Fall 2024 ECS Athletics Recap and Winter 2025 ECS Athletics Preview
Fall 2024 Recap
High School
Girls’ Volleyball
The Girls Volleyball Team coached by Amanda McAllen and Hannah Berg completed their second season in the SWPAA league. The team consisted of 17 players including 5 freshmen and 6 seniors!
The 2024 season was a season of many firsts, with the team winning its first ever set in a 3–1 loss to Propel Montour, winning its first ever match in a 3–0 win over Nazareth Prep, and celebrating its 5 seniors during senior night on September 30th. Seniors Shayla Woods, Cyniah Farmer, Makayla Watkins-Sibley, Jordan Means, Sarah Strother, and Maeve Mannion were recognized for their commitment to the girls volleyball program and being 6 of the “founding” players.
The game against Calvary Christian Academy was played in front of a large crowd consisting of family members, faculty, staff and students. Thanks to those who made this evening a special event, with a special thanks to Abigail Lieb!
The team finished its season with a first round play-off loss in a highly competitive game against Hillcrest Christian Academy. Congratulations to all team members—we look forward to continued success in 2025!
Boys Basketball
The Boys Basketball Team participated in a pre-season strength and conditioning program led by Camille Manley to prepare for try-outs on November 15 and their first season competing in the WPIAL.
Middle School
Cross Country
The Cross Country team coached by Allyson Huneycutt, Julia Mericle, and volunteer Coach Adam Bjorndahl, competed in the East End Cross Country League. 26 Students in grade 6–8 participated in 5 meets and had a successful season.
8th Grader Silas Ward placed in the top 15 in all 5 meets winning a total of 5 medals. The team finished the season with the annual end of the season pizza party. Special thanks to all the families who supported the team this fall!
Girls Flag Football
Girls 7th & 8th Grade Flag Football was offered at the club level. The Girls Flag Football Club was led by Coach Brittney Traynor and Coach Dylan O’Neill and consisted of 21 Girls in grades 7 & 8. The fall season concluded with a students vs staff game, with the students winning a close game in overtime. Thanks to the staff who came out and participated in the game!
Soccer
The Outdoor Soccer Club was coached by Stephanie Evans and Vince Angelo. The coed team consisted of 19 players in grades 7 & 8. Besides the weekly practices, the team played a first ever exhibition game against Community Day School and will finish the season with a students vs staff/parent game. We are hopeful that the team will continue practicing indoors this winter and participate in a spring season. The goal is to have a team participate in a league starting in the 2025/26 school year.
Intermediate School
Cross Country
The fall of 2024 marked the return of Cross Country at the Intermediate School! After a hiatus of 4 years, 30 students in grades 3 & 5 participated in the program, competing in 3 meets. The team was coached by Da’Mon Smith, Jeremy Hopper, and volunteer coach Sara Parisi. Thanks to all the families for their support and attending the meets! The season ended with the East End Championships at Shady Side Academy, where the Girls Junior Varsity Team took 2nd place! Special thanks to The Parisis for all their hard work and commitment to the program.
Soccer
In addition to the return of Cross Country at the Intermediate School, coed outdoor soccer coached by John Parker was also offered this fall. 17 students participated in weekly practices and scrimmages. After a “rainy” start of the season, the club finished the last week of practice this past week and had a fun season!
Winter 2025 Preview
High School
Boys Basketball
The 2024/25 Boys Basketball coached by Jamin Harris and Keith Bull will start its initial season playing in the WPIAL! After 2 years of competing in the SWPAA, the decision was made to compete at the WPIAL level! The program will have both a varsity and junior varsity team .
Try-outs are scheduled for November 15th and approximately 30 students have signed up to compete for a position on either the junior varsity or the varsity level. Please come out to the Kingsley Center and support the teams this season! Good luck to coach Harris and Bull and the 2024/25 teams!
View the 2024–25 Basketball Schedule Here
Cheerleading
Tryouts for the 2024–25 cheerleading squad were held earlier this year with 17 students making the team. The team, coached by Tiffany McNary and Erin Knight, will be cheering at all home basketball games as well as select away games. This is the second year ECHS has offered cheerleading. The squad has already begun practicing for the upcoming season.
Middle School
Boys Basketball
7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball try-outs were held recently and the team has been selected for the 2024–25 SWPAA season. Under guidance of new Head Coach Noah Beighley and Assistant Coach Clarence Patterson, the team will play its 2nd season in the SWPAA after being runners up during the 2023–24 season. Official practices start in the middle of November. Good luck to the team and coaches.
Cheerleading
Besides Boys Basketball, 2024–25 will be the inaugural season for the MS Cheerleading team coached by Gabbi Hamer and Alex Brown. The students have been practicing their routines and will be participating in try-outs at the end of October. The Cheerleading team will be cheering during the 5 home games and play-off games. Come out and support both teams this winter!
Futsal
Besides Boys Basketball and Cheerleading, Futsal Club for grades 6, 7, & 8 will be held in the MS fitness room during January and February. Coach Evans and Coach Angelo will be working with the team to prepare for the spring season.
3 v 3 Basketball
3 v 3 Basketball for both Girls and Boys will start in mid February following the Boys Basketball season. Coaching staff will be announced later this year!
Intermediate
3 v 3 Basketball
3 v 3 Basketball with Coach Da'Mon Smith will be offered starting early January in the Intermediate School gymnasium. Sign up will begin in mid/late December. Both programs have had lots of participants and interest in participating is sure to be high again this year!
Futsal
Futsal with Coach John Parker will be offered starting early January in the Intermediate School gymnasium. Sign up will begin in mid/late December.
As we finish a great fall of athletic competition, exercise and fun, we look forward to the 2024/25 Winter season. We’ll continue to grow the ECS athletic program and build on all of our fall season successes.
Any suggestions and or ideas for additional programming? Please contact me at robert.vanrheenen@ecspgh.org! Go Hawks!