BB RECRUITING
Protection Powers Avonworth to Class 3A Ladies’ Title

After upsetting the No. 1 seed within the WPIAL 3A Ladies’ match, No. 4 Avonworth had the championship inside attain. All that stood in its manner was the highest staff from the opposite aspect of the bracket, the Laurel Spartans.
Fueled by its stout protection – the very best in 3A – Avonworth closed out a 48-40 victory to assert its first WPIAL title since 2005.
Junior Rebecca Goetz and sophomore Greta O’Brien went to work for the Antelopes to assist seal the win and expertise that championship feeling.
“It feels loopy,” O’Brien mentioned. “We’ve been working actually onerous, so it’s actually thrilling.”
“I’m nonetheless wrapping my head round it, it’s loopy,” Goetz added.
Avonworth’s (19-5) championship season began sluggish, however first-year head coach Nick Dizon guided the Antelopes to 12 straight victories to shut out the title run.
“When the job opened, I used to be actually excited to have the possibility to get it,” Dizon mentioned. “Once I obtained it, I noticed the grit and competitiveness and the need to need to win. Over the course of the yr, issues began to point out and it made me assume we actually have a shot at this.”
Dizon’s defensive philosophy was placed on show as Avonworth (19-5) annoyed a high-scoring Laurel (24-2) within the championship tilt.
“In case you play protection, you’ve got an opportunity to win each recreation,” Dizon mentioned. “Even should you don’t have a terrific capturing evening, we put together scouting experiences and the ladies know them just like the again of their hand. We all know protection typically comes all the way down to the little issues and our women take delight in that.”
The defensive preparation paid off because the Lopes made it troublesome for Laurel to get something going The Spartans struggled to penetrate within the first half together with Avonworth forcing a number of turnovers.
“They had been very aggressive,” mentioned Laurel head coach Jim Marcantino. “We did a very good job in spurts shifting it, however we had hassle in sure matchups.”
Because the protection swarmed Laurel, on the opposite finish, the offense put collectively two runs to propel the Lopes to a halftime lead. An 11-0 run spanned the again half of the primary quarter into the primary jiffy of the second quarter.
Laurel made some changes within the locker room and got here out within the second half wanting just like the offensive staff Laurel noticed within the semifinals.
Johnna Hill was instrumental within the Spartan comeback with 4 fast factors within the opening minutes of the second half. Then, Danielle Pontius buried an open three to tie the sport. Laurel would ultimately take its first lead for the reason that first three minutes of the sport. Nevertheless, Avonworth would shortly take the sport again into its palms and wouldn’t look again.
“We knew they had been a 3rd quarter staff,” Goetz mentioned about Laurel. “We anticipated that and had that in our head. We knew that we’re additionally a 3rd quarter staff and we get plenty of power within the third quarter, so we simply stored going.”
Heading down the stretch, Goetz and O’Brien turned it on for the Antelopes. After solely 4 factors late within the first half, O’Brien discovered her rhythm by including 4 factors late within the third quarter, together with a deceiving move pretend that led to an open look on a drive.
“I simply stored pushing,” O’Brien mentioned. “I used to be engaged on different issues that may assist contribute to the staff.”
O’Brien completed with 10 factors and added seven rebounds, together with two assists and a steal within the championship clinching effort. Goetz led the Lopes with 13 factors and 10 rebounds.
With the offense arising clutch, particularly down the stretch for Avonworth, all of it got here with no made three-pointer, one thing that’s not unfamiliar to the Lopes.
“Generally we shoot it nicely, and a few days we wrestle and it’s one thing we’re going to attempt to work on,” Dizon. “That goes again to the purpose about protection. If we defend, we all the time have an opportunity to win.”
With out the three ball, Avonworth discovered success scoring within the paint. The Lopes had been 34.8% from the ground.
Because the offense clicked when it mattered, the protection continued to work towards Laurel’s prime gamers. The Antelopes additionally held Regan Atkins to eight factors as she averaged 15.9 factors per recreation on the season.
“We knew we needed to keep watch over her and [Hill],” O’Brien mentioned. “We needed to know the place they had been on the court docket in any respect time.”
Hill led all scorers with 16 within the shedding effort.
Now, each Avonworth and Laurel will head to the PIAA State match. The Antelopes will face the No. 6 staff from District 6 whereas Laurel will tackle the No. 3 staff from District 10.
“We’re pleased proper now and they need to be pleased and happy with themselves,” Dizon mentioned. “On the proper time, we are going to get able to give attention to states.”
BB RECRUITING
Blake Hinson’s Choice Coming Quickly Concerning NBA Draft, Return to Pitt

