Gaven Wood delivers OT Goal For Connellsville Over Plum

Senior Gaven Wood scored 20 seconds into overtime on Thursday night to propel the Connellsville boys soccer team to a 1-0 win at Plum in Section 3-4A action.

The win gave the Falcons a season sweep over the Mustangs, also defeating them 4-2 at home on Sept. 15.

The win was the sixth straight for Connellsville and the second straight shutout for senior Gabe Kemp in net.

The Falcons improve to 11-3 overall and 8-3 in the section, sitting alone in second place. They will travel to Penn Hills on Mondat at 3:30 p.m. for a makeup game.

Plum drops to 7-6 overall and 6-5 in the section. The Mustangs are currently a half-game out of the playoff picture. They will at Penn-Trafford today at 3 p.m. in a makeup game section.

Bezjak Lifts Albert Gallatin Into Class 5A State Tournament

Ally Bezjak was not ready for her season to end. In the Class 5A WPIAL Consolation Game, Bezjak drove in three runs, including the game-winning run in the eighth inning to lift Albert Gallatin to a 4-3 win against Connellsville at Seton Hill University on Tuesday.

Bezjak’s single in the eighth inning qualified the Colonials for the PIAA tournament, beginning on Monday. Maddie Flowers scored the winning run after a triple.

Bezjak also belted a two-run home run in the game.

The winning pitcher for Albert Gallatin was Maddy Hershberger, who pitched four innings in relief.

This also served as the rubber match between the section rivals, with each team winning on the road.

The Colonials improve to 13-4 on the season and will play the winner of District 6, 9 and 10 in the first round on Monday.

Softball Class 5A All-Section Teams Announced

Class 5A First-Team Photo Gallery

Softball Section 3-6A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Morgan Aloi	Seneca Valley	Senior	Infield
Kristen Chomos	North Allegheny	Junior	Infield
Madison Posterivo	North Hills	Senior	Infield
Anna Slebonik	Pine-Richland	Senior	Infield
Julia Ehrman	Seneca Valley	Sophomore	Outfield
Kaitlyn Horrell	Pine-Richland	Junior	Outfield
Brooke Serbin	North Allegheny	Junior	Outfield
Ashley Adams	North Allegheny	Junior	Pitcher
Claire Zimmerman	Seneca Valley	Junior	Pitcher
Karli Hacker	Seneca Valley	Junior	Catcher
Kearson Wagner	Seneca Valley	Sophomore	Designated Hitter
COACH OF THE YEAR
Gary Shepard	Pine-Richland
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Carly Hregdovic	Shaler	Senior	Infield
Mandy Magill	Seneca Valley	Junior	Infield
Tori Martrano	Shaler	Sophomore	Infield
Autumn Pettinato	Butler	Sophomore	Infield
Lily Buckshaw	Shaler	Senior	Outfield
Shay Hagerman	North Hills	Sophomore	Outfield
Shannon Hamm	North Allegheny	Senior	Outfield
Ali Graham	Butler	Senior	Pitcher
Anna McNickle	North Hills	Senior	Pitcher
Victoria Grayson	Shaler	Senior	Catcher
Lauren Haywood	North Allegheny	Freshman	Designated Hitter
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Faith Hansotte	Butler	Junior	Infield
Hannah Folk	Butler	Senior	Outfield
Alyssa Miller	Pine-Richland	Sophomore	Outfield
Madelyn Traub	North Hills	Junior	Outfield
Bethany Wittig	North Hills	Sophomore	Catcher

