Basketball

Belle Vernon’s Hunter Ruokonen drives to the basket past Highlands’ Luke Cochran during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Westmoreland basketball notebook: Belle Vernon aims to improve its defense

March 5, 2020

Ask Belle Vernon players about their runner-up finish in the WPIAL, and they immediately get defensive.

Highlands’ Johnny Crise scores past Belle Vernon’s Mitchell Pohlot during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Highlands gets set for PIAA matchup with Harbor Creek

Last weekend, the Golden Rams lifted gold at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center, celebrating Highlands’ first WPIAL boys basketball championship since 1995.

Mars’ Michael Carmody grabs a rebound next to Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher during the third quarter of the WPIAL Class 5A championship game Feb. 28.

WPIAL accepts apology, reduces suspension for Mars’ Michael Carmody

The WPIAL accepted senior Michael Carmody’s apology and reduced his suspension to one game, Mars athletic director Scott Heinauer said Thursday.

Geibel Catholic’s Ryan Anderson drives to the basket against Leechburg’s Connor McDermott during their WPIAL Class 1A first round matchup on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 at Thomas Jefferson High School.

Geibel boys seeking 1st PIAA playoff victory in 36 years

March 4, 2020

By the time the Geibel boys basketball team opens the PIAA Class A tournament Friday against Berlin Brothersvalley at Pitt-Johnstown, more than two weeks will have passed since the Gators last saw the floor in a competitive setting.

Chartiers Valley’s Megan McConnell drives to the basket between Trinity defenders during the WPIAL Class 5A championship game against Trinity Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Butler boys, Chartiers Valley girls sit atop HSSN power rankings heading into states

Twelve WPIAL basketball champions were crowned last weekend. Four were successful in a golden repeat, or in the case of North Catholic girls, a four-peat.

Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst (1) takes a shot during the third quarter of the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against Belle Vernon Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Freshman Jimmy Kunst playing big role for WPIAL champion Highlands

The Highlands boys basketball team relied on its trio of seniors this season.

Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher talks with Mars’ Michael Carmody after an intentional foul during the WPIAL Class 5A championship game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Mars’ Michael Carmody ‘remorseful, apologetic’ for WPIAL championship actions

Michael Carmody came to Green Tree on Wednesday asking for his two-game suspension to be reduced, but first he was there to apologize, said his father, Mars basketball coach Rob Carmody.

Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock shoots a 3-pointer during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against Highlands Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Coach Joe Salvino, Belle Vernon boys hit reset button for PIAA tournament

March 3, 2020

Joe Salvino won two PIAA basketball championships, in 1988 and ’89, when he coached at Monessen.

Mars’ Michael Carmody reacts next to coach Rob Carmody after committing a foul during the third quarter of the WPIAL Class 5A championship game against Laurel Highlands Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Kevin Gorman: WPIAL should teach Mars star Michael Carmody lesson in sportsmanship

The WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball championship was a David vs. Goliath matchup that featured 6-foot-6, 290-pound senior Michael Carmody of Mars against 5-10, 150-pound freshman Rodney Gallagher of Laurel Highlands.

North Allegheny’s Lizzy Groetsch (32) eyes the basket against Bethel Park in the WPIAL Class 6A championship.

George Guido: WPIAL champs prove sports adage true

An old sports cliche states “champions are made while no one is watching.”

Trib HSSN boys basketball team of the week: Week ending Feb. 29, 2020

There were a couple of WPIAL boys basketball championship droughts that were drenched with a new golden reign this past weekend.

Mars’ Michael Carmody reacts after fouling Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher during the third quarter of the WPIAL Class 5A championship game Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Mars’ Michael Carmody faces 2-game suspension for WPIAL championship actions

March 2, 2020

Mars senior Michael Carmody, one of Western Pennsylvania’s top athletes, faces a possible two-game WPIAL suspension for his actions in the Class 5A boys basketball championship.

WPIAL Girls Basketball Player of the Week — Week ending March 1, 2020

As a freshman last season, Aislin Malcolm and junior teammate Megan McConnell led the way with 18 points each as Chartiers Valley rolled past Thomas Jefferson, 64-48, to win the WPIAL Class 5A girls basketball championship — the Colts’ second title in three years.

7 WPIAL teams in HSSN boys basketball state rankings as PIAA playoffs loom

When comparing the latest Trib HSSN boys basketball state rankings to the girls rankings through the end of the district playoffs, there were fewer changes on the boys side.

Fox Chapel’s Domenica Delaney (right) looks to get by Bethel Park’s Olivia Westphal during a WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinal game Feb. 21, 2020, at North Hills.

Fox Chapel, Knoch girls basketball see state playoff dreams fall short

The Knoch and Fox Chapel girls basketball teams gained rooting interests in their respective WPIAL playoff tournaments after both lost in the quarterfinal round Feb. 20 and 21, respectively.

Penguins Cup hockey playoffs begin with 9 quarterfinals games

March 1, 2020

The PIAA boys and girls basketball playoffs tip off with first-round action Friday and Saturday.

Butler’s Ethan Morton (25) celebrates after beating Mt. Lebanon in their WPIAL Class 6A championship game at Petersen Events Center on Feb. 29, 2020.

Trib HSSN broadcasts for Week of March 2-8

For 70 district basketball teams, it’s time to hop on the Road to Hershey as the PIAA playoffs begin this week on the TribLive High School Sports Network.