March was madness as they say in the basketball world, and I definitely had my fair share of it. With state playoffs until the championship games in Hershey, I was witnessing the biggest highs and lows of these kids' lives. There were only a few feature hunts and other news assignments that kept me away from the wood floor this month.
Aliquippa celebrates their win over Mastery Charter North-Pickett during the PIAA Class AA boys basketball championship on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. Aliquippa won 68-49.
Mars Area’s Christian Schmitt (23) rests on the shoulder of Mars Area’s John Castello (3) with their runner-up trophy during the PIAA Class AAA boys basketball championship on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. Neumann-Goretti won 99-66.
Aliquippa’s Jassir Jordan (1) is lit before announcements of teams during the PIAA Class AA boys basketball championship on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. Aliquippa won 68-49.
Mars Area assistant coach Scott Pfeiffer celebrates his team's win in the locker room over Bishop McDevitt during a PIAA Class AAA semifinal on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Altoona High School. Mars won 80-62.
Homer-Center's John Ireland reacts after his teams loss to Sewickley Academy during a PIAA playoff game on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Plum High School. Sewickley Academy won 48-38.
Burrell's Nicole Kristof (15) reacts with Burrell's Eliza Oswalt (2) and Burrell's Bailie Taylor (23) after their loss to North Star during a PIAA Class AA quarterfinal game on Friday, March 11, 2016 at Hempfield Area High School. North Star won 47 - 41.
Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent Linda Lane consoles Allderdice’s Jordan Rawis (50) after his loss to Roman Catholic during the PIAA Class AAAA boys basketball championship on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.
North Allegheny’s Piper Morningstar (21) and North Allegheny’s Rachel Martindale (14) walk off the court dejected as Cumberland Valley celebrates their win during a PIAA Class AAAA semifinal on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Altoona High School. Cumberland Valley won 43-42.
Mars Area’s Robby Carmody (24) smacks Bishop McDevitt’s Kobay White (4) while battling for a rebound during a PIAA Class AAA semifinal on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Altoona High School. Mars won 80-62.
Penn Hills coach John Tate reacts to a play against Norwin during a PIAA playoff game on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Plum High School. Norwin won 48-35.
Latrobe's Austin Butler poses for a portrait on Friday, March 25, 2016. Butler is the 2016 Tribune-Review boys basketball player of the year.
Beth-Center's Anthony Welsh is announced prior to his 171-pound championship bout before the Southwest Regional AA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Canon-McMillan High School.
The braid of Armstrong's Breanna McGaughey is silhouetted as she watches her pop fly against Hempfield on Tuesday, March 30, 2016 at Hempfield Area High School. Hempfield won 8-1.
Members of Penn-Trafford's baseball team warm up their arms before practice on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the high school field in Harrison City. The first play date of WPIAL baseball is March 24, and section competition starts April 4.
A pedestrian shields herself from the rain with an animal print umbrella on Thursday, March 10, 2016 along Otterman Street in Greensburg.
Family and friends mourn J.R. Gustafson of Mt. Pleasant, 13, after his funeral at Brooks Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, March 24, 2016. Gustafson was shot Sunday when he and his friend were playing with a handgun. Gustafson wanted to be a junior fireman when he turned 14 in June.