Softball Section 1-5A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Mallory Halleck	Franklin Regional	Junior	Infield
Morgan Nedley	Penn-Trafford	Junior	Infield
Emma Armstrong	Penn-Trafford	Junior	Infield
Mackenzie Lake	Plum	Sophomore	Infield
Christina Kemerer	Franklin Regional	Senior	Outfield
Kelsey Sofaly	Kiski Area	Senior	Outfield
Emma Nedley	Penn-Trafford	Senior	Outfield
Angalee Beall	Franklin Regional	Junior	Pitcher
Megan Andree	Kiski Area	Junior	Pitcher
Gabrielle Fischetti	Plum	Junior	Catcher
Brooke Cleland	Penn-Trafford	Freshman	Designated Hitter
COACH OF THE YEAR
Denny Little	Penn-Trafford
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Mariah DeRiggi	Franklin Regional	Junior	Infield
Kayla Gratton	Gateway	Sophomore	Infield
Maura Mallon	Penn-Trafford	Senior	Infield
Emily Carpenter	Woodland Hills	Senior	Infield
Dannielle Taylor	Gateway	Senior	Outfield
Nikki Mellinger	Greensburg Salem	Junior	Outfield
Sidney Young	Plum	Senior	Outfield
Rena Caruso	Greensburg Salem	Junior	Pitcher
Morgan Hilty	Penn-Trafford	Sophomore	Pitcher
Emma Kennedy	Gateway	Freshman	Catcher
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Anna Harmon	Armstrong	Junior	Infield
Tiffany Bruzda	Greensburg Salem	Junior	Infield
Courtney Moyer	Kiski Area	Sophomore	Infield
Ashlyn Gray	Armstrong	Sophomore	Outfield
Becky Mertz	Penn-Trafford	Senior	Outfield
Maura Ryan	Gateway	Sophomore	Pitcher
Sydney Tressler	Greensburg Salem	Junior	Catcher
Carlee Lamacz	Penn-Trafford	Junior	Catcher

Softball Section 2-5A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Annalia Paoli	Albert Gallatin	Sophomore	Infield
Brooke Miller	Connellsville	Senior	Infield
Marlaina Bozek	Trinity	Sophomore	Infield
Jhyla Bray	McKeesport	Sophomore	Infield
Maddie Flowers	Albert Gallatin	Junior	Outfield
Bailey Bell	Trinity	Junior	Outfield
Hailie Rusko	Laurel Highlands	Senior	Outfield
Madison Hershberger	Albert Gallatin	Sophomore	Pitcher
Mia Burd	Connellsville	Junior	Pitcher
Haleigh Karcher	Thomas Jefferson	Junior	Catcher
Lily Rockwell	Thomas Jefferson	Freshman	Designated Hitter
COACH OF THE YEAR
Gary Serock	Albert Gallatin
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Allyn Bezjak	Albert Gallatin	Senior	Infield
Emma Elash	McKeesport	Junior	Infield
Allie Lowery	Laurel Highlands	Sophomore	Infield
Paige Truax	Thomas Jefferson	Freshman	Infield
Cameron Meier	Trinity	Junior	Outfield
Josey Moorhead	Connellsville	Senior	Outfield
Claire Whalen	Thomas Jefferson	Freshman	Outfield
Bella Bucy	Thomas Jefferson	Sophomore	Pitcher
Payton Barr	Trinity	Senior	Catcher
Kaia Zungri	Laurel Highlands	Sophomore	Designated Hitter

Baseball Class 6A All-Section Teams Announced

Class 6A First-Team Photo Gallery

North Allegheny vs. Altoona, PIAA Second Round

GAME SUMMARY
SCORE BY QUARTERS	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Altoona	19	11	9	11	50
North Allegheny	19	13	8	15	55

Baseball Section 1-6A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Craig Kunkel	Pine-Richland	Senior	Infield
Anthony Cinicola	Seneca Valley	Senior	Infield
Connor Ollio	Butler	Senior	Infield
Luke Trueman	North Allegheny	Senior	Infield
Cory Greiner	Seneca Valley	Junior	Outfield
Nic Kibbie	Butler	Senior	Outfield
Andrew Walker	Central Catholic	Senior	Outfield
Patrick Gumto	Shaler	Senior	Pitcher
Marshall McGraw	Central Catholic	Senior	Pitcher
Vinny Rauso	Central Catholic	Senior	Catcher
Matt Wood	Pine-Richland	Junior	Designated Hitter
COACH OF THE YEAR
Pat Walsh	Central Catholic
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Hunter Boyan	Shaler	Junior	Infield
Max Cebulak	Central Catholic	Senior	Infield
Troy LaNeve	Pine-Richland	Junior	Infield
Mark Trotta	Seneca Valley	Junior	Infield
Garet Banner	Butler	Senior	Outfield
Brandon Boyce	Central Catholic	Senior	Outfield
Turner White	North Allegheny	Senior	Outfield
Grant Metzger	Butler	Senior	Pitcher
Matt Schietroma	Pine-Richland	Junior	Pitcher
Justin Stewart	Butler	Senior	Catcher
Josh Scherer	Pine-Richland	Junior	Designated Hitter
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
JD Armstrong	Pine-Richland	Junior	Infield
Tyler Casciato	Central Catholic	Freshman	Infield
Jacob Keene	Butler	Senior	Infield
Brandon Gelpi	Central Catholic	Sophomore	Outfield
Josh Johnson	Pine-Richland	Junior	Outfield
Ben Surman	North Allegheny	Senior	Outfield
Jake Bredl	Shaler	Sophomore	Pitcher
Nash Bryan	Butler	Senior	Pitcher
Matt Bullock	Pine-Richland	Senior	Pitcher
Jon McCullough	Seneca Valley	Sophomore	Pitcher
Ben Petschke	North Allegheny	Sophomore	Pitcher

