We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time (Kelly) Peterson of Blairsville and the late Eugene R Prior to retirement Robert worked at City Brewing and playing in the pool league at Tommasini’s Tavern Robert is survived by his daughters Sara E Peterson and husband Scott Boyce of Cuyahoga Falls OH; and Nicolette Peterson of Blairsville; one grandson Colton Peterson; one brother George Peterson and wife Kathy of Ligonier; three sisters Darlene Blansett and husband Don of Murrysville Alice Moore and husband Bill of Blairsville and Sandy Kline and husband Lynn of Blairsville; one step brother Joseph Shimko of Salemville; one step sister Terri Schrack; and numerous nieces He is survived by his two former spouses Jacqueline Peterson and Renee Peterson Robert is preceded in death by his step brother Craig Shimko Family will receive friends for Robert’s Life Celebration 4-7 PM Thursday A Blessing Service will be held 11 AM Friday The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Mountain View Memory Care for the care and love they gave Robbie Online condolences may be made to www.merlinfuneralhome.com Drone shots courtesy of Sean Monahan of Cummings & Co Realtors  Work was completed last month on the new artificial turf field at Banner Field at Latrobe Park The existing turf field was replaced with a surface by AstroTurf and Brock that replaces the traditional crumb rubber with a wood particle infill A spokesperson for Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) told SouthBMore.com in March “The surface being installed is meant to mimic a high-performing natural grass field to reduce impact Brock conducted a study where a BrockFILL field was measured as 33 degrees cooler than a crumb rubber field at the same location at the same time and day The turf at Banner Field was serviced this past fall to manage the crumb rubber When asked why the turf was being replaced at this time “Turf fields are typically replaced every 10-15 years and it was beginning to show signs of wear.” The new Banner Field has lines for 11v11 soccer The new turf has many similarities to the previous turf including “Baltimore” in one end zone and “Maryland” in the other; two Under Armour logos; and a Banner Field Logo New to the field is logos for BCRP and the City of Baltimore in the end zones Home of the Brave” was written on the old surface The same AstroTurf and Brock surface was also installed in recent weeks at Utz Field at Patterson Park Banner Field was built in 2014 by The Cal Ripken Sr It was spearheaded and funded by Under Armour Banner Field replaced an old grass field with a new turf stadium with lights Banner Field has been the home to Digital Harbor football and lacrosse; South Baltimore Youth Soccer League; Volo soccer; youth and adult club soccer teams; soccer camps; ultimate frisbee leagues; and more Banner Field is a popular place for pickup soccer and football Drone shots and courtesy of Sean Monahan of Cummings & Co Realtors  Founder and Publisher of SouthBMore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, dog lover, Little League coach, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com, follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin, and Instagram at PizzaChannelKevin @2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need Organizers of the Latrobe Fourth of July Celebration are planning to focus on children at this year’s two-day event There will be added attractions for attendees younger than 18 in keeping with the theme for the town’s festival and its popular parade — “Building the Future: A Celebration of Youth.” Friday marks the debut of a new fundraising event for the festival: “Latrobe’s Got Talent,” a showcase of performances by Westmoreland County acts Tickets for the talent show are $10 in advance, at givebutter.com/LGT There is a VIP option available for a $25 donation “It’s an affordable evening that ties to the main event on the Fourth of July,” said Stephanie Babich Mihleder and we have narrowed it down to seven acts to highlight It was very hard to make the decision who was moving on to this event.” Mihleder said judges will award scores for each performance with the highest-scoring act claiming a $1,000 prize and an opportunity to perform at the July festival Spectators who attend can place $1 votes for a People’s Choice Award a Greater Latrobe School District musical theater performer; Georgia Evans a singer and multi-instrumentalist on piano guitar and violin; singer-guitarists Vince Bone Davey D and Lacy May; and bands Broom and Cinders & Saints lead singer of country rock band Saddle Up He’ll be joined by the band to close out the show with an hourlong set This year’s festival will kick off with a variety of evening events on July 3 in downtown Latrobe “We’re going to have some bands and there’s going to be food out on the street,” said Latrobe police Chief Richard Bosco “It’s pretty much going to be a block party.” The first day of the festival will coincide with Latrobe’s monthly Shop Hop and Night Market local artisans will display their wares and downtown stores will welcome shoppers Kids can take part in a Deck Your Wheels Parade decorating anything with wheels to enter the event At 7 p.m. July 3, Greater Latrobe Parks and Recreation will host the annual Firecracker Race, beginning at Memorial Stadium. Participants can choose a 5-mile run or a 2-mile walk. Visit latroberecreation.org for information and registration children from local day care programs will have a featured spot in the festival parade along downtown streets Other activities will take place at Legion Keener Park Mihleder said: Kids who attend can collect “Celebration Bucks,” which they will be able to spend on activities and food “They can spend the bucks the way they want on anything from flavored ice to face painting,” she said “and the Fourth of July board will pay for those services “We’re bringing in some things that might normally be expensive but they will be available with the Celebration Bucks.” New activities for kids will include a bungee ride and a Pokemon character visit The Greensburg-based Jamie Cordial Hall Foundation is helping to support youth-focused aspects of the festival “We’re looking for more sponsors to make the festival even bigger and better,” she said noting about 30,000 people attended last year Additional information and a detailed schedule for the festival will be posted at latrobecelebration.com • The Miss 4th of July Pageant is set for 6 p.m Women ages 14-20 can enter to compete for the title and scholarships The winner will represent both the festival and the City of Latrobe • An interfaith patriotic service will be held at 3 p.m The featured speaker will be Greater Latrobe senior Marie Patterson who won first place in a recent “Voice of Democracy” competition Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com Stay up-to-date on important news from TribLIVE 1-800-909-8742 © 2025 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved About Us Advertise Career Opportunities Contact Advertising Contact Circulation Contact Newsroom Contact Us Feedback Request Correction Resource Center Scholarship Opportunities Send Letter to the Editor Send News Tip Subscribe Subscriber Services Blog eFeatures Email Newsletters eTrib Facebook Home Delivery Instagram LinkedIn Marketing Minute Store Locations TribLIVE App - App Store TribLIVE App - Google Play X (formerly Twitter) Arts & Entertainment Best of the Best Business Directory Circulars Contests Coronavirus Lifestyles Local News YaJagOff Obituaries Opinion Our Publications Photos Real Estate Sports Video Weather Cookie Settings Privacy Policy Terms of Service PA – The Verostko Center for the Arts is proud to present the work of 21 graduating Saint Vincent College seniors in “Reflections: 2025 Senior Showcase,” with an opening reception on Tuesday The reception immediately follows the 2025 James Ragan Poetry Competition readings a junior English major from Latrobe; Kelsi Navin a sophomore sociology major from Warrenton a senior communication major from Wye Mills A collaboration between the College's Visual Arts and Media Design Department and the Verostko Center the “Reflections” exhibition features the work of Jessica Bald (digital art + media; Latrobe) Billy Beck (digital art + media; Saint Mary’s) Aidan Clark (digital art + media; Ligonier) Nathan Cooper (sports & media; Mount Pleasant) Seth Cooper (sports & media; Mount Pleasant) Sarah Hartner (digital art + media; North Huntingdon) Natalie Homison (digital art + media; Zelienople) Caitlin Hopkins (digital art + media; Lower Burrell) Sullivan Kennedy (digital art + media; Navarre Adam Koscielicki (sports & media; Loveland Koron Lambert (digital art + media; Baltimore Reilly McKay (digital art + media; Ligonier) Colleen Miller (digital art + media; Mount Pleasant) Alex O’Connell (digital art + media; Ellicott City Stacie Renee Ramos (digital art + media; Chula Vista Sabine Strickland (digital art + media; Niceville Roman Tortorea (communication & media studies; Pittsburgh) Anastasiia Umrysh (digital art + media; Lviv Catherine Van Haute (studio art; Baton Rouge and Justin Wodarek (sports & media; Finleyville) students are required to create a cohesive body of work in the medium of their preference They are to choose the best examples of their work to put on public display along with an artist’s statement and a short biography They are to title their work and hang it in the exhibition space provided “This is the largest and most dynamic group of seniors we’ve had It is set up to be a wonderful show,” remarked David Safin associate professor of Digital Art + Media “This year’s exhibition promises to present the breadth of Saint Vincent students’ creative achievements offering something for everyone—from paintings and drawings to stained glass and ceramics tee shirt designs to new media work,” added Verostko Center director and curator Dr “It’s been a true pleasure to watch the show take shape.” The event is free and reservations are not required The 2025 Senior Showcase runs through May 6, 2025. During the Spring 2025 semester, the Verostko Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To make an appointment outside the Center's normal hours, visitors are encouraged to email verostkocenter@stvincent.edu The Center is located on the second floor of the Dale P Latimer Library on the campus of Saint Vincent College   Seniors work on installing their work for the 2025 Senior Showcase. Franklin Regional softball players line up for the national anthem before Tuesday’s game against Latrobe in Murrysville. It had the makings of a long afternoon. The situation even prompted movement in the Franklin Regional bullpen, which caught Lancaster’s attention. But the Panthers ace didn’t panic or get flustered. “I just tried to focus, and we started hitting,” she said. “I didn’t want to get pulled.” Lancaster settled in to pitch a complete game, and the second-ranked Panthers rallied to give her run support on the way to a 6-2 victory over visiting Latrobe in Section 2-5A softball. “When one of us gets a hit and gets it started, everybody gains confidence,” said Lancaster, who allowed six hits, none between the second and seventh innings, struck out three and walked three to improve to 5-2. “I knew our new lineup would help us.” Lancaster also was effective at the plate. She and Toryn Fulton, Ciara Camacho, Ceana Copeland and Ava Rhoten each had two hits in a revamped batting order for Franklin Regional (11-3, 7-1), which began the day a game out of first place. The Panthers have have won 10 of 11 and earned a two-game sweep of third-place Latrobe (8-5, 5-3), which had won three straight and four of five. The Panthers scored six unanswered runs, three in the fifth when they strung together five straight hits. A two-run deficit turned into a four-run advantage, so Armstrong and pitching coach Maddie Uschock did not need to call on reliever Mia Martz. That boosted Lancaster’s confidence. “Once we got up, Chloe had a little cushion,” Franklin Regional coach Jim Armstrong said. “She was on a high. She also had a couple of big hits for us. I gave her the game ball.” Armstrong moved Copeland to the leadoff spot, put Camacho at cleanup, moved Adrianna Martz to the No. 2 spot and Lancaster hit fifth. “We moved some things around,” Armstrong said. “We took some people who we thought would help us and put them in the right spots. Plus, they had to pitch to Toryn. Ciara is killing the ball right now.” Latrobe put up two runs in the second, one via error and another on an RBI single by Natalia Scekeres. But Lancaster retired 13 of the next 14 hitters while the Panthers came to life offensively. Copeland drove in Celina Camacho with a single in the third, and the Panthers tied it 2-2 in the fourth. Ciara Camacho tripled off the top of the fence in center and scored on Lancaster’s single. In the fifth, the Panthers took the lead for good with a two-out rally. Martz doubled, and Fulton drove her in with a single to shallow right. Fulton, who was not walked intentionally, stole second and third, then scored on Camacho’s bloop infield single that dropped near third to make it 4-2. Camacho stole second and scored on Lancaster’s single for the fifth run. After Fulton snared a rising line drive off the bat of Marisa Munchinski to end the Wildcats’ sixth, she ripped an RBI single to score Copeland for a 6-2 advantage. “(Lancaster) got into a rhythm, and we had way too many flyouts,” Latrobe coach Bob Kovalcin said. “They hit ropes, and we hit lazy fly balls. They hit the ball better than we did.” Martz had a busy afternoon in center field with eight putouts. She turned a double play after a catch and laser throw to third in the second, and she made a diving grab in the third. Martz recorded the final out on a flyout by losing pitcher Mya McHugh with two on in the seventh. Camacho moved from catcher to second base to secure the middle of the infield. She and Fulton turned a 6-4-3 double play in the fourth. “A lot more good came from Ciara at second,” Armstrong said. “With her and Toryn, we know there isn’t too much getting through.” Rhoten doubled twice but was left stranded both times. If Javascript is disabled browser, to place orders please visit the page where our photos are available to purchase PA – Looking back on her past four years at Saint Vincent College Meredith Marsh was struck by how much she has grown as a leader A senior middle grade education major from Morgantown Marsh joined several organizations during her first year at the College She is part of the Student Government Association’s senate as the senior class vice president and is a campus tour guide for prospective students through the Office of Admission “It’s been really cool these past four years to be a part of building up the community here and trying to share what Saint Vincent is all about,” Marsh said “Even though we’re a small school I’ve always had that trait of being an organizer and a leader but being at Saint Vincent helped me identify with it Marsh’s most enduring legacy at Saint Vincent likely will be her work with Campus Ministry She led a women’s Bible study group and wanted to do more Knowing that 60% of Saint Vincent’s students are not Catholic Marsh began to look for ways to connect with Protestant and nondenominational Christians Marsh and a few other students—Azzia Berestecki Joshua Dailey and Kaley Lazere—founded the Rooted Discipleship group through Campus Ministry Led by volunteer campus minister Kirt Conroy the lead pastor at Latrobe Alliance Church Bible studies and fellowship activities for men and women “We want to be able to share the Gospel and help walk students through wherever their journey is in their faith with the Lord,” Marsh said Director of Campus Ministry Father Maximillian Maxwell and assistant director Bridget DiVittis have been valuable advocates for the group we began to find our footing,” Marsh said “This past fall is when we really put everything together and got a lot of different people involved.” Several members of the football team who’ve been conducting their own Bible study have begun attending Rooted Discipleship’s functions The Sunday services draw about 25 students “It’s been really neat to see it grow,” Marsh said “It adds to the variety of offerings from Campus Ministry so I think it's super important to have something available for students to make them feel at home and know they have a place where they can build upon their faith.” A Westmoreland County judge has appointed an overseer to close the practice of a Latrobe lawyer accused of bilking a client Common Pleas President Judge Christopher Feliciani assigned North Huntingdon attorney John Eric Bumbaugh to review case files and communicate with current and former clients of John Allen Roth who was arrested last year on theft and related charges stole $31,000 from a jailed client and used the money for gambling Roth is free on $75,000 bail as he awaits trial but was barred from working as an attorney as a condition of his pretrial release Court records revealed Roth now lives in a nursing home and has health issues According to a court filing from the state Supreme Court’s lawyer disciplinary board a visual inspection of Roth’s Latrobe office in March found a pile of unopened mail boxed client files and 16 large moving boxes with 60 expanding file folders Feliciani appointed Bumbaugh to serve as a conservator for Roth’s law practice Bumbaugh said Monday he has yet to inventory Roth’s files to determine the extent of his legal practice “I will rescue the client files and then return those files to them This could take six months and up to a year,” Bumbaugh said His duties will include contacting Roth’s clients bank accounts and all other aspects of the practice Bumbaugh will not represent Roth’s clients The judge ordered all active legal cases in which Roth served as a lawyer be indefinitely stayed to allow clients to obtain new representation Roth’s criminal case was delayed in March for two months to allow Westmoreland County prosecutors to continue their investigation based on additional complaints made by as many as 10 other clients alleging improprieties No additional charges have been filed against Roth He is scheduled to appear before Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio in May for a status conference to determine how his case should proceed Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com PA – Saint Vincent College is pleased to announce the five seniors who have been named finalists for the 51st annual President’s Award The President’s Award is the College’s highest student honor and is presented to the member