Breaking News

Athlete of the Week

Ostinowsky’s versatility a plus

Name: Madison Ostinowsky School: Bishop Carroll Catholic Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Ostinowsky had 20 points, 14 assists, five rebounds and six steals in a 71-48 win over Somerset and delivered 25 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in a 67-56 win over Richland. Season update: Ostinowsky is averaging 14 points, four rebounds, six assists and five steals per game. Coach Chris DeGol’s quote: “Madison is a captain who is very dedicated, hard-working and an unselfish player. As a four-year starter, her knowledge for our system ...

Kagarise gets better and better

Name: Zach Kagarise School: Williamsburg Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Kagarise had 24 points and six steals in an 83-49 win over Moshannon Valley, scored 22 points in a 76-71 win over Juniata Valley and scored a career-high 29 points in a 55-44 win over Bellwood-Antis. Season update: Kagarise is averaging 18.8 points, 2.8 steals and 4.3 rebounds per game. Coach Brock Anders’ quote: “Zach has been an outstanding, quiet leader on defense and offense at this point in the season. He continues to excel at playing against the best ...

Soph Wilt savvy like a veteran

Name: Lanie Wilt School: Altoona Age: 16 Grade: Sophomore Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Wilt scored a game-high 17 points to lead Altoona to a 51-41 victory over Cumberland Valley and followed that with 11 points in a 35-25 win over Carlisle. Season update: Wilt is averaging 9.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game for Altoona, which is now 5-5. Coach Chris Fleegle’s quote: “Lanie’s maturity and growth as a player has really showed this year. She’s always been a good defensive player, but her offensive efficiency in recent ...

Future looks bright for Sipes

Name: Luke Sipes School: Altoona Age: 17 Grade: Sophomore Sport: Wrestling Athlete of the week achievement: Voted the Leroy E. Myers Outstanding Wrestler at the Mountaineer Duals at Philipsburg-Osceola. He went 5-0, including wins over P-O’s District 6 Class 2A champion and Southwest Regional eighth-placer Marcus Gable and Glendale regional seventh-placer George Campbell. He also pinned his opponent in 1:12 in a dual meet earlier in the week against Huntingdon. Season update: Sipes is 21-3 for Altoona. Coach Joel Gilbert’s quote: “He looked really tough. If he can ...

Male Athlete of the Week: Patrick Haigh

Name: Patrick Haigh School: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Age: 18 Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Haigh scored 28 points in a 76-45 win over Bedford and followed that with 21 points in a 56-33 victory over Bishop Carroll to help coach Chris Drenning win his 200th career game. Season update: Haigh is averaging 22.5 points per game for the 4-1 Marauders. Coach Chris Drenning’s quote: “Patrick’s exemplary work ethic and dedication to the game sets such a high standard for all the players in our program. As a returning 3A all-state player, ...

Female Athlete of the Week: Jenna Burkett

Name: Jenna Burkett School: Portage Area Age: 16 Grade: Junior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Burkett scored a team-high 18 points for Portage in its 52-35 victory over Cambria Heights, and she added 13 points in a 62-21 win over Northern Cambria. Season update: Burkett is averaging a team-high 14.4 points per game for 8-0 Portage. Coach Lance Hudak’s quote: “Athletic, skilled, all heart; Jenna is a dynamic player who we are so happy to have back from injury. A multi-dimensional scorer and shut-down defender, she impacts the game on both ends of the ...