Local Sports

New Wilmington Hockey Team Looking To Make Another Playoff Run This Season

Winter sports are in full swing and that means it’s hockey season. We were able to catch up with new head coach of the Wilmington Varsity hockey team, Matt Miller, and ask a few questions of his team, players, challenges, and what fans can look forward to this season. The co-op program features two Lincoln High School student athletes. “This is my first year being the head coach for the Wilmington Varsity team. I had previously been the JV and middle school coach. I am excited about our team this year and the opportunity this season presents for us,” said…


Riverside Basketball Teams Looking To Improve In Upcoming Season

With the winter basketball season quickly approaching, the Riverside Panthers basketball coaches are looking to improve from last years season.  Both teams see areas of improvement and hope to improve from last season. Young Lady Panthers Looking To Bounce Back After Last Season “We are a completely different team this year than last year” says head coach Renee Drake for the Lady Panthers, who is entering her second season with the team. “We only have two returning players from last season.” Megan Zelch returns at guard and is the only senior, and co-captain of the team. “She is a great…


“Unprecedented”: Two BC3 Volleyball Players Earn All-American Status

Breanna Reisinger and Morgan Jack, players who helped to lead the Butler County Community College volleyball squad to conference, regional and district titles and to a national championships appearance in Minnesota, are the first teammates in program history to be named All-Americans following the same season. “This,” BC3 coach Rob Snyder said, “is unprecedented for the program.” The National Junior College Athletic Association has selected the outsider hitter and the setter to receive the prestigious postseason award following a season in which BC3 placed sixth in the Division III national championships in Rochester, Minn., on Nov. 13. Reisinger is graduate…


Ellwood City Basketball Teams Look To Build On Buzz; Boys Vie For WPIAL Repeat

A buzz was injected into the Ellwood City basketball program last year as the boys team rode the wave of a cinderella WPIAL Playoff run and captured the school’s first ever WPIAL Basketball Championship in March. Add to that a new girls head coach. Dena Noble is returning to the court, and there is plenty to be excited about for this upcoming season. “Last year was a blessing and a lot of hard work,” says boys head coach Steve Antuono. “It’s a different journey this year, with a lot of familiar faces.” The boys will feature three returning senior starters—Steve…


Hometown Boxer Wins Pennsylvania State Golden Gloves Championship

In 2016 there was a pivotal moment for Devon Siegfried. It was the moment he stepped inside the boxing ring at the Ellwood City Police Boxing Club. “A high school classmate and close friend of mine, Rosie Morales brought me down to the gym in Ellwood City,” Siegfried said. “He introduced me and Coach Jack Maine who took me under his wing and began coaching me.” Now, Siegfried is the Pennsylvania State Golden Gloves Champion—won by unanimous decision recently after knocking his opponent to the canvas after a powerful body shot. Although he lives in the North Hills of Pittsburgh…


Justin Hand Ties Tiffin University Single Round Record, Helping Dragons Finish 4th at Doc Spragg

Riverside graduate Justin Hand tied the Tiffin University record with a 6-under par 66 at the Doc Spragg Invitational hosted by the University of Findlay in September. Hand led the Dragons to a 4th place finish at the invitational held on Tuesday, September 21st. The Dragons shot a invite-best 290 in round three, improving from 293 in round one and 291 in round two. Indianapolis won with 851, followed by Missouri-St. Louis with 868 and Findlay with 869. Tiffin was right behind with 874. Hand had a blistering third round, chopping 9 strokes off his first two rounds where he…


BC3 Volleyball Team Finishes 6th Overall In National Championships

The Butler County Community College volleyball team finished the 2021 season with the program’s 12th consecutive winning record and first national ranking since 2016, titles in its conference, region and district, and a sixth-place finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III championships in Rochester, Minn., on Saturday. The Pioneers entered the NJCAA Division III championships at 16-1. They finished 2-2 in the 12-team tournament after a loss Saturday afternoon to Central Lakes College, Brainerd, Minn., at the Rochester Regional Sports Center. BC3 on Thursday swept Rockland Community College, Suffern, N.Y., and was swept by Minnesota State Community…


BC3 Volleyball Team Wins Opener In National Championships

(Rochester, Minn.) Lincoln High School graduate Breanna Reisinger had 10 kills, including six in the third set, and Morgan Jack had 29 assists as the Butler County Community College volleyball team swept Rockland Community College on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III championships at the Rochester Regional Sports Center. Aslyn Pry added seven kills, Abby Granato six and Morgan Frishkorn five for BC3 in the program’s first national championship tournament appearance since 2009. The Pioneers moved to 17-1 with the 25-17, 25-22 and 25-16 victory and advanced to the championship quarterfinals….


Parents Demand Change for Football Program

A group of parents urged the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors to consider naming a new head coach for the football program. The parents place the blame for three seasons in a row with a losing streak to current head coach Joe Lamenza. The main complaint expressed was a lack of inspiration and encouragement. The parents claim that the environment of losing has had a severe impact on the mental health of the players and that it is preventing future generations of players from wanting to play. Lamenza, a 1996 graduate of Lincoln High School, was named…


Ty Fluharty Finishes 2nd Overall In PIAA Cross Country Championships

Riverside Panther runner Ty Fluharty finished 2nd overall in the PIAA Class-A Cross Country Championships on Saturday in Hershey, PA. The Panther senior finished with a time 16:39.50 for his second place finish among 259 runners. [VIEW VIDEO] Junior Thomas Smigo of Palisades finished 16:31 to win the Class A boys state title. In team competition, Hughesville took the team win with 97 points, followed by Winchester Thurston (2nd), Riverview (3rd), and Trinity (4th overall). [VIEW FULL RESULTS] Last month, Fluharty finished in 1st place overall in the Tri-County Championships with a time of 16:35 and also finished third overall…