VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — The Vicksburg 9th Grade cheerleading team wrapped up a five-day summer camp Friday with a high-energy showcase in front of family, friends, and supporters. The event marked the culmination of a week of intense training, team bonding, and spirited preparation.

The camp was led by Hype Athletics coaches Rogers Wesley and Kadajai Allen, who brought energy and expertise to each session. Tammy Hogan, Vicksburg’s cheer coach, continues to serve as a steady presence and guiding force for the young athletes.

Throughout the week, the team focused on sharpening their cheer fundamentals, building trust as a unit, and developing the school spirit they’ll bring into the upcoming season. Friday’s showcase, held at 1 p.m., gave the cheerleaders a platform to demonstrate their progress and celebrate their hard work.

The cheerleaders who participated in the camp included Skylar Spencer, Jamirrial Harris, Brooklyn Palmer, Dynastee Wilson, Kvianna Armstrong, Tonya Ates, and Camden McGloster. Each athlete showed strong dedication and represented Vicksburg with pride and enthusiasm.

The camp not only strengthened their skills but also laid the foundation for a strong team dynamic heading into the school year. The Vicksburg community applauds their efforts and looks forward to seeing them in action this fall.

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By:

Josh Rizzo


Sunday, June 22, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Ronald Porter III’s willingness to try something new as a junior and his quick progress from there allowed him to do something during his senior season that was the highlight of the athletics programs at Penn Hills during the 2024-25 school year.

Porter initially came out for track wanting to run the 100 and 200 with his football teammates. When Penn Hills track coach Lee Zelkowitz saw the then-junior up close, he encouraged Porter to try the jumps.

Porter won the WPIAL Class 3A championship in May and went on to place third at the PIAA championships with a leap of 23 feet, 6½ inches.

“It wasn’t on my mind. I knew I was going to do the 100 and 200,” said Porter during his junior season. “They were talking to me about (jumping). I’m glad I did.”

During the WPIAL championships at Slippery Rock University, Porter won the title with a leap of 22-8½.

“I didn’t see it coming, to be honest,” said Porter, who will play football at Cal (Pa.) this fall. “I was jumping 21 feet last year. I never saw myself jumping 23. Whenever it’s a competition, I lock in more.”

Zelkowitz said he was proud of Porter’s progression.

“I knew he had the potential last year,” he said. “He took it to another level this season. He has good pop and good speed going down the runway. He has a consistent approach and has been hitting the board well.”

Mackenzie McIntyre also qualified for states in two events for Penn Hills but chose not to go to the state meet.

Stop the streak

The Indians’ boys volleyball team saw a 64-match losing streak in section matches halted this season. Penn Hills beat Plum in four sets to bring back a losing stretch that dated back to 2018.

Football shakes slow start

Naytel Mitchell met coach Charles Morris’ high expectations all season by piling up more than 1,000 yards on the ground. The most important 80 yards came during the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs against Moon.

Mitchell carried the ball twice on a two-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his 69-yard touchdown run to carry Penn Hills to a 30-27 victory. The Indians started the season 0-3 but rallied to win seven of their next eight games.

The Indians were eliminated by Upper St. Clair in the quarterfinals.

Boys basketball ends up 2nd

Penn Hills didn’t have much experience returning from last season. The Indians played well enough to finish second, losing 68-61 to Kiski Area in their final Section 2-5A game with the title on the.

Penn Hills (12-10) lost in the first round to Peters Township.

Phipps, Repovich make WPIALs

Indians junior wrestler Daemon Phipps finished tied for a career-high with 25 wins by reaching the WPIAL Class 3A championships at 114 pounds. Bradley Repovich also earned his first spot at WPIALs at 145 pounds and made a six-win improvement over the previous season.

Relay team, Sipple qualify

The 200 free relay team of Clarke Leonard, Anthony Collins, Hunter Boyd and Anthony Sipple competed in the WPIAL Class 3A swimming championships. Sipple also qualified in the 100 back and 50 free.

Tags: Penn Hills

HALLE (WESTFALEN), Germany — Alexander Bublik finally defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (4) on Sunday to win the Halle Open for the second time.

It was his first win in seven matches with Medvedev.

“Daniil, I’ve been cursed to play you forever and never won a set in my life, but today I’m happy to get through, and I wish you – you’re a great champion – I wish you a lot of success,” Bublik told his opponent afterward. “I mean, to win, to beat you here, it’s a privilege for me.”

The Kazakhstan player, who also won the grass-court tournament in 2023, is just the third player to claim the title more than once after three-time winner Yevgeny Kafelnikov and 10-time champion Roger Federer.

Bublik made a strong start and put together a 12-point winning streak in the first set. The second was not quite as fluid with five double-faults, but Medvedev produced consecutive backhand errors in the tiebreaker and Bublik seized his chance to wrap up the match in 81 minutes.

Bublik, who defeated top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the second round, dedicated the title to his wife and son, who were absent because of illness.

“This is for you, I know you’re watching,” he said.

Medvedev, who saw off home favorite Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, was playing his first final since losing to Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells in March 2024.

“A better week, maybe, than we expected but not the best feeling in the end,” Medvedev said. “We try to do better next time.”