Dave Mackall stories, Page 17

Houston just kept on dancing Sunday, long after the Cougars saw an opening and pounced. And just like that, they’re headed to their third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. Taze Moore scored 21 points, and fifth-seeded Houston capitalized on a controversial technical foul call against No. 4 Illinois in the second...

When the fourth and final game of a long day of first-round NCAA Tournament action ended Friday at PPG Paints Arena, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson went through all the mandated postgame rigmarole, gathered his belongings and headed back to the team hotel with his players. It already was Saturday morning...

Illinois coach Brad Underwood was in disbelief Friday night at PPG Paints Arena following the fourth-seeded Illini’s 54-53 victory over No. 13 Chattanooga in an NCAA Tournament South Region first-round game. Believe it, coach. In the end, the final score is all that matters. “We live to play another day,”...

There’s no denying the treacherous trail that even the most elite of college basketball players encounter when seeking a coveted space on the NBA stage. Obviously, there are only so many roster spots. But if you have what it takes, the NBA will notice. “I try not to make it...

Sydney Matijevic’s smile hid the pain in her heart. But while the Jeannette senior was smarting, she wasn’t quitting. “I love to be here,” Matijevic said Wednesday after the Jayhawks’ softball practice at the high school. “I totally love it. I’ve always loved the sport. It cheers me up and...

When he was a baseball player at Jeannette — and a fine one at that — Marcus Clarkson drove more than a few pitches into the atmosphere at the city’s Clarkson Field. No, it is not named after Jeannette baseball coach Marcus Clarkson, but rather for his great-uncle, James “Buster”...

Duquesne forward Toby Okani has entered the NCAA transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Dukes. The 6-foot-8 Okani, who has three years of eligibility remaining, averaged 3.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game this season in 30 games, 15 as a starter. While averaging 20.1 minutes, Okani shot...

At a watering hole in Pittsburgh’s Greenfield section over the weekend, Guy Fieri’s “Tournament of Champions” was showing on two TVs. At the head of the room on a main screen, The Players Championship PGA Tour event was in plain view until someone changed the channel to ION, which was...

Eight seniors return to Greensburg Salem, hoping to help the Golden Lions’ baseball team back to the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2019. With the 2020 season shut down by the coronavirus pandemic, 2021 brought a return to the diamond with little success as Greensburg Salem struggled to...

It is Bill Wright’s first high school season as a varsity softball coach, but he knows his players well. Wright enters his fifth year in the Greensburg Salem system as the school’s new head coach, a move that occurred late following the January resignation of former coach Alyssa Bates. “It’s...

At the Derry softball field, the “help wanted” sign is out. “I still have spots open,” coach John DePalma said as the Trojans prepared for a March 25 visit from Apollo-Ridge for their season opener. “I don’t have the luxury of a lot of girls, but for the ones that...

After a baseball season in which they notched their first WPIAL section title since 1992 and won their first playoff game since 2005, the Derry Trojans are looking for more. They’ll have to do it with a retooled roster. “We had a pretty special year in 2021,” coach John Flickinger...

Forget its unimaginable record, Duquesne was playing for pride. And, despite having won just six games — all in the first half of the season — it showed. The Dukes played like they knew how to win. They almost did. But, while it came down to the wire Wednesday in...

There it was, seemingly jumping off the page. Nestled among the names of a majority of players hailing from Rutgers’ home state of New Jersey (25) and neighboring New York (eight), was the reference to former Seton Hill and Latrobe pitcher Jared Kollar on the Big Ten school’s baseball roster...

And now, Duquesne Nation turns its attention to the Atlantic 10 men’s basketball tournament. Will it be “one-and-done” for the hapless Dukes after they dropped their 16th consecutive game in their regular-season finale Saturday? Or can they extend their season, as freshman guard Primo Spears wondered after his career-high 34...

Defending champion Cleveland State followed the script against Robert Morris in the Horizon League Tournament men’s basketball quarterfinals Thursday, capping a night of victories for the higher-seeded teams. Torrey Patton scored 25 points to lead the top-seeded Vikings into the semifinals with an 83-67 victory over the Colonials at Wolstein...

Everybody wanted it, but nobody wanted it. Until George Washington decided it wasn’t going to be the one to end Duquesne’s monumental, 15-game losing streak. Joe Bamisile scored 30 points and George Washington survived Duquesne’s valiant bid for another elusive victory to come away with a 98-93 triple-overtime victory Wednesday...

In the fall, hockey players at Hempfield and Latrobe high schools can be found playing on the same club teams. Come time for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League season to begin, they’re obviously on opposite sides. “During the week, when they’re playing against each other at the high school level,...

A parade of basketball players in dress clothes emerged from the Shady Side Academy locker room and passed by coach David Vadnais, some tapping him on the shoulder, others offering a shout-out. Sophomore Peter Kramer took his turn and proceeded towards the exit. Just then, Vadnais looked back and called...

As Robert Morris approaches its second appearance in the Horizon League men’s basketball tournament, securing its first postseason victory in the league could depend on several points. When the 10th-seeded Colonials (7-23) meet No. 7 Youngstown State (18-13) in a first-round game Tuesday night at Beeghley Center in Youngstown, Ohio,...

Consider Josh Werner’s plight. Latrobe’s hockey coach drives 40-plus miles each way to pilot the Wildcats’ home games at Greensburg’s Nevin Arena. For seven seasons, Werner has endured long nights, but he’s not complaining. “I love coaching this team. That makes things easier,” said Werner, a former club team hockey...

For a while, Robert Morris had its mojo going. Then, Wright State responded. In a big way. Grant Basile scored 20 points to go with eight rebounds, and Wright State rallied from an eight-point, second-half deficit to defeat Robert Morris, 71-61, on Saturday night at Nutter Center in Fairborn, Ohio....

When things are going badly for a struggling basketball team, nothing should be a surprise. So, when Rhode Island’s Jeremy Sheppard took a lead pass from Malik Martin and dribbled to half court Saturday with the first-half clock winding down, Sheppard did what anyone else might do: He heaved the...

The Southmoreland girls basketball team continues to thrive on its home court. The Scotties set a school record Friday night for consecutive home victories by any boys or girls basketball program with a dominating 50-24 rout of cold-shooting Highlands to secure their third trip in as many years to the...

In the Northeast Conference, the Robert Morris brand emanated with other marquee programs in the loop. Now that the Colonials have jumped to the higher-profile Horizon League, coach Andy Toole has a message, yet again, to anyone who is up for listening. Can you hear him, players (wink-wink)? With Toole...