Four Big 56 Players named to All-State Boys Basketball Team!

Photo Credit: Will McBride (Twitter)

The PA all-state teams were chosen by a statewide vote of sports writers. Four Big 56 players made the cut on the boys side! For complete list, click here.

2023 PA ALL-STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

6A BOYS

THIRD TEAM

Jonathan Anderson – New Castle

5A BOYS

FIRST TEAM

Royce Parham – North Hills

SECOND TEAM

Daemar Kelly – Penn Hills

Tasso Sfanos – Mars

Jonathan Anderson, Jasmine Timmerson, Royce Parham and Maddie Webber all named to KDKA Super 7 Team!

The 2022-23 high school basketball season in Western Pennsylvania was one for the record books. Literally.

Throughout the season, scoring rose to new highs, with records falling and offense being showcased in a way that it never has in the region.

For complete story, click here.

Parham named to Post-Gazette Boys Fab 5

Photo Credit: Will McBride (Twitter)

On Easter Sunday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette released the 43rd edition of the Fab 5. North Hills’ Royce Parham was the lone Big 56 player to make the list!

By Mike White

It was 1980 and the Post-Gazette published its first boys Fabulous 5 all-star team. The group included two City League starts (Allderdice’s Frank Dobbs and Brashear’s Cleveland Bibben) and a future NFL player (Beaver Falls’ Dwight Collins).

For complete article click here.

Post-Gazette All-WPIAL teams announced

The Post-Gazette released its All-WPIAL teams and Players of the Year for each classification. Below are the 5A and 6A All-WPIAL teams and players of the year!

For a complete boys article, click here.

For a complete girls article, click here

BOYS BASKETBALL

WPIAL 6A

Jonathan Anderson – New Castle – 18.1 ppg

Adam Bilinsky – Norwin – 20.3 ppg

Isaiah Boice – New Castle – 18.0 ppg

Dante DePante – Central Catholic – 17.7 ppg

Braylon Littlejohn – Butler – 21.0 ppg

Player of the Year

Jonathan Anderson – New Castle

WPIAL 5A

Evan Berger – Thomas Jefferson – 23.1 ppg

Daemar Kelly – Penn Hills – 17.0 ppg

Brendan McCullough – Peters Township – 14.0 ppg

Royce Parham – North Hills – 28.3 ppg

Tasso Sfanos – Mars – 26.0 ppg

Player of the Year

Royce Parham – North Hills

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WPIAL 6A

Rylee Kalocay – Upper St. Clair – 19.6 ppg

Lauren Palangio – Norwin – 11.0 ppg

Jasmine Timmerson – North Allegheny – 16.4 ppg

Natalie Wetzel – Peters Township – 19.0 ppg

Madison Zavasky – Pine-Richland – 19.2 ppg

Player of the Year

Jasmine Timmerson – North Allegheny

WPIAL 5A

Katie Kovalchick – Indiana – 16.1 ppg

Rachael Manfredo – McKeesport – 13.0 ppg

Meghan Murray – Hampton – 20.1 ppg

Alexa Washington – Oakland Catholic – 15.9 ppg

Maddie Webber – South Fayette – 17.1 ppg

Player of the Year

Maddie Webber – South Fayette

Three tabbed to TribLive HSSN Boys Basketball Terrific 10

This morning, TribLive HSSN released their boys basketball Terrific 10. Three Big 56 players made the cut!

For a complete list, click here.

BOYS BASKETBALL Terrific 10

Dante DePante – Central Catholic

Daemar Kelly – Penn Hills

Royce Parham – North Hills

Roundball Classic Rosters Revealed

Rosters for the Roundball Classic senior all-star basketball games were revealed over the weekend. The Big 56 is very well represented in it! All games are at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA.

