Basketball

North Catholic’s Andrew Ammerman throws down a dunk against Seton LaSalle Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, at Seton LaSalle High School.

Big third quarter the difference as North Catholic beats Seton LaSalle

January 24, 2020

The showdown for first place in Section 2-3A was tight in the first half, as North Catholic led Seton LaSalle by five at the break.

Chartiers Valley’s Brayden Reynolds, left, lays it in for the score over Thomas Jefferson’s Noah Pierce during their matchup Friday, Jan. 24 at Chartiers Valley High School.

Brayden Reynolds, Chartiers Valley slam Thomas Jefferson

Brayden Reynolds had never dunked in a game before.

Eli Yofan had 21 points for Fox Chapel on Friday night.

No. 1 Fox Chapel handles Hempfield, clinches playoff berth

Fox Chapel made it official Friday night.

Franklin Regional’s Johnny O’Toole looks for room around Mars’ Michael Carmody on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, at Franklin Regional High School.

Mars uses ‘Max Effort’ to get past section foe Franklin Regional

It was Military Appreciation Night at Franklin Regional, and players from both teams, the Panthers and Mars, wore T-shirts in pregame warm-ups emblazoned with the words, “Max Effort,” across the chest.

Uniontown’s Keondre Deshields (1) blocks the shot of Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock on Jan. 24, 2020.

Uniontown survives scare from Belle Vernon

After a 27-point beating at the hands of Uniontown Jan. 3, the Belle Vernon Area boys basketball team wanted nothing more than another shot at the Red Raiders.

Latrobe’s Michael Noonan (3) goes for a rebound against Penn-Trafford Jan. 24, 2020 at Penn-Trafford.

Latrobe knocks off Penn-Trafford again

It hasn’t been a great season for the Latrobe boys basketball team.

Plum’s Max Matolcsy looks for an open teammate against Armstrong on Jan. 17, 2020.

Plum’s Matolcsy brings toughness from gridiron to court

Plum junior Max Matolcsy is no stranger to contact.

Norwin players cheer on their teammates during the Knights’ victory over North Allegheny on Thursday. Norwin is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A.

Surging Norwin girls basketball team finds right balance

The Norwin girls basketball team was the top scoring offense in WPIAL Class 6A through 14 games, and the Knights ranked second in scoring average against.

Franklin Regional girls basketball coach Anthony Kobus fields a roster with one senior and 10 freshmen.

WPIAL playoff spot remains in reach for Franklin Regional girls basketball team

“Young” is the word encircling the Franklin Regional girls basketball program this season.

Penn-Trafford’s Zach Rocco spins around in the corner of the court while keeping an eye on Franklin Regional defenders Friday, Dec. 27, 2019 at Penn-Trafford Holiday Tournament at Penn-Trafford High School.

College floor, atmosphere attract teams for ‘Shootout at Seton Hill’

Each March for the past few years, when teams get their section schedules for the following WPIAL season, Allen Deep begins to plan out his list of high school basketball showcase events.

Belle Vernon’s Viva Kreis drives toward the net as Mt. Pleasant’s Tiffany Zelmore comes up with a block Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 in girls’ WPIAL basketball at Mt. Pleasant Area High School.

High school roundup for Jan. 23, 2020: Mohawk’s Karly McCutcheon sets school 3-point record for second straight game

In a span of a few days this week, Mohawk senior Karly McCutcheon left no doubt that she’s one of the top long-range shooters in WPIAL girls basketball.

Busy night of WPIAL boys basketball littered with key games on Friday

January 23, 2020

It has been six years since the Thomas Jefferson boys basketball team finished with a winning record. Barring a collapse, the Jaguars will finish this season with a winning record and possibly a lot more.

Gateway’s Lexi Jackson scores over Armstrong’s Sophia Dobransky during their game Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at Gateway High School.

Gateway girls grind out win over Armstrong

Armstrong girls basketball coach Kirk Lorigan joked that he started looking in the stands for James Naismith, because it felt like the cylinder hoops at Gateway’s gymnasium were replaced with peach baskets.

Mt. Lebanon’s Ashleigh Connor drives to the basket against Bethel Park.

Last second shot by Mt. Lebanon’s Ashleigh Connor hands No. 1 Bethel Park its first loss

In Mt. Lebanon’s two-point loss to Imhotep Charter on Saturday in the MLK Showcase at Woodland Hills, Blue Devils sophomore Ashleigh Connor hit the front rim on a 3-pointer that would have won the game at the buzzer.

Perri Page and Megan McConnell celebrate Chartiers Valley’s win over Thomas Jefferson on Jan. 23, 2020.

Perri Page beats buzzer as Chartiers Valley fends off Thomas Jefferson upset bid

Every possession was bound to matter when Thomas Jefferson and Chartiers Valley met Thursday night.

Freeport’s Grace Soilis tallied eight points to help Freeport top Burrell, 61-33, Thursday evening at Burrell.

Freeport girls run win streak to seven, top Burrell to clinch playoff spot

The Freeport girls basketball team hasn’t lost since a Jan. 2 setback at North Catholic.

Franklin Regional’s Aiden Carlisle (25) chases down a loose ball against Shaler on Jan. 10, 2020, at Franklin Regional.

Westmoreland boys basketball notebook: Depth boosts Franklin Regional

Franklin Regional has more depth than it did at the start of the season, and the longer bench could be what gets the Panthers into the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

Leechburg’s Jake Blumer grabs a rebound over Bishop Canevin’s Nathan Kirsch Friday, Feb. 15, 2019 at Fox Chapel Area High School.

Balanced scoring effort leading Leechburg boys down the stretch

The Leechburg boys basketball team has been experiencing a bit of success over the past few seasons, and it could be partly attributed to the contribution from a core group of players.