Sports, Sports Columns
September 24, 2024

VALLEY SPORTS HISTORY (SEPT. 21)

2014

• Sunday – no paper

2004

• Horrendous rains hit the area in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. The Belle Vernon Area-Laurel Highlands game was one of only three games of the 56 contests scheduled to be played in the torrential rain. With only 50 die-hard fans in the stands the players struggled on the sloppy fields to score. The final score in the muddy contest was just 6-0 in favor of the Leopards.

• Most high school basketball standouts like to play the waiting game when choosing a college. Not so with Geibel High’s Rob Ramsey. Ramsey, a 6-1 senior and a 1,000-point scorer will sign with Cal U in November. Ramsey, who started his career at Belle Vernon Area before transferring to Geibel, said, “I don’t want to play anywhere else but California. I’ve always had a good relationship with Coach Bill Brown. I attended two of his basketball camps and I always followed California as a kid.” Ramsey scored 993 points in two seasons at Geibel after scoring 213 points in ninth grade with the Leps.

1994

• The Charleroi boys soccer team finally put one in the win column, but it wasn’t easy. The Cougars upended Bentworth, 8-6, in a Section 12 contest. Charleroi jumped out to a 6-1 lead at half-time. Facing the danger of a rout, Bentworth mounted a strong comeback including three goals in the fourth period. Charleroi coach Tom Villella said, “We made some mental mistakes in the second half which should not of happened.

Josh Gray had a big game for Charleroi, scoring a four goals and two assists. Eric Large and Deiter Laskey each had two goals for Charleroi.

• Ringgold High senior Ryan Casciani qualified for the WPIAL regionals to be held at Cedarbrook Golf Course after sharing medalist honors at Norvelt. Casciani had rounds of 37 and 39 to finish tied for first with Greensburg Salem’s Kevin Fajt (40-36). Other area golfers to advance to the regionals were Yough’s

Ryan Sikora (41-41) and Bentworth’s Nick Armenini (44-60).

HUNTING FOR EASTER EGGS IN NORTH BELLE VERNON
Main
April 6, 2026
Above, Celeste Silva, 6, filled her basket Saturday at North Belle Vernon’s annual Easter egg hunt. With her are David and Laura Silva of North Belle Vernon. At right, David Grillo, 2, of Belle Vernon...
Anti-retaliation law provides extra protection for tenants
Main
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
April 6, 2026
It’s similar to laws that already exist in other parts of the state. County Executive Sara Innamorato recently signed a new anti-retaliation bill that would give tenants in Allegheny County additional...
EF elementary schools stress community involvement
Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
April 6, 2026
The principal of the two schools gave a presentation on how students have interacted with the surrounding area. Greenock and Mount Vernon elementary school students have been getting involved in the c...
Main
April 6, 2026
Don’t miss the latest from Elizabeth Township in Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent.
Trump administration agencies post Easter messages
News
By By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer 
April 6, 2026
Numerous previous presidents have issued statements in recognition of Easter Sunday. This year, the Trump administration went a step farther, with several key Cabinet departments heralding Christ’s re...