The Neighborhood Academy's Shamar Simpson (1) and Courtney Wallace embrace after their 60-51 win against Sankofa Freedom in the PIAA Class 1A championship on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Giant Center in Hershey. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
I spent three days with reporter Brad Everett in Hershey documenting six games in the 2024-25 PIAA state basketball championships that each featured WPIAL teams — three boys teams and three girls teams. From the intense effort on the court to the raw emotions after the game, there were a lot of great moments to photograph. Here’s some of what I saw.
The Neighborhood Academy’s Shamar Simpson (1) celebrates with his team after their 60-51 win against Sankofa Freedom in the PIAA Class 1A championship.(Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Courtney Wallace looks to get the ball past Sankofa Freedom’s defense. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Shamar Simpson (1) reacts after a call is made in his team’s favor against Sankofa Freedom. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Kedron Gilmore (11) reacts after his team scores against Sankofa Freedom. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Shamar Simpson goes for a basket. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Kedron Gilmore works to get the ball past Sankofa Freedom’s Nasir Brown. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Derrick Hardenman jumps up to try to block Sankofa Freedom’s Asim Hardy. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Courtney Wallace goes after a rebound against Sankofa Freedom. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Courtney Wallace goes after a rebound. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy coach Jordan Marks watches his team play against Sankofa Freedom. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Derrick Hardenman goes for a basket against Sankofa Freedom. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Courtney Wallace looks to pass the ball against Sankofa Freedom. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy’s Syncer Nicholson drives toward the basket against Sankofa Freedom’s Asim Hardy. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy players celebrate their 60-51 win against Sankofa Freedom in the PIAA Class 1A championship on Thursday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)The Neighborhood Academy players celebrate their 60-51 win against Sankofa Freedom. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Makiyah Mitchell, left, and Cameron Capel and Loyalsock Township’s Lacey Kriebel go after a rebound in the PIAA Class 3A championship on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Giant Center in Hershey. Shady Side Academy lost 55-43. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Makiyah Mitchell shoots against Loyalsock Township in the PIAA Class 3A.(Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy players cheer on their teammates against Loyalsock Township.(Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Leah Buford tries to get the ball around Loyalsock Township’s defense.(Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Leah Buford goes for a basket against Loyalsock Township.(Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy coach Jonna Burke shouts to her players as they go against Loyalsock Township.(Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Karis Thomas drives toward the basket. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Karis Thomas goes for a basket against Loyalsock Township.(Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy players react in the final minutes of their team’s loss. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy coach Jonna Burke talks to her team during a timeout against Loyalsock Township.(Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Cameron Capel (5) reacts during the final seconds of the PIAA Class 3A championship against Loyalsock Township. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Makiyah Mitchell reacts after her team’s 55-43 loss against Loyalsock Township in the PIAA Class 3A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Karis Thomas and Makiyah Mitchell embrace after their team’s 55-43 loss to Loyalsock Township in the PIAA Class 3A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)From left, Shady Side Academy’s Makiyah Mitchell, Cameron Capel, and Leah Buford react after their team’s 55-43 loss against Loyalsock Township. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro talks with, from left, Shady Side Academy’s Makiyah Mitchell, Karis Thomas and Cameron Capel after their team’s 55-43 loss against Loyalsock Township. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Shady Side Academy’s Cameron Capel talks with the Bulldog mascot after the team’s 55-43 loss against Loyalsock Township. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Lucas Grimsley drives toward the basket against Linville Hill in the PIAA Class 2A championship on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Giant Center in Hershey. Sewickley Academy lost 55-54. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Lucas Grimsley goes up for a basket against Linville Hill (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)From left, Linville Hill’s Jerome Stoltzfus, Sewickley Academy’s Mamadou Kane, Linville Hill’s Giovanni Sejuste and Sewickley Academy’s Nolan Donnelly go after a rebound. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Adam Ikamba dunks against Linville Hill in the PIAA Class 2A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Lucas Grimsley reacts to a call made against his team in the PIAA Class 2A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Nolan Donnelly defends against Linville Hill’s Giovanni Sejuste. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy coach Mike Iuzzolino shouts to his team as it plays against Linville Hill. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s student section cheers on its team against Linville Hill. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Mamadou Kane reacts as his team gains possession of the ball against Linville Hill. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Mamadou Kane runs after the ball. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress.Sewickley Academy’s Adam Ikamba reacts after a call is made against his team. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Nolan Donnely goes for a basket against Linville Hill. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Adam Ikamba goes after a rebound against Linville Hill’s Jerome Stoltzfus. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Drew Steals goes for a basket against Linville Hill in the PIAA Class 2A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Mamadou Kane goes for a basket against Linville Hill. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Adam Ikamba reacts at the end of the PIAA Class 2A championship against Linville Hill on Friday. Sewickley Academy lost 55-54. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy coach Mike Iuzzolino consoles Mamadou Kane after the team’s 55-54 loss to Linville Hill in the PIAA Class 2A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Mamadou Kane reacts after the team’s 55-54 loss to Linville Hill in the PIAA Class 2A championship on Friday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Sewickley Academy’s Nolan Donnelly holds his team’s second place trophy after the team’s 55-54 loss to Linville Hill in the PIAA Class 2A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair’s Claire Rosenberry looks to pass the ball against Perkiomen Valley in the PIAA Class 6A championship on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Giant Center in Hershey. Upper St. Clair lost 58-27. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair’s Meredith Huzjak goes for a basket against Perkiomen Valley. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair’s Rylee Kalocay drives toward the basket in the PIAA Class 6A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair’s Rylee Kalocay drives toward the basket against Perkiomen Valley. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair’s Rylee Kalocay looks to the basket with pressure from Perkiomen Valley’s Lena Stein. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair’s Rylee Kalocay tries to keep the ball from Perkiomen Valley’s Grace Galbavy. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair’s Olivia Terlecki drives toward the basket against Perkiomen Valley’s Hannah Evans. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair’s Rylee Kalocay (3) and Ryan Prunzik react near the end of their team’s 58-27 loss to Perkiomen Valley in the PIAA Class 6A championship on Friday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair players console each other after their 58-27 loss to Perkiomen Valley in the PIAA Class 6A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair coach Pete Serio and athletic director Danny Holzer embrace after the team’s 58-27 loss to Perkiomen Valley in the PIAA Class 6A championship on Friday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Upper St. Clair players console each other after a 58-27 loss to Perkiomen Valley in the PIAA Class 6A championship on Friday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Hunter Molanick, left, and Drew Cook pose during starting lineup introductions before the PIAA Class 3A championship game against West Catholic on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Giant Center in Hershey. South Allegheny lost 60-51. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Cameron Epps drives toward the basket against West Catholic in the PIAA Class 3A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Drew Cook tries to get around West Catholic’s Jayvon Byrd in the PIAA Class 3A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny players celebrate as a timeout is called after scoring against West Catholic. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny fans cheer on their team against West Catholic in the PIAA Class 3A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Jake Uher tries to get the ball past West Catholic’s Jayvon Byrd, left, and Eric Scott in the PIAA Class 3A championship. South Allegheny lost 60-51. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny coach Tony DiCenzo exchanges words with Camden Lewis (12) after a foul is called against Lewis during the PIAA Class 3A championship against West Catholic. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Cameron Epps looks to pass the ball under pressure from West Catholic’s Saaid Lee in the PIAA Class 3A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Camden Lewis goes for a basket against West Catholic. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Cameron Epps goes up for a shot against West Catholic. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Drew Cook goes for a basket against West Catholic in the PIAA Class 3A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Camden Lewis catches a rebound against West Catholic’s Jayvon Byrd (13) and Kingston Wheatley (22). (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Camden Lewis catches a rebound against West Catholic’s Jayvon Byrd (13) and Kingston Wheatley (22). (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Drew Cook looks to get rid of the ball against West Catholic. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny coach Tony DiCenzo shouts to his players. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Cameron Epps reacts to a call made against his team. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Josh Jackowski shoots the ball against West Catholic in the PIAA Class 3A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny’s Drew Cook reacts after receiving his silver medal following the team’s 60-51 loss to West Catholic in the PIAA Class 3A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Allegheny players react after their 60-51 loss to West Catholic in the PIAA Class 3A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Lailah Wright works to get the ball past Archbishop Wood’s defense in the PIAA Class 5A championship on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Giant Center in Hershey. South Fayette won 45-37. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Ryan Oldaker and Archbishop Wood’s Emily Knouse go after the ball in the PIAA Class 5A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Ryan Oldaker goes for a basket against Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Haylie Lamonde drives toward the basket against Archbishop Wood. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Lailah Wright looks to get the ball past Archbishop Wood’s defense. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Lailah Wright goes for a basket. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)Archbishop Wood’s Sophia Topakas and South Fayette’s Cierra Rexrode go after a rebound in the PIAA Class 5A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Haylie Lamonde looks to pass the ball. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Ella Vierra holds on to the ball against Archbishop Wood’s Makayla Finnegan, left, and Emily Knouse. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Cierra Rexrode looks to the basket. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Juliette Leroux drives toward the basket against Archbishop Wood’s Emma Yogis. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s bench cheers on its team against Archbishop Wood. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Juliette Leroux looks to the basket against Archbishop Wood’s Sophia Topakas, left, and Emily Knouse. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Ella Vierra pushes through Archbishop Wood’s defense in the PIAA Class 5A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Ryan Oldaker drives toward the basket against Archbishop Wood. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Luci LaMendola drives toward the basket against Archbishop Wood’s Sophia Topakas in the PIAA Class 5A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Ryan Oldaker goes for a basket against Archbishop Wood. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Haylie Lamonde tries to get the ball past Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Haylie Lamonde drives toward the basket. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)From left, South Fayette’s Cierra Rexrode, Ryan Oldaker, Lailah Wright and Juliette Leroux react after a call is made in their favor against Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Haylie Lamonde (3) and Juliette Leroux celebrate after their team’s 45-37 win against Archbishop Wood. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Juliette Leroux (14) and Haylie Lamonde (3) celebrate after a 45-37 win against Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Lailah Wright looks at her gold medal after her team’s 45-37 win against Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Cierra Rexrode holds up her gold medal. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)From left, South Fayette’s Juliette Leroux, Alexa Ankrum, Cierra Rexrode and Olivia Devlin celebrate after receiving their gold medals after their team’s 45-37 win against Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Cierra Rexrode (4) wipes away tears from teammate Alexa Ankrum’s face after a 45-37 win against Archbishop Wood. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette’s Alexa Ankrum, left, and Lailah Wright embrace after their team’s 45-37 win against Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A championship. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette players celebrate their 45-37 win against Archbishop Wood. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette players celebrate after winning the PIAA Class 5A championship on Saturday. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)South Fayette players celebrate after their 45-37 win against Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A girls basketball championship Saturday in Hershey. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