Baseball Section 2-6A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Isaiah DiAndreth	Hempfield	Senior	Infield
Nick Zona	Norwin	Senior	Infield
Anthony Tucci	Penn Hills	Senior	Infield
Marcus Cestra	Plum	Senior	Infield
Kyle Ridley	Connellsville	Senior	Outfield
Luke Hudson	Hempfield	Junior	Outfield
Jordan Sabol	Penn-Trafford	Junior	Outfield
Jake Anderson	Hempfield	Senior	Pitcher
Ryan Kircher	Plum	Senior	Pitcher
Tanner Froehlich	Plum	Senior	Catcher
Zach Mancz	Penn-Trafford	Senior	Designated Hitter
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tim Buzzard	Hempfield
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Tyler Wiederstein	Hempfield	Sophomore	Infield
Cade Patterson	Penn-Trafford	Junior	Infield
Jackson Rogers	Plum	Senior	Infield
Tyler Dancu	Hempfield	Junior	Infield
Brody Bonadio	Connellsville	Senior	Outfield
Nick DiAndreth	Hempfield	Senior	Outfield
Jayden Walker	Norwin	Freshman	Outfield
Tyler Horvat	Penn-Trafford	Junior	Pitcher
Maclean Maund	Penn-Trafford	Junior	Pitcher
Josh Spiegel	Penn-Trafford	Senior	Catcher
Traynor Granatire	Hempfield	Senior	Designated Hitter
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION
Austin Petraglia	Connellsville	Junior	Infield
Justin Wright	Hempfield	Senior	Infield
Logan Liebdzinski	Norwin	Junior	Infield
Owen Sabol	Norwin	Junior	Infield
Mario Disso	Penn-Trafford	Junior	Infield
Cameron Clark	Penn Hills	Sophomore	Outfield
Ben Mongelluzzo	Penn-Trafford	Senior	Outfield
Dom Carlisano	Plum	Senior	Outfield
Billy Kerston	Norwin	Junior	Pitcher

Alumni Update – Connellsville’s Jimmy Malone

Jimmy Malone continued his strong start to the 2018 season, tossing eight shutout innings in a 5-0 victory over Castleton Saturday afternoon for Saint Vincent College.

The sophomore southpaw recorded six strikeouts and issued just one walk in the victory. Malone scattered four hits and limited the Spartans to a .179 batting average.

The Connellsville graduate was named Presidents’ Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week for his performance.

(photo courtesy of Saint Vincent College)

Girls Class 5A All-Section Teams Announced

Class 5A First-Team All-Section Photo Gallery

Girls Section 3-6A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Abbey Larkin	Baldwin	Senior	Guard	24
Maria Cerro	Bethel Park	Junior	Guard	4
Olivia Westphal	Bethel Park	Freshman	Guard	22
Izzy Allen	Canon-McMillan	Senior	Guard/Forward	25
Tamara Mathis	Canon-McMillan	Junior	Guard	1
Makenna Marisa	Peters Township	Junior	Guard	20
Isabella Mills	Peters Township	Junior	Guard	21
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bert Kendall	Peters Township
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Kam Lach	Bethel Park	Senior	Guard	2
Maddie Dziezgowski	Bethel Park	Sophomore	Forward	13
Alyssa Hyland	Mt. Lebanon	Senior	Guard	14
Jamey Napoleon	Mt. Lebanon	Junior	Forward	23
Haley Sabol	Mt. Lebanon	Sophomore	Guard/Forward	33
Lillian Young	Peters Township	Senior	Forward	10
Kate Groninger	Upper St. Clair	Senior	Forward	44
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Jess Wilhelm	Mt. Lebanon	Senior	Guard	20
Olivia Ziegler	Peters Township	Senior	Guard	22
Liv McClelland	Upper St. Clair	Senior	Guard	13
Lindsay Meyer	Upper St. Clair	Junior	Guard	15