Schedule:

Thursday, May 18 – Girls – East vs. West – 6:30 pm

        Boys – East vs. West – 8 pm

Friday, May 19 – Boys – North vs. 3A – 8 pm

Saturday, May 20 – Girls – 6A vs. District 10 – 3pm

                                Boys – 5A vs. District 10 – 4:30 pm

                                Girls – 4A vs. 5A – 6 pm

                                Boys – 4A vs. 6A – 7:30 pm

Rosters:

Girls East Rosters

Lauren Atwell – F – Mars

Makenzie Barr – F – Shaler

Jillian Gallo – F – Oakland Catholic

Olivia Ginocchi – G – West Allegheny

Marina Grado – G – Gateway

Rachel Haver – G – Oakland Catholic

Kayla Howard – F – West Allegheny

Lily Palladino – G/F – Penn-Trafford

Sara Penrod – G – Franklin Regional

Brooke Schirmer – G – Franklin Regional

Maura Shorr – F – Oakland Catholic

Tori Sydeski – G – Norwin

Kayla Walter – G – Woodland Hills

Girls West Roster

Head Coach – Ryan Kacsur – Lincoln Park

Rachel Black – G – South Fayette

Malina Boord – G – McKeesport

Kristina Bozek – G/F – Trinity

Hillary Claycomb – G – Connellsville

Lexi Colainni – G – Kiski Area

Gianna Michaux – G – Albert Gallatin

Claire Rodgers – F – Hampton

Josie Straigis – G/F – Latrobe

Aizlyn Thompson – G – Lincoln Park

Courtlyn Turner – F – Albert Gallatin

Armani Walker – G – New Castle

Olivia Yancy – G – Armstrong

Girls Class 5A Roster

Head Coach – Eddie Benton – Oakland Catholic

Emma Blair – F/C – Latrobe (injured)

Camille Dominick – F – Latrobe

Olivia Donnelly – F – Mars

Eve Fiala – Indiana

Halena Hill – Oakland Catholic

Annalyn Isaacs – G – Mars

Raegan Kadlecik – G – Montour

Haley Kostorick – G – Shaler

Katie Kovalchick – F – Indiana

Ava Leroux – F – South Fayette

Elsie Smith – F – Fox Chapel

Courtlyn Turner – C – Albert Gallatin

Alexa Washington – G – Oakland Catholic

Maddie Webber – G – South Fayette

Eden Williamson – G/F – Trinity

Girls 6A Roster

Head Coach – Spencer Stefko – North Allegheny

Mary Boff – G – Bethel Park

Kate Botti – F – Norwin

Mia Brown – G – Upper St. Clair

Paige Dellicarri – G – Upper St. Clair

Justine Forbes – G – Butler

Brooke McCoy – G – Hempfield

Sophia Nath – G – Bethel Park

Cam Phillips – G – North Allegheny

Sarah Pifer – G – Pine-Richland

Kate Robbins – F – Upper St. Clair

Savannah Schneck – G/F – Norwin

Gianna Schoeb – G/F – Baldwin

Gianna Smith – G – Mt. Lebanon

Jasmine Timmerson – G – North Allegheny

Boys West Roster

Adam Kotvas – G – Plum

Nick Wallace – G/F – New Castle

Boys North Roster

Brendan Cruz – F – Chartiers Valley

Josh Gimbel – G – Pine-Richland

Dom DiNinno – G – Kiski Area

Lorenzo Glasser – G – Ringgold

Jake Kimmich – G – Franklin Regional

Ryan Lawry – G – Thomas Jefferson

Max Leven – F – Franklin Regional

Aiden Lycek – F – Seneca Valley

Connor Oros – G – Seneca Valley

Kenyan Smith – G – Penn Hills

MJ Stevenson – G – Gateway

Owen Wayman – G – Trinity

Randy Wilkerson – G/F – Central Catholic

Boys 5A Roster

Head Coach – Chris Giles – Penn Hills

Noah Barren – G – Penn Hills

Landon Butler – G/F – Latrobe

Jaydon Carr – G – Gateway

Chaz Cobbs – G – Woodland Hills

Andrew Collins – G – Trinity

Kameron Greil – G – Fox Chapel

Ben Guffey – G – Bethel Park

Elijah Hill – F – South Fayette

Daemar Kelly – G/F – Penn Hills

Cadin Olsen – F – Armstrong

Brendan McCullough – G – Peters Township

Kaleb Pryor – G – Gateway

Travaresse “Dunny” Rowe – F – McKeesport

Tasso Sfanos – G – Mars

Drew Sleva – G – Chartiers Valley

Jake Ziegler – F – Peters Township

Boys 6A Roster

Head Coach – Brian Urso – Central Catholic

Jonathan Anderson – G – New Castle

Adam Bilinsky – G – Norwin

Isaiah Boice – G – New Castle

Dante DePante – G – Central Catholic

Ryan Edwards – G – Norwin

Matt Gaither – G/F – Upper St. Clair

Lucas Garifoli – G – Mt. Lebanon

Luke Lawson – G – Seneca Valley

Micahel Pfeuffer – G – Mt. Lebanon

Harrison Sowers – G – Hempfield

Nick Sukernek – G – Upper St. Clair

Debaba Tshiebwe – F – Central Catholic

James Wesling – G – Baldwin

Da’Juan Young – F – New Castle

DePante, Parham named TribLive HSSN Players of the Year, Blundo, Urmann tabbed Coaches of the Year

