pair of wins

Seton Hill University men’s basketball season started the 2022-23 campaign with a pair of victories over the weekend, as the Griffins knocked off Notre Dame College and Alderson Broaddus University on consecutive days in the MEC/PSAC Challenge at Slippery Rock University. First, the Griffins rolled past the Falcons 100-73, earning the first win for new head coach Ben Wilkins. In that triumph, the Griffins exploded for 53 points in the first half, and shot nearly 56 percent from the field for the contest. Six players reached double figures in scoring, with Ryan Meis and Drew Green leading the way with 17 and 16 points, respectively. The following day, the Griffins ousted the Battlers 87-51, outscoring Alderson Broaddus 48-22 in the first half. Samuel Tabe netted a game-high 17 points, while Caleb Whitaker added 16 points off the bench.

SVC football wins regular-season finale

Saint Vincent College football ended the 2022 regular season on a high note last Saturday, as the Bearcats smashed Bethany College 36-7 in Presidents’ Athletic Conference play. The host Bearcats scored the first 21 points of the tilt, courtesy of three touchdown passes by Brady Walker. Walker finished the contest 19-of-28 for 322 yards, Molayo Irefin caught five passes for 146 yards and two scores, and he added a rushing score, while DJ Gray paced the rushing attack with 24 carries for 140 yards. SVC finishes the regular season at 5-5 overall, including 5-3 in the PAC.