Girls Section 1-5A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Megan McConnell	Chartiers Valley	Sophomore	Guard	4	5-7
Mackenzie Wagner	Chartiers Valley	Junior	Guard	12	5-11
Courtney Tomas	Montour	Junior	Guard	15	5-10
Grace Faulk	West Allegheny	Junior	Guard/Forward	31	5-10
Hannah Lindemuth	West Allegheny	Junior	Guard	23	5-8
Patience Ashaolu	West Allegheny	Junior	Forward/Guard	5	5-8
Riley Arrigo	Lincoln Park	Sophomore	Guard	3	5-6
COACH OF THE YEAR
Reggie Wells	West Allegheny
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Gabby Tanny	Montour	Junior	Forward	24	5-10
Morgan Toal	Moon	Senior	Guard/Forward	33	5-7
Ashley Seamon	West Allegheny	Senior	Forward	21	5-9
Melina Lynn	West Allegheny	Senior	Guard	11	5-8
Claire Mercurio	West Allegheny	Junior	Guard	33	5-4
Delaney Minear	Lincoln Park	Senior	Guard	13	5-7
Paige Brown	Lincoln Park	Senior	Guard	14	5-9

Girls Section 2-5A All-Section Team

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Jordan Edwards	Gateway	Senior	Guard	11	5-8
Jhayla Bray	McKeesport	Sophomore	Forward	45	5-6
Alexis Sestric	Oakland Catholic	Junior	Guard	10	5-7
Jayde Boyd	Oakland Catholic	Junior	Guard	2	5-10
Jenna Clark	Thomas Jefferson	Junior	Guard	1	5-6
Marina Petruzzi	Thomas Jefferson	Senior	Guard	23	5-7
Joi Burleigh	Woodland Hills	Sophomore	Forward	11	6-0
COACH OF THE YEAR
George Vlassich	Thomas Jefferson
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Mary Kromka	Gateway	Junior	Guard/Forward	34	5-10
Jenna Guido	Gateway	Junior	Guard	13	5-8
Lexi Jackson	Gateway	Sophomore	Forward	14	6-3
Sierra DeAngelo	Oakland Catholic	Junior	Forward	41	6-0
Cierra Christian	Oakland Catholic	Sophomore	Guard/Forward	11	5-10
Alyssa DeAngelo	Thomas Jefferson	Sophomore	Guard	34	5-9
Becca Mascaro	Thomas Jefferson	Senior	Forward	2	5-9
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Emma Elash	McKeesport	Junior	Guard	14	5-8
Mia Cuccaro	Oakland Catholic	Senior	Forward	22	6-0
Abbie Pechin	Oakland Catholic	Senior	Guard	23	5-7
Nya Morris	Woodland Hills	Sophomore	Guard	1	5-6
Ciara Turner	Woodland Hills	Junior	Guard	25	5-8
Peyton Pinkney	Woodland Hills	Freshman	Forward	33	5-10

Girls Section 3- 5A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Bryn Bezjak	Albert Gallatin	Freshman	Guard/Forward	23	5-5
Abby King	Albert Gallatin	Sophomore	Forward	25	5-9
Zoe Youdell	Connellsville	Junior	Guard/Forward	11	5-9
Megan Kallock	Greensburg Salem	Junior	Guard	14	5-7
Riley DeRubbo	Trinity	Sophomore	Guard	34	5-9
Alayna Cappelli	Trinity	Senior	Guard	15	5-6
Jayme Britton	Trinity	Senior	Forward	3	5-9
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bob Miles	Trintiy
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Anaejah Harris	Albert Gallatin	Junior	Forward	0	5-10
Baileigh Bishop	Connellsville	Sophomore	Guard/Forward	25	5-9
Nikke Mellinger	Greensburg Salem	Junior	Guard	1	5-8
Allie Scarffo	Trinity	Senior	Forward	22	5-9