Pitt’s Blake Hinson is at present going by way of the NBA Draft course of, testing the waters and seeing what it takes to make it to the subsequent stage.
On April 21, Hinson introduced that he could be coming into the NBA Draft early entry course of whereas retaining his school eligibility, releasing the next assertion.
“I really like the sport of basketball and am consistently on the lookout for alternatives to measure myself towards high competitors,” Hinson mentioned. “By coming into the NBA early entry draft course of whereas retaining my eligibility to return to Pitt for my senior season, I can additional take a look at myself and obtain further suggestions that may finally assist make me a greater participant. I’m enthusiastic about this chance and grateful for the assist of Coach Capel and the Pitt basketball household.”
Hinson has one week left to make his resolution, because the Could 31 deadline to take away his identify from NBA Draft consideration is approaching.
Earlier than enjoying for Pitt this previous yr, Hinson spent two years with Ole Miss and in addition frolicked with the Iowa State program. After spending two seasons away from recreation motion, he jumped into a large position for the Panthers of their greatest season beneath Jeff Capel.
Hinson lately confirmed off his expertise on the Influence Basketball Professional Day, catching the attention of scouts.
“6’7 Pitt and All ACC junior Blake Hinson confirmed that he’s a straight up gamer as soon as dwell actin began at @ImpactBBall professional day,” SLAM Journal’s Rodger Bohn tweeted. “The properly constructed ahead shot the ball properly from NBA 3pt vary and was excellent hitting cutters from perimeter. Nonetheless holds school eligibility.”
6’7 #Pitt and All #ACC junior Blake Hinson confirmed that he is a straight up gamer as soon as dwell motion began at @impactbball professional day. The properly constructed ahead shot the ball properly from NBA 3PT vary and was excellent hitting cutters from perimeter. Nonetheless holds school eligibility.#H2P pic.twitter.com/loDV7O9bbx
— Rodger Bohn (@rodgerbohn) Could 22, 2023
BB RECRUITING
Assistant Quarterback Coach Jonathan DiBiaso No Longer With Pitt

A little bit of an eye fixed elevating personnel transfer on the Pitt soccer employees passed off over the past couple of days.
It seems as if offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach Jonathan DiBiaso has been let go. No official announcement has been made by the Pitt program, however he’s now not listed on the group’s web site.
On Tuesday, DiBiaso’s twitter account was gone, a few hours later it reappeared and now it’s again down.
This information began to leak yesterday and over the past 24 hours, the one info that Pittsburgh Sports activities Now has solely been in a position to acquire from sources was that DiBiaso is now not with Pitt. PSN reached out to DiBiaso himself however no particulars for his dismissal/departure had been supplied.
Usually this wouldn’t be that massive of a deal however over the past yr since arriving with offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., DiBiaso has been wonderful recruiter for the Panthers and due to his ties to the world, has opened up recruiting within the Massachusetts/Connecticut space for Pitt. DiBiaso seemed to be a rising recruiting star on the Panthers employees.
PSN will proceed to work on this story, and we’ll solely report on confirmed info and gained’t report on rumors.
BB RECRUITING
2024 3-Star OL Mason Lindsay Constructing Good Relationship With Pitt

As Marcus Minor entered the NFL Draft final month, Mason Lindsay took discover. He didn’t maintain a suggestion from Pitt then, however he knew the place Minor had performed the previous couple of seasons.
It took a couple of month, however Lindsay — a 6-foot-7, 300-pound three-star offensive lineman from DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland — lastly picked up a suggestion from Andre Powell and Pitt this week.
“My relationship with Pitt has been fairly good,” Lindsay instructed PSN. “I speak to teach Andre Powell essentially the most.”
Blessed to obtain a suggestion from The College of Pittsburgh #AGTG @tanksdaman2 @RivalsFriedman @CoachMcGregor @DMCoachbrown6 pic.twitter.com/5VtkMiYFEg
— Mason lindsay (@MasonLindsay19) Might 22, 2023
Lindsay has picked up presents from Boston School, Charlotte, Maine, Maryland, Pitt, USF, Virginia Tech and West Virginia all through his recruiting course of, and as his course of heats up, he might want to decide the place he matches greatest.
He hasn’t been to Pittsburgh but, however he’s fairly aware of Pitt. He watched Minor signal a minicamp take care of the Baltimore Ravens final month, however he’s additionally been capable of watch Pitt play through the years. He’s felt a very good vibe from Pitt, seeing his aggressive but conservative model of play mesh properly with what he’s seen.
And as a junior at DeMatha final season, serving as a flexible piece throughout the offensive line, lining up inside and outdoors, Lindsay used his pace and energy to overwhelm opponents. It’s his skill to maul opponents that has attracted main school curiosity.
“I like to attend to see what my opponent goes to throw at me earlier than making a transfer, however after I make it, it’s going to be laborious and robust,” Lindsay stated.
The key recruiting providers haven’t rated Lindsay but, however he does maintain a 5.5 Rivals Ranking. And if he’s capable of put collectively a robust summer time, he ought to solely rise on all three recruiting providers going ahead.
Lindsay hasn’t been very vocal about the place he’s visited to this point this spring, however he stated that he plans to take a go to to Pittsburgh very quickly.
Pitt has landed commitments from three-star offensive linemen Adham Abouraya and Jiavani Cooley, each from Pennsylvania, this cycle, and there will definitely be one other lineman or two added to the category.
-
BasketBall5 months ago
Class of 2024 G Brandin Cummings Commits to Pitt
-
BasketBall5 months ago
DraftKings Ohio Promo Code: Win $200 Immediate Bonus for NBA, faculty basketball
-
FB RECRUITING5 months ago
WATCH: Pitt’s Blake Hinson, Jamarius Burton Preview Clemson Recreation
-
Football5 months ago
Jill Kelly, Buffalo Payments Followers Maintain Vigil for Hamlin Household Outdoors Highmark Household
-
PODCAST5 months ago
Sports activities Agent Leigh Steinberg on How He Explains NFL Threat to Purchasers
-
BasketBall5 months ago
Gallery: Pitt Upsets No. 11 Virginia
-
BasketBall5 months ago
Brandin Cummings on Dedication to Pitt: ‘It is Clear that Pitt Basketball is Again’
-
BB RECRUITING5 months ago
The Frank Walker Legislation/PSN Each day Pocket book- January 5