BOYS BASKETBALL

TribLive HSSN 6A Player of the Year: Dante DePante, Central Catholic

DePante averaged 16 points per game while leading Central Catholic to their first WPIAL championship in 15 years. DePante got especially hot in the WPIAL playoffs where he averaged 29.3 points per game, including 29 points in the WPIAL championship against New Castle.

TribLive HSSN 6A Coach of the Year: Ralph Blundo, New Castle

Blundo’s winning machine at New Castle continued as the Red Hurricane played in their ninth championship in the last 12 years. New Castle was the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL tournament even though they lost leading scorer and Big 56 First-teamer Isaiah Boice for a majority of the season. New Castle fell in the WPIAL championship to Central Catholic and made it to the state quarterfinals before their season was ended by Reading.

TribLive HSSN 5A Player of the Year: Royce Parham, North Hills

After losing all of their starters except Parham coming into this season, Royce was ready to step up and be the leader as he averaged nearly 30 points per game and North Hills won the Section 4-5A championship. North Hills got to the WPIAL semifinals where they lost to Penn Hills.

TribLive HSSN 5A Coach of the Year: Joe Urmann, Peters Township

What a turnaround it was for Urmann and the Peters Township Indians. After going 8-14 in 2021-2022 and finishing in last in Section 2-6A, Peters Township went worst to first and made it to the WPIAL championship game where they fell to Penn Hills. Peters Township would get to the state quarterfinals before their season ended.

For complete article: Click here

Five Big 56 Boys Basketball Players named to the inaugural PUP Boys Basketball All-Star Team

Photo Credit: Will McBride (Twitter)

The Pittsburgh Union Progress released their inaugural Boys Basketball All-Star Team yesterday. Five Big 56 players made the cut. For the complete list, click here.

FIRST TEAM

Royce Parham – North Hills

Parham averaged 28 points and 11 rebounds during his junior campaign. He was a member of the Big 56 first-team all-section team in 5A Section 4 and led his North Hills teams to another section title and the WPIAL Semifinals. Parham has over 1,500 career points going into his senior season.

SECOND TEAM

Jonathan Anderson – New Castle

Anderson averaged 18.1 points and 7.4 assists per game in his senior year. He led New Castle to their ninth WPIAL championship appearance in the last 13 seasons. Anderson scored 22 points in the WPIAL Championship game in a loss to Central Catholic. Anderson was a member of the Big 56 first-team all-section team in 6A Section 1.

Dante DePante – Central Catholic

DePante averaged 17.6 points per game in his senior season. He saved his best for last as he averaged 29 points per game in the WPIAL playoffs. DePante finished his career with 1,265 points. DePante was a first-team all-section member in 6A Section 1.

Daemar Kelly – Penn Hills

Kelly averaged 16 points per game. He was a huge reason Penn Hills won the WPIAL title scoring 21 points in the championship game. Kelly finished his career with 1,193 points and is headed to Quinnipiac next season. Kelly was a first-teamer on the Big 56 all-section team.

THIRD TEAM

Tasso Sfanos – Mars

Sfanos averaged 25.1 points per game this season and led his team to the WPIAL Quarterfinals. Sfanos had 10 games of 30+ points this season. Sfanos will play at South Carolina-Beaufort next season. Sfanos made the Big 56 first-team all-section team for 5A Section 4.

PIAA Quarterfinals Recap: Oakland Catholic and South Fayette win thrillers

Photo Credit: Will McBride

BOYS BASKETBALL

PIAA 6A QUARTERFINALS

Reading 72, New Castle 48

Reading (30-1) jumped out to a 13-point lead at halftime and used a huge third quarter to pull away from New Castle (24-4) 72-48 on Saturday afternoon at Altoona High School.

