Burrell wrestling wins another WPIAL team title

Burrell wrestling added to its trophy case over the weekend, as the Buccaneers claimed the 18th WPIAL team title in program history on Saturday at the AHN Arena at Peters Township High School. The No. 2 seed Buccaneers left no doubt in Class 2A, defeating Quaker Valley 44-17 in the semifinals, and then besting top-seeded Burgettstown 41-20 in the championship matchup. Against the Blue Devils, Burrell jumped out to a 23-3 lead. Luke Boylan opened with a major decision to the Bucs, and Cam Baker, Carter Thomas, Luca Rosa, and Julian Bertucci also added early wins, including falls by Baker and Rosa. Burrell later sealed the outcome with victories by Cooper Hornack, Calio Zanella, Nico Zanella, and Isaac Lacinski, including first-period pins by Hornack and Lacinski. Earlier on Saturday, the Buccaneers dominated the Quakers, highlighted by falls courtesy of Lacinski, Boylan, Bertucci, and Hornack. Also in the semifinals, No. 5 seed Mount Pleasant Area fell to Burgettstown 56-15. The Vikings finished in fourth, dropping the consolation match against Quaker Valley 42-28. The top four teams in Class 2A all advance the PIAA bracket, as the Vikings will face District 10 runner-up Fort LeBoeuf on Monday, while Burrell will battle District 2 Champion Honesdale in Hershey on Thursday. Franklin Regional will also compete in the state tournament from Class 3A, as the Panthers notched a third-place finish. Second-seeded FR lost to eventual champion Connellsville Area 31-28 in the semifinals, but rebounded with a 28-27 triumph against Bethel Park in the consolation bracket to claim the final PIAA berth. The Panthers will square off against Pittsburgh City League champion Obama Academy at Carrick High School on Monday.

Nine county girls basketball teams clinch

With less than one week remaining in WPIAL girls basketball section play, half of the Westmoreland County teams have secured playoff berths. To this point, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Greensburg Salem, Belle Vernon Area, Burrell, Mount Pleasant Area, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, and Monessen have clinched their spots. In Class 6A Section 1, the Knights have secured the section title with a mark of 8-0. In Class 5A Section 3, the Warriors have clinched at 6-4, which has them in third place currently. In Class 4A, Greensburg Salem is in from Section 1, as the Golden Lions are tied for third at 6-4, while the Leopards are also in from Section 3, with a record of 6-5. In Class 3A, the Buccaneers and Vikings have both clinched from Section 3, as Burrell is in second place at 6-2, while Mount Pleasant Area is tied for third at 4-4. From Class 2A, the Centurions have clinched the top spot from Section 3 courtesy of their 10-0 mark. Lastly, in Class 1A, fourth-place Jeannette has qualified from Section 3 with a record of 1-3, while Monessen has clinched the section crown with a mark of 8-0 from Section 2. Other Westmoreland County teams still alive for the postseason include Greater Latrobe and Franklin Regional, both from Class 5A.

Westmoreland basketball official Roebuck tragically dies

Michael Roebuck, 45, of New Stanton, died shortly after he collapsed during a basketball game at Mount Pleasant Area High School on Friday. Roebuck, a first-year basketball official, collapsed during the JV contest between the host Vikings and Yough Cougars. Later that night, he was pronounced dead at Frick Hospital as a result of an acute cardiac event, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner. Roebuck, a Yough graduate, was also a football official.

Wildcats hockey notches key wins

Greater Latrobe hockey remained in the hunt for the top spot in the PIHL Class AA, courtesy of a pair of road victories last week. Last Monday, the Wildcats outpaced Fox Chapel Area 8-5, and then followed with a 4-3 win against Bishop McCort on Thursday. Against the Foxes at the Alpha Ice Complex in Harmar, GL scored five goals in the third period for the come-from-behind victory. Dylan Morris and Jackson Hayburn each scored two goals for the Wildcats, while Jacob Hannah posted a goal and two assists and Robert Rossi added three helpers. Three days later, Bryant Dumnich scored the winner in the final seconds of regulation for the Wildcats after the Crimson Crushers scored three unanswered goals in the third period. In addition to his dramatic goal, Dumnich added an assist, while Hannah scored twice. As a result, the Wildcats improved to 13-5-0, and with 26 points, they sit two points behind Thomas Jefferson and South Fayette atop the standings.

Ligonier Valley reveals latest Athletics HOF

Ligonier Valley unveiled its Class of 2024 for the Athletics Hall of Fame last week, a group that features six standout athletes, a pair of coaches, and a memorable team. The inductees consist of: Ray Nelson (Class of 1978 – golf); William Conrad (1983 – football/baseball); Jason Burkhart (1992 – football); Caleb Hood (2003 – track and field); Brandon Boyd (2008 – football); Alec Bloom (2014 – football); Al Fiorina (coach – track and field); Mike Mannion (contributor – football/track and field coach, athletic director); and the 2001 boys soccer team. The induction ceremony will be held on April 13 at the Barn at Ligonier Valley.

SHU softball opens season with pair of sweeps

Seton Hill University softball commenced the 2024 campaign in impressive fashion over the weekend, as the Griffins notched a pair of doubleheader sweeps. Competing in North Carolina, the Griffins overmatched Chowan University, winning 14-0 and 12-4 in games abbreviated by the run rule on Saturday. The following day, Seton Hill knocked off Barton College 9-0 in five innings, and followed with a narrow 5-4 win. In the first matchup against Chowan, Lauren Dellett tossed a three-hit shutout over five innings, while Abby Smearman went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, and three runs scored in the six-inning triumph. On Sunday, Dellett authored another five-inning shutout, permitting just one hit, while Kassidy Wittig posted a 2-for-3 performance with two runs scored in the nightcap. The Griffins will next take the diamond at home on Feb. 20 for a doubleheader against Wheeling University.