As the 2024-2025 school year comes to an end, it is now a good time to look back a think on the ten best-written, most impactful, and favorite sports stories. B-A athletes had quite a ride this year, from big wins in rivalry games to school policy controversies to young, emerging stars stepping forward to shine in record-setting fashion.
These are their stories.
10. BA students shine in Elks hoop shoot.
This story, written in collaboration between Zach Gonzalez and Cayden Pellegrine, goes through the challenges faced by third grader Sadie Conlon and seventh grader Connor Gray on their path to compete in the Elk’s Hoop Shoot state championship. If you wish to read the story click here.
9. Blue Devils named to LHAC East teams.
This story, written by Matt Berkowitz, details the accomplishments of four fall athletes in Bellwood-Antis. These students include Briley Campbell, Addy Turek, Marissa Cacciotti and Cayden Pellegrine. All four students were named to Laurel Highlands Athletic conference first teams. If you want to read the story, click here.
8. Two B-A football players go all state.
This story, written by Zach Gonzalez, details two B-A football players being named to the PFN all-state football team. Cayden Pellegrine and Collin Gibbons were named to PFN for their roles at outside linebacker for Pellegrine, and Slot Halfback for Gibbons. If you want to read this story, click here.
7. Alli Campbell wins B10 Sportsmanship award.
This story, written by Cayden Pellegrine, detailed Bellwood Alumni Alli Campbell coming back to Bellwood-Antis for Read Across America week. Campbell, who had played at Penn State for four years, also announced she would return for a sixth season of eligibility. She later transferred to Fairfield. This story is one of two to receive Best of SNO honors during the 2024-2025 school year. If you want to read the story, click here.
6. Coaches and athletes overcome adversity in wake of fire.
Written by Matt Berkowitz, this story tells of how the sporting community was impacted from the fire set in the middle school gym locker room in the week leading up to Christmas break. Matt detailed the setbacks and accomplishments that would be made to getting Bellwood back into the sporting world amidst the tragedy. If you wish to read the story, click here.
5. Blue Devils ease past Panthers
This article, written by Matt Berkowitz, is about the Blue Devil varsity football team beating River Valley in the first round of the PIAA district VI AA playoffs. This was the football teams first playoff win since the 2021-2022 school year. If you wish to read the article, click here.
4. Three B-A volleyball players reach the 500 milestone in the same week.
This article, written by Cayden Pellegrine, acknowledges the amazing accomplishments from three Blue Devil volleyball players. Avah Hassler, Ava Patton and Addy Turek would all reach the 500 milestone in three different stats all within one week of each other. Hassler would get it for assists, Patton for digs and Turek would reach 500 kills. If you wish to read the story, click here.
3. Two B-A athletes break long standing records.
Written by Cayden Pellegrine, this story depicts underclass men Ella Cherry and Emma Taneyhill breaking long standing school records here at Bellwood Antis. Ella would break the triple jump record, which was set in 1999. Emma would break the discuss school record that was set in 2002. This was just the beginning for the two athletes and the Lady Devils track and field team, which placed second at the District 6 championships. Both Ella and Emma won indivudal title, with Ella advancing to states in 4 events. the Lady Devils also pushed 2 relay teams through the the PIAA meet. If you wish to read the article, click here.
2. Blue Devils take the Backyard Brawl.
Written by Matt Berkowitz, this story is all about Bellwood’s big win against the Tyrone Golden Eagles in the Backyard Brawl. The story gave a smooth quarter by quarter breakdown of the big game with quotes from both the athletes and coaches. This was also B-A’s first time winning the brawl since 2021. If you wish to read the story, click here.
1. Dual-sport athletes seek opportunity in B-A.
Written by Matt Berkowitz, this story details the struggles that athletes at B-A who wish to compete in more than one sport per season face. The article was beautifully written breaking down Bellwood’s policies and comparing it to the policies of other LHAC schools. It had direct quotes from multiple different sources. This is the second of two articles to achieve best of SNO status this school year for the blueprint. If you wish to read this article, click here.
