From:
Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 11:01 a.m.
Southmoreland quarterback Anthony Smith throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition in July.
Caden Matthews, a junior who was competing with freshman Anthony Smith for the starting quarterback spot at Southmoreland, left the team during the first week of full-equipment training camp.
Smith will be the Scotties’ starter.
Matthews (6’1″, 183 lbs.), who was the Scotties’ reserve player last season, was planning to transfer to another school, according to coaches.
Matthews, who has attracted attention at college level, threw 21 passes last season, one of which resulted in a touchdown.
Coach Tim Bukowski said if Matthews didn’t start at quarterback, he would help the team in other areas.
Double Eagle
Franklin Regional senior Liam Copeland is a talented hockey player but shows he can also play a little golf.
Copeland led the Panthers to a close 187-193 win over Plum at Meadowink Golf Course last week.
Copeland hit his drive just to the right of the fairway on the sixth hole and the ball bounced up the cart path on the 490-yard par 5. When it came to rest, Copeland had 136 yards to go for his approach shot.
He hit the ball high, then watched the ball bounce and roll into the hole, resulting in a double eagle.
Copeland finished his winning match with a score of 1 under par (35), while Luke Anderchak (35) and Mitchell Murray (36) also had poor results.
Quick start
Latrobe is one of eight schools in the WPIAL fielding a new girls golf team this season.
The Wildcats are quickly finding new challenges. They won their first two games – 226-248 against Kiski Area and 237-246 against Indiana.
Gia Petrazio shot 51 in the second game.
GS opening
After Cam Auld leaves the team to take the job as basketball coach at Norwin, a position as top boys basketball coach becomes available at Greensburg Salem.
Auld coached the Golden Lions for the past two seasons.
Potential candidates have already inquired with sporting director Drake D’Angelo about the position.
From Lemke to Cal
Veteran Franklin Regional baseball player Chase Lemke will continue his baseball career at Cal (Pa.), where he will test his skills against the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Lemke, a shortstop and outfielder, had a .262 batting average with 16 hits and 12 runs in 23 games this season.
He also plays quarterback for the Panthers.
Perger joins Scotties
Established coach Michelle Pergar has a new girls volleyball team this season. She coaches the girls from Southmoreland.
Pergar has coached at three other WPIAL programs: Laurel Highlands, where she won three sectional titles; Albert Gallatin, where she led the team to the WPIAL playoffs for the first time; and Hempfield, where she also won a sectional title and the Big 56 Conference Coach of the Year award.
Southmoreland has a core of key players who led the team to an undefeated regular season and a sectional title.
Pergar, a Maryland native, played college volleyball at Lock Haven.
Burkhart is out
One of the better goalkeepers in WPIAL boys soccer will miss his final season.
Belle Vernon veteran goaltender Bryce Burkhart suffered a dislocated hip in a car accident on Aug. 10, Leopards coach Al Yeschenko said.
Freshman Morgan Bunch is expected to take over the goal.
Belle Vernon returned seven starters as it moved up from Class 2A to Class 3A, including standout scorer Trevor Kovatch.
recruitment
Lauren Marton, a senior basketball player at Penn-Trafford, has some options to play at the Division II level of college.
Shippensburg, a PSAC program, and Wheeling of the Mountain East Conference both offered her a scholarship.
Marton is a 6’0″ forward for the Warriors.
• Clara Wallace of Ligonier Valley has signed to continue her running and cross country career at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. Savannah is an NAIA program.
Wallace holds the Ligonier Valley school record in the 800-meter run at 2 minutes, 21.64 seconds. She has qualified for the PIAA in cross country three times.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. Reach him at [email protected].
Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland
