Westmoreland PIAA basketball playoff preview capsule for Saturday, March 15, 2025

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, March 14, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Boys

Class 2A

Quarterfinals

Jeannette (25-2) vs. Greensburg Central Catholic (25-3)

Noon Saturday at Norwin

District-seed: Jeannette 7-1; Greensburg Central Catholic 7-5

Winner plays: Winner of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (21-7)/Sewickley Academy (22-5) in semifinals March 22 (time, site TBD)

Coaches: Adrian Batts, Jeannette (16th year); Christian Hyland, Greensburg Central Catholic (sixth year)

Points/allowed: Jeannette 67.1/41.2; GCC 64.8/43.4

Players to watch: Noah Sunder, Jeannette; AJ Tarpley, Greensburg Central Catholic

Layup lines: This is a postseason matchup many thought would happen in the WPIAL finals, but the longtime rivals and section opponents will settle their rubber match in states. Barring anything crazy, the matchup assures one local team will make the state semis. GCC won both section matchups, 53-47 and 58-48. But Jeannette beat the Centurions in overtime, 48-46, in the PIAA second round last year at Norwin. … Jeannette, which won its first WPIAL championship since 2008, has defeated Mercyhurst Prep, 61-54, and Northern Cambria, 70-54, in the state tournament. In Wednesday’s win at Johnstown High School, Markus McGowan scored 21 points, and Sunder added a playoff-high 19. The Jayhawks’ post players have elevated their game in the playoffs. Jeannette hasn’t been to the state semifinals since ‘08 when Terrelle Pryor, Jordan Hall and company led the Jayhawks to their only PIAA title in the sport. … GCC last reached the PIAA semifinals in 2014. The Centurions played back in the WPIAL consolation tournament to get fifth place in the WPIAL. Then they defeated McConnellsburg, 54-43, and Neshannock, 66-52, in the PIAA bracket. Against Neshannock on Wednesday at North Allegheny, Liam Gallagher scored 22 points, making 6 of 8 3-pointers in the second half. Tarpley added 16, Samir Crosby had 12 and Brady O’Rourke finished with 10. GCC is a guard-oriented team but has length in O’Rourke (6-5) and Tarpley (6-3). Ty Rozier, a 6-4 senior, could have an increased role as a rebounder and defender. He is the son of former GCC girls standout Robin Mull. Brandon Martin, a 6-6 sophomore who has an offer from Marshall and played briefly in the second game against Jeannette, is no longer on the GCC roster. Both regular-season games were sellouts. Norwin’s capacity is around 2,600.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Jeannette