Monday's Westmoreland County Sports Notebook
Written by: Sean Meyers
February 15, 2021
Tags: Brianna Zajicek Savannah Schneck Maura Suman Christian Zilli Michael Hosni Joe Fiedor Sean Godron Aaron Edwards Ian Oswalt Damian Barr Simon Slahtovsky Colby Christie AJ Corrado Cooper Hornack Nicholas Ferra Nick Salerno Andrew Stead Ty Shigo Dom Barca Jake Meier
Norwin girls win rematch against PT
Penn-Trafford girls basketball established itself as a contender in Class 6A earlier this season with an eye-opening win against Norwin. In the rematch last Thursday, however, Norwin redeemed its earlier setback, besting PT 40-29. In a defensive battle, host Norwin led just 6-5 after the opening quarter, but transitioned from defense to offense with success in the second frame, taking a 19-11 lead at the half. After another low-scoring quarter in the third, the Knights sealed the outcome by edging the Warriors 14-12 in the fourth stanza. Brianna Zajicek produced a game-high 12 points for Norwin, while Savannah Schneck added 10 points. While no Warriors reached double figures in points, Maura Suman scored nine to lead the attack. With the triumph, Norwin improved to 10-2, including an 8-2 mark in Class 6A Section 1, while the Warriors dropped to 9-3 overall, and 8-2 in section play. Both teams trail undefeated North Allegheny, at 10-0, while Butler Area is in fourth in the section, with a mark of 7-4.
Hempfield boys continue winning streak
The Spartans boys basketball team ranks among the hottest in Class 6A, as Hempfield Area has notched four straight wins. Following a one-point loss at first-place Fox Chapel Area on Feb. 2, the Spartans have defeated Greensburg Salem twice, as well as Penn-Trafford and McKeesport Area. Three of those victories came last week, including a 58-51 win at home against the Warriors on Tuesday. In that contest, Christian Zilli produced 17 points, including shooting 8-of-8 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. Michael Hosni added 11 points, while Joe Fiedor and Sean Gordon also reached double figures. On Thursday, the Spartans scored an 84-74 nonsection win at home against the Tigers, and the next day, steamrolled Greensburg Salem 82-38. In the road win against the Golden Lions, the Spartans held a 21-7 lead after the first period, and never relinquished. Fiedor paced the offense with 14 points, while Hosni contributed 11 points. The Spartans, at 7-2 in Class 6A Section 3, trail the Foxes by a half game.
Burrell wrestling claims 15th straight WPIAL title
Burrell wrestling added another title to its historic run over the weekend, as the Buccaneers claimed the WPIAL Class AA Team Championship for the 15th consecutive time. Burrell left little doubt in the championship matchup against No. 2 Burgettstown, jumping out to a 28-0 lead and ultimately claiming a 38-18 victory. The Bucs received wins from Aaron Edwards, Ian Oswalt, Damian Barr, Simon Slahtovsky, Colby Christie, AJ Corrado, Cooper Hornack, Nicholas Ferra, and Nick Salerno. Also in Class AA, Mount Pleasant Area qualified for the team tournament as the fourth seed, but fell to fifth-seeded Quaker Valley 36-32 in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, in Class AAA, Penn-Trafford garnered the sixth seed, and fell to No. 3 Connellsville Area 46-18 in the quarters.
Greensburg Salem, Norwin hockey notch wins
A pair of Westmoreland County hockey teams that are likely competing for the same playoff spot both claimed wins last week. Greensburg Salem and Norwin each scored victories, as the Golden Lions edged Westmont Hilltop 4-3 in a shootout, and the Knights prevailed against North Hills 6-4. On Thursday, Greensburg Salem needed a rally to win, as it trailed the Hilltoppers 3-0 less than a minute into the second period. Colin Kruth scored three straight goals, however, including the tying marker with less than four minutes left in regulation to force the overtime and subsequent shootout. Andrew Stead earned the win in net, as he made 29 stops. Last Monday, host Norwin scored the final six goals to stun the Indians. Ty Shigo was the catalyst for the rally, as he notched four goals, while Dom Barca and Jake Meier each collected a pair of assists. With undefeated Indiana Area holding the top spot in the Class A Southeast Division, the Golden Lions and Knights are likely battling for second place and a playoff berth. Greensburg Salem has compiled 18 points, while the Knights have registered 14.
UPG sets basketball schedules
Although the University of Pitt – Greensburg will not play in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) competition for men’s and women’s basketball, the Bobcats have still scheduled games for their teams this season. The teams are each slated to play six games in March, including home-and-home series with Penn State Altoona and Carnegie Mellon, and the women will also play a home-and-home against Penn-State Behrend, while the men have a home doubleheader against Penn State Behrend and Carlow University.