of the graduating class who best embodies the Catholic liberal arts college values in its students—outstanding academic achievement The 2025 finalists for the President’s Award are Azzia Berestecki a middle grade education major from West Newton; Erin Brody a theology and English double major from Homestead; Sarah Hartner a digital art and media major from Irwin; Natalie Homison a digital art and media major from Zelienople; and Aiden Jackson a business administration major from Caroll will present the award at the spring Honors Convocation which will be held in the historic Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica at 1:00 pm on April 23 In addition to the presentation of the President’s Award the College will also announce the Honorable Judge Bernard Scherer Award various Student Government Association awards Academic Excellence for graduates and undergraduate awards the Quentin Schaut faculty award and the Boniface Wimmer faculty award the chief financial officer for UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital and UPMC Mercy will deliver the Honors Convocation address   Azzia Berestecki Middle grade education major mathematics and STEM education double minor is a middle grade education major with a concentration in mathematics and a minor in STEM education She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society and the Benedictine Leadership Studies program Berestecki is the founding president of the STEM Education Club and has represented Saint Vincent College at various educational events She is also the box office manager for Saint Vincent Summer Theater and a Campus Ministry work-study and she has traveled abroad with the Summer Institute in Rome Her service includes volunteering with the STEM Education Club and working as an accommodations note-taker Berestecki has been involved in Sports Friendship Day as an assistant director the Rooted Discipleship Inter-Denominational planning team and the Women's Retreat planning committee Saint Vincent College’s student-run musical theater group Berestecki plans to become a middle school math and science teacher in Westmoreland County   Erin Brody Theology and English double major She is a member of Theta Alpha Kappa (theology) and Alpha Lambda Delta (general academic) honor societies and has been published in various creative writing journals and newspapers Scholarship and was a finalist for the Gorka Scholarship Brody’s leadership is evident through her roles as a tutor and research assistant in the theology department and as a Fred Rogers Scholar She also volunteers twice a month with the Prison Christian Growth Group at State Correctional Institution - Laurel Highlands Brody will pursue an MDiv/MA dual degree at Princeton Theological Seminary on a full scholarship and stipend and aims to serve as a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America with future aspirations for doctoral studies   is a digital art and media major with a concentration in graphic design and minors in marketing and theology She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta academic honors society and has served as the coordinator for both Praise and Worship Music and the Women's Small Group for Campus Ministry Hartner is also a member of the dance team and the Bearcat Billiards Club¾for which she serves as secretary¾in addition to being crowned the 2024 Homecoming Queen Hartner currently manages social media for both Campus Ministry and the Theology Department and has previously worked as a student assistant in the Career and Professional Development Center and the Athletics Office she interned with the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board and is now interning with the Diocese of Greensburg where she will work after graduation as a multimedia content assistant   Natalie Homison Digital art and media major is a digital art and media major with concentrations in graphic design and communication She is a member of the Benedictine Leadership Studies program and leads a women's small group mentoring thirteen first-year female students Homison was selected by one of her professors to design a document outlining the McKenna School's five-year plan She has interned at the Latrobe Community Revitalization Program and currently holds three jobs: marketing assistant at the Career & Professional Development Center and baker's apprentice at Archabbey Bakery Homison hopes to secure a position in the Latrobe area using her talents in art and media Aiden Jackson Business administration and theology double major Aiden Jackson, of Carroll, Ohio, is a business administration and theology double major and a member of the Benedictine Leadership Studies program. He has worked as a tutor for the Theology department. Jackson earned the SAAC Scholar Athlete of the Month for the PAC and twice received All-Academic honors from the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Jackson has demonstrated leadership as the captain of both the cross country and track and field teams. He has also served as a project management intern for the Diocese of Columbus. Jackson founded and leads Legion, a weekly men's ministry event for Campus Ministry, and is on the leadership council for the Festival of Praises. He has also worked as a camp counselor at the Catholic Youth Summer Camp in Centerburg, Ohio, for two summers. Jackson has accepted a job in the Columbus, Ohio, area. Tom McIntyre speaks after being selected as Latrobe’s new football coach Tuesday. Tom McIntyre was hired as Latrobe’s new football coach Tuesday. offensive coordinator for three years under former football head coach Ron Prady to succeed Prady in leading the varsity program who resigned after three seasons and leading the Wildcats back to prominence Latrobe made the WPIAL playoffs three consecutive seasons and reached the WPIAL quarterfinals in 2022 and 2023 Prady went 20-15 with two playoff victories Pleasant with Jason Fazekas and assistant coach Bo Ruffner and began his coaching career at Latrobe under Ray Reitz Pleasant and running backs/defensive backs coach at Latrobe “We’ve focused on building a positive culture here,” McIntyre said “and we’ve always preached mental toughness we feel we’re as prepared as anybody on Friday night “I’m looking forward to getting the kids into the weight room We need to make up for the month of January that we missed.” McIntyre said he expects younger players will step up and assume leadership roles on the team with more than a dozen seniors graduating from the squad “We’re going to have to adjust what we have to the kids coming in,” he said “We’re going to look for ways we can improve on the results from last year.” He then played two seasons at Washington and Jefferson He graduated from W&J in 2009 and has been a math teacher at Latrobe Junior High for the past 16 years “Ron left the program in good shape,” McIntyre said “I just want to continue the success “The players know what it takes to win and prepare for a season Ron did a great job preparing the squad.” McIntyre said most of the staff are returning “I fell in love with coaching,” McIntyre said “The offense won’t change much We’ll have to find a new quarterback so that’s a plus for the quarterbacks.” Prady said he’s confident McIntyre will do a good job “He handled the offense well,” Prady said McIntyre said he learned a lot on how to prepare from Reitz “Bo was so well organized,” McIntyre said Athletic director Zac Heide said the advantages McIntyre brings to his new role are a passion for the program and familiarity with the players and fellow staff “That’s one less hurdle for the staff to overcome,” Heide said “They can focus more on the X’s and O’s.” Said McIntyre: “I’m excited to get these young men prepared for the season prepared for their high school careers and for life beyond high school football It’s to grow these young men.” McIntyre’s coaching salary has yet to be determined Heide the district’s system of determining supplemental salaries is decades-old and is due to be updated under a new contract recently approved with the teachers’ union who attends first grade at Mountain View Elementary If Javascript is disabled browser, to place orders please visit the page where our photos are available to purchase. Latrobe pitcher Jordan Tallman celebrates with catcher Makayla Munchinski after getting a strikeout with the bases loaded against Franklin Regional on April 4, 2019, in Murrysville. Munchinski is a first-year head coach at Albert Gallatin. The former catcher who played an extra in the streaming series “A League of Their Own” in 2022 seemed destined for a leadership role. Munchinski’s quick rise in coaching is a nod to her family members and to her late high school coach, Rick Kozusko, who died in the fall. Her grandfather, Rich LeViere, and her mother, Dana, have coached her in the past. Dana Munchinski remains an assistant at Latrobe. LeViere founded the Pittsburgh Spirit Fastpitch organization. “My love of the game made me want to coach high school softball,” said Munchinski, who coached middle school softball at Upper St. Clair. “The talented coaches that I have played under … always inspired me as a player to show my passion and be myself on the field, and I want to be that person for my current and future players.” Dana Munchinski is proud to see her daughter following in her and her grandfather’s footsteps. “I love it,” Dana Munchinski said. “Makayla played with a lot of energy, and she coaches with a lot of energy. I think girls respond to and appreciate it more when other girls coach them.” Albert Gallatin was 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Section 4-5A. The Colonials were in 4A last year. “Moving up a classification has been challenging so far this year,” Munchinski said. “We are a young team made up of 14 resilient ballplayers who want to learn and get better each day. “I am very proud of the effort and attitudes of each player on our team and the growth that we have made thus far.” Two former Albert Gallatin standouts are assistant coaches to Munchinski in Maddie Flowers and Annalia Paoli, both former college players — Flowers at Pitt-Johnstown, Paoli at Ohio. “We want to build the Albert Gallatin softball program back from the ground up,” Munchinski said. “We held our first youth camp this spring and look forward to getting into the youth leagues in our area to grow the softball community here in the community.” Latrobe coach Bob Kovalcin said he hopes to get a future nonsection game lined up against Albert Gallatin. Both teams play in Class 5A. New Lattrobe athletic director Tyler Gustafson Former Latrobe athletic director Zac Heide The school board on Tuesday promoted Tyler Gustafson who is in his fourth year serving as assistant athletic director who has resigned after serving with the district for nine years 29 resignation letter that he is stepping down to pursue a new career “I have had to make many tough decisions to get where I am today but this is definitely the hardest one,” he wrote Friday was Heide’s last day at his district office Gustafson learned that Heide is moving on to work with Shamrock Sporting Clays Gustafson said he looked to Heide as a role model and mentor “I’m going to miss him a lot,” Gustafson said “I’m sure I’ll stay in touch with him Gustafson will receive a $65,000 salary in his new position “I’m ready to go forward and work with our staff faculty and students,” he said.“I’m looking forward to building on those playoff teams we keep getting we have teams in the playoffs and kids going to college and playing sports I’d like to keep that growing.” School board President Andrew Repko praised Gustafson for his dedication Tyler is there rooting them on,” he said Gustafson holds a sports administration degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania he previously served as an emergency substitute teacher volunteer football and wrestling coach and basketball announcer and scorekeeper Latrobe’s Andrew Hantz hits a triple against Franklin Regional during the sixth inning Wednesday. Latrobe’s Cooper Basciano pulls in the final out on a ball hit by Franklin Regional’s Nico Fioravanti on Wednesday. Franklin Regional catcher Trey Muhitch tags out Latrobe’s Mason Leonard at the plate Wednesday at Greater Latrobe High School. Franklin Regional’s Chase Lemke can’t complete the double play over Latrobe’s Brody Rumon on Wednesday. Franklin Regional’s Luke Williams squares up a Latrobe pitch for a home run Wednesday at Greater Latrobe High School. Latrobe’s Cooper Basciano bunts home Andrew Hantz during a sixth inning rally against Franklin Regional on Wednesday. Franklin Regional starting pitcher James Templeton throws against Latrobe on Wednesday. Franklin Regional’s Anthony DePaulo scores against Latrobe on Wednesday at Greater Latrobe High School. Franklin Regional’s Chase Lemke tags Latrobe’s Brody Rumon in a rundown Wednesday. “I knew off the bat there was going to be a chance of a pick,” said Short “The worst is when you have to think about it.” Despite playing first base this season for the first time in organized ball Short made a real-time decision to perfection coming up with the throw in time to get Franklin Regional’s Evan Meeker on a bang-bang play and preserving host Latrobe’s 9-8 WPIAL victory “I didn’t know whether to try to block it up because the runner from first would’ve scored if I’d have missed it,” Short said ‘Do I try to block this?’ I just went all out and tried to pick it.” but we had an opening at first and we wanted to get him out there,” Latrobe coach Matt Basciano said “He’s been working there all year and in the fall for us We have confidence he’s going to make those plays He stepped up in a big situation and did it.” 6-2 Section 1-5A) scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to erase a one-run deficit then held on when Franklin Regional responded with three runs in the top of the seventh before Short’s dazzling game-ending play called up from the junior varsity team Monday after Latrobe’s nine-inning 4-2 victory at Franklin Regional He entered the game in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded no outs and a run already in for the Panthers (7-3 After uncorking a wild pitch to allow another run to score Chappel retired Ethan Raver on a popup before Franklin Regional closed within 9-8 on Latrobe shortstop Cooper Basciano’s fielding error But Chappel induced Nico Fioravanti to pop out to Basciano and Meeker to hit into the game-ending groundout to third said he battled nerves when he was called upon in the seventh to relieve Hayden Porterfield who failed to retire any of the four batters he faced “Just hoping my team would do what they were supposed to do out there on the field,” he said “Just trying to do my best and throw strikes.” “Just super hyped,” Chappel said Franklin Regional took a 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth on Fioravanti’s RBI single off Joe Razza scattering seven hits and yielding three earned runs “He pitched well,” Matt Basciano said “A lot of kids are getting opportunities this year We’re really pleased and proud of what they’re doing They step up when the opportunity presents itself They’re going out there and producing We’re really starting to come together as a team.” Aaron Gaskey relieved Razza and retired Chase Lemke on a flyout to end the Franklin Regional rally Luke Williams’ two-run homer off Razza in the fifth gave Franklin Regional a 4-2 lead But Latrobe tied it in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Mason Leonard and Luke Nipar-Smith’s RBI groundout Franklin Regional touched Razza for a pair of runs in the first before Latrobe aided by Leonard’s double and a Franklin Regional error Williams led Franklin Regional with two hits and three RBIs James Templeton pitched five effective innings for the Panthers giving up four hits and four unearned runs Franklin Regional committed three errors and outhit Latrobe They played a great game,” Franklin Regional coach Bob Saddler said But we’ve just got to play a cleaner game We have to come out and play a clean seven innings and I don’t feel like we did that today We can’t have that against good teams.” Latrobe’s Preston Miller wins the 100 meters in meet-record time ahead of teammate Adam Piper and North Allegheny’s Rocco Martino during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday. Kiski Area’s Natavia Wilson takes fourth in the girls shot put during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. Kiski Area’s Samuel Plazio (r) hands off to Dominic Cerminara in the 3,200-meter relay during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. Penn-Trafford’s Ekoulus Lett wins the 110-meter hurdles ahead of Greensburg Salem’s Max Topper, North Allegheny’s Sam Cohn and Franklin Regional’s Sean Cartwright during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. Hempfield’s Madison Altman wins the girls 100 hurdles during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. North Allegheny’s Lindsay Breneman wins the girls pole vault during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. Highlands’ Jahmar Wright takes second in the high jump during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. Kiski Area’s Justin Gross brings it home for the win in the 3,200-meter relay during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. North Allegheny’s Taylor Neese wins the girls shot put during the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. Miller put on quite a show at the 33rd annual Lady Spartan/22 annual Wildcat Invitational track meet Friday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. He won the 100-meter dash, tying the meet record of 10.99 seconds in the preliminaries and then broke that mark with a 10.93 in the finals. He also won the 200 (22.4) and was the lead-off runner in the winning 400 relay team. His teammates were A.J. Yeboah, Bryce Hoke and Adam Piper. Miller wasn’t the only athlete to have a good day despite the cool, damp weather. A record 31 teams competed late into the night. The last races did not occur until 10:30 p.m. Conemaugh Township’s Jackson Sotosky won the high jump, triple jump and long jump. Hempfield senior Madison Altman won the 100 and 300 hurdles, and Penn-Trafford senior Ekoulus Lett won the 110 hurdles. His twin brother, Aidon, edged him in the 300 hurdles. West Allegheny’s Grace Fritzman swept the 1,600 and 3,200 runs. Miller, who is an outstanding ice hockey player, got a little playful motivation from former junior high sprint coach Emily Vasilko, who joked with him prior to his preliminary race. “It feels nice to run again because I was injured last year,” Miller said. “It was fun to post