Dec 5, 2002 By The 3 min read

The Laurel Highlands wrestling team is off to a 2-0 start with a 57-21 Section 2-AAA win over Elizabeth Forward (0-1). After LH won the first two matches by forfeit, Elizabeth Forward claimed the 119 and 125 weight classes. The Mustangs battled back with wins by Earl Moore in the 130-pound class and John Walters in the 135-pound class.

In the 152-pound match, LH’s Del Simpson defeated Mick Lugarich in 5:54 and Levi Harris won by decision in the 160-pound match over Jake Stonebreaker 2-1.

Mike Kopacko won by fall in the 171-pound match.

The Mustangs won the final three matches by forfeit.

“This was the section opener and we made some mistakes,” said LH coach Chris Pegg. “Most of my lineup is inexperienced and we have to limit our mistakes and keep working from here.”

Laurel Highlands will face Connellsville next Wednesday.

Boys basketball

North Star 79, Turkeyfoot Valley 50 – Drew Shubik led North Star with 23 points, including three 3-point goals, as North Star defeated Turkeyfoot Valley in non-section action.

Teammates Matt Burkhimer, Ryan Druist and Josh Shank also scored double-figures for North Star with 14, 13 and 11 points.

“There were entirely too many turnovers,” said Turkeyfoot coach Sam Collins. “We need to be smarter on the floor.”

Bob Lager was the high scorer for the Rams with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Brett Clevenger added 10. Casey Caprini added six assists and three steals.

“There are a lot of things we need to work on,” added Collins.

Turkeyfoot will visit Portage on Friday night.

Monessen 40, Belle Vernon 34 – Senior John Murt was the only player in double figures for Belle Vernon (0-3) with 10 points as they fall to Monessen (2-1) in the Mon Valley United Way Shootout.

Monessen’s A.J. Jackson had a game-high 19 points, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the foul line and one three point goal, two assists and four blocked shots.

Belle Vernon will visit Southmoreland on Dec. 10. Monessen hosts Uniontown Saturday night.

Women’s basketball

Waynesburg College 88, Penn State-Altoona 83 – Candice Eyerman broke the school record for 3-point goals with eight as Waynesburg (4-1) edged past Penn State-Altoona at Marisa Fieldhouse.

The record was previously held by Becky Chisler who had seven in the 1994-95 season. Eyerman’s final three-pointer came with under a minute left in the second overtime to give the Jackets a 84-79 lead to seal the win.

Eyerman shot 9-20 from the field and 2-2 from the foul line for a total of 28 points to lead the Yellow Jackets.

Eyerman also pulled down four rebounds and had one blocked shot and one steal.

Teammate Trista Murphy scored 20 points and Kyana Bradley and Lila St. Dennis also added 12 and 10 points.

Kim Ebersole led all scorers for Penn State-Altoona with 29 points.

Waynesburg will participate in the Salisbury Tournament Friday and Saturday.