Cambria County showed the country how it plays softball this summer, and we could not be prouder. As a hometown orthodontic practice, we are celebrating our local Little League World Series champions while sharing practical tips for young athletes who wear braces or Invisalign. 

Board-certified, Dr. Servello and our team cheered on West Suburban Little League, a collection of standout girls from schools like Cambria Heights, Blacklick Valley, Central Cambria, Conemaugh Valley, Holy Name Catholic, and Forest Hills, as they made history in Greenville, North Carolina.

The Team Behind The Banner

This championship roster came together from across Cambria County, played as one, and finished as the best in the world. West Suburban, representing the Mid-Atlantic, powered through the Little League Softball World Series bracket and won the title game, capping an undefeated run. 

The win over the Central Region champion from Indiana sealed a tournament that kept fans across Johnstown, Ebensburg, and neighboring communities glued to every inning.

Several of the athletes have a special place in our office family. Patients and former patients like Mara Keefe, Haley Shepherd, Kendal Schilling, and Mallory Bailor gave us extra reasons to celebrate. Local coverage highlighted moments from the team’s run, including a walk-off opener and clutch late-inning hits, with players such as Kendal Schilling and Haley Shepherd in the spotlight during the week in Greenville.

Why Celebrating Our Local Little League World Series Champions Matters

Winning the title energizes the whole area, from Ebensburg to Hollidaysburg. Friendships grow across schools, and the next group takes extra swings at Lake Rowena and Legion Park. Sports create a common language for families across Cambria County. This team’s run gave everyone that language, from grandparents who remember old PIAA rivalries to younger siblings who now sleep with a glove under the pillow.

How Servello Orthodontics Showed Up

Support should feel natural when a team represents home. Servello Orthodontics donated during the team’s fundraising campaign, and we continue our broader commitment to local sports through sponsorship and seasonal giving across school teams and youth programs. That commitment runs year-round, not only during championship months, because youth sports thrive on steady community support.

5 Braces Tips For Tournament Weekends

Families often ask how to balance orthodontic treatment with a busy softball schedule. The good news: with a few smart habits, players can protect their smiles and stay game-ready.

1. Wear A Sports Mouthguard That Works With Braces

A properly fitted mouthguard for braces reduces the risk of chipped or displaced teeth, cheek and lip injuries, and appliance damage. For athletes in braces, a guard should fit comfortably over brackets without binding or pulling.

If your athlete uses Invisalign, the aligners are not mouthguards. Bring a guard to practices and games, and store it in a ventilated case.

2. Pack A “Tournament Kit”

Travel weekends in Greenville or State College move fast. A small kit keeps little problems from becoming big ones.

• Orthodontic wax to smooth a pokey wire
• Extra elastics, if prescribed
• Compact toothbrush, travel toothpaste, and interproximal brush
• Floss threaders or orthodontic flossers
• A spare mouthguard for braces in case one gets lost in a dugout bag

3. Nail The Between-Games Routine

Tournament schedules often include early pool play, a lunch break, and a late game.

• Rinse with water after snacks, then brush when possible
• Sweep around brackets with a proxabrush, especially along the gumline and under the wire
• Put elastics back in as directed once meals and brushing are done
• Avoid sunflower seed shells and sticky candy that wedges under wires

4. Time Adjustments Around Key Dates

If your athlete expects a stretch of games, call us to schedule routine wire changes a few days before, rather than the day before a doubleheader. Mild tenderness is normal after adjustments, and building in a cushion helps the player feel confident at the plate.

5. Know Quick Fixes On The Road

• Irritation from a bracket: Dry the spot with a tissue and place a pea-sized ball of wax over the bracket
• Loose elastic chain: Keep it in place if possible, and call the office; we will advise on urgency
• Mouthguard rubbing: Warm the edge under hot tap water and gently flare it away from the gums

What This Title Means To Our Community

Championship banners age well because they represent habits that last. Discipline at practice, resilience after an error, gratitude for coaches and volunteers, and the quiet confidence of doing small things right. Those same habits help our patients succeed in treatment. Braces require consistent brushing, wise food choices, and elastics worn as directed. Athletes who thrive at the plate usually thrive with appliances because they respect routines.

Families from Nanty Glo to Sidman saw that message in action. The roster spanned multiple schools and parishes, and still the players moved as one.

A Few Personal Applause Lines

Dr. Servello could not stop smiling after the final out. Seeing patients like Haley Shepherd and Kendal Schilling lift teammates on the sport’s biggest stage put every early-morning appointment and after-school wire check in perspective. 

The season also showcased what volunteer coaches and families do behind the scenes, from fundraising tables outside Hollidaysburg coffee shops to equipment runs between Ebensburg and Johnstown. Local outlets captured the scale of the moment, and national Little League coverage noted the record attention on the softball championship this year.

Our Promise To Local Athletes And Families

Parents deserve simple and clear answers about orthodontic care during sports season. Our team treats kids, teens, and adults with braces and Invisalign, and we build treatment plans that fit school calendars, travel ball schedules, and budgets. If you need a season-proof mouthguard for braces, an evaluation for a younger sibling, or a quick check before a tournament, reach out. We can help you plan around practices, long bus rides, and class schedules without losing progress in treatment.

Keep Treatment On Track During Sports Season

Balancing softball and orthodontics is easier with the right plan. Servello Orthodontics helps with timing adjustments, travel kits, and quick repairs. Schedule a visit with Dr. Servello. Pick the Ebensburg or Hollidaysburg office before your next stretch of games.