some good times. “Coach E pushed all throughout my junior high career. I just had to go out and show it. She helped me out a lot. She is the reason I’m here.” Altman had a solid day in winning both of her races. “I am grateful that I got to run,” Altman said. “There are definitely things I can improve on to run better, but today was pretty good despite the weather.” Two of the top javelin throwers in the WPIAL and PIAA — Derry senior Sophia Mazzoni and Penn-Trafford senior Logan Kerstetter — had no problem winning. Mazzoni threw a season-best 146 feet, and Kerstetter’s throw was 169-10. Kerstetter’s teammate, senior Jake McGhee, won the 1,600 (4:24.31) and 800. Belle Vernon’s Ryan Kent won the discus (142-3). Kiski Area won the boys 3,200 relay, and Latrobe won the girls 3,200 relay. North Allegheny had five field winners. Isabella Costa won the long jump (17-4) by an inch over Hempfield’s Allison DeMatt (17-3). Lindsay Breneman won the pole vault (12-1), Jack Yatchenko took the shot put, Taylor Neese claimed the shot put (37-10) and Audrey Maxwell won the discus. Costa also won the 400. DeMatt came back to win the triple jump (35-7) and placed third in the high jump. Hempfield’s Chesnee Smith won the 800. Also winning were Greensburg Central Catholic junior Jerry Davis (400), Mt. Pleasant’s Gage Sowers (pole vault), Conemaugh Township’s Izzy Slezak (100) and Indiana freshman Gracie Reed (200). Latrobe’s Luke Fiore plays Thursday against Penn-Trafford at Greater Latrobe High School. Latrobe’s Gabe Watson plays Thursday against Penn-Trafford at Greater Latrobe High School. Latrobe’s Brady Kring plays Thursday against Penn-Trafford at Greater Latrobe High School. Latrobe coach Drew Vosefski coaches Thursday against Penn-Trafford at Greater Latrobe High School. Latrobe’s Owen Ward plays Thursday against Penn-Trafford at Greater Latrobe High School. Latrobe’s Eric Bisignani (11) and Jay Sumner play Thursday against Penn-Trafford at Greater Latrobe High School. Latrobe’s Eric Bisignani (left) and Jay Sumner play Thursday against Penn-Trafford. Latrobe’s Eric Bisignani plays Thursday against Penn-Trafford at Greater Latrobe High School. In the aftermath of the Section 2-3A match Latrobe coach Drew Vosefski walked across the home court to meet his son and the two enjoyed a brief celebration of Latrobe’s eighth consecutive triumph to start the season The coach then called on Bisignani to join them It was so enjoyable,” Drew Vosefski said a 6-foot-4 setter and one of five seniors in Latrobe’s regular rotation enters Monday night’s Section 2-3A match at Norwin with 921 career assists While in his final season he wasn’t likely to match Vosefski’s career total of 1,296 from 1999-2003 he appeared destined to join him as the only boys players to reach 1,000 total assists “Eric Bisignani has about a 99% chance this year to break that 1,000 mark,” Drew Vosefski said Latrobe’s overall all-time assists leader is Lily Fenton who finished with 1,535 with the girls team from 2019-23 She currently attends Notre Dame as a preferred walk-on setter for the Fighting Irish women’s team the unbeaten Latrobe boys team was ranked second in Class 3A ahead of the current year’s second Western Pennsylvania Coaches Association WPIAL Top 10 poll 4-0) stood seventh in the latest Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Top 10 It’s becoming a bounce-back year for Latrobe in Class 3A after spending two seasons in Class 2A finishing 5-5 in section play and 6-10 overall “A lot of us have been playing together for seven years,” Bisignani said and playing in different states against the best teams in the country for that long has made us a better high school team.” Latrobe’s current core of senior players — sophomores on a 9-1 team in section play — battled through that rough stretch last season following the graduation of eight seniors on an elite 2022-23 squad two years ago we didn’t do too well,” said Owen Ward a 6-3 outside hitter who is headed to Division III Saint Vincent next season “We were all playing for ourselves because we’re all so close I’m sure we wanted to prove dominance over each other After a wildly successful offseason in the club team ranks Latrobe appeared poised to make a turnaround Vosefski expanded his club team and brought together more of his players many of whom had been scattered around various other teams His group responded by winning seven club-level events those guys were up at (Bisignani’s) uncle’s gym working their butts off to say ‘I will be ready,’” Vosefski said ‘I will keep you guys together if you want to put this in the books.’ They all said to a man While Ward saw the most playing time during the high school season as a sophomore at Latrobe he and his classmates observed a tight group similar to the current team “Playing together so much has really helped our chemistry on and off the court,” Latrobe senior Tyler Bauer said “Whether it’s going to team dinners or hanging out at someone’s house and having poker nights we just seem to constantly be all together.” began playing volleyball just two years ago He said he wishes he’d have played the sport earlier “Joining the volleyball team has been the best decision I’ve made,” he said “I feel that I’m so close to everyone here that playing alongside them feels like second nature Senior Luke Fiore put it this way: “It’s awesome to be playing volleyball with your friends It’s awesome to have been friends with your teammates for so long It’s really a great experience to win these games and be so accomplished in the sport it makes you want to play for each other more than for yourself.” a self-proclaimed volleyball lifer in his 30th season as either a boys or girls coach at Latrobe seemingly couldn’t be prouder of a team “What I am most impressed with is that these guys stuck together They have a bond that is difficult to describe,” he said Long after the team’s latest victory Vosefski sat on a bleacher in Latrobe’s gymnasium Papers were strewn on benches in front of and beside him A duffel bag leaned against the base of the seats with folders peeking out the top “Today is my birthday,” said one of the few remaining folks as he walked over to greet the coach the now 67-year-old Vosefski flashed a smile packed up his belongings and headed for the door surely satisfied with the Wildcats’ latest outcome and already looking forward to their next opportunity for success A Philadelphia man accused of trafficking crack cocaine and a highly potent opioid is in the Westmoreland County jail following his arrest Wednesday night shortly after he arrived in Latrobe via Amtrak Westmoreland County detectives and agents of the state Attorney General’s Office combined efforts to take Brendaon Fuentes into custody after learning he was traveling by train from Philadelphia to Latrobe Fuentes was seen carrying two plastic bags as he left the train platform and got into a pickup truck parked in a nearby lot The bags contained 1.05 ounce of carfentanil and an ounce of crack cocaine carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that is meant for tranquilizing elephants and other large mammals It’s 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl — which can be lethal at the 2-milligram range “A granule-size of this narcotic — similar to a granule of sand — is powerful enough to kill someone,” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said of carfentanil Latrobe police Chief Richard Bosco said investigators learned from a “concerned individual” about a suspect bringing the drugs into the area “He had been known to be here before and was supposed to be coming back,” Bosco said “We started working with Amtrak police trying to identify who was coming to and from the Latrobe and Greensburg area by train.” Three Latrobe officers were among the law enforcement contingent conducting surveillance on the Latrobe station awaiting the arrival of the train from Philadelphia at about 8 p.m Police said drug paraphernalia was in plain view when they conducted a traffic stop of the pickup truck Authorities said a police dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the plastic bags Fuentes was seen carrying investigators said they retrieved cocaine and carfentanil from the bags The drugs were wrapped in plastic shrink wrap and covered with Vicks VapoRub in an attempt to conceal the odor from a police dog Fuentes was arraigned Thursday and was denied bail “This arrest not only disrupts the flow of illegal drugs but also sends a strong message that we will not tolerate such activities in our community,” Bosco said was detained as part of an ongoing investigation Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday lauded the collaborative multi-agency effort “to close a cross-state trafficking pipeline Dealers of deadly synthetic opioids value dollars over the lives of the people they profit from.” The Fu Jen Academic Conference, commemorating the centennial anniversary of Fu Jen Catholic University, will take place on April 4, 2025, at Saint Vincent College's Fred Rogers Center. The event will feature scholarly presentations, and a Peking Opera performance celebrating the university's history and contributions to education and faith since its founding by Benedictines in 1925. Registration is open until March 17, and the public is invited to the Peking Opera performance. © Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Saint Vincent College. All rights reserved. Latrobe coach Ron Prady celebrates a second-quarter John Wetzel touchdown against West Allegheny during a WPIAL Class 4A first-round playoff game Nov. 3, 2023. He quickly led Latrobe to two more, but his coaching tenure there is now ending in rather swift fashion. Prady resigned Wednesday as coach, saying his primary goal was to leave the program in a better spot than when he took over. “When I took the job three years ago, I think we all knew it wouldn’t be a long-term thing,” said Prady, a Latrobe teacher who accepted the job when the school was striving to find a coach. “The goal truly was to build the program, get it onto solid ground and, hopefully, have some success along the way. I’m extremely proud of what we accomplished.” His record includes a 28-21 playoff win over Highlands in 2022 and a 39-7 victory over West Allegheny a year later. Latrobe ended a five-decade drought without a postseason win. The previous win was a 19-7 victory over Kiski in the 1968 WPIAL championship. “We’re proud of that, and it takes a ton of people to make that happen,” Prady said. “I certainly don’t take credit for it all. I was fortunate to have a great staff, great support from the district and tremendous kids who were committed from Day 1.” Latrobe athletic director Zac Heide credited Prady for bettering the program in his time as coach. Latrobe went 24-70 combined with no winning seasons in the 10 years before Prady was hired. “Ron has been great for the past three years,” Heide said. “He has taken a program that was on the rise, and he took it to the next level. You can’t be disappointed with anything that he did.” But Heide said the team’s success made Prady’s resignation surprising. “A head coach who takes over and makes the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, someone who’s riding high at the moment, stepping down is a little bit unexpected,” said Heide, who also acknowledged that being a head coach is time consuming. “As out of the blue as it was, I understand it.” A 1990 Penn-Trafford graduate known by the nickname “Boomer,” Prady was hired as coach at Latrobe after serving 10 years as an assistant at his alma mater. He also had stints as an assistant at Latrobe and Franklin Regional. Prady said he’d likely coach again next season but as an assistant elsewhere. The 2022 playoff win over Highlands was thrilling for the Latrobe players but also for many longtime members of the coaching staff, Prady said. He noted how equipment manager Jim Feather has supported the team for decades. “One of the reasons we wanted to have success was for a guy like that who’d been through tough years at Latrobe for so long,” Prady said. “Maybe my greatest memory was the reaction of some of the guys who’d been coaching there for years. To get that (playoff win) was an incredible feeling and something I’ll never forget.” Latrobe went 15-9 combined in his first two seasons while competing in Class 4A. The Wildcats won a first-round game in the playoffs each season. This year, they went 5-6 overall in their first year in Class 5A. The season ended with a 42-7 first-round loss to Bethel Park. Prady said the team’s growth was evident beyond the wins and losses. The program, which had 43 players when he took over, had 87 this year. “I firmly believe that Latrobe is going to continue to be good,” he said. “Building a good team is different than building a good program. … The program is solid and built on a foundation that’s ingrained in the kids now.” In a social media post Thursday, the Latrobe football account announced Prady’s resignation. “We are beyond grateful for the contributions and successes that Ron has given to the players, staff, program and community of Latrobe over the past three seasons,” @LatrobeFootball wrote on X. The team’s resurgence under Prady was led by seniors John Wetzel and Alex Tatsch, who both signed this month to play college football at FBS schools. Wetzel signed with Marshall and Tatsch with Penn State. “I feel grateful to have served for three years,” he said. “I’ll cherish the memories. The wins and the losses all come with it, but the relationships built over the three years will stick with me forever.” Greater Latrobe’s Ian DeCerb throws down a dunk over Kiski Area’s Landyn Artman on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Kiski Area. Max Butler reacts as time expires in Latrobe’s victory over Kiski Area on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Kiski Area. Latrobe’s Andy Tatsch (left) snatches a loose ball away from Kiski Area’s Jacob Musselman (right) in a Class 5A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Kiski Area. Latrobe’s Max Butler fights for a loose ball against Kiski Area’s Jacob Musselman in a Class 5A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Kiski Area. Latrobe’s Max Butler (2), Andy Tatsch (15) and Ian DeCerb (5) react going into a timeout against Kiski Area in a Class 5A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Kiski Area. Latrobe’s Max Butler reacts after drawing a foul following hard contact against Kiski Area in a Class 5A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Kiski Area. First, Latrobe ended its playoff drought. And secondly, Kiski Area saw its 12-game winning streak end. Senior Max Butler scored 18 of his team-high 26 points in the first half, and Latrobe defeated Kiski Area, 59-51, in a physical contest that lasted nearly two hours. The Wildcats had missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons. The win puts the Wildcats (19-4) in the quarterfinals Friday against No. 1 Montour, which defeated Franklin Regional, 70-42. The Wildcats took control of the game in the first quarter thanks to the hot hand of Butler. His first 3-pointer of the game gave the Wildcats a 5-2 lead. By the end of the quarter, Butler added two more 3-pointers and scored 11 of his team’s 15 points. The Wildcats led 15-7 after a quarter as the Cavaliers made only 3 of 10 shots. “They pack it in and dare you to shoot from the outside,” Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel said. “It was nice to get off to a hot start. We were hoping to open things up, but they would not allow us.” Butler continued his hot hand and added seven more points in the second quarter to push the Wildcats’ lead to 31-18 at halftime. “We knew aboiut Butler,” Kiski Area coach Corey Smith said. “We tried to concentrate on him all week in practice, but he’s such a good player. He was able to do his thing.” The Wildcats’ tight defense bothered senior Collin Keller in the first half, holding him to three points. He finished with 12 points before fouling out with 2:54 left on an intentional foul. The trio of senior Kyle McNeil, freshman Mikey Monios and Sawyer Butina got his Keller’s face and denied him the ball. “They did a good job on Keller,” Smith said. “When you’re one of the best shooters in 5A, you’re going to draw attention. They did a good job.” Kiski Area, which struggled in the first half, battled back in the second half and closed to within six points a couple of times but could not get any closer. Play got even more physical in the second half, but Wetzel was OK with that because of the way his team responded. “We weren’t backing down from anyone tonight,” Wetzel said. “We slipped up a little in the third quarter, but this group was not going to be denied. They don’t care about stats; they care about wins.” The Cavaliers struggled with turnovers. They were missing junior point guard Amaree Gonzalez and sixth-man Andrew Zepeda, both whom were ruled ineligible for the postseason by the WPIAL because of the transfer rule Jacob Musselman picked up the scoring slack. He led the Cavaliers with 22 points. He scored eight points in the third quarter when the Cavaliers cut the halftime lead to 31-25. Ian DeCerb had 13 for the Widcats and Andy Tatsch finished with 10. “We will let them enjoy the bus ride back home to Latrobe and then focus on Montour 3:30p.m. Wednesday at practice,” Wetzel said. “They deserve that.” The victory by the Wildcats also qualifies them for the PIAA playoffs. Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel watches from the bench during the Wildcats’ game against Franklin Regional on Jan. 31. the Wildcats’ playoff run came to an end with a 67-41 loss to Greater Johnstown at the Pitt-Johnstown Sports Center The District 6 champion Trojans (26-1) used tenacious defense and quickness to sprint out to an early double-digit lead in the first quarter Greater Johnstown subsequently opened up a commanding 39-13 advantage at halftime before eventually triggering the mercy-rule running clock early in the third to effectively seal the outcome “They were just too much for us from the start,” said Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel “We missed a couple of early opportunities The Trojans earned a berth in the PIAA quarterfinals Friday against Chartiers Valley at a site and time to be determined “We were locked in,” said Greater Johnstown coach Ryan Durham “That was probably one of our most impressive performances this year in a half but Latrobe is a really good team and coach Wetzel does a good job with that group,” added Durham Greater Johnstown put together an early 10-2 run to grab a 14-4 edge late in the first quarter and the Trojans’ Tommy Ashcom drained a corner 3 to make it 17-6 heading into the second period scoring the first eight points of the quarter and a transition layup by Donte Tisinger made it 25-6 at the four-minute mark Robinson nailed two 3-pointers later in the frame and Tisinger closed out the half by completing a three-point play scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half Turnovers and inability to generate any consistent offense doomed any potential Wildcat comeback attempt “We did exactly what you can’t do against them,” Wetzel said “We struggled offensively with our movement and screens and became stagnant “We had a little bit of the deer in the headlights effect The Trojans again surged to begin the third quarter as Dom Alberter got hot from long range and buried three of his five 3-pointers to key a 15-4 run that gave Greater Johnstown its biggest lead of the game at 52-17 “Dom’s ability to shoot the 3 like he does really stretches the floor and makes us tough to guard,” said Durham Latrobe senior John Wetzel tallied a team-high 16 points for the Wildcats while fellow senior Max Butler added 12 points coach Wetzel expressed pride in his squad’s overall performance for the season but I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” he said “We won our first state playoff game in 35 years and these guys just battled and fought all year We just ran into a superior team here tonight.” PA – The Saint Vincent College Threshold Series will return at 7 p.m concussion researcher and president of Michigan State University Guskiewicz will speak on “The Art and Science of Academic Leadership: Navigating the Complexities of an Ever-Changing Landscape in Higher Education.” He plans to focus on how he applied lessons learned as a sports concussion researcher when tackling challenging issues as an academic leader A platform for intellectual and cultural engagement the Threshold Series for decades has brought a diverse array of distinguished speakers—scholars artists and public figures—to the Saint Vincent College campus Established in 1981 through a generous grant from the Kennametal Foundation the Threshold Series inspires intellectual curiosity fosters meaningful dialogue and enriches the region’s cultural landscape By deepening their understanding of the subject matter attendees can connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications and seek additional knowledge beyond the lecture Guskiewicz was appointed president of Michigan State on Dec He was chancellor of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill from 2019 to 2023 Guskiewicz was founding director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center and the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes A nationally recognized expert on sport-related concussions Guskiewicz maintains an active research portfolio by serving as co-principal investigator on two multi-center research grants He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers in the areas of sports medicine and neuroscience His team’s groundbreaking work has garnered numerous awards and has influenced concussion guidelines in the pro and college football Guskiewicz received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship for his innovative work on the diagnosis treatment and prevention of sport-related concussions Guskiewicz convinced the NFL and NCAA to change their kickoff rules which resulted in a 50% reduction in concussions on kickoffs Time magazine named Guskiewicz a “game changer,” one of 18 innovators who inspired change in America Guskiewicz earned a bachelor’s in athletic training from West Chester University a master’s in exercise physiology/athletic training from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate in sports medicine from the University of Virginia He and his wife Amy have four children: Jacob Admission is free. To register, visit https://form.jotform.com/SVCEvents/thresholdlecture. For more information, contact Maria Meyers at maria.meyers@stvincent.edu or 724-805-2268   Penn-Trafford’s Giuliana Youngo (left) and Cam Ponko pose for a photo after Wednesday’s 4-2 victory over Latrobe in Section 2-5A. “When one of us starts hitting, it makes everyone else better,” Youngo said. “We focus a lot on our hitting.” Ponko and Youngo, both seniors, blasted back-to-back solo shots in the top of the fifth inning Wednesday to power top-ranked Penn-Trafford to a 4-2 victory over Latrobe in Section 2-5A softball at Graham-Sobota Field. The Warriors (5-1, 2-0) have won five straight over a handful of quality opponents, all teams that have been ranked in the TribLive top-five this season or made playoff runs a year ago: Thomas Jefferson, Shaler, North Hills, Armstrong and, now, Latrobe. “Our mindset is the same every game,” said Ponko, an IUP commit. “We treat it as just another game. Our power and contact are very good.” Latrobe (5-4, 2-2) had won 4 of 5 coming in, including a 13-11 win over Armstrong in a game it trailed 8-0. The Wildcats, who were averaging 10.8 runs, had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 before the Warriors went ahead to stay on the homers. “We had too many errors and made too many mistakes,” Latrobe coach Bob Kovalcin said. “That cost us the game.” Penn-Trafford loaded the bases in the top of the first with no outs, but Wildcats senior pitcher Mya McHugh worked out of the jam without allowing a run. Latrobe left two on in the first against sophomore Allyson Paulone, who allowed three straight singles. The Warriors threw out sophomore Jules Bulebosh at third for the second out. Penn-Trafford left 10 on base and Latrobe eight. Junior Miley Williams knocked in the first run for Latrobe with a single to left in the first before junior Liz Welsh tied it for Penn-Trafford in the second with a sacrifice fly. After junior Miley Scholtz doubled to open the second, junior Gabi Cunningham and freshman Natalia Scekeres dropped bunts with Scekeres’ pushing a run home to make it 2-1. Penn-Trafford answered in the third. Senior Rilie Moors doubled to center, Ponko was hit by a pitch and junior Ella Mains singled. Senior Kylie Anthony flew out to center to drive in the tying run. Ponko, who collided with a fence down the third-base line trying make a catch late in the game, opened the fifth with a blast to straightaway center, and her second homer of the season gave the Warriors a 3-2 edge. Before Ponko settled back into the dugout, Youngo launched a towering shot of her own over the same spot in center — her first of the season — to give the Warriors a two-run advantage. “Hitting is contagious,” Penn-Trafford coach Denny Little said. “Cam hit one out … (Youngo) is a good line-drive hitter, but she got ahold of one. They were only solo homers, but they were big. I see they moved the fences back, but it didn’t help.” Freshman Sophia Drnjevich singled to start Latrobe’s sixth, stole second and moved to third on a flyout. But she was caught in a rundown with two outs, and the Warriors won that battle to keep the Wildcats quiet. Latrobe got a two-out single from Bulebosh in its final at-bat, but she was called for runner interference when she headed for second on McHugh’s grounder. “If we play our game and hit the ball, we’ll be in every game,” Kovalcin said. “We have some young players. P-T deserves to be the No. 1 team.” Moors, a Seton Hill commit, and Lorryn Sepe each had two hits for Penn-Trafford. Bulebosh, junior Sara Blossey and Williams all had two hits for the Wildcats. Latrobe’s Luke Willochell (left) pins Franklin Regional’s Chase Smith during the 133-pound final of the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament Saturday. Latrobe’s Luke Willochell (top) maintains control of Franklin Regional’s Chase Smith during the 133-pound final at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association tournament Saturday. Latrobe’s Luke Willochell (top) maintains control of Franklin Regional’s Chase Smith during the 133-pound final at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament Saturday. Latrobe’s Luke Willochell flashes a No. 4 signifying his fourth WCCA wrestling crown after winning the 133-pound title at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association tournament Saturday. Kiski Area’s Mario Hutcherson fights for dominant position against Burrell’s Isaac Lacinski during the 172-pound final of the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament Saturday. Kiski Area’s Ryder Ekas reacts after pinning Latrobe’s Marco Scarton in the 285-pound final of the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament Saturday. Burrell’s Isaac Lacinski (right) sprawls away from a single-leg attempt from Kiski Area’s Mario Hutcherson during the 172-pound final at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament Saturday. Kiski Area’s Mario Hutcherson fights for dominant hand position against Burrell’s Isaac Lacinski during the 172-pound final at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament Saturday. He came into the 72nd Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association wrestling tournament with two goals: becoming the tournament’s 14th four-time champion and getting four pins to reach 100 in his career. With his pin of Franklin Regional sophomore Chase Smith in the third period of the 133-pound final, Willochell got it done. “This one means a lot,” Willochell said. “We had a coach (Tyler Mears) who passed away before the beginning of the season. “We talked about our goals, and I talked about my goals are with him all season, and two of those goals were accomplished (Saturday). I’m so glad I could do it for Tyler. We miss him.” Tyler Mears, son of Latrobe coach Mark Mears, died suddenly in November. Smith didn’t make it easy for Willochell. But the senior was confident in his abilities, and he knew he eventually would get the pin. “Everyone knew what my plan was, so they were a little strategic,” Willochell said. “Chase had a good game plan. I knew the pin was coming.” Willochell is only the second Latrobe wrestler to win four times at WCCAs. The other was Tom Bell (1961-64), the first wrestler in the county to do it. Burrell junior Cam Baker (9-4) will have to wait a year to win his third county title. Derry senior Anthony Mucci (21-4), who won his second consecutive title, used a five-point move from the down position (reversal and three-point nearfall) to defeat Baker, 6-3. Baker was hoping to be the 49th three-time winner and third Burrell wrestler to accomplish the feat. He would join Jordan Shields (2006-08) and Dakota DesLauriers (2011-13) on the list. Mucci, who won the 114 title last year, tied his dad (Blaise) as a two-time champion. Blaise Mucci won titles in 1996 and 1997. “My dad was kind of teasing me a little bit about winning a second title,” Anthony Mucci said. “I had to show him. I came here to win.” The battle was between two of the top 2A wrestlers in the WPIAL. Mucci was ranked No. 1 at 133 and Baker No. 1 at 127. Mucci dropped for the tournament but plans to return to 133 this week. He said this might not be the last time they meet. “It’s great to be a two-time champion,” Mucci said. “It’s a goal I wanted to achieve.” Mucci was one of four Derry champions, tying the 1987 team. Also winning were sophomore Mason Horwat (152), junior Ewan Olson (160) and sophomore Brady Brown (189). Horwat won his second county title by defeating Belle Vernon senior Kole Doppelheuer, 13-2. Olson and Brown won their first county titles. Olson defeated Norwin junior Jack White, 6-1, and Brown grinded out a 9-4 win against Kiski Area senior Mark Gray. Franklin Regional won its fifth county title with 247.5 points and finished with two champions: freshman Beau Fennick (107) and freshman Max Firestine (145). Fennick (22-3) earned his first county title in impressive fashion with a 16-0 victory against Derry freshman Rocco DeCario (14-4) at 107. Fennick dominated the field by recording two pins and a technical fall. DeCario had two pins in his debut. Firestine (25-4) had a tougher time in the finals. He defeated Norwin senior Gage Mamie, 4-0. “It was a great effort,” Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe said. “Everyone across the board came through. This is a special group that works really hard. “We’re on the verge of doing some special things if we continue to get better, and that’s a credit to them. They love to wrestle.” Penn-Trafford junior Dylan Barrett (18-2) achieved one of his goals for the season by winning his first county title. He dominated Norwin freshman Coleton Klipa (15-8) for the second time in four days by winning the 114-weight class with a 16-3 victory. He defeated Klipa, 13-4, on Wednesday. Latrobe senior Leo Joseph ended as a two-time county winner by pinning Penn-Trafford sophomore Luke DeSantis in 1:47 at 121. Joseph (17-4) took advantage of his opportunity when Norwin sophomore Landon Sidun, the No. 1 ranked 121-pound wrestler in the country, did not compete. Burrell junior Julian Bertucci (13-5) used an escape to defeat Belle Vernon senior Deydon Soto, 1-0, at 139. Belle Vernon junior and Pitt commit Elijah Brown won the 215-pound weight class by denying Kiski Area junior Cooper Roscosky his second title. Brown won 4-0. Kiski Area was second in the team standings with 204.5 points, and Burrell was third with 181.5. The Cavaliers had two champions: freshman Mario Hutcherson (172) and senior heavyweight Ryder Ekas. Hutcherson defeated Burrell’s Isaac Lacinski, 13-4, and Ekas pinned Latrobe’s Marco Scarton. “I’m very pleased with our guys’ effort,” Kiski Area coach Chris Heater said. “I thought we wrestled well. We came here and continued to scrap.” We continue to grow.” Latrobe sophomore Gabby Roman forever will be known as the first girl to be a Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association champion. This is the first year the county coaches’ association held the girls tournament, and Roman, with two pins at 100 pounds against Valley’s Zaryai Rucker-Felton, claimed the title. “It’s a good feeling,” Roman said. “It’s kind of crazy. It feels a little too easy. I wish there would have been more girls here. “But, at the same time, I’m glad that I was the first. This is my first year wrestling.” The other first-time county winners were Valley’s Isabella Martinez (106), Derry’s Teryn Nuttal (112), Greensburg Salem’s Sadie Sarver (118), Burrell’s Carmen Bires (124), Burrell’s Bella Stewart (130), Valley’s Ariona Lineburg (136), Valley’s Ayhauna Miller (155), Linda Maxwell (170), Valley’s Arianna Bernard (190) and Latrobe’s Miranda Kantoris (235). Valley girls were the team champions with 168 points. Latrobe was second with 114. Latrobe’s Max Butler fights for a loose ball against Kiski Area’s Jacob Musselman in a WPIAL Class 5A first-round playoff game. Latrobe’s Ian DeCerb throws down a dunk over Kiski Area’s Landyn Artman during a WPIAL first-round playoff game. The number 300 is more significant to the Wildcats, the sixth-place team from the WPIAL who will play their first state playoff game since 2017. That is because longtime coach Brad Wetzel needs one win to reach 300 career wins at his alma mater. Latrobe (20-6) plays at Exeter Township (14-11), the runner-up in District 3, in Reading. “It would be nice to get the 300th,” said Wetzel, who took over the program in 2002. “I think our guys are ready. The proof is in the pudding.” After a college career that was split between two-year stints at Pitt-Bradford and Saint Vincent — and a pro tryout with a team in the World Basketball League — Wetzel warmed up to coaching. Now in his 23rd season, he has seen his team battle through a gauntlet this postseason. In the quarterfinals, the Wildcats lost to Montour (60-52), which, at the time, was the No. 1-ranked team in the state in 5A and the top seed in 5A. The Wildcats fell three times to nemesis Uniontown, twice in section play (81-53 and 64-45) and again in the WPIAL fifth-place game (69-38). “They’re our kryptonite,” Wetzel said. “We may have to play them differently if we get the opportunity play them again.” Their other setbacks were a pair of two-point losses in section against Penn-Trafford (54-52) and Franklin Regional (73-71, OT), both on last-second shots. Latrobe beat Moon in the consolation first round, 62-53, before running into Uniontown again. If nothing else, the Wildcats are battle tested and recharged. They returned to the postseason after a three-year absence and want to prolong Wetzel’s second 20-win season. The coach won his 200th game in 2017, when Latrobe finished 19-4. It fell to WPIAL champion Pine-Richland in the state first round 83-82. “This group is ready for the challenge,” Wetzel said. “I feel like things are falling into place. We had the Indiana trip … the Moon win was big for us. I think our guys have clear eyes about the whole thing.” Unlike the WPIAL playoffs, where teams that reach the quarterfinals drop into the consolation bracket to play back for PIAA seeding, the state tournament is single elimination. “There’s no tomorrow,” Wetzel said. “Survive and advance.” Wetzel dispelled recent rumors that this is his last season. He said his plans are to come back next year. The coach, in his 34th overall in coaching, has led Latrobe to the PIAA playoffs three times but has not won in the state tournament. He was part of two state wins as a player, however, including in 1987 when he was a senior guard for the Wildcats. That was the team’s last PIAA win. After an 87-56 win over Johnstown at Hempfield, the Wildcats lost to Farrell, 50-48, in the second round. In 1985, after Latrobe won its only WPIAL title, the Wildcats beat Meadville, 84-58, before falling to Farrell, 63-61. Latrobe has never reached the state quarterfinals. “We’re super amped-up, and we’ve had some good practices,” current senior guard Max Butler said. “We want to be the team that went the farthest in states out of Latrobe.” Latrobe will make a day out of its first PIAA appearance since 2017. The itinerary has the team meeting at the high school for a walkthrough, followed by breakfast. Itwill hit the road around 9:30 a.m., stop at Albright College for a shoot-around, have lunch, then head to the game. Instead of staying the night, the Wildcats will head home right after the game. “Hopefully, it’s a rowdy bus ride home,” Wetzel said. Butler said its not the length of the bus ride that matters, it’s the fact Latrobe is still playing. “The long ride doesn’t bother us,” he said. “We’d do anything to keep playing.” Latrobe’s Ian DeCerb dunks against Uniontown on Dec. 17, 2024. Max Butler added 13 points for the Wildcats (21-6) who trailed by 11 points after three quarters before outscoring Exeter Township 