Mia Williams spent every Friday this fall covering high school football games for the Pennsylvania Football News. The Penn-Trafford senior girls tennis standout logged many miles documenting the accomplishments of others.

Williams had everyone stop and take note by making news of her own Saturday at the Hershey Racquet Club. Williams knocked off West Chester Henderson freshman Erika Dunwoody in straight sets 6-3, 6-0 to claim the PIAA Class 3A title.

She became the first WPIAL Class AAA singles player to win the state title since North Allegheny’s Ashley Huang won in 2017. Williams, who was the WPIAL runner-up, had never made it past the state quarterfinals in her past three appearances.

“I think a lot of people didn’t have me as their favorite to win this weekend, but I definitely believed I could and so did my corner of coaches and friends, so that was enough for me,” Williams said. 

Williams burst onto the state tennis scene as a freshman when she won the WPIAL. In the three years that followed, Williams was tripped at the same hurdle.

Williams made it back to the WPIAL final each season, but lost to Shady Side Academy’s Meriwether McCargo. Dunwoody eliminated McCargo in the second round, winning 6-4, 6-3.

In this season’s WPIAL final, McCargo beat Williams 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

“The WPIAL loss was definitely not fun this year so to come out here and win like this was fantastic and a surreal experience,” Williams said. “I just had this mindset of going out there and leaving everything on the table and just enjoying it. It worked out.”

Taking out the champs
On Williams’ way to the final, she beat three district champions. Williams upended District 11 champion Parkland's Alexandria Warsing in the first round, and District 10 champion Fairview's Grace Liu in the quarterfinals.

To reach the state final, Williams beat the defending state champion, District 6 winner Central Mountain’s Addison Lindsay.

Williams won all of those matches in straight sets. She had to win a tiebreak in the semifinal before prevailing 7-6 (4), 6-4.

“They were all tough matches,” Williams said. “When you get to the state level, everyone is good. Everyone can compete, so you can’t ever really take a match off. All four girls I played this weekend were fantastic players and they all forced me to play my best tennis.”

Grabbing the crown
Williams said she felt the most nerves before the final match. She was taking on another player who found success as a youngster.
Dunwoody, who was the second seed out of District 1, wasn’t able to grab a set.

“I think the pressure was definitely the highest at the finals because of the situation, but they were all tough matches,” Williams said. 

Williams, who celebrated post match by getting a giant chocolate bar from Hershey’s Chocolate World, will play tennis at Division III Skidmore (N.Y.) College next year. Having a state title win going into next season is a major boost.

“It makes me excited for college tennis,” Williams said. “I mean I love to play tennis, win, lose, practice or a match, but it makes me excited to be in college where the level will be like this weekend at every match.”

​Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @JoshRizzo.

The WPIAL has decided to move the Class 4A and 6A championship games to Norway this year. Given the available options, this is likely one of the best places the district could have put the games.

The WPIAL's hands are tied with which classifications don't get the opportunity to play at Acrisure Stadium. The PIAA bracket has the 4A and 6A champions entering the state playoffs a week before the other classifications. There may come a time, due to declining attendance, that the WPIAL is forced to look to alternatives for hosting the championship game.

The 4A and 6A games were played at Norwin last season. However, Norwin will be renovating its stadium and won't be available to host the game this year.

 The North Allegheny boys volleyball team spent two years out off the top stage of PIAA volleyball. But the Tigers showed that their program is once again one everyone in the state needs to be worried about. In a battle between two teams that were ranked in the top five of Class 3A all season, North Allegheny knocked out District 3 runner-up Central York in five sets Tuesday night.

The Tigers won 26-24,16-25, 25-21, 21-25 and 15-12. Brendan Moore led North Allegheny with 17 kills, while Will Robertson had 15.

The Tigers, who won the WPIAL this season, last played in the state championship match in 2022. North Allegheny won its fourth state title in five years back in 2022 when it took out Central Dauphin in four sets.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges.

MANOR TWP - Part of the fun of the state tournament is battling it out with teams all over the team. But in the case of the Aliquippa boys basketball team and the South Fayette girls basketball team, the path to Hershey will go through a familiar foes. The Quips rolled past District 6 champion Forest Hills last Saturday to punch their ticket to a rematch with South Allegheny this Saturday at Canon-McMillan.

The Gladiators overcame a four-point deficit in the final 50 seconds to sting Aliquippa the first time around. The Quips are the defending Class 2A state champions and will be eager to find a way back to the title game.

The Lions also beat District 6 champion Hollidaysburg. South Fayette will seek a spot in the state title game and have to go through Peters Township, the team that beat them in the WPIAL Class 5A final to get there. 

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Any story ideas can be sent to [email protected] or on X @J_oshrizzo.

Ellen Guillard always has the desire to push the Allderdice girls basketball program forward. The Dragons took the next step in their development process when they beat Erie High School 64-48 to win the District 8/10 PIAA subregional championship. This is the first time Allderdice (20-5) has won the subregional to advance to the PIAA Tournament.

