Warriors claim 7-on-7 football title

For the second year in a row, and the seventh time in the history of the event, Penn-Trafford reigned supreme at the Westmoreland County Larry Sellitto Memorial 7-on-7 Championship. Last Thursday at Hempfield Area High School, the Warriors cruised to a 6-0 mark, outscoring its foes by a combined margin of 166-24. PT bested the host Spartans B team 28-6 in the title matchup. In that contest, Nate Desmond tossed four touchdowns, while Ben Grabowski, Tyler Boss, Will Sarsfield, and Reese Radocay snagged the TD receptions. In pool play, the Warriors knocked off the Spartans A team, Mount Pleasant Area, Valley, Belle Vernon Area, and Yough. Although Kiski Area also went 5-0 in pool play, Penn-Trafford advanced via the point-differential tiebreaker. Hempfield Area B, along with Norwin and Greensburg Central Catholic, each went 4-1 in the other pool, with the Spartans winning the tiebreaker.

Westmoreland trio garners All-State volleyball honors

The Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association unveiled its all-state teams last week, and three Westmoreland County senior boys earned the distinction. In Class 3A, Greater Latrobe’s Eric Bisignani and Owen Ward and Penn-Trafford’s Owen Gisi were tabbed as Honorable Mentions. Bisignani, a setter, and Ward, an outside hitter, helped the Wildcats compiled an overall mark of 16-2. Gisi, a middle hitter, helped the Warriors achieve a record of 14-8 on the season, including an appearance in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals and the state playoffs.

Derry Area receives Fields for Kids grant

The Derry Area School District was a recipient of a grant from the Fields for Kids program earlier this month. Pirates Charities chose the district as part of the second round of recipients for 2025, with the aim to provide resources for youth baseball and softball programs across Western Pennsylvania. Derry Area was awarded $7,500 for the construction of a new outdoor batting cage.

Skura hired as Valley AD

After previously serving as the athletic director at Ligonier Valley, Joe Skura was hired to the same position at Valley last week. Skura, who also was the AD at Bishop Carroll, replaces Kim Johnson, who stepped away from her athletic director duties at the end of the 24-25 school year. Skura most recently was a television producer with WWCP-TV Fox 8, and he boasts experience as a high school volleyball official.