Quick hits

Trinity's Eric Richards has already had an interesting high school career. He played football at Trinity as a freshman and sophomore before he transferred to Avella.
During baseball season, Richards was the Eagles top player.
Avella was counting on Richards during football season as well, so much so that first-year head coach Ryan Cecchini made Richards the starting quarterback. He spent time there during training camp.
"Then I get a phone call two days before the start of the season, and it's from an administrator," Cecchini said. "They said Richards moved back to Trinity. We had a game in two days and our quarterback was gone. We had to scramble."
No doubt Richards could have greatly helped the Eagles. No doubt he is helping the Hillers.
Richards is seeing considerable time at linebacker and is getting an increased work load on offense. He played a vital role in Trinity's win over West Mifflin.
"Really, the only thing he doesn't have going for him is he's not 6-2," Dalton said. "He's every bit as physical as anyone we've had here."

* Bumped into Burgettstown athletic director Jon Vallina during Wednesday's WPIAL Division I Boys Individual Golf Championship & PIAA Qualifier, he said playing football games on Saturday afternoons this year has negatively affected attendance.

* Washington's Eric Ellis, a senior defensive end, has six sacks the past two games, including four at Keystone Oaks.
Ellis is also the starting right guard for an offensive line that is playing well.
"He's a tough kid, and one defense he's really giving people trouble," Prexies coach Mike Bosnic said.

* Count Chartiers-Houston coach Terry Fetsko among those surprised to see Fort Cherry lose to Brentwood in overtime.
"We didn't know how the game ended, but when we saw the final score, I'd say we were a little surprised," Fetsko said. "When I watched the game on tape, Brentwood is very disciplined and they execute well. They have a good system and they run it well."
The Bucs play at undefeated Brentwood Friday night. The winner has the inside track on finishing second in the Black Hills Conference.

* Waynesburg's Emily Rohanna won the WPIAL Division II Girls Golf Individual Championship Tuesday at Longue Vue Club in Verona. It was Rohanna's second consecutive title, and the fourth for the family.
Her older sister Rachel won two WPIAL titles (when there was one division) and two PIAA championships.
Rachel Rohanna golfs at Ohio State and spent the opening round at this year's U.S. Women's Open on the leaderboard. Emily Rohanna will golf at Youngstown State, where her father Tom played football.
There's a chance the siblings, who both played for the Waynesburg boys golf team, could compete against each other.
"I'm not sure if we do, but there might be one tournament where they might be there with us," Emily Rohanna said. "Hopefully it happens. It'll be different. She's still intimidating."

* Peters Township sophomore Veronica Latsko already has 30 goals this season. Latsko scored 26 as a freshman.

* Penn State linebacker Mike Hull carved out quite a legacy at Canon-McMillan. Hull was an Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Year, Football Player of the Year, two-time first team All-State selection (should have been three), WPIAL team wrestling and team track champion and a PIAA baseball champion.

Now, another Hull is playing football for the Big Macs.

Senior Ashley Hull, Mike's sister, is Canon-McMillan's kicker and she is the first female in Big Macs history to score points in a football game. Hull is also the starting goalie on the soccer team.

* Trinity got sophomore Pat Frey back from injury, and Frey certainly helped the Hillers beat West Mifflin. Did you know that Trinity is 6-0 versus West Mifflin since dropping to Class AAA?
It's not all good news for the Hillers this week.
Standount tailback Tyler Yocca, who has excelled in the Hillers' triple-option offense, suffered a knee injury.
"It's possible that we've lost him for the year," Dalton said. "It's a fast track at West Mifflin and not as giving as turf at most other place. (Yocca) was having such a good season."
The injury could force a switch in offensive philosophy.
"We might go out of our three-back role," Dalton said. "We could become more formation-oriented, more two-back formations."

Quick hits

Waynesburg played for the WPIAL baseball championship June 1 and lost during three games during the 2011 season - all by one run. The success wasn't enough to keep some parents from creating friction with head coach Steve Coss.

Coss, who coached the Raiders for three years, recently resigned. For more on the story, http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sports11/08-24-2011-scholastic-notebook.

* Peters Township senior Andrew Erenberg has scholarship offers from Kent State and Fordham. Erenberg rushed for more than 1,000 yards with 18 touchdowns as a junior.