Boys Class 6A All-Section Teams Announced

Boys Class 6A First-Team Photo Gallery

Girls Section 4-5A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Kenzie Lasher	Armstrong	Senior	Guard/Forward	4
Laryn Edwards	Hampton	Senior	Guard	2
Ali Collins	Hampton	Senior	Guard	11
Harley Holloway	Kiski Area	Sophomore	Guard	5
Lauren Wasylson	Mars	Senior	Guard/Forward	4
Tai Johnson	Mars	Senior	Guard	23
Bella Pelaia	Mars	Sophomore	Guard/Forward	33
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dana Petruska	Mars
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Jaylen Callipare	Armstrong	Sophomore	Guard	5
Isabel Palamone	Franklin Regional	Senior	Guard/Forward	21
Jordan Yaniga	Franklin Regional	Junior	Forward	13
Alex Reitz	Franklin Regional	Junior	Forward	33
Brooke Fuller	Hampton	Senior	Forward	35
Alek Johnson	Mars	Freshman	Guard	3
Kennedie Montue	Plum	Freshman	Forward	21
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Loryn Bowser	Armstrong	Junior	Forward	30
Madi Lorigan	Armstrong	Junior	Guard	12
Haleigh Zimmerman	Indiana	Junior	Guard	1
Bailey Cills	Indiana	Senior	Guard	22
Hannah Potter	Kiski Area	Sophomore	Guard	22
Violeta Kenzevich	Kiski Area	Sophomore	Guard	30
Ellie Coffield	Mars	Freshman	Guard	1

Boys Section 1-6A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Ethan Morton	Butler	Sophomore	Guard	25	6-6
Luke Michalek	Butler	Senior	Guard	1	6-0
Luke Nedrow	Central Catholic	Senior	Forward	21	6-7
Cole Mason	Central Catholic	Senior	Guard	11	6-2
Dan Petcash	Pine-Richland	Junior	Guard	3	6-3
Phil Jurkovec	Pine-Richland	Senior	Guard/Forward	22	6-5
Chris Hart	Seneca Valley	Senior	Forward	5	6-4
COACH OF THE YEAR
Chuck Crummie	Central Catholic
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Maurice Shipman	Central Catholic	Junior	Guard	3	6-4
Zach Johnson	North Allegheny	Senior	Center	2	6-10
Kamron Taylor	North Hills	Senior	Guard	24	5-10
Greg Shulkosky	Pine-Richland	Junior	Guard	1	6-0
David Ritchie	Seneca Valley	Senior	Guard	21	6-1
Marcus Might	Seneca Valley	Junior	Center	20	6-8
Kiki Agbale	Shaler	Senior	Forward	15	6-3
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY	HEIGHT
Luke Patten	Butler	Sophomore	Guard	20	6-4
Justin Tarrant	Central Catholic	Senior	Guard	22	6-3
Anthony Hattrup	North Allegheny	Junior	Forward	33	6-4
Mike Iuzillino	North Allegheny	Sophomore	Guard	5	6-0
Garret Barto	North Hills	Senior	Forward	44	6-3
Jacob Bunofsky	Seneca Valley	Senior	Guard	1	5-11
Mekhi Reynolds	Shaler	Sophomore	Guard	13	6-2

Boys Section 2-6A All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Nick Fiumara	Baldwin	Senior	Guard	34
Ryan Meis	Bethel Park	Sophomore	Guard	4
Jason Fowlkes	Canon-McMillan	Senior	Guard	14
Seth Younkin	Connellsville	Center	Senior	32
Antonio Garofoli	Mt. Lebanon	Senior	Guard	24
Caden Hinckley	Mt. Lebanon	Senior	Forward	23
Hayden Mitchell	Mt. Lebanon	Junior	Guard	4
COACH OF THE YEAR
Rick Bell	Canon-McMillan
SECOND TEAM
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Mike Goga	Baldwin	Senior	Forward	33
Justin Meis	Bethel Park	Senior	Guard	2
Alex Mullen	Bethel Park	Junior	Guard	13
Kenyon Lewis	Canon-McMillan	Senior	Guard/Forward	13
Ethan Beachy	Canon-McMillan	Junior	Guard/Forward	22
Tanner Gensler	Upper St. Clair	Junior	Forward	23
Kyle Meinert	Upper St. Clair	Senior	Guard	11
HONORABLE MENTION
NAME	SCHOOL	GRADE	POSITION	JERSEY
Drew Engel	Canon-McMIllan	Junior	Guard/Forward	22
Elliott Walker	Canon-McMillan	Junior	Guard/Forward	33
Jalen Rogers	Connellsville	Junior	Forward	12
Michael Palmer	Mt. Lebanon	Junior	Guard	20
Colin Cote	Peters Township	Sophomore	Guard	5

Girls Class 5A WPIAL Playoff First Round Preview

The 16-team field in the girls basketball Class 5A bracket will feature every team playing in the first round and the top four seeds receiving a bye.

