What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Jan. 8, 2024: Top girls teams in Section 3-5A face off

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, January 7, 2024 | 9:07 PM

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Monday begins a new week of district high school basketball with another busy night of girls hoops around the WPIAL.

One game in the loss column separates the top four teams in Section 3-5A, and those four schools go head-to-head on Monday.

Oakland Catholic is 4-0, McKeesport is 3-0 and Penn-Trafford and Thomas Jefferson are both 2-1 in the section.

The two co-leaders are both on the road Monday as Oakland Catholic visits Penn-Trafford and McKeesport is at Thomas Jefferson.

The Eagles are undefeated with an overall record of 10-0 while the Warriors are 7-3 but have lost two straight games, including a section loss to TJ.

The Tigers are 9-1 and have won four straight games since their only loss of the season to Norwin.

The Jaguars are 5-6 overall and coming off a loss to Oakland Catholic.

More head-to-head

One game also separates the top four teams in Section 2-3A girls basketball, and those four are set to square off.

Defending district champion Avonworth is 2-0 in the section, Seton LaSalle is 1-0 and both Keystone Oaks and South Allegheny are 1-1.

The first-place teams are home Monday as Avonworth hosts Keystone Oaks and Seton LaSalle is home to South Allegheny.

The Antelopes are 9-1 overall and have won three straight since their lone loss to Armstrong.

The Golden Eagles have won nine of 11 games this season, but had an eight-game winning streak snapped in their most recent outing, a 19-point loss to Seton LaSalle.

The Rebels are 7-3 and have won two straight and six of their last seven games.

The Gladiators are 4-7 and snapped a three-game skid with a section win last week over East Allegheny.

Clash of the dynasties

It was 35 years ago that the Aliquippa girls basketball team was the top athletic program in the school, even more-so than the football or boys hoops teams.

The Quips won four straight WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball titles from 1987-90.

Fast forward three decades later and another Beaver County program was ripping off title after title.

Rochester claimed WPIAL Class A gold for three straights seasons in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Now in 2024, both teams are tied for first place in Section 1-2A with 3-0 records as they prepare to meet at Aliquippa on Monday.

The Rams are 6-4 overall and have won two straight games.

The Quips are 7-1 this season, with their only loss coming against Moon over the holidays.

Tags: Aliquippa, Avonworth, Keystone Oaks, McKeesport, Oakland Catholic, Penn-Trafford, Rochester, Seton La Salle, South Allegheny, Thomas Jefferson