Defense Leads Fox Chapel To Section Win At Norwin

The Fox Chapel boys basketball team only scored 48 points on Tuesday night, but it was enough to win comfortably at Norwin in Section 3-6A action, 48-39.

The two teams were tied for second place in the section entering the game.

The Foxes didn’t allow more than 11 points in any given quarter.

Fox Chapel and Norwin were tied 21-21 at the half, but the Foxes slowly increased their lead, outscoring the Knights 27-18 in the second half.

Lead the way for Fox Chapel was senior Ryan Kerr with a game-high 16 points. Junior Arnold Vento scored 11 points as well.

For Norwin, senior Logan Liebzinski had 13 points.

With the win, Fox Chapel improves to 7-4 overall and 2-1 in the section. The Foxes will look for their fourth straight win at Penn-Trafford in a section game on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Norwin drops to 6-4 overall and 1-2 in the section. The Knights will travel to Latrobe on Friday to take on the first place Wildcats in a section game at 7:30 p.m.

NA HANDS NORWIN FIRST LOSS OF SEASON IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS

North Allegheny and Norwin combined to win each of the last four WPIAL championships in the largest classification. With both teams entering Friday night’s Section 1-6A showdown at North Allegheny undefeated, it was bound to be another good game. After surviving a series of runs throughout the game, the Tigers were victorious, 55-44, to take sole possession of first place in the section.

Norwin’s only lead of the game was at 5-4 before NA finished the first quarter on a 14-2 run to take a commanding 18-7 lead.

Norwin quickly got back in the game as the Tigers went nearly five minutes before scoring their first point of the quarter. After building their lead back up to nine, the Knights went on a 9-0 run to close out the half, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer by junior Olivia Gribble to tie the game 26-26 at the break. Gribble finished with a team-high 14 points for the Knights.

The halftime break was the perfect time for the Tigers to regroup themselves, as they stormed out of halftime on a 13-0 run to take command of the game.

NA was able to ice the game from the line, going a perfect 9 of 9. Senior Rachel Martindale was right in the mix, converting on all three of her attempts and finishing with a game-high 19 points.

Sophomore Lizzy Groetsch was 4 of 4 from the line, finishing with 11 points. Sophomore Paige Morningstar made both of her attempts from the free-throw line and finished with 10 points.

With the win, North Allegheny improves to 11-0 overall and 4-0 in the section. Norwin falls to 8-1 overall and 3-1 in the section. The Tigers will travel to Pine-Richland for a section match on Monday at 7:30 p.m. The Knights will look to rebounds when they travel to Butler in a section game on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Norwin Remains Undefeated Heading Into Holiday Break

The Norwin girls basketball team returned back to its championship form that it was at a couple of years ago, remaining undefeated with a home win against Seneca Valley in Section 1-6A on Thursday night, 62-41.

For Seneca Valley, it was its second straight section loss after losing to North Allegheny on Monday.

The Knights controlled the game from the tip, jumping out to a 17-8 lead after the first quarter.

The Raiders never gave up, putting themselves in striking distance entering the fourth quarter. Trailing 44-37 entering the fourth, Seneca Valley struggled in the final quarter, only scoring four points.

Leading the way for the Knights was senior Emily Brozeski with 16 points. Junior Olivia Gribble and senior Jessica Kolesar scored 14 and 11 points, respectively.

For Seneca Valley, senior McKenna Gross had a game-high 18 points.

With the win, Norwin improves to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the section. The Knights will compete in the Penn-Trafford Holiday Tournament over the break. They will play McKeesport on Dec. 27 at 2:30 p.m.

Seneca Valley drops to 5-2 overall and 1-2 in the section. The Raiders will compete in the Riverside Holiday Tournament over the break. They will play Southmoreland on Dec. 27 at 5 p.m.

Franklin Regional Mike Rettger Memorial Tournament Title

They are only four games into the season, but the Franklin Regional boys basketball team have already won two early season tournaments.

After going 2-0 in the Hempfield Tip-Off Tournament, the Panthers were able to defend their title in the Mike Rettger Memorial Tournament that they host on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Facing their toughest opponent yet, the Panthers hung on to a 44-39 win against Norwin (3-1) in the Championship Game last night.

The main cog in the victory was the play of senior guard Nick Leopold. Leopold, a first-team Class 5A BIg East Conference defensive back during the football season, didn’t take long to get acquainted on the hardwood.

Leopold finished with a game-high 19 points. He was a perfect 12 of 12 from the free-throw line, including a perfect 10 of 10 in the fourth quarter. For his efforts, he was named tournament MVP.

Also making the all-tournament team for the Panthers was senior Adam Rudzinski. Rudzinski, a first-team Class 5A Big East Conference outside linebacker, finished the Championship Game with 10 points.

The difference in the game came in the third quarter, where Norwin only scored one point in the frame. For the Knights, sophomore Jayden Walker finished with 12 points and was named to the all-tournament team.

Franklin Regional (4-0) will dive into section play on Friday when they host Hampton (2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Norwin will travel to Kiski Area for a non-section game on Saturday at 1:45 p.m.