23-6 in the fourth quarter and scoring the final 12 points of the game It was the 300th career win for Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel Jayden Ware led Exeter Township (14-12) with 19 points Latrobe will face District 6 champion Johnstown in the second round Tuesday Erie First Christian 80 – Jake Guillen scored 36 points to lead Aquinas Academy (19-7) to a comeback win in the Class A first round who trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter took a 79-78 lead on a corner 3 by Jonah Burchill with 31 seconds to go Sam Duer added 18 points and David Zaharko scored 12 for Aquinas Academy which will meet Turkeyfoot Valley in the second round Tuesday Ayden Blum scored 30 points to lead District 10 champ Erie First Christian (15-8) Central Martinsburg 49 – Brady Mayo led with 25 points Nick Krzeczowski followed with 16 and Junior Marino added 11 for Beaver (20-6) in a Class 4A first-round win Eli Muthler scored 17 points for Central Martinsburg (18-5) The Bobcats will meet North Catholic in Tuesday’s second round Knoch 57 – Michael Thompson scored 22 points and Nando Mirarchi added 21 as District 10 champ Erie Cathedral Prep (18-8) defeated Knoch in a Class 4A first-round game Brody Bauman added 11 and Teegan Finucan had 10 for the Knights (19-8) who were making their first appearance in the PIAA playoffs since 2006 Algoma Christian (Mich.) 53 – Joseph Rosio and Keith Booth each hit seven 3-pointers as Cheswick Christian Academy rolled to victory in the National Christian School Athletic Association championships Friday in Mount Vernon Booth 21 and Brady Rochkind 17 for the Chargers who will meet Gospel Haven Academy from Ohio in the bracket finals at 1:30 p.m Lucas Bouma led Algoma Christian with 13 points Penn-Trafford 43 – Cameron Sweeny scored 22 points for District 3 champion Hershey (22-3) in a Class 5A first-round win Zach Feldman scored 13 points and Tyler Anthony and Brayden Stone added nine points apiece for Penn-Trafford (14-13) Moon 53 – Donte Tisinger scored 33 points to lead District 6 champion Johnstown (25-1) to a Class 5A first-round win Michael Santicola scored 13 points and Carter Tumulty and Braeden Stuart each added 10 for Moon (19-8) Shanksville-Shade 32 – Courtney Wallace recorded a triple double with 20 points 17 rebounds and 13 assists as WPIAL champion Neighborhood Academy (24-1) led 52-15 at halftime in its Class A opening-round win Kedron Gilmore (16) and Derick Hardeman (12 points 12 rebounds and six blocks) combined for 46 to help advance Neighborhood Academy to the second-round against Elk County on Tuesday Mile Kipp led Shanksville-Shade (9-16) with 13 points Hickory 56 – Jason Frederick led North Catholic (20-6) with 25 points Jude Rottman followed with 18 and Eli Stofko added 12 in a Class 4A first-round win Trevor Borowicz scored 31 points for Hickory (18-7) The Trojans will face Beaver in the second round Tuesday Nazareth Prep 39 – Manning Splain scored 26 points and Landon Francis added 25 to lead Otto-Eldred (26-1) to a Class A first-round win Mikey Keyes scored 15 points and Leon Harrison had 10 for Nazareth Prep (19-6) Spring Grove 54 – Nick McCullough scored 19 points to lead Peters Township (19-8) in the Class 5A first round Dylan Donovan added 17 points and Jake Wetzel had 13 for Peters which will meet West York in the second round Tuesday Joseph’s Academy 49 – Owen Dumbroski scored 15 points in a Class A first-round win for Serra Catholic (21-4) Brayden Graham (10) and Mark Johnson (10) combined for 30 for the Eagles while Zach Cadman and Rocco Gigante each had 10 Avonworth 74 – Levi Hailstock scored 25 points to lead Sharon (19-8) to a Class 4A first-round win and a second-round matchup with Belle Vernon on Tuesday Rowan Carmichaels scored 27 points and Noah Goetz added 26 for Avonworth (19-7) Mars 51 – Conrad Beatty scored 14 points and Grady Hoffman had 11 for West York (21-6) in a Class 5A first-round win Will Wilson and Austen Wroblewski scored 13 points apiece for Mars (14-13) The Bulldogs will meet Peters Township in Tuesday’s second round Chartiers-Houston 42 – Carla Brown scored 22 points and Jazmeir Cobb added 14 to lead WPIAL champion Aliquippa (22-4) to a Class 2A first-round win Allison Wingard scored 17 points for Chartiers-Houston (20-7) The Quips will meet Penns Manor in Tuesday’s second round Norwin 38 – Brionna Hudson scored 22 points to lead District 6 champion Altoona (23-2) in the Class 6A first round Bella Furno scored 14 points and Kendall Berger added 12 for Norwin (15-9) Allderdice 44 – Madison Clair scored 23 points to lead Canon-McMillan (16-9) past City League champ Allderdice (20-6) in the Class 6A first round The Big Macs will meet WPIAL champ Upper St Keystone Oaks 35 – Keika Link scored 14 points and Katie Georges added 13 for Central Cambria (18-8) in a Class 3A first-round win Hannah York scored 11 points and Nina Deweese had 10 for Keystone Oaks (20-5) Ellwood City 31 – Naomi Venesky scored 16 points in a Class 3A first-round win for Karns City (22-3) Savanna Prescott added 12 points for the Gremlins Delaney Sturgeon had 11 points for Ellwood City (15-10) Fort Cherry 49 – Layke Fields scored 26 points and Bella Magesto added 18 to lead Kennedy Catholic (19-5) to a Class 2A first-round win Brooke Cornali scored 26 points and Olivia Kemp had 10 for Fort Cherry (20-6) Everett 21 – Payton Newman had 16 points and 14 rebounds Ainsley Allison added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Jaidon Nogay added 11 points and seven steals to lead Neshannock (24-3) past Everett (16-9) in a Class 2A first-round win The Lancers will face Kennedy Catholic in the second round Tuesday Avonworth 31 – Makayla Presser-Palmer scored 40 points to lead Northwestern (25-0) past Avonworth (18-9) in the Class 3A first round setting up a second-round matchup with Shady Side Academy on Tuesday Seneca 44 – Claudia Ierullo scored 14 points Lola Garner had 13 and Leah Parker added 12 to lead OLSH (23-4) to a Class 3A first-round win Haylee Farrell scored 15 points for Seneca (17-7) The Chargers will face Greensburg Central Catholic in Tuesday’s second round Rochester 55 – District 9 champion Redbank (21-6) defeated Rochester (12-14) in the Class 2A first round and will meet South Side in the second round Tuesday Cranberry 23 – Karis Thomas scored 16 points and Laila Banner and Cameron Capel added 10 points apiece to lead Shady Side Academy (25-1) to a Class 3A first-round win Jadyn Shumaker scored 14 points for Cranberry (17-7) The Bulldogs will face Northwestern in the second round Tuesday Lakeview 38 – Miladija Pavolvich scored 11 points and Ashtyn Michael and Bailey Strnisa added nine each to lead South Side (20-7) past District 10 runner-up lakeview (16-10) in the Class 2A first round The Rams will meet District 9 champ Redbank in the second round Tuesday Port Allegany 38 – Aleah Cooper led three double-digit scorers with 18 as Winchester Thurston (22-4) got the Class 2A opening-round win while Alexis Bansah and Sky Still both had 11 Port Allegany (18-6) was led by Peyton Gordon’s 14 and Brynn Evens’ 11 Winchester Thurston will play Bishop McCort on Tuesday Montour’s Ama Tening Sow is introduced before a game against Moon on Feb. 7. both coaches admitted their teams didn’t execute as well as they had hoped but Montour did enough to win 60-52 over Latrobe to advance to the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals “The execution was not where it could have been,” said Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel “I really like our team’s grit I thought tonight the effort was tremendous Said Montour coach Bill Minear: “It was an ugly win on our part Latrobe (19-5) tried its best to find looks on the outside as 6-foot-11 Montour senior Ama Sow plugged the middle and denied or redirected any shot attempts in the paint What did work for the Wildcats was bringing senior forward Ian DeCerb That pulled Sow out of the paint and allowed the Cats to get back cuts and easy layups “I thought it was a great strategy,” said Minear teams are putting five guys on the court that can shoot Latrobe sprinkled that strategy into their offense in the first half just to see what would open up but used it the majority of the second half to start a rally The Wildcats got down 16-11 after the first quarter and 27-20 at halftime Latrobe mounted a comeback in the third quarter and briefly held the lead “We wanted to get him out of there to open things up,” said Wetzel “He’s so effective and so nimble but we knew that coming in and it wasn’t a surprise It allowed senior Max Butler and junior Andy Tatsch to find their way to the hoop for some easy layups Once the Spartans caught on and started to clog the middle it allowed Butler to start getting open looks on the outside That led to the Wildcats tying the score 35-35 and Butler nailed a 3-pointer a few moments later off a turnover to give the Wildcats a 38-35 edge Butler led the Wildcats with 22 points and sank three 3-pointers while DeCerb finished with 16 points and I thought his energy in the second half led them forward,” said Minear they couldn’t execute on the majority of their opportunities to make the timely basket that would allow them to get a string of buckets together “We came out in the second half and erased that deficit and I thought that was really important,” said Wetzel “It just seemed like we had a difficult time with a missed shot that was makeable or a turnover or a second shot and some untimely fouls on the other end.” The Wildcats won the third quarter 15-13 but were still down 40-35 heading to the fourth The Wildcats couldn’t stop the Spartans when they needed they allowed the Spartans to immediately tie the game with a 3 from Colton Straight Straight’s triple was only one of two that the Spartans hit all night For a team that averages eight or nine 3s a night it was tough sledding as they came up empty from beyond the arc Sometimes it’s just like that when you don’t hit a lot of shots.” “We only hit four 3s in the first round as well,” said Minear “Hopefully we’ll start hitting them again as that’s a really big key to our offense.” Although he couldn’t be missed out on the court Sow had a quiet 19 points to lead the Spartans Straight followed with 17 points and Alston finished with 12 Montour (23-1) will take on Chartiers Valley for the third time in the semifinals Tuesday “That’s a tough matchup,” said Minear “We had two really hard-fought games earlier on in the season.” Latrobe will take on Moon in the consolation bracket Monday “I think Moon and Montour are tremendous teams,” said Wetzel “The bracket on this side is very difficult I’m just happy to be around my guys and to be able to coach them as long as possible and I have all the confidence in the world that we’ll show up and be ready to play Monday against a Moon team that’s very similar to Montour and are very good.” Click to open navigationTuesday 6 May 2025Click to open navigationLocal news: has pleaded not guilty to murdering her former in-laws after the trio died days after attending a July 2023 lunch at her Leongatha home She has also pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Heather’s Baptist pastor husband Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Hunt said the group initially contained up to 30 people and discussion topics were broad ranging from “things happening in the world The court heard that Patterson used the chat group names “Erin” the difficulties she had as a single mum,” she said Asked by the prosecution what Patterson’s reputation was in the group Hunt said the mother-of-two was “well-regarded” Hunt said she left the group in 2019 when it shut down but she was contacted by Patterson a few months later to join a smaller group of around seven to 15 people from the original group People who had bonded in the previous years – talking about current affairs Hunt told the court she had never met Patterson in person but they did speak over the phones on some occassions “I always felt I had a good relationship with Erin I didn’t have any problems with her,” Hunt said Speaking on her interpretation of Patterson’s relationship with her husband Hunt said she seemed unhappy with him and his family’s religion “That he was very controlling – she used the word coercive. She seemed unsettled whenever the kids were away (with his family).” Hunt said Patterson seemed to find her husband and his family’s faith “challenging” Hunt said she understood Patterson to be an “athiest” and the mother-of-two had expressed that about herself previous times within the group chat Mandy put it to Hunt that Patterson did express signs of believing in Christianity “I think she was two-sided on that,” Hunt responded “She went to church – the interpretation that I got as she went with her in-laws (due to their strong faith) “I know the kids went to a faith-based school and she was unhappy with that and she went to church and that took up a lot of time.” Copy the LinkShare to X1 day agoPin IconPinned＋ Show moreCourt ends for the dayAfter further examination of Simon and witness testimony from three true crime group ‘friends’ of Patterson Copy the LinkShare to X1 day ago‘She seemed to use it a lot’: Third true crime group ‘friend’ gives food dehydrator evidenceJenny Hay has taken the stand as a third friend Patterson made through a true crime Facebook group “Originally (we met) through a Facebook group that was about Keli Lane that stemmed from the ABC documentary (about that case),” Hay said “I was then in a group with about 20 people from that group Then there were about five of us in a group chat together “I think we had just become closer friends and just wanted to have a group that was just ours so there was a lot of talk about COVID – every day life events – whatever was going on in our lives Hay said Patterson bought a food dehydrator in early 2023 and “seemed to be using it to dehydrate mushrooms” “She sent a photo of the dehydrator with mushrooms in it (in the group),” Hay said “I remember her making mushroom soups and blitzing them so the kids would eat them Hay said Patterson never discussed foraging mushrooms but there were lots of discussions in the group about preparing and making food She said Patterson messaged the group towards the end of July 2023 seeking recipe advice for a beef wellington (She said) something about the meat because she was making beef wellington,” Hay said Hay said she spoke to Patterson on the phone some time after the lunch and she said she had bought the mushrooms from an Asian grocer Hay said Patterson also expressed during the call that she too was sick following the lunch Copy the LinkShare to X1 day ago‘Any advice?’ Patterson asked true crime friends for beef wellington cooking tipsTrue crime group associate Daniella Barclay has told the court that Patterson asked members of the chat for advice in late July 2023 on how to cook a beef wellington “She asked if anyone had cooked a beef wellington and if they had any advice I believe it was two weeks before the lunch,” Barclay said “I just specific remember the conversation because I didn’t know what beef wellington was because I’m vegetarian “I said ‘I would bake a tofu wellington’ and everyone thought that was awful “I believe Jenny (another member of the group) replied because she had previously cooked a beef wellington “I believe a couple of days after that conversation Erin was out looking for a cut of meat for the wellington (She) was out at the shops and I think she sent through a photo asking if this one was ok – I think she was struggling to find a big piece of meat “That was probably the last time we heard about the beef wellington “We assumed it (the lunch) was for her and her kids.” Copy the LinkShare to X1 day agoPatterson’s dehydrator messages to true crime group revealedThe court has been shown messages that Patterson posted in a true crime discussion group about her food dehydrator “I’ve been hiding powdered mushrooms in everything Mixed it into chocolate brownies yesterday “So fun fact the dehydrator reduces the mushroom mass by 90% Do you think Woolies would mind if I brought the dehydrator into their vegetable section and dry things before buying them?” The court was also shown photos that Patterson sent to the group of trays of mushrooms being dehydrated in her home Copy the LinkShare to X1 day ago‘She was a bit excited that she purchased a food dehydrator’Daniela Barkley another member of a true crime Facebook group Patterson was part of Barclay told the court Patterson seemed “sad” in regards to her relationship with Simon and felt he put the church before his family In response to questioning from the prosecution Barkley confirmed that Patterson shared photos of her dehydrating mushrooms to the group “She was a bit excited that she purchased a food dehydrator,” Barkley said she shared photos of her dehydrating mushrooms in the dehydrator I believe it was a couple of months before the lunch Prosecution: “Did she say what she had been using the dehydrator for?” Copy the LinkShare to X1 day ago‘True crime’ associate says Patterson was a ‘super sleuth’Christine Hunt has told the court she met Patterson around six years ago when the pair were both in a Facebook group chat dedicated to discussions on the Keli Lane case Copy the LinkShare to X1 day agoPin IconSecond witness who knew Patterson from ‘true crime’ chat group takes the standChristine Hunt who was in a true crime Facebook group with Patterson has taken the stand as the prosecution’s second witness in the trial Copy the LinkShare to X1 day agoSimon’s evidence endsSimon Patterson has been excused from the witness stand after giving evidence in his estranged wife’s murder trial Copy the LinkShare to X1 day ago‘Hates hospitals’: The two previous times Patterson prematurely discharged herself The court previously heard the prosecution will allege Patterson was reluctant to receive medical treatment after the lunch and left the hospital despite staff’s advice to stay Simon conceded that Patterson had a history of leaving hospitals early to detail the previous occassions when Patterson had prematurely left Simon told the court there were “two times” he could remember Patterson was diagnosed with low potassium and put on a drip overnight Simon said they were happy to discharge her they left before the official paperwork was filed He said the second time occurred while she was recovering from a caesarean shortly after the birth of their son in January 2009 “She really struggles to sleep in hospitals She had been there recovering for a few days after and they still wanted to keep her in,” he said and although they wanted to keep her there Copy the LinkShare to X1 day agoSimon