Below are capsules on each first round matchup that will take place on Friday.

No. 1 Trinity Hillers (19-3) vs. No. 16 Plum Mustangs (6-16) At West Allegheny, 8 p.m.

The Section 3-5A champions are the heavy favorite in this matchup. The Hillers advanced to the WPIAL semifinals and PIAA championship last year, but lost both games. Trinity enters the playoffs on a 12-game win streak, and are allowing only 40.4 points per game. They are averaging 58.5 points per game. Through Feb. 4, sophomore Riley DeRubbo was leading the Hillers with 17.5 points per game…Plum was knocked out of the first round of the playoffs last year in the first round by Trinity, 61-20. The Mustangs only had six wins on the season, but two of those came in the final four games of the season. They finished fourth in Section 4-5A. They are averaging 37.7 points per game and are allowing 50 points per game.

No. 8 Oakland Catholic Eagles (14-8) vs. No. 9 South Fayette Lions (12-8) At Upper St. Clair, 6:30 p.m.

Both teams finished third in their respective sections and did not meet in the regular season. Oakland Catholic won three of its final four regular season entering the playoffs. The Eagles are averaging 51.8 points per game and are allowing 39 points per game. Oakland Catholic was the Class 5A WPIAL runner-up last season and lost to South Fayette, 53-35, in the PIAA Quarterfinals last year…South Fayette is limping into the playoffs, losing its last four regular season games. Prior to that, they went on a six-game win streak. The Lions are averaging 57.8 points per game and are allowing 49.5 points per game. South Fayette advanced to the WPIAL Quarterfinal and PIAA Semifinals last season.

No. 4 Mars Planets (17-5) vs. No. 13 Uniontown Red Raiders (7-12) At Gateway, 6:30 p.m.

Mars was the Section 4-5A co-champions and are entering the playoffs winning eight of its last nine games. The Planets are averaging 56.8 points per game and are allowing 43.8 points per game. The Planets advanced to the WPIAL Quarterfinals and PIAA Second Round last season. Through Feb. 4, senior Lauren Wasylson led the team with 17.9 points per game. Junior Tai Johnson had 16.8 points per game…Uniontown tied for fourth place in its section, and was the fifth team in their section to enter the playoffs due to the tiebreaker rules. The Red Raiders lost their last three games of the regular season. They are averaging 42.3 points per game and are allowing 48.4 points per game. Uniontown did not qualify for the playoffs last season.

No. 5 Hampton Talbots (18-4) vs. No. 12 Connellsville Falcons (11-11) At Gateway, 8 p.m.

Hampton was the co-section champions with Mars in Section 4-5A and are entering the playoffs winning five out of its last six games. The Talbots are averaging 55.5 points per game and are allowing 42.8 points per game. Through Feb. 4, senior Laryn Edwards led the Talbots with 21.5 points per game. Senior Ali Collins was averaging 19.7 points per game. Hampton advanced to the WPIAL Semifinals and PIAA Second Round last year…Connellsville won four of its last five games to get to .500 and into the WPIAL playoffs. The Falcons are averaging 46.4 points per game and are allowing 47 points per game. Connellsville lost in the first round last year.

No. 2 Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (19-3) vs. No. 15 Montour Spartans (9-13) At Upper St. Clair, 8 p.m.

A year after barely making the playoffs, Thomas Jefferson put no doubt in its spot this season by winning the Section 2-5A championship. The Jaguars enter the playoffs on a six-game win streak, including a 63-39 win against the Spartans on Feb. 5. They are averaging 64.4 points per game and are allowing 47.2 points per game. Junior Jenna Clark led the team in scoring with 17.6 points per game through Feb. 4. Senior Marina Petruzzi was at 15.3 points per game. The Jaguars lost in the first round last season…Montour went 3-2 in its final five games of the regular season. The Spartans are averaging 48.5 points per game and are allowing 52.7 points per game. Junior Courtney Tomas led the team in scoring with 18.3 points per game through Feb. 4. Montour also lost in the first round last season.

