Aliquippa's Joshua Pratt loses control of the ball as he collides with Holy Cross' Mike Hughes in the PIAA Class 2A championship on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. Aliquippa won 74-52. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
The spectacular moments of a state basketball championship fly past so quickly that it’s easy to miss the ups and downs. Someone who does not miss those moments: PUP photographer Emily Matthews, now beginning her 18th month on strike. She traveled to Hershey last week (she was joined by writer Brad Everett of the legendary PUP sports team) to photograph Pittsburgh area teams competing in the PIAA finals.
We couldn’t fit all of her images into our stories, so we put together a collection of images that add to the PUP coverage capturing the remarkable efforts and emotions on display at the Giant Center last week.
Blackhawk celebrates its 56-44 win against Scranton Prep in the PIAA Class 4A championship on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)From left, Blackhawk’s Piper Romigh, Aubree Hupp and Haley Romigh embrace after their 56-44 win against Scranton Prep in the PIAA Class 4A championship on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Imani Christian’s Chevon Allen and Dayshawn Burnett embrace after their 79-52 win against Berlin Brothersvalley in the PIAA 1A championship on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Imani Christian’s Avery Wesley goes for a basket against Berlin Brothersvalley in the PIAA Class 1A championship on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. Imani Christian won, 79-52. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Franklin Regional players cheer on their team against Imhotep Charter in the PIAA Class 5A championship on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. Franklin Regional lost, 59-48. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Franklin Regional’s Cooper Rankin tries to get the ball past Imhotep Charter in the PIAA Class 5A championship on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. Franklin Regional lost, 59-48. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Lincoln Park’s Brandin Cummings grabs the ball against Archbishop Carroll in the PIAA Class 4A championship on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. Lincoln Park won 80-50. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Lincoln Park players and cheerleaders celebrate their 80-50 win against Archbishop Carroll in the PIAA Class 4A championship on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Aliquippa’s Quentin Goode dunks the ball as he and his team celebrate their 74-52 win against Holy Cross in the PIAA Class 2A championship on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Giant Center in Hershey. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
