The Advance Leader

Festival of Celebration Have some fun in the sun with the Twin Boros Health Ministries and Verona United Methodist Church. On July 11, the organizations will sponsor a Festival of Celebration to raise money for the summer lunch and Fun Camp programs run out of Verona United Methodist Church. It will also celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The event begins at noon in Railroad Park in Verona. The day will include music, games, basket raffles, food and fresh-baked desserts.

CJ Hart would like to have the opportunity to create some of the images he spent time watching as a kid. The Plum senior running back/linebacker, who recently committed to play football at Youngstown State, always gravitated toward the more physical runners. “I always liked watching how running backs play when I was growing up,” Hart said. “Marshawn Lynch was my favorite.” The rising senior is hoping to provide plenty of punishment to opponents this fall.

Plum’s Riley Stephans received Valley News Dispatch Girls Basketball Player of the Year honors in March after finishing a stellar season on the court. However, the senior was not done yet. Stephans led the Plum softball team to a 14-6 season and a first-round victory in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, wrapping up a senior year worthy of being chosen as the Valley News Dispatch Girls Athlete of the Year.

Verona junior council representatives selected Verona welcomed John Moses and Allie Costa, juniors at Riverview High School, as junior council members during the council’s May 12 planning meeting. “This is a program council has discussed adding for more than a year,” council president Trish Hredzak said.

At 6 feet, 4 inches tall, first baseman Evan Smirniw is an imposing presence for the Upper St. Clair baseball team. And he’s just a sophomore. “He’s going to be a big-time player. He’s special,” Upper St. Clair coach Jeff Donati said.

The Plum softball team’s offense was potent during the regular season with power throughout the lineup. The Mustangs continued that Tuesday in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs at Gateway. Plum hit five home runs and had seven total extra-base hits as part of an 11-hit attack against three Trinity pitchers in a 12-2, six-inning victory over No. 7 Hillers. “It feels good,” Plum coach Phil DiLonardo said. “All three phases contributed today: defense, pitching and offense.

Flea market on tap The Oakmont American Legion Auxiliary is hosting a flea market at 8 a.m. May 16 at Railroad Park, 736 E. Railroad Ave., in Verona. Spots can be reserved for $15. Spots with a table included cost $20. Donations for the Auxiliary Table are being accepted at the American Legion. No large furniture, TVs or undergarments will be accepted. Pickups may be scheduled upon request. For more information or reservations, call Ann at 412-417-3080.

After what seemed like a long time coming, girls flag football finally named its first champion as a WPIAL-sanctioned sport. In a battle of two unbeaten teams, Shaler jumped out to an early lead and shut down a potent Plum attack to come away with the championship, 34-0, on Thursday at Upper St. Clair high school. When the medals were being hung around the necks of the victors, the tears that flowed were tears of joy and proved just how much passion the players have for the sport.

It’s go time for the Plum flag football team. The undefeated Mustangs (15-0) won two playoff games in one night Tuesday to advance to the inaugural WPIAL semifinals and are gearing up to face Moon at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Upper St. Clair. Shaler (16-0) will face Mt. Lebanon (14-1) in the first semifinal, with the winners to square off later that night at 8 p.m. Moon (12-3) won the last two district championships before it was an official WPIAL-sanctioned sport.

After producing just a pair of singles the first time through the order, No. 2 Plum found a rhythm the second time around and was able to plate all three of its runs to lift the Mustangs past No. 1 Latrobe, 3-1, on Monday afternoon. “We don’t preach timely hitting. We want consistent hitting,” Plum coach Carl Vollmer said. “(Latrobe pitcher) Cole Short did a great job today, but we preached aggressive play.