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Athlete of the Week

Sipes’ eyes on the top prize

Name: Luke Sipes School: Altoona Area Age: 18 Grade: Junior Sport: Wrestling Athlete of the week achievement: Sipes won the 152-pound weight class to earn his third straight District 6 Class 3A championship and was also named the tourney’s Outstanding Wrestler. Season update: Sipes carries a 30-5 record into the PIAA Class 3A Northwest Regional this weekend at the Altoona Fieldhouse. Coach Joel Gilbert’s quote: “On the mat, Luke is tough and gritty against top-notch competition and finds ways to win matches. Off the mat, he is a nice, kind and respectful young man. He ...

Laughard has big senior night

Name: Tatum Laughard School: Bishop Carroll Catholic Age: 18 Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Laughard scored a game-high 33 points in Bishop Carroll’s 74-73 overtime win over Johnstown. She also contributed five points in a 44-38 win over Huntingdon. Season update: Laughard is averaging 12 points and 2.5 steals per game for the Lady Huskies, who are now 11-11. Coach Erika Strittmatter’s quote: “Tatum is one of the most resilient and hardworking players I have had the privilege of coaching. She is a quiet leader who has brought unity ...

Piper has ‘talent, dedication’

Name: Claire Piper School: Altoona Age: 18 Grade: Senior Sport: Gymnastics Athlete of the week achievement: Piper helped Altoona win the Central PA Gymnastics League and finished second in the all-around. Piper won the vault and the floor. Earlier in the week, Piper helped Altoona defeat Bellefonte, and she won the all-around, vault and floor. Season update: Altoona went 10-0 in the regular season, and Piper was the top point-scorer for the Lady Lions throughout the year. Altoona will travel next Saturday to compete in the Pennsylvania Classic State Gymnastics Meet in ...

Young star on horizon for C-K

Name: Brayden Haney School: Claysburg-Kimmel Age: 16 Grade: Sophomore Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Haney was the leading scorer in all three of Claysburg-Kimmel’s wins in the past week over Moshannon Valley (23 points), Rockwood (18 points) and Northern Bedford (25 points). The three wins clinched Claysburg-Kimmel’s first winning season in four decades. Season update: Haney came into Friday night’s game averaging 16.5 points per game to lead the Bulldogs, who were 13-8 and in line to host a District 6 Class 2A quarterfinal playoff game going into ...

Kirsch big part of CH success

Name: Sienna Kirsch School: Cambria Heights Age: 17 Grade: Junior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Kirsch scored 17 points in a 60-54 overtime win over Homer-Center, 10 points in a setback to United, 29 points in a 60-30 win over Conemaugh Valley and 20 points in a 42-33 win over Conemaugh Township. Season update: Kirsch is averaging 21.3 points per game, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 4.6 steals while shooting 50% from the field. Heights is 10-9. Coach Isaac Vescovi’s quote: “Sienna is a true two-way player. She consistently powers our offense while ...

Eagles’ Crilly delivers big shots

Name: Sam Crilly School: Tyrone Area Age: 17 Grade: Junior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Crilly scored 20 points in a 67-60 win over Penns Valley, had 21 points in a 65-64 upset of Johnstown and 19 points in a 69-52 win over Bishop McCort. Season update: Crilly averages 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and shoots 88% from the free throw line. Tyrone is 13-6. Coach Luke Rhoades’ quote: “Sam works hard and competes every time he steps on the floor. Over the past two weeks, he has really stepped up and has hit a big shot when we ...