Local Sports

Ellwood City Area School District 2024 Hall of Fame Class Announced

The Hall of Fame Committee of the Ellwood City Area School District is pleased to announce the incoming class of the Ellwood City Alumni Hall of Fame. This class includes five individuals and one athletic team. Together, they make up the third class to be installed into the Hall of Fame. The honorees are: Mr. Stephen Johns, Class of 2010 After graduation, Stephen attended Notre Dame where he graduated with a degree in Business and Finance and played on the Fighting Irish hockey team for four seasons. Stephen was drafted into the National Hockey League by the Chicago Blackhawks and…


Riverside Sweeps Tip-Off Tournament, Ellwood City Splits Two Games

The Thanksgiving holiday rings in the holiday season and points focus on a few things – Christmas, and high school basketball! The Riverside Panthers boys basketball team collected two victories in the Laurel Tip-Off Tournament over the weekend. Riverside knocked off Sharpsville 52-37 on Friday and then defeated Commodore Perry 63-31 on Saturday. In Friday’s victory, McCartney Plassmeyer and Logan Young each scored 17 points for Riverside. Drake Fox chipped in two 3-pointers and 13 points in the victory. Riverside held a slim 35-28 advantage after three quarters and used 10 points from Plassmeyer in the final quarter to pull…


Ellwood City Golf Team Celebrates Season With Annual Banquet

The Ellwood City boys golf team celebrated the season with the annual banquet held Monday evening at Vinny’s Restaurant in Ellwood City. “The 2024 golf season has been one of growth, resilience, and notable performances for our team,” said head coach Sam Barry. “From the opening tee-off to the final putt, our players showcased dedication, skill, and an unwavering competitive spirit.” Here’s a look back at how the season unfolded for the boys on their way to an historic season: Early season success led to record breaking performances. The season kicked off with a strong showing in the opening matches….


Zoning Board to Consider Exemption For Proposed Girls Softball Field

As Ewing Park residents continue to oppose a girls softball field at the Ewing Park School property, the school district will make a special exemption request to implement the facility to the zoning hearing board during a 10 a.m. meeting on Dec 4. The meeting will be held at the borough building. Current zoning allows for a park or playground but not a sports field. The district hopes to win the appeal and get one step closer to the softball complex they have planned. The Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to commit to…


Mayor Court to Give Wolverines Football Team Proclamation

Mayor Anthony Court gave high praise to this year’s Ellwood City Wolverines football team. During the Ellwood City Borough Council meeting, Court said, “I want to recognize the Ellwood City football team for an amazing season.” Court said he would like to give the team a proclamation. Council as a whole agreed on the proclamation, and also acknowledged the Wolverine’s historic season. The unbeaten Wolverines season came to an end Friday night when they were defeated by South Park 28-7 in the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals at North Allegheny High School. Following an early advantage the Wolverines were sidelined by…


PHOTOS: Wolverines Defeated By South Park In WPIAL Semifinals

The unbeaten Wolverines season came to an end Friday night as Ellwood City was defeated by South Park 28-7 in the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals at North Allegheny High School. After gaining and early advantage the Wolverines were torched by chunk plays by the #2 seeded Eagles rushing attack who posted a resounding 376 yards rushing in its victory. Ellwood City recovered the opening kickoff on the South Park 21 yard line after the Eagles mishandled the ball and just two plays later took a 7-0 lead when Chris Smiley connected with Dailonn Currie for an 18-yard touchdown. The Wolverines…


Lucarelli Signs With Duke University

Riverside Panther standout pitcher Christian Lucarelli officially signed his commitment to pitch at Duke University on Wednesday afternoon. The 6′ 3″ 215-pound senior is ranked the #3 player in the Pennsylvania 2025 class (111 nationally). The right-hander started and led the Panthers to a WPIAL Championship and PIAA Class 3A title in 2023. Lucarelli struck out seven batters across 3 2/3 innings in May but the Panthers could not repeat as WPIAL Champions, falling to Avonworth in an epic 14-inning championship game. The Panthers then fell to Punxsutawney in the first round of the 2024 PIAA Playoffs. Duke University baseball…


PHOTOS: Wolverines Survive South Allegheny, Advance To WPIAL Semifinals

Elijah Palmer-McCane tallied 150 yards of total offense and accounted for both Ellwood City scores Friday night as the Wolverines survived a scare from #6 South Allegheny and escaped with a 13-12 quarterfinals victory in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. Ellwood City advances to the WPIAL semifinals for the first time since 1987. In the low scoring affair Friday, the Wolverines had to overcome a 95-yard touchdown catch and run by the Gladiators standout receiver Drew Cook early in the second quarter. The splash play silenced the raucous home crowd eager to see Ellwood City’s first home playoff game in…


Panthers Open Up WPIAL Playoffs Against OLSH On Friday

The Riverside Panthers will square up and face Our Lady of Sacred Heart on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Moon High School in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 2A Playoffs. Riverside finished 4-3 in Class 2A Midwestern Conference, earning a 9-seed in the 13-team playoff picture, surprising many including their coach. “They played far better than I expected this year,” says head coach Rob Magnifico. “They out performed my expectations.” Defense has been key to the Panthers success this season as the unit only allowed 14 points a game this year, a stark contrast and improvement over the 37…


PHOTOS: Wolverines Wrap Up Unbeaten Regular Season With Senior Night Victory Over Beaver Falls

Ellwood City has earned is first unbeaten regular season in 80 years after a convincing 52-0 blowout of Beaver Falls Friday night. The shutout performance was part of the senior night where sixteen Wolverine players were recognized before the game. One the game started, Ellwood City made quick work of the visiting Tigers as quarterback Chris Smiley tossed three first half touchdowns and the Wolverines raced out a 39-0 halftime advantage. Dailonn Currie was on the receiving end of two of the tosses, first an 11-yard strike in the first quarter and later a 59-yard touchdown in the second quarter…