Alumni Update – Norwin’s Magen Polczynski

Magen Polczynski was just one assist shy of a triple-double in Wednesday’s home win over Waynesburg University for Westminster College.

She totaled 11 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes of action. She also posted three steals in the victory.

Polczynski’s 10 boards and nine assists were both career highs. She has earned starts in all eight games this season for the Titans.

The Norwin graduate was named President’s Athletic Conference (PAC) Rookie of the Week for her performance.

(photo courtesy of Westminster College)

Alumni Update – Norwin’s Magen Polczynski

Magen Polczynski, making her fourth-straight start, netted a career-high 13 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists and a steal in Westminster’s 59-46 home-opening win over Pitt-Greensburg last Tuesday.

The Norwin graduate was named Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Rookie of the Week for her performance.

(photo courtesy of Westminster College)

Football Class 6A All-Section Teams Announced

Class 6A First-Team Photo Gallery

2018 Football Class 6A All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Mike DorundoPine-RichlandCenterSenior
Jack GrahamNorth AlleghenyGuardSenior
Mike KaticPine-RichlandGuardSenior
Elijah BoydNorth AlleghenyTackleSenior
Andrew KristoficPine-RichlandTackleSenior
Jake StebbinsSeneca ValleyTight EndSenior
Gavin ThomsonCentral CatholicWide ReceiverSenior
Gianni RizzoNorwinWide ReceiverSenior
Seth MorganMt. LebanonQuarterbackSenior
Josh O'HareCanon-McMillanRunning BackSenior
Ben MaenzaNorth AlleghenyRunning Back Senior
Drew EngelCanon-McMIllanMulti-Purpose BackSenior
John OpalkoCentral CatholicKickerJunior
COACH OF THE YEAR
Art WalkerNorth Allegheny
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
David CooperCanon-McMillanDefensive EndSenior
Brian DallasCentral CatholicDefensive EndSenior
Richard TillmanCentral CatholicDefensive TackleSenior
JB NelsonMt. LebanonDefensive TackleJunior
Cade HokeNorth AlleghenyInside LinebackerSenior
Anthony CerminaraPine-RichlandInside LinebackerSenior
Tyler KingPine-RichlandOutside LinebackerSenior
Saige LeySeneca ValleyOutside LinebackerSenior
Dom DodsonCentral CatholicDefensive BackSenior
Joey Porter Jr. North AlleghenyDefensive BackSenior
Jayvon ThriftNorwinDefensive BackSenior
Luke MecklerPine-RIchlandDefensive BackJunior
Isaac WestNorth AlleghenyPunterSenior
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Josh KaltenbergerSeneca ValleyCenterJunior
Nate CornibeButlerGuardJunior
David TkatchSeneca ValleyGuardSenior
Connor RustCentral CatholicTackleSenior
Fintan BroseHempfieldTackleJunior
A.J. BeattyCentral CatholicTight EndJunior
Zach CiesloHempfieldWide ReceiverJunior
Lucas DeCaroMt. LebanonWide ReceiverSenior
Jack SalopekNorwinQuarterbackJunior
Eddie TillmanCentral CatholicRunning BackSophomore
Percise ColonNorth AlleghenyRunning BackJunior
Kyler CallihanButlerMulti-PurposeSenior
Casey SorsdalMt. LebanonKickerSophomore
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Amosis PorterNorth AlleghenyDefensive EndJunior
Miguel JacksonPine-RichlandDefensive EndSophomore
Parker TitsworthNorth AlleghenyDefensive TackleSenior
Tyler ProctorSeneca ValleyDefensive TackleSenior
JR HeroldButlerInside LinebackerSenior
Dillon FerrettiHempfieldInside LinebackerJunior
Gus SunseriCentral CatholicOutside LinebackerJunior
Dante CaputoNorth AlleghenyOutside LinebackerSenior
Nathan RobyHempfieldDefensive BackJunior
Mason VentroneMt. LebanonDefensive BackJunior
Josh McLeanSeneca ValleyDefensive BackSenior
Brennan HayesSeneca ValleyDefensive BackSenior
Charlie GordonMt. LebanonPunterSenior
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Ryan CrossHempfieldCenterJunior
Nathan HughesMt. LebanonCenterSenior
Ben GraftonNorth AlleghenyCenterJunior
Matt AltsmanCentral CatholicGuardJunior
Michael FreilinoMt. LebanonGuardSenior
Aaron BowenNorwinGuardJunior
Bryan BailsPine-RichlandGuardSenior
Riley NobleCanon-McMillanTackleSenior
Marcus MightSeneca ValleyTackleSenior
Clay MetzHempfieldTight EndSenior
Tanner KrevokuchNorwinTight EndSophomore
Corey MelzerNorth AlleghenyWide ReceiverSenior
Blake RemaleyHempfieldQuarterbackJunior
Jake MineweaserSeneca ValleyRunning BackSenior
Evan JonesMt. LebanonMulti-Purpose BackJunior
Luke ColellaNorth AlleghenyMulti-Purpose BackJunior
Seth WintersSeneca ValleyKickerSenior
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Christian KubackaNorwinDefensive EndSenior
Drew RobertsonSeneca ValleyDefensive EndSenior
A'Meer AllenCentral CatholicDefensive TackleJunior
Liam Alker-ConnellyNorth AlleghenyDefensive TackleSenior
Aaron SteinerHempfieldDefensive TackleSenior
Alec HendalCanon-McMillanInside LinebackerSenior
Luke HarrisCentral CatholicInside LinebackerJunior
Tommy McClainMt. LebanonInside LinebackerSenior
Ethan AugustinNorth AlleghenyInside LinebackerSenior
Michael PalmerMt. LebanonOutside LinebackerSenior
Connor HetzelPine-RichlandDefensive BackSenior
Zeke HouserNorwinPunterSenior
Mason PruhsPine-RichlandPunterSenior

Seneca Valley Sweeps Soccer Titles

It was a successful day for Seneca Valley at Highmark Stadium in Station Square on Saturday. Both the girls and boys soccer programs won Class 4A WPIAL championships.

In the first game, the top-seed girls team prevailed in overtime against No. 3 Peters Township, 2-1.

Peters Township freshman Casey Brier gave the Indians the lead in the 36th minute. It looked like that would be all Peters Township would need to hoist the championship trophy, but Seneca Valley tied it up just before the final buzzer.

With three seconds remaining in the game and the Peters Township faithful all but celebrating a win, junior Breana Valentovish scored on a free kick.

With all the momentum on their side, it didn’t take long for the Raiders to put the finishing touches on their championship. Just 1 minute and 40 seconds into overtime, senior Lauren Sileo scored on a corner kick.

It was the fifth championship for the Seneca Valley girls soccer program.

Seneca Valley will play Central Dauphin, the District 3 runner-up, in the PIAA first round on Tuesday at Hempfield Area High School at 7 p.m. Peters Township will play District 10 champion, McDowell, on Tuesday at Dollinger Field in Erie, Pa. at 3:30 p.m.

It was a less dramatic, but just as fulfilling outcome for the boys team on Saturday as the top-seed Raiders defeated No. 2 Norwin, 5-2. It was the boys’ first WPIAL title in program history.

The Raiders scored 32 seconds into the contest on a goal from junior Luke Rupert. Norwin settled down and was able to keep the score where it was for the next 25 minutes, but it was only a matter of time before Seneca Valley found the back of the net again. In the 26th minute, senior A.J. Mills made it 2-0.

Norwin responded and was able to cut the lead in half on a goal from senior Carter Breen. That momentum would be short-lived on a goal three minutes later by senior Jackson Wotus for the 3-1 lead.

In the second half, the Raiders picked up goals from Rupert, his second of the game, and sophomore Zachary LaValle.

Seneca Valley will play Hempfield, the fourth-place finisher from District 3, on Tuesday in the PIAA first round at Hempfield Area High School at 5 p.m. Norwin will play District 6 champion, State College, at Bald Eagle Area High School at 6 p.m.

Boys Soccer Class 4A Championship Game Preview

The boys soccer Class 4A Championship game will feature two new teams from a year ago with one team familiar with the title game and one team new to it. The game will be the second in a soccer doubleheader for No. 1 Seneca Valley, who will have its girls team play in the championship game prior to theirs. The game will be played at Highmark Stadium in Station Square on Saturday at 5:45 p.m.

No. 1 Seneca Valley Raiders (16-2-1) vs. No. 2 Norwin Knights (17-2-1)

Like the girls, the Seneca Valley boys soccer team held serve as the top-seed and Section 1 regular season champion. In two playoff games, the Raiders have outscored their opponents, 10-2. A big reason for that is their 7-0 quarterfinal win against No. 9 Mt. Lebanon. Seneca Valley narrowly pulled out a 3-2 win against Canon-McMillan in the semifinals with a goal in the final seven minutes to send them to the Championship Game. The Raiders are making its second trip to the finals in three years. In 2016, they lost to North Allegheny, 2-1, in overtime…Norwin isn’t experienced in the Championship Game as they will be seeking to win its first title in program history. In their two playoff games, the Knights picked up a pair of 2-1 wins against Peters Township and Upper St. Clair in the quarterfinals and semfinals, respectively…This game is a rematch of the first game of the season in the Seneca Valley Kick-Off Tournament. Seneca Valley won that game, 2-1.

For a look at the complete Class 4A bracket, click here.

Norwin Boys Soccer Holds On To Advance To WPIAL Championship Game

The Norwin boys soccer team will have the opportunity to collect its first WPIAL championship in program history. The No. 2 Knights earned that right with a 2-1 win against No. 3 Upper St. Clair on Monday night at North Allegheny.

Norwin jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals from senior Carter Breen and Matthew Federovich. Breen was named first-team all-section earlier in the day Federovich was named to the second team.

After controlling the pace of the game in the second half, Upper St. Clair finally broke through in the 65th minute on a goal from Jack Murphy. The Panthers had a couple of good opportunities in the waning minutes, but Norwin was able to hold off their rally.

With the win, Norwin improves to 17-2-1 and will face top-seed Seneca Valley in the Class 4A WPIAL Championship Game on Saturday at 5:45 p.m.