Since moving from Class A to AA in 2011, Jeannette has had its share of struggles, but the Jayhawks could be breaking out of the funk this season.

Jeannette has won its first two games, edging Southmoreland, 4-3, and defeating Monessen, 8-4. The Southmoreland game was Jeannette’s Section 4 opener. The Jayhawks played at South Allegheny yesterday. It was the first of three section games this week for the Jayhawks.

Waynesburg junior football player Thomas Paulone Jr. was elected to serve as vice-president of the Presidents' Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the 2013-14 academic year.

Paulone is a Jeannette graduate.

Gannon junior infielder Kirstie Cortazzo was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Softball Player of the Week.

Cortzzao, a Jeannette graduate, led Gannon to a 2-0 record week as the Lady Knights swept Slippery Rock in a doubleheader, winning 6-2 and 7-2. Cortazzo hit .500 with a 1.250 slugging percentage and a .714 on-base percentage.

Jeannette head coach Adrian Batts was asked for a look inside of the player’s heads during their last basketball game. The Jayhawks (18-6) lost to West Middlesex 55-50 in overtime.

“Obviously, the guys were excited about winning the game,” Batts recalled. “When you go in overtime, you’re fighting - just like the other team.”

Batts continued. “Unfortunately, it didn’t happen for us. But our guys played great. We knew it was going to be tough going up to play in their backyard… we had opportunities, we just came up on the short end of it.”

Losses like Jeannette’s never stop true athletes, however. The Jayhawks basketball team is breaking, but the athletes are headed to other sports. Senior Jordan Edmonds is listed as a shortstop on last year’s Jeannette baseball roster, just as sophomore Zack Altieri was a second baseman. Junior Matt Howard was also in infielder – a first baseman.

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