Basketball

Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock charges toward the net in an attempt to score over Penn-Trafford on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 in the Hempfield High School Tip-Off Tournament.

High school roundup for Dec. 7, 2019: Jake Hoffman carries Mt. Lebanon to tournament title

December 8, 2019

Jake Hoffman scored 30 points for the second straight game, hit five 3-pointers and won tournament MVP honors as Mt. Lebanon routed Altoona 73-36 in the championship game of the Mt. Lebanon tournament Saturday night.

Springdale boys top Greensburg CC for tournament title

December 7, 2019

Springdale boys basketball coach Aaron Epps was looking for contributions throughout the lineup Saturday night, and he got it.

Johnny Crise had 13 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and five blocked shots in Highlands’ win over Gateway.

Highlands boys basketball storms past Gateway

For the second time in as many nights, the Highlands boys basketball team defended its home court in dominating fashion.

Greensburg-Salem’s Ryan Thomas reacts on the court to a play against Franklin Regional on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 in the Hempfield High School Tip-Off Tournament.

Gutsy Greensburg Salem rallies to beat Franklin Regional

Knocked around but never rattled, Greensburg Salem rallied from a scratchy start and evened its record after the first weekend of the boys basketball season.

Gateway’s Dylan Cain competes during practice for the 2019-20 season Nov. 29, 2019.

Gateway boys shooting for turnaround season

Despite a tough season last year, the Gateway boys basketball team’s aspirations for this season are unfettered.

Sewickley Academy’s Jacquelyn Jardini competes against Shady Side Academy during a scrimmage Dec. 3, 2019 at Shady Side Academy.

Sewickley Academy girls want to continue momentum under new coach

Last season, Sewickley Academy’s girls basketball team reached the PIAA Class A quarterfinals.

Quaker Valley’s Corinne Washington and Riverview’s Sydney McDonough fight for a loose ball last season.

Confidence running high for Quaker Valley girls after strong finish to last season

The maturation process sped up for Quaker Valley’s girls basketball team toward the end of last season.

Vincentian’s Alana Winkler blocks the shot of Highlands’ Sarah Sawhook during the Saint Joseph’s tip off Tournament Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 at Saint Joseph’s.

High school roundup for Dec. 6, 2019: Butler opens with decisive win

Devin Carney scored 23 points and Mattix Clement added 20 as Butler scored 32 points in the first quarter and rolled to a 73-33 victory over Woodland Hills at the Butler tournament on the opening night of high school basketball Friday. Raeshon Robertson led Woodland Hills with 17.

Leechburg coach Damian Davies works on a big man drill with sophomore Eli Rich during a practice on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019.

Leechburg rallies past Apollo-Ridge in season-opener

It was a successful return to the coaching ranks for Leechburg’s Damian Davies, helped by Blue Devils point guard Dylan Cook’s foul shooting.

Behind Sullivan’s 32-point performance, St. Joseph takes down Propel Braddock Hills

December 6, 2019

St. Joseph guard Andrew Sullivan has been big for the Spartans over the course of his high school career.

Nazareth Prep boys roll over Ligonier Valley with strong second half

This wasn’t how Ligonier Valley boys basketball coach John Berger envisioned the season-opener.

Jeannette’s Keith Rockmore looks for an opening against Belle Vernon at the Hempfield tournament Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Hempfield Area High School.

Whitlock’s big second half leads Belle Vernon boys over Jeannette

With Thomas Hepple visible in the corner of his eye, Devin Whitlock caught ball on the break under the basket and saw the play of the game develop seconds before it happened.

Deer Lakes’ Ryan Butler scores over Summit Academy’s Kysheem Woods during the Saint Joseph’s tip off Tournament Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 at Saint Joseph’s.

Deer Lakes takes down Summit Academy to open up 2019-2020 season

It’s always nice to start the season off with a win and for the first time of Terence Parham’s tenure at Deer Lakes the Lancers gifted their coach with one in the first game of the season.

Quaker Valley boys basketball coach Mike Mastroianni gives direction during a practice on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Mastroianni is nearing his 500th career win.

Quaker Valley basketball coach Mike Mastroianni chasing win No. 500

During his time at Quaker Valley, boys basketball coach Mike Mastroianni has built a culture that has allowed the program to reach new heights of success.

Shaler girls basketball coach Cornelious Nesbit prepares his team for the 2019-2020 season Nov. 25, 2019.

Shaler girls basketball will lean on trio of seniors

December 5, 2019

Shaler Area girls basketball coach Cornelious Nesbit doesn’t mince words with seniors Emily Cavacini, Meghan Lacey and Claire Grunden.

Carlynton’s Jada Lee goes in for a layup.

Signal Item girls basketball preview: Division I players give teams high hopes

The Carnegie-area girls basketball teams were 3-for-3 in playoff berths last season. Chartiers Valley topped the list, going undefeated (30-0) and winning WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A titles. Carlynton went 19-5 and advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals. Bishop Canevin (23-4) went undefeated in Section 3-2A and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals and the second round of states.

North Hills’ basketball team prepares for the 2019-20 season Nov. 23, 2019.

North Hills girls ready to tackle difficult challenges

When Jim Dudas accepted the head coaching job for the North Hills girls basketball team, he knew it was going to be a challenge. He didn’t know the challenge to implement his system and culture would be impacted by the injury bug.