* Heard from more than one person affiliated with Clairton that the Bears believe they will play Fort Cherry twice - the second time coming at Heinz Field for the WPIAL championship.

* Not sure how good South Fayette will be following the loss of the majority of its top players from last year, but don't expect the Lions not to compete for the postseason. After watching junior Zach Challingsworth during practice Tuesday, the guess here is he'll be one of the better players in Class AA if not the WPIAL.

* That said, Washington beat South Fayette during a 7-on-7 camp during the offseason. That doesn't mean much right now, but expect the Week 4 meeting between the Prexies and Lions to be highly competitive.

* Mat Matters, a blog dedicated to high school wrestling done by colleague Joe Tuscano, is engaged in a heated debate concerning the transfer of Cody Wiercioch from Charleroi to powerhouse Canon-McMillan.

I'm not a passionate opponent of transfers. As I've stated before, what about the student who leaves one high school for another because of the band? To me, there's not much difference no matter what points others mention.

Still, the recent transfers remind me of a situation that occurred when I first broke into the business at the Beaver County Times.

Like Canon-McMillan wrestling, Blackhawk boys basketball was already an established program when Brandon Fuss-Cheatham transferred from Keystone Oaks and Darren Tielsch from Montour. Each move set off a heated debate, and Blackhawk was often referred to the WPIAL Traveling All-Stars.

Blackhawk's head coach at the time, John Miller, had ties to the AAU basketball. Canon-McMillan wrestling has ties to the popular Quest Wrestling in Canonsburg.

* According to sources, former Monessen and Greensburg Central Catholic athlete Josh Stepoli is in North Carolina, where he is staying with a cousin, A.J. Jackson.

Jackson was a basketball standout out Monessen before he played at East Tennessee State and, later, Robert Morris.

Stepoli brothers denied eligibility

(Yeah, this is a little late. Catching up on a few things and fighting Pirates fever.)

The long, publicized saga of Terrence and Josh Stepoli took another turn Tuesday when WPIAL Executive Director Tim O'Malley announced the brothers were denied eligibility by the Board of Control.

The brothers, both of Monessen, transferred back to Monessen March 7, just two days after the Greyhounds defeated Greensburg Central Catholic in the WPIAL Class AA basketball championship. The WPIAL ruled the most recent move was made for, at least in part, athletic intent.

Both were starters on the GCC basketball team until both left the team under odd circumstances, which were explained publicly as concentrating on football. Josh Stepoli, a junior, is a Division I football prospect.

Terrence Stepoli, a senior, transferred from Monessen to GCC in early 2010, not long after a basketball game at Wash High. Josh Stepoli followed a couple weeks later. The WPIAL denied eligibility for basketball for one year from the transfer dates but permitted the brothers to play football but the decision was overturned by the PIAA, as is usually the case.

According to reports, Terrence Stepoli planned on joining the Monessen track team.

A pretty pic and a few other notes

According to at least one area softball coach, Geibel has dropped its team, which, if true, creates a couple openings in schedules for other members of Section 2-A.
A Section 2 preview in the Herald-Standard of Uniontown, which ran March 27, included Geibel. http://www.heraldstandard.com/sports/local/section-a-softball-preview/article_97e83307-589f-518a-8860-f1624d66886f.html
Beth-Center, Carmichaels, Jefferson-Morgan, West Greene, California and Mapletown also compete in Section 2.
*Morgan Meadows, one of the top pitchers in the area last year, moved from Peters Township to Tennessee.
* Former O-R staff writer Mark Lazerus, who moved to the scenic world of Gary, Ind. and the Post-Tribune, informed us that former Canon-McMillan standout Jeravin Matthews has earned a starting spot at cornerback for Northwestern.
Matthews, one of the fastest football players to hail from Washington County, has played running back and receiver in his first two years with the Wildcats.
* Thanks to Mike White of the Post-Gazette. He informed me that the last time a player from Washington or Greene counties led the WPIAL in scoring came in 1998 when Bentworth's Bryant Thomas averaged 32.5. Thomas went to Cal U, where he got into some trouble and his collegiate basketball career never materialized.
In 1996, Carmichaels' Justin Voithofer paced the WPIAL at 29.0.
This year, Avella's Amanda Temple led all WPIAL girls players with a 22.0 scoring average.
The last time a girl from a school other than Monessen led the WPIAL in scoring came in 1988 when Burgettstown's Jamie O'Donnell averaged 27.0
* A few months ago, The Varsity Letters ran a picture of South Fayette's 2010 PIAA Class AA championship ring. Some of this blog's faithful readers from the Clairton area asked if I would post a picture of the Bears' title rings from football.
As promised.