No. 7 Gateway Gators (19-3) vs. No. 10 Ringgold Rams (16-6) At Baldwin, 6:30 p.m.

Gateway is one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs, winning its last 11 games of the regular season. On the season, they are averaging 47.4 points per game and are allowing 35 points per game. The Gators were the top defensive team in Class 5A this season. Gateway lost in the WPIAL Quarterfinals last season…Like Gateway, Ringgold finished second in its section. The Rams won seven of their last eight games entering the playoffs. They are averaging 49.4 points per game and are allowing 41.5 points per game. Ringgold lost in the first round last season.

No. 3 West Allegheny Indians (16-6) vs. No. 14 Woodland Hills Wolverines (10-12) At Fox Chapel, 6:30 p.m.

The Indians won the battle in Section 1-5A to take home the section title with a 9-1 record. They enter the playoffs winning five of their last seven games. West Allegheny is averaging 58.5 points per game and they are allowing 47 points per game. The Indians lost in the first round of the playoffs last year…Woodland Hills finished in fourth place in its section and have lost five of its last seven games of the regular season. The Wolverines are averaging 48.5 points per game and are allowing 46.5 points per game. Woodland Hills made the playoffs after going winless in the section a year ago.

No. 6 Chartiers Valley Colts (16-6) vs. Armstrong River Hawks (15-7) At Fox Chapel, 8 p.m.

The defending Class 5A WPIAL champion is back to defend its title. The Colts also made it to the PIAA Second Round last year. The Colts are getting hot at the right time, winning its final eight games of the regular season. They are averaging 55.7 points per game and allowed 46.9 points per game. Through Feb. 4, sophomore Megan McConnell was leading the Colts with 19.7 points per game. Junior Mackenzie Wagner was scoring 18.2 points per game…Armstrong finished in third place in its sections and enter the playoffs winning four out of its last six games. They are averaging 46.5 points per game and are allowing 39.2 points per game. Senior Kenzie Lasher was leading the River Hawks with 17.6 points per game. Armstrong missed the playoffs last year, making it the first playoff appearance in school history.

For a complete look at the bracket, click here.

Alumni Update – Connellsville’s Jimmy Leichliter

Jimmy Leichliter, a Connellsville graduate, helped guide the Golden Tornadoes to a 3-0 mark last week after averaging 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

In a league win at Chatham University last Wednesday, he finished with game highs in both points (20) and rebounds (season-best 12).

It was his third double-double of the season — and second of the week — after posting a 15-point, 11-rebound effort in last Monday’s home win over Franciscan.

For his efforts, Leichliter earned Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

(photo courtesy of Geneva College)

NA VOLLEYBALLERS CRUSH CONNELLSVILLE TO OPEN PLAYOFFS, 3-0

The top-seeded North Allegheny Tigers cruised to an opening round win in the Class AAA WPIAL playoffs over the Connellsville Falcons on Thursday night, 3-0. It was the second straight season the Tigers and Falcons met in the first round and for the second consecutive year the end result was the same. The Tigers advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals by set scores of 25-14, 25-12 and 25-17.

From the national anthem on, the contest was completely dominated by the Tigers. North Allegheny opened up a 7-0 lead in the first game and the tone was set for the rest of the night. Junior Anna Sprys was the sparkplug for most of the evening and led the Tigers in the first set with four kills and a block.

Along with Sprys, Eastern Kentucky recruit Mika Logan blistered the Falcons with three kills andAvery Tuman finished off Connellsville for a 25-14 win in set one.

In the second set, it was Tuman who starred with four kills in a 25-12 victory. Set three belonged to senior Kayla Dinkins who rifled three kills and posted two blocks in a 25-17 win. Freshman Paige Miller had a strong finish in the third set to clinch the sweep with three consecutive kills to cap the night’s festivities.

North Allegheny improves to 16-0 on the season and moves on to the WPIAL quarterfinals to take on the Peters Township Indians on Tuesday night at a site and time to be determined.