The Dragons, who have won 16 straight games and were the City League champions, will open up the state tournament against the WPIAL's third-place finisher, Canon-McMillan, on Friday.

"It meant a lot to the program," Guillard said. "It was great to witness the girls play with confidence and their handywork that they put forth all season paid off."

Bailey White led Allderdice with 23 points, while Peyton Lynch added 16. Seena Teshome also scored 10 points for Allderdice. The Dragons lost by 17 points in the subregional game last year. To try and halt Allderdice's struggles on the road, Guillard scheduled a game with Erie McDowell in early January.

The Dragons won that game in overtime. Allderdice didn't need overtime this time around. The Dragons built a 16-8 lead by the end of the first quarter against the Royals.

"We played really good defense and really played as a team on the road to secure a win," Guillard said. "Thankfully, we had the experience of playing Erie McDowell earlier this season. It prepped us for the long ride, the atmosphere and the refs."

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshrizzo.

Burrell and Kiski has long been the best among the WPIAL's rivalry matches in Westmoreland County. The Buccaneers didn't fold in the face of pressure Saturday at Kiski. Facing a 33-point deficit, Burrell picked up six wins and forfeit to rally past Kiski 35-33.

​The Buccaneers have now beat the Cavaliers in three straight seasons. Before this current streak, Kiski had won 10 in a row.

The Shaler boys basketball team beat Plum 62-51 Friday night. Read about it in the Valley News Dispatch and Tribune Review.

The PIAA continues to host more of its state championships away from its previous hub of Hershey. The organization announced this week that the team wrestling championship competition will take place at the Altoona Area High School Field House.

The competition was previously held at the GIANT Center. The preliminary and first rounds of the tournament will be held at regional sites. The first round of both the Class AA and AAA competitions will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4 at local sites.

The double-elimination tournament in Altoona will feature eight regional winners. The quarterfinals will be held Friday, Feb. 7. The semifinals and championship rounds will be held the next day. 

This decision is a win for Western Pennsylvania in terms of less travel. However, not having the event at the Giant Center will be a significant reduction in atmosphere for the students who participate.

The GIANT Center provided a more big-league feel and has a lot of history with the event. 

Josh Rizzo is the owner and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshrizzo.

By Josh Rizzo
PITTSBURGH -- Rod Rutherford hasn't attended many Perry football games since he graduated in 1998. Being back on the South Side for a game night brought out a different feeling.

The former Commodores and University of Pittsburgh standout felt like a backseat driver during his coaching debut Thursday night at Cupples Stadium, a 49-0 Perry win over Carrick.

"It's hard, being that I played on this field," said Rutherford, who led Perry to the 1997 PIAA Class 3A championship game. "Not being in control of my destiny in a way I guess. All I can o is call a play. I'm not out here creating and doing the things I would love to do. It was interesting."

Rutherford, a former quarterback, bounced between the NFL and various indoor leagues from 2004-2012. He also had stints as a coach at Pitt, St. Vincent College and Indiana (Pa.). What he's trying to bring to Perry, which hasn't won a City League championship since 2012, is variety.

"I think it's a fun offense," Rutherford said. "I think it gives a bunch of guys opportunities to make plays. I want to put them in a position to be successful."

Perry quarterback David Freeman helped keep the ball moving. Freeman tossed two touchdown passes to Randy Williams and returned an interception 37 yards for a score. The Commodores, which led 12-0 at the half, broke open the game with 30 third-quarter points.

Maleik mania

Bishop Canevin transfer Maleik Hemingway left an immediate impression on his Perry teammates. Fielding a punt off several bounces, Hemingway weaved through Raiders defenders for a 78-yard touchdown with 9 minutes, 29 seconds left in the first quarter.

"I was thinking I had to take it to the house," Hemingway said. 

Hemingway spent a lot of time there. He also scored on a nine-yard run in the third quarter and had two other touchdown runs called back by penalties.

Last season, Hemingway piled up over 1,500 yards rushing for Bishop Canevin. Hardship forced Hemingway back to his hometown school.

"The tuition at Bishop Canevin was putting me in a deep hole," Hemingway said. "I had to go to my home town school."

Fitting in hasn't been an issue. He played at wide receiver in the backfield. On defense, he was tasked with playing cornerback.

"The sky's the limit for him," Rutherford said. "We have to continue to keep working him hard."

Carrick fights through low numbers

Carrick, which dressed 19 players, had its best scoring drive halted at the Perry 7. At the beginning of the second quarter, a pass by Raiders quarterback L.J. Orbovich was tipped and intercepted by Perry defensive back Jakar Tucker in the endzone.

The Commodores intercepted four passes and wore down the smaller Raiders' team. Carrick (0-2, 0-1) has lost 14 straight and hasn't scored in double figures since a 34-26 win over Imani Christian Sept. 25, 2015.

"The kids come out and fight hard," Carrick coach Ed White said. "We condition hard and the kids work hard during the week. Once we get down, we go to the old mentality of the old Carrick. They look down and they try to question themselves some times. We're trying to change the culture. That's the biggest thing we can do. Even without as many kids as we should have. We want to change the culture."