Ruben Rodriguez led Reading with 27 points. Myles Grey had 16 points while Aris Rodriguez added 15 points. Da’Juan Young had 18 points while Isaiah Boice netted 13 points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

PIAA 5A QUARTERFINALS

Oakland Catholic 60, McKeesport 59 (OT)

Oakland Catholic (25-4) trailed 16-6 at the end of the first quarter, but clawed their way back into the game, forced overtime, then got a huge free throw from London Creach with three seconds left in overtime to eliminate McKeesport (23-6) 60-59 at AHN Arena at Peters Township High School on Saturday afternoon.

Alexa Washington led Oakland Catholic with 24 points, 17 of them coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. Halena Hill added 14 points and Rachel Haver pitched in 13 points. Rachael Manfredo had 21 points for McKeesport while Malina Boord had 15 points.

Oakland Catholic advances to the PIAA Semifinals where they will take on South Fayette on Tuesday at AHN Arena once again at 6:30 pm. This is a rematch of the WPIAL 5A Championship Game won by South Fayette.

Creach Free Throws: @CHarlan_Trib (Twitter)

South Fayette 40, Cathedral Prep 37

South Fayette (27-2) was in unfamiliar territory on Saturday afternoon when they found themselves trailing Cathedral Prep (23-2) 29-24 going into the fourth quarter. South Fayette fought back to tie the game and Maddie Webber hit a step-back three at the buzzer to get the Lions into the semifinals with a 40-37 victory.

Webber led all scorers with 15 points while Erica Hall helped with 11 points. Lane Walz had 13 points for Cathedral Prep while Addie Biel had 11 points.

South Fayette advances to the PIAA Semifinals where they will battle with Oakland Catholic on Tuesday at AHN Arena at Peters Township High School at 6:30 pm. This is a rematch of the WPIAL 5A Championship Game.

Final Possession: @sflionssports (Twitter)

SOFTBALL

Upper St. Clair 14, Bentworth 2

North Allegheny 7, South Fayette 5

PIAA Quarterfinals Recap: 6A Girls and 5A Boys

Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network

BOYS BASKETBALL

PIAA 5A QUARTERFINALS

Exeter 75, Peters Township 72 (OT)

Peters Township (24-5) was down eight points at the half. Stormed  back in the second half to force overtime, but ultimately fell to Exeter (26-6) 75-72 at Bald Eagle High School on Friday night.

Zyion Paschall led Exeter with 21 points. Kevin Saenz added 19 points while Anthony Caccese netted 14 points. Nate Miller had 19 points for Peters Township while Brendan McCullough and Jack Dunbar each had 16 points.

Cathedral Prep 68, Penn Hills 54

It was a closely contested battle through three quarters but Cathedral Prep (24-3) outscored Penn Hills (23-4) 30-21 in the final frame to come away with a 68-54 victory on Friday night at Sharon High School.

Semontae Lofton led all scorers with 23 points. Amaree Pickens added 19 points while Jack Sambuchino added 16 points. Noah Barren led Penn Hills with 13 points. Daemar Kelly had 12 points, Julian Dugger added 11 points and Rob Thomas netted 10.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

PIAA 6A QUARTERFINALS

Cedar Cliff 39, Upper St. Clair 22

Upper St. Clair (23-4) started off slow getting outscored 12-1 in the first quarter and just could never recover as they fell to Cedar Cliff (29-0) 39-22 on Friday night at Altoona High School.

Alexis Bule and Olivia Jones each had 10 points for Cedar Cliff.

Norwin 50, North Allegheny 30

Things were tight throughout but Norwin (24-4) outscored North Allegheny (22-6) 17-5 in the fourth quarter to avenge their WPIAL Semifinal loss, winning 50-30 on Friday night at Fox Chapel High School.

Kendall Berger had 18 points for Norwin while Ava Kobus had 12 points. Lauren Palangio added 10 points. Jasmine Timmerson and Lydia Betz each had 10 points.

Norwin advances to the PIAA Semifinals where they will take on District 3 champion Cedar Cliff on Monday at 7 p.m. at Altoona High School.

BASEBALL

Mars 8, Alcoa (TN) 6

Pine-Richland 10, Hempfield 1

Upper St. Clair 4, Mt. Lebanon 3

SOFTBALL

South Fayette 9, Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) 3