Leopards football wins overtime thriller

The reigning WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A champions received a stiff test against McKeesport Area last Friday, but Belle Vernon Area survived in overtime 21-14 at James Weir Stadium. In the marque nonconference matchup, Braden Laux scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime for the Leopards, and Belle Vernon Area’s defense forced an incompletion on fourth down to edge the Tigers. Laux, who threw for 102 yards, notched a 3-yard TD run in the extra frame. Anthony Crews accounted for both touchdowns in regulation for the Leopards, scoring on a 31-yard pass in the first quarter and a 65-yard run in the third. He paced BVA with 81 yards rushing. The Leopards denied McKeesport with a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter to keep the game tied. While the Tigers dropped to 2-1 on the season, the Leopards improved to 2-0 heading into another challenging nonconference clash at Penn-Trafford on Friday.

FR’s Johnson wins WCCA golf crown

Franklin Regional sophomore Gianna Johnson played the best round of her season, winning a scorecard tiebreaker to claim the Westmoreland County Coaches Association girls golf title last Thursday. Playing at Champion Lakes Golf Course in Bolivar, Johnson fired a four-over-par 40. She tied with Greensburg Central Catholic senior Izzy Aigner, but Johnson had a better score on the fourth hole, giving her the tiebreaker. Milana Yannascoli of Hempfield Area placed third, two strokes back. Keyed by Johnson’s performance, the Panthers also captured the team title, carding a score of 182. Penn-Trafford finished nine strokes behind, while GCC placed third with a score of 196.

Trio of girls soccer teams post dominant weeks

Last week was a successful one for a trio of Westmoreland County girls soccer teams, as Penn-Trafford, Mount Pleasant Area, and Yough had dominant showings. In Class 3A, the Warriors cruised to a couple of nonsection home wins, blasting Kiski Area 6-0 and Hempfield Area 14-0. Against the Cavs, Emilie Oslosky notched a goal and an assist, while Rease Solomon earned the clean sheet in net. Against the Spartans, Emma Stovar and Alexis Brown each contributed hat tricks, while Avery Bosack had a two-goal effort. As a result, the Warriors improved to 4-1-0 overall. In Class 2A, the Vikings blasted host East Allegheny 13-0, and followed with a 5-0 triumph at home against Elizabeth Forward. In the lopsided matchup against the Wildcats, Maggie Piper and Rylin Bugosh each tallied hat tricks, while Carly Piper and Morgan Gesinski scored twice apiece. Three days later, Bugosh again notched three goals, while Laurel Rummel posted a shutout against the Warriors. The Vikes improved to 3-2-0 on the campaign. Additionally, the Cougars scored convincing wins against McKeesport Area (8-0) and Ligonier Valley (5-0). At home against the Tigers, Katelyn Slavick amassed four goals for Yough, while Carli Reisinger added two more. The following day at Ligonier Valley, Slavick contributed four more goals, while Carly Fitzgibbons also found the back of the net. The wins marked the first victories of the season for the Cougars, who now sit at 2-3-0.

Burrell makes leap in volleyball rankings

The latest Western Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association rankings were released on Monday, and Burrell was a significant riser in Class 2A. The Buccaneers, previously unranked, jumped to No. 6 in the rankings. In Class 4A, Penn-Trafford dropped one spot to fourth, while Hempfield Area, which was tied for ninth last week, fell out of the rankings. In Class 3A, Greater Latrobe held steady in a tie for 10th with Knoch. Lastly, in Class 1A, Greensburg Central Catholic maintained the fifth spot. A trio of Westmoreland players received individual accolades for their play last week, as well, as Greater Latrobe outside hitter Elle Snyder, Kiski Area libero Madeline Joyce, and Yough setter/outside hitter Addy Seanor were recognized at Players of the Week.

Seton Hill unveils Athletics HOF inductees

Last week, Seton Hill University announced the latest additions to its Athletics Hall of Fame. The four-member class consists of Paige Alviani (Class of 2014 – women’s basketball), Corrine (Gahagen) Poulin (2014 – volleyball), Kameron Taylor (2016 – men’s basketball) and Larry Jesky (contributor). Alviani was a three-time All-Conference selection and compiled 1,723 career points. Poulin earned All-Conference accolades in all four seasons on the court, amassing 1,438 kills, 461 blocks, and 444 digs. Taylor garnered First-Team All-Conference recognition as a senior, totaled 1,409 points in his career, and played in the NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns in 2022. Jesky, who recently retired, worked at SHU for 50 years, including the past 23 years as the school’s faculty athletics representative. The quartet will be inducted on Sept. 29, and will be recognized the following day at the Seton Hill football game at Offutt Field.