Stepoli brothers back at Monessen

This just in from the WPIAL basketball championships, brothers Terrence and Josh Stepoli have left Greensburg Central Catholic and will return to Monessen this Monday.

The Stepolis played football and basketball at both schools but both left the basketball team at GCC during this season. GCC and Monessen are playing for the WPIAL Class AA title at the Palumbo Center.

They both transferred to GCC last year.

Terrence Stepoli is a senior, while Josh Stepoli is a junior. The younger brother could return to the Greyhounds' football and basketball teams next year. He is also a Division I football prospect.

Stepoli brothers leave GCC basketball team

Those wishing for a Monessen vs. Greensburg Central Catholic matchup in the WPIAL Class AA boys basketball championship game may still get their wish but one of the main subplots to the story line was erased when the Stepoli brothers left the GCC basketball team to reportedly
concentrate on football.

Terrance Stepoli, a senior, transferred from Monessen to Greensburg Central Catholic midway through the 2009-10 basketball season, not long after the Greyhounds lost at Wash High. Josh Stepoli, a junior, remained at Monessen until a few weeks later. Josh Stepoli was still with the Greyhounds when a few fans from Monessen and Washington fought during halftime of the second game played between the two teams last year.

According to the story from the Tribune-Review, which you can read here http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_719855.html, Terrance Stepoli is expected to accept a football scholarship from Division II Concord (W.Va.) University. Josh Stepoli is a big-time football prospect with schools from Rutgers to Nebraska interested in the 6-7 lineman.

Both Stepolis were key contributors to a GCC team that was bolstered by several transfers and spent the entire season atop the Observer-Reporter Class AA rankings. The Centurions are 14-2 overall after beating California Tuesday night.

Transfers updates

The PIAA Board of Control overruled a previous ruling by the WPIAL and made former Burgettstown standout Dylan Bongiorni eligible for the 2010 football season at West Allegheny High School.

The Indians, which advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA championship game, have an opening at starting quarterback.

Bongiorni, a sophomore, left Burgettstown nine games into the boys basketball season where he was averaging 19.7 points. Craig Lee, Bongiorni's attorney, stated the reason for leaving was because of harsh treatment received from basketball coach Brendan Cypher.

Burgettstown contested the transfer and the WPIAL originally ruled Bongiorni ineligible for all sports for one year from the transfer date in January. The PIAA ruled Bongiorni eligible for football but he must sit out part of the basketball season.

As a freshman, Bongiorni passed for more than 1,000 yards but did not have as productive a sophomore year with the Blue Devils.

* The WPIAL ruled that Monessen brothers Terrance and Josh Stepoli are ineligible for part of the 2010-11 basketball season following their transfers from Monessen to Greensburg Central Catholic.

Both brothers are permitted to play football for the Centurions. Terrance Stepoli was Monessen's starting quarterback and Josh Stepoli started along the offensive and defensive lines.

Terrance Stepoli, a 6-4 junior, was kicked off Monessen's basketball team in January following an incident at Washington. Josh Stepoli, a 6-5 sophomore, left Monessen after he was suspended for two games following the fight that broke out between fans at the Washington at Monessen boys baketball game.

Jim Stepoli, the father, is an assistant for Joe Salvino at Monessen.

* The PIAA voted to allow blocking/tackling sleds to be used in offseason workouts.

* I'll be at the PIAA Track & Field Championships Saturday at Shippensburg University and plan to provide a live blog. So track fans can check back here periodically through the morning and afternoon for updates.

Bongiorni ruled ineligible by WPIAL

The WPIAL Board of Control ruled Thursday that Dylan Bongiorni, who transferred from Burgettstown to West Allegheny in January, is ineligible for sports because the move was made, at least in part, for athletic purposes.