probed on why he didn’t ask Patterson about ‘cancer diagnosis’The court previously heard that Patterson allegedly held the lunch under the pretense she was seeking guidance from her guests on how to tell her two children she had been diagnosed with cancer The prosecution will allege Patterson had not been diagnosed with cancer and used that as an excuse as to why the children should not attend the lunch Simon previously told the court he heard about what had been discussed at the lunch from his father after he was admitted to hospital with mushroom poisoning prosecutor Nanette Rogers asked Simon why he had not asked Patterson directly about what was discussed at the lunch “I thought that was her news to tell and her timing to tell it in – I was content with that,” he said ‘They failed to show up for school’: The harrowing reason police discovered boys’ bodies2 min read Kayak murder case takes dark turn as new details emerge 1 min read Hungry Jack’s cops whopping fine over ‘burping’ toy in children’s meals1 min read Crime rings busted in $20m vape and tobacco haul1 min read Near-death snorkelling horror as woman speared by 16cm stingray barb2 min read Second driveway defecator caught on CCTV1 min read Tragic update after truck and freight train collide at rail crossing1 min read Top HeadlinesWhen P-plate driver will learn fate over crash that killed young footballer1 min read Latrobe rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to defeat Gateway, 75-71, in the Section 1-5A opener Friday night. Three starters had four fouls, another had three and Gateway had a seven-point lead in the Section 1-5A boys basketball opener. “A lot of teams would have packed it in there. They wouldn’t think they had a chance,” Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel said. So what did unbeaten Latrobe do? The Wildcats hit the accelerator, became more assertive offensively and stormed back from a 10-point deficit to push past the Gators, 75-71, on Friday night in Monroeville. Teetering on losing a few key players was a distraction the Wildcats were able to overlook long enough to pull out a thrilling victory and stay undefeated — from foul out to gut-it-out. “We had the presence of mind to keep playing,” Wetzel said. “If we foul out, we foul out.” Latrobe (5-0, 1-0), which had five players score in double figures, is off to its best start since 2018-19. The team is averaging 74 points. In the fourth quarter when it looked more like itself, Latrobe erupted for 33 points and made 13 of 16 free throws to complete the comeback. Gateway (1-3) had a 10-point lead early in the fourth and saw Mykel Bruce-McCrommon score a career-high 33 points, but the Gators had trouble sealing off the lane down the stretch. “It was an uphill challenge all the way,” Wetzel said. “We had just about every obstacle there is thrown in front of us. What a gritty, gutsy game.” Max Butler made a layup on a feed from John Wetzel with 13.6 seconds left for the go-ahead points after Gateway’s Assan Wallace made a driving layup to tie it 71-71 with 43 seconds to go. Butler had just tipped in his own miss to give the Wildcats a 71-69 edge. “We stayed composed and just focused on offense and defense,” said Butler, who scored eight in the fourth. “Props to the guys who came in (off the bench). This was all grit and a lot of hard work defensively.” Butler finished with 20 points, Andy Tatsch and Kyle McNeil each had 14, and Ian DeCerb and John Wetzel added 10 apiece. Kyle McNeil was 5 for 5 from the foul line in the fourth. His and-one gave Latrobe a 56-54 edge. His two free throws with 2.8 seconds left made it 75-71. “Ian played so well, even with the fouls, Sawyer Butina found a soft spot and made a couple big hoops for us, Kyle made some free throws, and Max’s rebounding and demeanor were great tonight,” Brad Wetzel said. “Andy Tatsch played his heart out. We found a way to get it done.” There were 11 lead changes and seven ties in the first half, which produced a 30-30 tie at the break. Bruce-McCrommon had 16 in the opening 16 minutes. He scored 11 in the third as the Gators built a 49-42 advantage. Late in the third, Bruce-McCrommon converted a three-point play for the game’s largest lead at 47-37. But John Wetzel, who had success getting to the rim and dishing off in the second half, answered with his own and-one, although he was hit with a technical foul for celebrating the play. The 6-foot-5 Bruce-McCrommon knocked in a 3 from the wing to stretch the margin back to 10, at 54-44, early in the fourth, and he delivered an emphatic block on John Wetzel. Still, Latrobe chipped away as it picked up the pace. Tatsch finished a three-point play, and Wetzel made a driving layup to key a 7-0 run, with McNeil’s three-point play cutting it to 56-54 at the 4:42 mark. Coach Wetzel told his players to stay calm because “five minutes is forever.” Tatsch made two free throws to tie it 58-58, then DeCerb made a pair of his own to make it 60-58. The Wildcats didn’t trail again, even though the Gators had more left in the tank. Bruce-McCrommon’s third 3 got Gateway within 66-64, and Daniel Boziecevic’s 3 tied it 69-69 with 1:08 on the clock. Wallace had 14 points for the Gators, who made 21 of 24 free throws. Bruce-McCrommon was 8 for 8 from the line. A long-awaited update of Latrobe’s Amtrak station is expected to get underway in the weeks ahead City officials reported project representatives have been checking with the Pennsylvania One Call System to determine the location of underground utilities in preparation for beginning construction “I’m thrilled it’s finally going to happen,” Jarod Trunzo executive director of the Latrobe Community Revitalization Program “It’s one of the most run-down stations and this will make it one of the nicest in the commonwealth.” the project is proposed to include construction of a new wheelchair lift and a switchback ramp meeting modern standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act The new features will provide handicapped access from the parking lot along McKinley Avenue to the higher elevation of the train platform Passengers currently must climb steps from the parking area to reach the platform The platform’s brick pavers are to be replaced by a concrete surface Proposed improvements to the passenger shelter include a new roof and door A new roof also is planned for the platform canopy with additional lighting for the canopy and shelter A new concrete retaining wall along the parking lot is intended to replace the existing one made of railroad ties Trunzo served as a local resource for Amtrak planners preservation issues and project coordination He noted progress on the project was complicated by the arrival of the covid-19 pandemic and the complex nature of working on two separate elevations but the last hurdles have been cleared,” he said “(Workers) should begin staging shortly.” “The original bones are going to be preserved and brought back,” Trunzo said of the passenger structures “Some of the lighting will be similar to some of the historical lighting that was in that area.” Latrobe’s historic original Pennsylvania Railroad station a separate Victorian-style brick building on McKinley Avenue It previously was preserved and now houses DiSalvo’s Station Restaurant Owner Joey DiSalvo said he’s happy to see the Amtrak project moving forward “After 35 years that we’ve owned the station Amtrak is finally doing a great thing for the community,” he said “They’re making the Latrobe station an (Americans with Disabilities Act) stop People (with mobility challenges) will be able to come to Latrobe instead of having to be dropped off in Greensburg.” DiSalvo said the project also will spruce up the area around the restaurant and rail platform “We’re very positive and excited about it,” he said The restaurant’s employees share the McKinley parking lot with passengers arriving to board Amtrak trains DiSalvo said he’s had a good working relationship with Amtrak officials who will construct a new parking lot in a grassy area near McKinley and Ligonier Street to accommodate his workers and patrons while heavy construction equipment and crews occupy the existing lot An Amtrak spokesperson has said the Latrobe station project is targeted for completion in summer 2026 The rail passenger service is expected to release more information about the project next week Amtrak served 3,404 riders at the Latrobe station in 2024 That ridership figure is up from 3,177 in 2023 and 2,706 in 2022 Latrobe’s Carley Berk guards Thomas Jefferson’s Riley McCabe on Friday. Latrobe’s Maggie Maiers works against Thomas Jefferson’s Kaylee DeAngelo (right) and Emily Hritz (5) on Friday. Thomas Jefferson’s Maggie Spell goes in for a layup against Latrobe on Friday. Thomas Jefferson’s Riley McCabe shoots against Latrobe’s Miley Williams on Friday. Thomas Jefferson’s Maggie Spell works against Latrobe’s Kenzie Johnson and Emry Bridge (13) on Friday. Thomas Jefferson’s Maggie Spell goes to the hoop against Latrobe’s Carley Berk and Emry Bridge (right) on Friday. 6 Thomas Jefferson girls basketball team was doing everything right in the first half of its WPIAL Class 5A first-round contest passing with confidence and playing lockdown defense 11 Latrobe was hanging around and gaining momentum against the higher seed at home Friday night with a 27-11 scoring output in the third quarter “We stuck to our game plan and brought the intensity to the court in that third quarter,” TJ coach Matt Gould said we lost in a play-in game and had some nerves to start the game I feel like the girls were locked in tonight and they played the right way in the second half.” TJ advances to the quarterfinals Wednesday and faces No which is 23-0 after a 63-46 victory over Plum in the first round Kaylee DeAngelo and Maggie Spell combined for 21 points in that decisive third quarter for the Jaguars (19-4) and we had to make sure to stay under them,” Gould said “We forced some turnovers and made some shots in the third quarter you always look smarter when your team is hitting shots.” DeAngelo finished with a game-high 20 points and made five 3-pointers in the win Emma Altavilla also chipped in for TJ with nine points The Wildcats (11-11) were led by three players in double-figures but it wasn’t enough as they had a disastrous third quarter and missed too many opportunities in the first half “TJ shot the lights out in the second half,” Latrobe coach Mackenzie Livingston said “It felt like they didn’t miss a three the whole night We could not get back into the game after that third quarter but we had a couple of sloppy turnovers and shot ourselves in the foot with some misses right at the hoop.” Carley Berk grabbed top honors for Latrobe with 15 points and Maggie Maiers (12) and Brylee Bodnar (11) combined for 23 points After the teams split the opening 14 points of the contest with Spell collecting all seven points for TJ the Jaguars garnered separation with a 12-2 run Riley McCabe jump-started the spree with five straight points a 3-pointer plus a steal that led to a fast-break layup Then Emily Hritz collected a shot from beyond the arc Interior baskets by Spell and Altavilla extended TJ’s lead to 19-9 The Wildcats bounced back with the final points of the opening frame as Bodnar launched a last-second trey to make it 19-12 at the end of a quarter A 3-pointer by DeAngelo increased the Jaguars’ advantage to 26-15 midway through the second stanza but the Wildcats crawled back into the game by scoring 10 of the next 17 points and brought their halftime deficit down to 33-25 TJ exploded for six quick points to start the third period and forced Livingston to call a timeout The brief pause in action didn’t matter for the visitors as the home team responded with a 12-4 spurt that made it 51-29 “We had to move the ball against their zone and avoid settling for threes,” Gould said we have some girls that can hit the outside shot but we wanted to make sure their defense worked and we had to use our size they are capable of passing it back outside to our shooters.” The spree kicked off with a hoop by Spell and a 3-pointer by DeAngelo Allie Wilson recorded five points in the run as the Jaguars’ height was becoming a big factor “These girls are unselfish with the basketball,” Gould said “They are always looking for the open look and the easier basket We knew Latrobe from playing them in section the last two years the Jaguars ended the third frame with a 9-8 scoring output for a 60-36 lead at the end of three quarters DeAngelo had a pair of 3s in the final outburst in the quarter TJ elected to go with its reserves at the beginning of the fourth quarter and Latrobe showed some life by scoring 11 unanswered points to bring the deficit down to 60-47 with 2 minutes They have some great shooters,” Livingston said “Our girls will fight to the very end A basket by Marissa DeSimone ended the scoring drought by the home team as TJ closed out the triumph with the final six points The playoff win was the first for the Jaguars since a first-round win over Albert Gallatin in 2021 PA – Saint Vincent College will host a poetry reading and book launch at 5 p.m March 10 in the Verostko Center for the Arts located inside the Dale P The readings will be taken from three books published last December by Eulalia Books: “The Mistaken Place of Things” by Mexican poet Gabriela Aguirre translated by Laura Cesarco Eglin; “Guerrilla Blooms” by Chilean Mapuche poet Daniela Catrileo translated by Edie Adams; and “Waking in the Sahara” by Puerto Rican poet Zaira Pacheco All three translators will be at the event, which is free and open to the public. Information about the books is available at www.eulaliabooks.com Cesarco Eglin is a poet and translator from Uruguay She has authored six collections of poetry and has translated works originally published in Spanish Shapiro is a poet who has translated creative work from Spanish She is an associate professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University Adams is a translator and scholar of contemporary Latin American literature She is a doctoral candidate in comparative literature at the University of Southern California where she is writing a dissertation on the legacies of colonial naming practices in Latin America and the Caribbean Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel talks with John Wetzel during a game against Uniontown earlier this season. The four-hour bus trip home across the state Friday night from Exeter Township was a joy ride. The 23rd-year coach enjoyed every second of Latrobe’s victory, including celebrating it with his son, John, the senior point guard. Assistant coach Eric Butler, Wetzel’s longtime right-hand man, also enjoyed the win with his son, senior guard Max Butler. “The bus ride was actually pretty nice,” coach Wetzel said. “Luckily, our AD (Tyler Gustafson) took care of us and let us travel on a charter bus. As for the ride home, well, let’s just say we all had smiles on our faces and the kids were asleep by the time we hit Harrisburg.” Latrobe staged a fourth-quarter rally to beat Exeter Township, 64-58, in the PIAA Class 5A first round. The win was the Wildcats’ first in the state postseason since 1990. Before that, they won a state game in 1987 when Brad Wetzel was a senior guard. Latrobe (21-6) plays Greater Johnstown (25-1) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pitt-Johnstown in the second round. In ’87, Latrobe beat Johnstown, 87-56, in the first round but fell to Farrell, 50-48, in Round 2. “I remember that game well,” Wetzel said of the Johnstown win. “We probably played the best game we had all season. (Against Farrell) we let the game slip away in the end. That one was hard to accept.” Wetzel appreciates the makeup of his current group. “Getting the 300 wins was nice, but what truly made it special was that these guys put their stamp on it, by winning the first PIAA game since this staff has taken over the program. I won’t ever forget that or the tenacity they revealed in getting that win.” Wetzel, 56, said the 300th win is a testament to many players he has coached. “I also feel that there is a pretty long tradition of older Latrobe basketball players who have slowly come around to enjoy watching this team play. Honestly, it has made me feel young again.” Greensburg Central Catholic’s girls will see a familiar team in the PIAA 3A second round Tuesday night. GCC (22-5) will take on Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (23-4) in a rematch of the WPIAL semifinals. The game will be at the same site, as well: 6 p.m. at Peters Township’s AHN Arena. GCC won the last matchup 41-18, using a stifling defense to shut down the Chargers, the third-place team from the WPIAL. OLSH went over 20 minutes without a field goal in the loss. Claudia Ierullo is the go-to scorer for OLSH. She was limited to seven points in the semifinals. “We know everything we have to do to win,” GCC guard Jayla Peterson said. “We have to play lockdown defense. Everything they do runs through (No.) 22. If we stop her, we’ll be fine.” GCC beat OLSH, 40-30, during the regular season. The Centurions are seeking their third straight trip to the PIAA quarterfinals. Belle Vernon is winning games with fundamentals, namely rebounding, which has veteran coach Joe Salvino excited to keep this postseason run going for the WPIAL champion Leopards (22-4). Tommy Davis has back-to-back double-doubles after his 18-point, 11-rebound game Friday in a 74-63 win over Farrell. Teammate Dom Ghilani has three straight double-digit rebound games, including 15 (and 12 points) in the state first round. “We preach that at practice,” Salvino said. “Tommy and Dom … We need their effort. “Dom is a man possessed when he fights for those rebounds.” Belle Vernon outrebounded North Catholic, 40-17, in the WPIAL final. Norwin will host a PIAA basketball second-round doubleheader Tuesday. Winchester Thurston (23-4) takes on Bishop McCort (23-4) at 6 p.m. in Class 2A girls, followed by Aquinas Academy (19-7) vs. Turkeyfoot Valley (23-3) in Class A boys at 7:30. Latrobe’s Bryant Dumnich celebrates his first-period goal with the student section during Monday’s PIHL quarterfinal game against Hempfield at Kirk S. Nevin Arena. Latrobe’s Colton Goodlin lines up his shot before scoring against Hempfield in the second period during Monday’s PIHL quarterfinal game at Kirk S. Nevin Arena. Latrobe’s Eli Meeder clears the puck from Hempfield’s Nick Crupie during Monday’s PIHL quarterfinal game at Kirk S. Nevin Arena. Latrobe celebrates Jackson Hayburn’s first-period goal against Hempfield during Monday’s PIHL quarterfinal game at Kirk S. Nevin Arena. “We wanted to come out and beat them to every loose puck