In its last season playing in Class AAA in 2004, McKeesport went 0-15. In 2005 the WPIAL expanded to four classifications. Class AAAA had not been too kind to the Tigers either, until this season.
McKeesport overcame a late deficit to survive an eight-inning slugfest against Baldwin in the WPIAL first round to win 11-10. It was the first WPIAL Class AAAA playoff win ever for McKeesport and it helped the Tigers snap a five-game postseason losing streak.
Brad Everett's feature on a special basketball tournament for McKeesport:
"Randy Gwosden was a loving man and that love filtered to his family, friends and the countless number of lives he impacted as a basketball coach and as a math teacher for 35 years in the McKeesport Area School District.
Gwosden died more than a year ago, but his spirit lives on. Those who knew him will celebrate his life with a special event Saturday.
The first Randy S. Gwosden Scholarship Basketball Tournament will take place at Mc-Keesport's Neenie Campbell Gymnasium."
Playing in what is a strong section, McKeesport has long been considered a longshot to make the WPIAL playoffs.
But even with a 1-3 section record, the hope of reaching the postseason is still there. Time, though, is beginning to run out.
Nick Tolomeo's feature on the McKeesport softball team:
(Photo: McKeesport coach Missy Conrad, right, congratulating Dom Clark after she got a hit against Allderdice last week, has led the Tigers to a 9-0 start to the season. Matt Freed/Post-Gazette.)
softball