Liotta steps away from Burrell football

After seven years leading Burrell football, Shawn Liotta stepped down as head coach last week. Liotta has been named the head coach of Wilkes-Barre in the newly-formed Arena Football One indoor league that will begin play in 2025. During his time leading the Buccaneers, Liotta achieved a record of 26-45, including three playoff appearances. This past campaign, the Bucs went 2-8 overall, including 2-4 in the Class 3A Allegheny Conference, missing the postseason. Liotta previously served as the head coach at Albert Gallatin, West Shamokin, and Line Mountain. He also spent nine years combined leading indoor football teams based in Erie and Wheeling.

Host Spartans, Centurions go 2-0 in Hempfield Tournament

Five Westmoreland County boys basketball teams competed in the Hempfield Tournament over the weekend, and the host Spartans and Greensburg Central Catholic each went 2-0. Hempfield Area edged Penn-Trafford 83-79 on Friday, and followed with a 51-44 triumph against Franklin Regional the following day. Daniel Husentis tallied a game-high 28 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute, to lead the Spartans against the Warriors, while Drew Gordon added 15 points. Tyler Anthony scored 20 points in the setback for PT, while Zach Feldman contributed 19 points. On Saturday, Husentis notched 15 points for the Spartans, and Max Williams added 11 points. Connor Crossey scored a game-high 18 points in the setback for the Panthers. Meanwhile, the Centurions prevailed against Franklin Regional 53-50 on Friday, and bested Greensburg Salem 81-45 on Saturday. Against FR, AJ Tarpley posted 19 points, while Liam Gallagher registered 10 points. Crossey amassed 20 points for the Panthers. The following day, Gallagher exploded for 21 points, while Samir Crosby scored 13 points, Tarpley notched a dozen, and Brandon Martin added 10 points against the Golden Lions. Tyler Martin paced Greensburg Salem with 19 points.

Norwin wrestling begins season with signature win

It may have been a non-section match but it was an impressive win for Norwin nonetheless as it took down Canon-McMillan 39-20 on Wednesday. The previous time the teams had wrestled, the Big Macs rolled over the Knights 61-12 in 2021. Norwin's Gage Mamie defeated Mason Calgaro, 9-6, in overtime at 152 pounds in the first bout of the evening. Jack White (160), Coleton Klipa (114) and Landon Sidun (121) all registered falls for the Knights while Evan Suedhoff won by technical fall at 145 pounds. Norwin competed in the Spartan Duals at Springfield Township High School over the weekend, winning all six matches.

PT hockey rallies for win

Penn-Trafford hockey maintained its spot atop the PIHL standings, as the Warriors rallied for a 3-1 win against Bishop McCort last Monday at the Palmer Imaging Arena in Delmont. Trailing 1-0 entering the third period, PT scored three times, including a pair of goals by Aiden Drotos. Brock Bienemann also tallied for Penn-Trafford, while Cam Kiste and Robert Thatcher added assists. Tyler Funk earned the win in between the pipes for the Warriors, registering 20 saves. Mark Pazniak scored the lone goal for the Crimson Crushers one minute into the game, while Jake Johnson made 30 stops in net. As a result, Penn-Trafford improved to 9-2-0, and with 27 points, the Warriors pace the PIHL Class AA. The Warriors are back on the ice at home tonight against Cathedral Prep at 6:30 p.m.

SHU’s Cole, Flohr earn All-Region honors

A pair of Seton Hill University volleyball players were recognized as All-Region performers last week. Senior outside hitter Paige Cole and sophomore middle Catie Flohr were selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Atlantic Region First-Team. Cole paced SHU with 382 kills in the fall, and she added 257 digs, 39 blocks, and 27 service aces. Flohr posted a team-best 85 blocks, along with 302 kills, 82 digs, and 27 aces. Flohr also earned AVCA All-Atlantic Region honors for her freshman campaign. Collectively, the Griffins went 19-9 this season, including 8-6 in the PSAC, and fell at Gannon University in the opening round of the conference tournament.