win the battles in the corners and be physical,” Latrobe sophomore Joey Crimboli said “Very happy with the way we started off real hot and how our guys played tonight,” Latrobe coach Adam Ferguson said 3 seed IceCats (16-5-0-0) came out flying all over the ice scoring the first five goals of the game and making sure they were in complete control in a 7-3 victory over the No 6 Spartans (8-11-1-1) on Monday night at Kirk S “I think we played all right,” Hempfield coach Cory Myers said Crimboli scored the first goal for Latrobe and iced the game with an empty-netter with just over two minutes left in the game His first goal came on a power play when Hempfield’s Austin Herron went to the box for a trip on Latrobe’s Bryant Dumnich Crimboli rifled a wrister from the top of the left circle to give the IceCats a 1-0 lead “That was pure emotion,” Crimboli said “Scoring against a rival team is always nice Dumnich added an even-strength goal for Latrobe after it killed off a penalty Then the IceCats started pouring in the goals arrived at the right circle and floated a wrister over the blocker side of goaltender Ben Francese Hayburn would score again 12 seconds into the second period and with 10 seconds left on a carry-over power play after a kneeing by Jonny Holtzman Hayburn smoked one from the top of the point a minute later to give Latrobe a 4-0 lead and finished the night with two goals and two assists Adam Pellis also had two assists for Latrobe Latrobe was stellar in their special teams play converting two of three power plays and killing off all three of Hempfield’s power plays “I think our special teams is what had been lacking for us the last couple of games,” Ferguson said “We got beat in that part of the game made some incredible saves and I just can’t speak enough to how he played tonight.” Brock Pflugh finished the night stopping 33 of 36 shots One minute after Hayburn’s second goal Preston Miller fired one in from the middle of the right circle to put Latrobe up 5-0 Francese gave up five goals on seven shots The Spartans started to pick up the physical play in the second period finishing their checks and trying to get Latrobe off their game and grit is a part of our game,” Ferguson said “We knew what we were going to get with Hempfield Although it didn’t get Latrobe off their game it did spur the Spartans to mount a comeback Nino DiPietro got the Spartans on the board as he cut through the slot fired a shot on Pflugh that bounced right back to DiPietro and we had a lot of heart and it showed coming back from 6-1 to get a little closer,” Myers said Colton Goodlin pushed Latrobe’s lead back up to five as he pinched down and buried a goal from a tough angle that found its way past Porter Hempfield scored again with a minute left in the second period as Mats Martz put a shot up high near the mask of Pflugh who looked like he didn’t see the puck very well as it floated over his right shoulder into the net “I think we got a little lackadaisical The Spartans scored another with 8 seconds left in the second as Nick Crupie carried the puck into Latrobe’s end and had a two-on-one with JJ Williams Crupie waited for the IceCat defender to make his move Crupie finished the night with two assists holding possession of the puck and bleeding the clock Whenever Hempfield tried to develop anything in the offensive zone the IceCats did a good job clearing the front of the net for Pflugh “It was all our goaltending there,” Crimboli said “We blocked as many shots as we could Everyone wanted to be out there on the penalty kill it came down to our heart and really wanting it more.” Latrobe advances to the semifinals at RMU on March 11 at 9 p.m Penn-Trafford’s Logan Matrisch celebrates after driving in two runs with a double next to Latrobe’s Cooper Basciano during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford pitcher Dom Delio delivers against Latrobe during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford catcher Colton Tyburski celebrates with pitcher Hunter Brown after defeating Latrobe in their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford coach Lou Cortazzo makes a pitching change next to Ethan Septak and catcher Colton Tyburski during the sixth inning treat against Latrobe in their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford’s Ethan Septak drives in a run against Latrobe during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford’s Brayden Stone scores against Latrobe during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford pitcher Hunter Brown delivers against Latrobe during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford catcher Colton Tyburski celebrates with reliever Hunter Brown after getting a strikeout to end a sixth inning treat against Latrobe during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford’s Brayden Stone turns a double play next to Zach Feldman during their section-5A opener against Latrobe on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Latrobe’s Mason Leonard steals second base past Penn-Trafford’s Brayden Stone during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford’s Logan Matrisch celebrates after driving in a run against Latrobe during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford’s Logan Matrisch makes a diving attempt on a ball in center field against Latrobe during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Penn-Trafford’s Logan Matrisch makes a diving attempt on a ball in center field against Latrobe during their section-5A opener on Monday. Latrobe pitcher Jack Stynchula delivers against Penn-Trafford during their section-5A opener on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. Latrobe coach Matt Basciano works the third base box during the WildCats’ section-5A opener against Penn-Trafford on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Harrison City. The interplay of pitching and defense — and just enough offense — allowed the Warriors to hold back Latrobe for a 5-3 win in the teams’ first Section 1-5A baseball game of the season Monday in windy Harrison City. The second game of the home-and-home series is set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Latrobe’s Graham-Sobota Field. The opener saw the Warriors (3-1), who won two games over teams from Colordao at the Jackie Robinson Training Center in Vero Beach, Fla., jump out to a 5-0 lead and turn three double plays to back the pitching of junior Dom Delio (2-0), who worked 5 1/3 innings, and senior closer and Pitt-Johnstown commit Hunter Brown, who recorded his second save of the spring. “I was impressed with our pitching,” Warriors coach Lou Cortazzo said. “We had a couple bobbles in the field, and we needed to hit the ball better. We have a young team after losing 14 seniors and seven position players. “Latrobe kept battling. They play seven innings and keep coming at you.” Junior center fielder Logan Matrisch, who hit two home runs against Norwin in the season opener, went 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI for Penn-Trafford, which scored three of its runs on Latrobe (2-2) errors. The Wildcats, who are dealing with injuries that could affect their pitching rotation, outhit the Warriors, 7-4, and left only three on base. But their threats were fleeting. “There were some uncharacteristic things on our part,” Latrobe coach Matt Basciano said. “If you take away the first two innings, it’s a completely different ball game.” Penn-Trafford led 2-0 after one inning. Matrisch’s sinking line drive to center with the bases loaded knocked in two runs, and a throwing error led to another. Three runs crossed in the second inning. After senior Brayden Stone walked to load the bases, Matrisch ripped a two-run double. A misplayed ball in center let the fifth run score, and the Warriors were in control with a 5-0 lead. “Logan is really seeing the ball well,” Cortazzo said. “Like I tell our guys, if you hit, you play.” Latrobe scored its first run in the third on a 4-6-3 double play when senior Andrew Hantz grounded into a fielder’s choice. Penn-Trafford smoothly went 5-4-3 for an inning-ending double play in the fourth inning. The Wildcats cut it to 5-3 in the fifth, thanks to a throwing error and an RBI single by senior Brody Rumon. Junior Luke Bulebosh had a two-out double in the inning. He scored twice in the loss. Latrobe turned its own double play in the fifth: 1-6-3. Soon after senior Eli Boring singled past a diving Matrisch, Cortazzo pulled Delio after 76 pitches in the top of the sixth. Delio scattered six hits, struck out five and did not issue a walk. Brown allowed one hit but induced four flyouts and eventually struck out Rumon to end it. Cortazzo also praised junior catcher Colton Tyburski for a sound performance. Tyburski had big shoes to fill in replacing TribLive Westmoreland Player of the Year Ian Temple behind the plate. “Dom didn’t want to come out, but I thought he was tired,” Cortazzo said. “We’re deep with our pitching and have some good arms.” Latrobe put its leadoff hitter on base in three innings but failed to score each time. “Credit their pitching,” Basciano said. “They hit their spots. They’re a good team. They won the WPIAL for a reason.” Senior Jack Stynchula took the loss for Latrobe, going six innings and giving up four hits, two earned runs and walking four. Cortazzo said he will throw senior Jonny Lovre on Tuesday in the series finale. Lovre played third base in the first game. PA – The Saint Vincent College community will celebrate Life in Christ week Jan All events on campus are free and open to the public and the College community “Life in Christ Week celebrates the sanctity of every human life families and their children—and to all Christians praying together for unity,” said Father Paul Taylor “Each event provides an opportunity for our community to learn find fellowship and pray for the sanctity of life.” Saint Vincent Basilica crypt Local church leaders of all denominations will gather for a prayer service to mark the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity let us pray for all to be compassionate and forgiving of each other and work towards the common good in love of Christ and neighbor A reception will follow in the parish assembly room Delmont Students will help assemble care packages for the Pennsylvania Senior Food Box Program The program each month provides nutritious food to more than 1,600 low-income senior citizens in Westmoreland County Luparello Lecture Hall in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion A public conversation with Leon Ford and Pennsylvania state trooper Cpl After being shot by Pittsburgh police in 2012 Allen is part of the Pennsylvania State Police’s Heritage Affairs Unit A pre-event reception will be held at 5 p.m the Grove Volunteers will help the Westmoreland Food Bank mobile unit by packing care packages for Latrobe residents Latrobe Volunteers will clean up and organize the library Carey Center Volunteers will assemble care packages for chemotherapy patients at the Hillman Cancer Center in Greensburg No registration necessary—everyone is encouraged to stop by the Carey Center to help Donations requested all week (labeled drop-off boxes will be in the Carey Center): Saint Vincent Basilica Father Paul will preside at evening prayer and celebrate Mass Saint Vincent Basilica Deacon Kevin Knight will speak about Benedictine monastic life Life in Christ Week and the 2025 Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope Deacon Kevin oversees the Diocese of Savannah’s Office of Pastoral and Community Services which is responsible for permanent deacon formation social services and continuing education for clergy Members of Saint Vincent Community will depart from campus to attend the 52nd annual National March for Life For those unable to attend the March for Life Mother of Wisdom student chapel on the Saint Vincent College campus 26: Rooted in Discipleship interfaith service 6 p.m. Luparello Lecture Hall Join student leaders for praise and worship and hear a message on the importance of church family from Pastor Kirt Conroy volunteer campus minister at Saint Vincent College and lead pastor at Latrobe Alliance Church   The Saint Vincent College Respect Life Club at the 2020 National March for Life in Washington, D.C. Latrobe’s Max Butler scores past Uniontown’s Isaac Ellsworth during their game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe. Latrobe’s Max Butler grabs a rebound next to Uniontown’s Isaac Ellsworth during their game on Dec. 17, 2024, at Greater Latrobe. “They always say, ‘Are there any more Butler boys coming up?’ ” Butler said. “They always joke with me about it. It’s kind of a running thing.” Soon the answer will be no. (Opponents wipe their brows). Senior Max Butler is the fourth and final Butler brother to come through the Wildcats program, so an era will end. Call this the family’s “last dance.” The Butler name has seemed like a permanent fixture on team rosters for more than a decade. All four players have had a sizable impact on the program. Max Butler might have the toughest job of all. He has had to dribble out of a triple-team of shadows. One big brother is pressure enough, but when three are watching? “My brothers have helped me a lot along the way,” said Max Butler, who is averaging a team-high 20 points. “They all have been great role models for me. I haven’t thought too deep about (being the last brother to play).” Max Butler this week scored his 1,000th career point, something all three of his brothers did before him. It is presumed that no other foursome of brothers have accomplished that feat in WPIAL history. Only the Tomson brothers of Westmoreland Christian Academy — Joshua, Jeremy, Jacob and Justin — have topped 1,000 each in Westmoreland County. Three of them scored over 2,000. Austin Butler is Latrobe’s all-time leading boys scorer with 1,905 points. Landon Butler scored 1,185, and Bryce Butler had 1,157. Austin went on to play four years at Division I Holy Cross and a year at Charlotte before a brief pro career in Finland. He currently plays professionally on the 3-on-3 circuit with USA Basketball. “It brings me a lot of joy to see my brothers play,” Austin Butler said. “It worked out for me to stay home to watch Max play. It’s bittersweet, too.” Bryce Butler, who missed a year of high school basketball because of an injury, had an outstanding college career at West Liberty, where he is now an assistant coach. He was considered one of the top Division II players in the country before he played his final season at Division I College of Charleston. Landon Butler is a sophomore guard at D-II Coker College in South Carolina. Coker has offered Max Butler a scholarship as he also looks to follow his brothers’ path to the college level. Eric Butler, who has no immediate plans to stop coaching once Max graduates, gets emotional thinking about a Latrobe lineup that does not include one of his sons. He started coaching alongside Brad Wetzel in 2002-03 when Austin was 2 and Michele Butler was pregnant with Bryce. “A lot of day care in the gym,” Eric said. Austin Butler began his high school career in 2013-14, and the others soon followed. Nearly a dozen years and thousands of miles on the family vehicles later — Eric and Michele literally have traveled across the globe to watch their sons play basketball — the final chapter is here. “It’s gone so fast. Unbelievable,” Eric Butler said. One more son, people tell the Butlers, and they’ll have a starting five. But Eric Butler assures people that Max is, indeed, the last Butler. “They never had to play basketball,” said Eric Butler, a former 6-foot-7 big man who played at Pennsylvania’s Ridgway High School before college stints at Eastern Kentucky and Robert Morris. “It was always up to them. They gravitated to basketball after Austin played. He was a multi-sport guy with football and javelin. But after seeing (the impact of) concussions, the other boys decided to just play basketball. “Michele and I just wanted them to be good, respectful kids. I try to be a good dad and coach with them, while Michele, being a teacher, kept them focused on the classroom.” Eric Butler, who scored over 1,000 points at Ridgway, is a former basketball, baseball coach and athletic director at Ocean Academy in Long Beach Island, N.J., so he has been around sports for much of his life. He believes in the spirit of the term student-athlete. All four Butlers produced dozens of double-digit scoring games, clutch 3-pointers and putbacks, but they also did their homework. All four brought home a 3.5 grade-point average or better. The Butler brothers’ longstanding tradition of group-chatting after every game also might dry up, as could their intense pickup battles on the family’s backyard Sport Court. “Being the youngest,” Max Butler said, “it made me tougher.” Max Butler believes his game has traits of all three of his siblings: Austin’s scoring knack and work ethic, Bryce’s smarts and rebounding ability and Landon’s assertiveness. “A.B. was his own breed,” Wetzel said. “Max is more like Bryce. I watch him play and have some déjà vu moments.” Wetzel hasn’t stopped to think about a Butler-less rotation, and he may not until next season. “I don’t think of it like that,” Wetzel said. “These guys have been such a big part of my life. You look at all the guys who have come through the program. You never really talk about the end.” Latrobe is quietly one of the top teams in Class 5A. The Wildcats take a 14-1 record into Friday’s home game against Gateway. Eric Butler hopes this season ends Latrobe’s four-year playoff drought, something he wants to enjoy with Max. “He’s a good kid, and he’s a respectful young man,” Eric Butler said. “That’s the biggest thing about my boys. They can be the kid opposing teams don’t like. But they’ll play their butts off and show respect (after the game). Basketball is just a game. I am concerned more with raising four young men.” PA – To celebrate National Poetry Month in April Saint Vincent College and the Latrobe Art Center will transform downtown Latrobe into a “poetry neighborhood.” Poems written by local residents will be displayed at storefronts and shared during events throughout Latrobe assistant professor of English at Saint Vincent; Latrobe resident Bobbie Hineline; and Maureen Ceidro a bereavement counselor for Independence Health For more information, contact Pitas at Jeannine.pitas@stvincent.edu or Hineline at pennasings@gmail.com. Latrobe’s John Wetzel looks for an opening as teammate Caleb Lehman blocks against Penn-Trafford on Friday. He didn’t fret about if his team was going to be selected for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. Prady knew