FOOTBALL
Mark Zilinskas is the new head football coach at Indiana High, returning to a position he left in 2015. The former IUP defensive lineman was 68-71 and led Indiana to five appearances in the WPIAL playoffs in his first go-round as head coach, which began in 2002.
Zilinskas retired as a teacher at Indiana in 2020 and he and his family moved to Arizona, but they returned last year. Indiana was 1-9 last season.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Indiana girls couldn’t hold on to an early lead against undefeated Penn Trafford. Jake Slebodnick has the story. (50-37 Indiana loss.)
In Heritage Conference girls play, Marion Center took control early in their game against Conemaugh Township. Todd Marino has the recap. (56-21 MC win.)
Unbeaten River Valley gave up just four points in the first quarter and only two in each of the final three quarters as they pummeled Northern Cambria, 70-10. Ava Persichetti scored 24 points for the Panthers and Alessia LaMantia and Maddie Twincheck each had 10.
Alyssa Altemus scored 27 points with 10 rebounds and 5 steals as Penns Manor throttled Conemaugh Valley, 78-21. Allie Mumau also had a double-double, with 12 points and 12 boards. Josslyn Bennett scored 10 for the Comets. Penelope Reininger scored 12 for the Blue Jays.
Portage outlasted Homer-Center 32-28.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Conemaugh Township downed River Valley, 59-51. Max Persichetti and Bryson McDowell each scored 13 for the Panthers.
JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS BASKETBALL
8th Grade: River Valley beat Northern Cambria, 32-23. Giada Colinet scored 12 points, Madisyn DiRienzo added 9.
7th Grade: Northern Cambria won, 16-3.
SWIMMING
In the pool at IUP yesterday, the Homer-Center boys improved to 5-1 with an 89-43 win over Cambria Heights. The girls fell to the Highlanders, 91-69. Multiple event winners for the Wildcats’ boys were Landon Shoup, Dan Jones, Trevor Cameron, and Brady Frazer. The Homer-Center also won all three relay races. For the girls, Morgan Nagy and Ava King each had two wins and Vanessa Uher won one. The girls also won two relay races.
THE STORY BELOW WAS PROVIDED BY HOMER-CENTER SWIM:
The waters were alive with competition on Monday as the Homer-Center Wildcat swimmers hosted the Cambria Heights Highlanders in a thrilling dual meet. While the women’s team faced a challenging loss, falling 91–69, the men’s team surged to victory, improving their season record to 5–1 with an impressive 89–43 win.
The women’s team showed remarkable skill and determination, with seven first-place finishes lighting up the scoreboard. Morgan Nagy triumphed in both the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke, while Ava King claimed the top spot in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Vanessa Uher’s electrifying finish in the 50 freestyle sealed another victory for the Wildcats. The relay squads were equally stellar, with King, Nagy, Uher, and Danielle Uher dominating both the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.
On the men’s side, the Wildcats delivered a flawless performance, sweeping all eleven events in an impressive show of dominance. Landon Shoup’s victories in the 200 IM and 500 freestyle highlighted his exceptional versatility. Dan Jones powered through to win both the 50 and 100 freestyle. Trevor Cameron captured first place in both the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, while Brady Frazer claimed victories in the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. The boys’ relay teams were unstoppable, with Shoup, Jones, Cameron, and Frazer leading the charge to win all three relays. The 200 medley relay team set the tone, followed by an outstanding 200 freestyle relay performance by Cameron, Carter Henry, Oshen Maratita, and Jones. The final victory of the day came in the 400 freestyle relay, where Frazer, Maratita, Isaac Ditter, and Jones brought the meet to a resounding close.
Yet, the true measure of the Wildcat swim team’s success lies not only in their victories but in the unwavering dedication of each swimmer. Their commitment to growth and improvement continues to shine through. Danielle Uher, for instance, demonstrated remarkable progress, shaving nearly eight seconds off her 200 freestyle and over ten seconds in the 500 freestyle. London Walters dropped more than six seconds in her 100 freestyle and completed her first 100 breaststroke. Carter Henry, continuing his upward trajectory, trimmed nearly two seconds from his 200 freestyle and over four seconds in the 100 freestyle. Isaac Ditter also posted a strong improvement, cutting a second from his 100 backstroke. Newcomer Isabella Ruffner completed her first 100 freestyle, marking a promising start to her swimming journey.
As the Homer-Center Swim Team continues its season, the Wildcat spirit burns bright. Their next meet will be hosted at home on Wednesday, January 15th, as they face Somerset High School. With such unwavering passion and improvement, the future of Homer-Center swimming looks as strong as ever.
ON-AIR
Conemaugh Valley visits the Homer-Center boys tonight on WCCS. River Valley’s boys play a tough Portage team in another Heritage Conference game, on Cat Country 106.3 FM. and Renda Digital TV. Airtimes for both games are at around 7:15 PM.
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