What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 24, 2024: Boys basketball teams to fight for playoff positions

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 12:27 AM

We hit midweek in the final full week of January with high school action on both the hardwood and the mats.

The top four teams in each section qualify for the WPIAL basketball playoffs, and there are two section boys hoops games Wednesday with fourth place up for grabs.

In Section 3-4A, Elizabeth Forward (9-5) visits Albert Gallatin (6-6).

The Warriors are 1-3 in the section and on the outside looking in at the moment, sitting in fifth place, one game behind three teams.

One of those teams is the host Colonials, who are 2-2 in section and tied in the loss column with Belle Vernon and Southmoreland.

Elizabeth Forward has lost four straight while Albert Gallatin has dropped four of its last six games.

Another battle for a top four playoff spot is in Section 4-3A as Waynesburg (4-10) hosts McGuffey (11-5).

The Raiders are 1-5 in section play, but only one game behind the fourth place Highlanders, who are 2-4 in the section.

Waynesburg has won two straight games while McGuffey has lost two in a row.

Third place is a charm

Sole possession of third place and a big step toward a postseason berth is at stake in Wednesday’s girls basketball contest as Brentwood (6-10) travels to Northgate (5-8).

Both teams are 2-2 and tied for third place in Section 2-2A behind Burgettstown at 5-0 and Fort Cherry at 3-1.

The Spartans have lost four of their last five games while the Flames are getting hot, winning three of their last four games.

These teams will meet again at Brentwood on Feb. 8.

Regular season mat finales

Wednesday marks the final night of section matches in district wrestling.

While there are no head-to-head matches to determine a section crown this evening, there are several sections that could end up with co- or tri-champions.

• In Section 4-3A, Connellsville is alone in first place with a 3-0 section record, one game ahead of Hempfield and Latrobe, which are both 2-1. Connellsville is home to Hempfield while Latrobe visits Gateway.

• In Section 6-3A, Bethel Park is on top with a 4-0 section record while Baldwin and Peters Township are a game back with 3-1 records. Bethel Park visits Baldwin while Peters Township is on the road at Canon-McMillan.

• In Section 1-2A, Burgettstown leads with a 6-0 record with Bentworth and McGuffey tied for second place at 5-1.Burgettstown hosts Bentworth while McGuffey visits West Greene.

• In Section 5-2A, Highlands sits in first place at 5-0 with Hampton and Laurel both a game back at 4-1. Highlands can clinch the section crown with a home win over Ellwood City, while Hampton travels to Laurel in a battle for either a share of first place or outright second place.