his team had a good resume and proved itself during the season. “I figured one of the ‘wild cards’ could go to us,” Prady said. “There were a couple teams that could also claim to that.” When the WPIAL revealed the Class 5A parings for the 2024 tournament Saturday afternoon, Prady was relieved to see the committee thought enough to put them in. Latrobe earned a No. 12 seed and will travel to No. 5 Bethel Park at 7 p.m. Friday. A couple of other coaches were holding their breath. Greensburg Salem earned a spot in Class 3A for the first time since 2018. Belle Vernon, the returning Class 3A WPIAL and PIAA champions, got in over West Mifflin in Class 4A, and Jeannette, which defeated Riverview, 34-20, on Saturday, was selected in Class A. Other Westmoreland County in the playoffs are Penn-Trafford and Franklin Regional in 4A; Mt. Pleasant and Southmoreland in 3A; and Monessen in Class A. Latrobe (5-5) made the playoffs for the third consecutive season under Prady. The Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals last season. Prady said he doesn’t know much about Bethel Park other than it has a good quarterback in Tanner Pfeuffer and played in a good conference. “We devoted much of our time to Penn-Trafford,” Prady said of Friday’s opponent. “Some of our coaches like doing predictions, and they had us in. We’ll be spending a lot of time preparing for them the next few days.” Penn-Trafford (8-2) is riding a six-game winning streak into the playoffs. The Warriors are seeded No. 6 and will host No. 11 South Fayette (6-4). The Lions dropped a 28-7 decision to Moon on Friday, but Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane said the Lions are well-coached and prepared. “We don’t know much about them, but their coach has been successful on the college and high school levels,” Ruane said. “We’ve made great strides this year. The offensive and defensive lines have really jelled, and our defense has won us a lot of games.” Franklin Regional (7-3) has won some crazy games this season, including Friday when it rallied from a two-touchdown deficit in the final three minutes to defeat Armstrong, 29-26. The ninth-seeded Panthers will visit No. 8 North Hills (8-2), which has not won a playoff game since 2010. Greensburg Salem (7-3) finished the season by upsetting Southmoreland, 28-21, on Senior Night. Golden Lions coach Ty George, who took over the program two years ago, waited patiently to hear if his team received a wild-card berth. Greensburg Salem did and was awarded a 12th seed. It opens against No. 5 Avonworth (7-3). “It’s been a great 24 hours,” George said. “Making the playoffs is huge for the program. It gets us back to a playoff level.” While there is joy in the county seat, Southmoreland coach Tim Bukowski is dealing with numerous injuries. The Scotties (7-3) are seeded No. 8 and will host No. 9 Highlands (5-4). Bukowski said he’s never seen so many injuries hit at the same time. “I’m waiting to hear reports from the players,” Bukowski said. “We’ll see who we have available.” Southmoreland and Highlands scrimmaged before the season, so Bukowski knows he is facing a talented quarterback in Menage Lucas. He just hopes his quarterback, Anthony Smith, can play. Southmoreland has never won a playoff game. Mt. Pleasant (6-4) is seeded 10th and visits No. 7 Freeport (7-3) on Friday. Vikings coach Jason Fazekas said his staff is familiar with the Yellowjackets. Quarterback Cole Chatfield was held out of Friday’s game against Elizabeth Forward, but Fazekas said he should return. Belle Vernon, despite losing to Trinity on Friday, made the playoffs as a sixth seed and will face No. 3 McKeesport. The Leopards lost to the Tigers, 28-7, on Sept. 13. Jeannette (7-3) was seeded 13th and will travel to New Castle to face No. 4 Neshannock (9-1). Jayhawks coach Tommy Paulone Jr. said his team handled their business by defeating Riverview but has a short week to prepare. “We’re happy to make the playoffs,” Paulone said. “We’ll be ready for the challenge that faces us.” No. 5 Greensburg Central Catholic (8-2), fresh off its win against Leechburg, will host No. 12 Monessen (7-3). The Greyhounds are coming off consecutive losses to Bishop Canevin and Cornell. PA – Saint Vincent College graduates will have unique access to scholarships and fast-tracked admission to the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy through a new partnership The agreement bridges an East Coast college and a West Coast university uniting a pair of faith-based institutions that share a similar vision and mission The undergraduate public policy program at Saint Vincent and the graduate program at Pepperdine have a liberal arts curriculum that balances a rigorous study of philosophy and history with the latest skills of quantitative economics and policy analysis “This collaboration reflects our institutions’ shared commitment to academic excellence ethical leadership and the cultivation of civic responsibility,” said Father Paul Taylor we strive to prepare our students to lead lives of purpose and service This partnership with Pepperdine will empower our students to make a profound and lasting impact on their communities and the world We look forward to the success stories that will emerge from this agreement.” Saint Vincent students can qualify for one of two tiers depending on grade-point average requirements: This opportunity is open to all Saint Vincent graduates and is available to students in all majors who are referred by Saint Vincent College are eligible for the transfer of six elective credits pending review of program elements and based on criteria set forth in the Pepperdine School of Public Policy’s academic catalog All applicants also are eligible for early registration for the first term of enrollment Saint Vincent’s undergraduate public policy program is designed to develop an understanding of the economic and political institutions principles and processes involved in public policy decision-making The curriculum combines courses in economics and politics to help foster the development of such skills and knowledge Pepperdine is one of America's few graduate public policy schools rooted in a Judeo-Christian understanding of servant leadership Its Master of Public Policy program has specializations in applied economic policy international relations and national security   Pepperdine University School of Public Policy Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey celebrates with head coach Jesse Reed after defeating Latrobe, 73-71 in overtime, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional senior Caden Brush participates in a ceremonial tip-off Friday. Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey scores in the final second of overtime to defeat Latrobe, 73-71, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey is mobbed by the student section after defeating Latrobe, 73-71 in overtime, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Latrobe’s Max Butler drives to the basket against Franklin Regional defenders during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey pressures Latrobe’s Max Butler during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey drives to the basket to score between Latrobe’s John Wetzel (10) and Ian Decerb during overtime on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey celebrates after scoring in the final second of overtime to defeat Latrobe, 73-71, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Latrobe’s Ian Decerb scores over Franklin Regional defenders during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Jonah Johnston battles Latrobe’s Andy Tatsch for a loose ball during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Drew Devola drives to the basket against Latrobe’s Kyle McNeil during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Colin Holt pressures Latrobe’s Max Butler during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Jonah Johnston drives to the basket against Latrobe’s Andy Tatsch during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. Franklin Regional’s Anthony Mitchell celebrates with Connor Crossey after Crossey was fouled while scoring during their game against Latrobe on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville. And that’s before you factor in the playoff implications that made this a must-win Section 1-5A game for the host Panthers on senior night. Inspired by Brush and fired up to continue their push toward the postseason, the Panthers followed Connor Crossey’s lead — a career-high 38-point night, including the go-ahead basket — and slipped past Latrobe, 73-71 in an overtime thriller Friday night in Murrysville. Latrobe passed and weaved, holding for the final shot to inside 10 seconds. But it never got a shot off. Jonah Johnston came up with a steal and passed ahead to Crossey, who made a left-handed layup with 3.6 seconds left in OT to make it 73-71. Latrobe still had 0.8 seconds, and Max Butler heaved a shot from just over halfcourt that hit the banking square twice before bouncing out. “Caden is literally a friend I grew up with,” said Crossey, who scored 14 of his 38 in the fourth quarter. “It was wonderful to see him out there. “There are no words to explain tonight’s win. Senior night, against Latrobe. We were so locked in.” Franklin Regional (10-10, 5-7), winners of 4 of 5 and in fifth place in the section with the top five qualifying for the playoffs, led for a few minutes of the third quarter, but Latrobe (16-4, 8-4) led for all of the fourth. That was until Crossey made two free throws with 40.4 seconds to tie it 67-67. Ian DeCerb and Butler made defensive stops to prevent the Panthers from winning in regulation. In overtime, DeCerb finished an alley-oop lob from John Wetzel to give the Wildcats a 71-69 lead. Drew Devola drove in for a layup to tie it at 71-71 before Crossey’s winner. “I am just so proud of our guys,” Franklin Regional coach Jesse Reed said. “We lost by 20 at their place. We continue to fight and find a way. We’re not the same team we were six weeks ago. It’s a testament to our guys. They are playing with no fear.” Johnston added 19 points for the Panthers, meaning he and Crossey accounted for 57 of the 73 points. “That was one of the best performances I have seen from one guy I’ve coached,” Reed said. Already in the playoffs, Latrobe has dropped 3 of 4, including a last-second 54-52 loss to Penn-Trafford on Tuesday, after winning 10 straight. The Wildcats are tied for second with McKeesport. Butler had 23 points, including four 3s, DeCerb added 16 and John Wetzel 10 in this loss. “We’re not communicating or playing with the energy necessary when the game starts,” Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel said. “We gave them life. There was some lopsidedness; It should be called two sides, but we shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position.” Latrobe led 23-18 after a breakneck first quarter, and took a 33-32 edge into halftime, with Johnston blocking a shot by Butler at the end of the half. Franklin Regional took its first lead, at 34-33, on a Crossey jumper, and led until an 11-0 run by Latrobe put the Wildcats in front 49-44. Crossey quelled the run with a 3, but Latrobe stretched the margin to nine (58-49) on a driving layup from Wetzel and again (at 61-52) on a 3 from Dom Scarton with 3:50 left in the fourth. Colin Holt made a layup and then blocked a shot before Crossey and Anthony Mitchell made fast-breaks baskets to tie it 65-65. Wetzel scored on another take with a minute left, but Crossey tied it again at 67-67 with two free throws. Crossey had 14 of his team’s 23 points in the final quarter of regulation, including two 3s. “I didn’t know I had that many,” Crossey said. “You’re not thinking about it in the moment.” He made 12 of 13 free throws, a game after he hit 13 of 14 against Laurel Highlands. The Panthers made 21 of 24 free throws as a team. Johnston was 9 for 10. “(Franklin Regional) had some extra looks, offensive rebounds and loose balls,” Brad Wetzel said. “Those are things a team needs to do to win games.” Reed said the team played for Brush, who wore his No. 44 jersey and cheered for his teammates. “When you see him in the gym, he has so much resiliency and pep in his step,” Reed said. “None of us have it as hard. We wanted to make it a great night. Tonight was bigger than basketball.” Brad Wetzel talked with Brush before the game. “I told him it’s great to see him stronger and that he’s in our prayers,” the coach said. “They played like a goal-minded team.” Greater Latrobe’s Chris Heese takes third in the boys 200 IM during the WCCA swimming championships Jan. 25. While he wasn’t able to qualify for the championship heat Saturday on Day 2 of the PIAA Class 3A championships at Bucknell University, Heese was able to improve on a preliminary swim from earlier in the day. He came into the consolation heat during the evening session as the 10th seed and ticked down one spot to 11th overall in a time of 56.14 seconds. “I feel like I swam pretty good at states overall,” Heese said. “I think there definitely would be more potential in me if the season was a tad longer. But it is what it is. It felt pretty good to be up here at states and be in this atmosphere. There were 10 guys faster than me (in the 100 breast) this year. Who knows what it will be next year? I am confident I can come back and go faster and improve my place finish. This gives me a lot of motivation.” Latrobe coach Grey Arrigonie said he was pleased to see Heese swim well against the best in the state. “Chris did a really nice job,” he said. “He fixed a couple of things from his morning swim and went a little bit faster. It really worked out well for him.” Latrobe senior Lauren Bell hoped to be in the evening-session mix in the girls 100 freestyle. Needing to finish 16th or better in the preliminaries, Bell, however, was on the outside looking in by the smallest of margins. She ended up 17th in a time of 53.15, just 25 hundredths of a second away from 16th. professor of religious studies at College of the Holy Cross will speak about Pope Francis’ encyclical “Dilexit nos: On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ” at 7 p.m The lecture will be preceded by a community Mass at 5 p.m Dilexit nos (He loved us) is Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical and calls for reflection on aspects of the Lord’s love as a path toward reconciliation peace and unity in “a world that seems to have lost its heart.” Fritz will speak on devotion to the Sacred Heart through the lens of the heart as a symbol the encyclical coincides with celebrations commemorating the 350th anniversary of the first appearance of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673 Fritz has been involved with Jesuit education for 30 years He earned a doctorate at the University of Notre Dame where he focused on the German Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner Fritz has taught courses in Catholic and Protestant theology and Catholic social thought at Holy Cross since 2011 The Latrobe boys basketball team lines up before playing Franklin Regional on Tuesday. The third quarter, though, was a different story. The Wildcats limited the Panthers to one field goal in the quarter and stepped on the gas offensively on the way to a 68-49 victory, their seventh in a row. Max Butler scored 13 of his game-high 27 points in the second quarter, John Wetzel added 14 points and Andy Tatsch chipped in 13 for Latrobe (12-1, 4-1), which began the night tied for second place in the section with Gateway. The Wildcats scored 22 in the third to pull ahead for good, upping their attack a gear to stamp out the once-hot Panthers (5-7, 1-4). “It was a matter of us taking accountability, looking each other in the face and telling each other to pick it up,” Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel said. “Everybody was a step late and flat-footed early, and we needed to pick it up.” Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey was limited to zero points in the second half after scoring 15 in the first two quarters. “John (Wetzel) self-assigned to him in the second half,” Brad Wetzel said. “But it was a team effort. We didn’t want to let one guy beat us.” A 12-0 run early in the quarter, which included a 3-pointer from Kyle McNeil and a layup from Butler, helped the Wildcats take a 44-38 advantage as the game began to turn. With Franklin Regional struggling to get quality looks, the Wildcats added to their advantage. Andy Tatsch completed an and-one play before Wetzel canned a 3 to make it 50-40 with 2 minutes, 40 seconds to play in the third. “We struggled with their pressure in the second half and got hesitant,” Panthers coach Jesse Reed said. “We lost our sense of urgency.” In the fourth, Tatsch, Ian DeCerb and Wetzel scored consecutive hoops to push the advantage to 58-43. The lead quickly ballooned to 21 as Tatsch scored on a break off a nice feed from Kyle McNeil, and Ian DeCerb flushed a two-handed dunk to make it 68-47. Franklin Regional started fast, scoring 20 in the opening eight minutes, and took a 35-30 lead into halftime. The Panthers led by nine late in the opening frame before Latrobe went on an 11-0 run to tie it 20-20. Jonah Johnston had 10 for the Panthers, who have lost 3 of 4. Latrobe lost twice to the Panthers last season. Saint Vincent College hosted its annual Sports Friendship Day event Created for individuals with special needs intellectual disabilities or physical limitations ages 7 to adult Sports Friendship Day offers a variety of activities is a beloved tradition at Saint Vincent College,” remarked Father Maximilian (Max) Maxwell “This program reflects the Benedictine values of community Saint Vincent College students truly embody these values by partnering with participants who travel from across Western Pennsylvania as well as those who travel from as far as Maryland and Virginia which included performances by the Saint Vincent College Marching Band Saint Vincent College President; Brother Bosco Hough assistant to the director of mission advancement for the Seminary and assistant master of ceremonies; and Father Max welcomed the participants Following the day’s activities was Mass in the Mary Mother of Wisdom Student Chapel and a picnic-style dinner in the gym over 175 people gathered for Mass and dinner “A special thank you to both Father Paul Taylor and Dr SVC’s executive vice president and chief operating officer] for their presence in the day as well,” Fr “It’s a day that everyone involved in eagerly anticipates each year.”   Attendees participate in basketball and cornhole as part of Saint Vincent College’s annual Sports Friendship Day