Bongiorni left Burgettstown nine games into the basketball season. He was averaging 19.7 points per game and left the team in the midst of a four-game stretch in five days. The sophomore was also the Blue Devils' starting quarterback the past two seasons and passed for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman.

Bongiorni can not play sports for West Allegheny until one year from the transfer date.

West Allegheny can appeal the WPIAL's decision to the PIAA Board of Control.

Stepoli transfers to GCC

Monessen's chances of qualifying for the PIAA Class AA boys basketball playoffs a fourth consecutive year took a hit when sophomore forward/center Josh Stepoli left the team late last week and transfered to Greensburg Central Catholic.

Stepoli averaged a double-double for Monessen, the second-place team in Section 5-AA with a 9-2 record. The Greyhounds are 13-4 overall and on a two-game win streak after being blown out at home by Washington.

Monessen, which plays up in classification and plans to stay in Class AA according to head coach Joe Salvino, already clinched a spot in the WPIAL playoffs.

His brother, Terrance Stepoli, quit the basketball team in early January and previously transfered to Greensburg Central Catholic. His sister Samone Stepoli was cited for disorderly conduct last week for her role in a fight that took place during halftime of a boys basketball game between Washington and Monessen Jan. 29.

Thinking out loud

The Observer-Reporter has learned that Trinity football coach and athletic director Ed Dalton is a finalist for the varsity football coaching position at Norwin High School.

Norwin finished 5-5 in 2009 with a 2-4 record in the Class AAAA Foothills Conference.

Dan Conwell previously coached at Norwin.

* With the recent transfers of Dylan Bongiorni (pictured) from Burgettstown to West Allegheny, which happened Friday, and Terrance Stepoli from Monessen to Greensburg Central Catholic, expect significant backlash.

It's already begun in Burgettstown, which, arguably, lost its best high school athlete.

Bongiorni started at quarterback as a freshman and sophomore for the Blue Devils and, with Burgettstown moving up to Class AA, his absence will be felt. Through 10 games with the Burgettstown basketball team, Bongiorni averaged 19.7 points per game.

Burgettstown is not expected to sign off on the transfer, which means a meeting with the WPIAL Board of Control is likely to determine if the transfer was for athletic intent. Burgettstown athletic director Jon Vallina and boys basketball coach Brendan Cypher both said that the move to West Allegheny was something they've heard since Bongiorni's freshman year, repeatedly.

Monessen athletic director John Sacco said the school won't contest the transfer of Stepoli, who was kicked off the boys basketball team during a loss at Washington on Jan. 5. Stepoli, like Bongiorni, was also a starting quarterback for the football team.

Since Stepoli's departure, Monessen is 7-0.

* Got to feel bad for the Ringgold girls basketball team and chances are head coach Nick Mandich feels jinxed.

First, standout forward Alina Selby suffers a season-ending knee injury five games into the season. Selby didn't play as a junior with a knee injury suffered last the 2008 volleyball season. Then, Ringgold lost point guard Alana Resanovich with a knee injury. Resanovich also missed time last year due to injury.

With those two, Ringgold looked primed to contend for third or fourth place in Section 4-AAAA behind heavyweights Mt. Lebanon and Bethel Park.

Hooks at Aliquippa

Zach Hooks started the 2009-10 school year at Charleroi High School armed with a full scholarship offer from the University of Pittsburgh football team. The 6-7, 290 junior has the size and footwork of a major Division I offensive lineman.

Hooks struggled through the Cougars' football season despite Charleroi coming this close to making the WPIAL Class AA playoffs from the Interstate Conference, which produced WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Greensburg Central Catholic. The possible Division I lineman failed to make his all-conference team.

A starting center as a sophomore on Charleroi's basketball team, Hooks never appeared in a game for the Cougars and reports surfaced that he transfered to Aliquippa. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/s_661442.html

On Jan. 12, Scout.com did a feature story on Hooks, who was participating in the U.S. Army Scouting Combine in San Antonio, Texas and refers to him as "Charleroi (Pa.) junior offensive tackle/defensive tackle."
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=2&c=937117&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2frecruiting.scout.com%2f2%2f937117.html

Judging from today's Post-Gazette, it's safe to say the Valley Independent's story on the Aliquippa transfer was correct.http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10020/1029548-364.stm