Decade’s best WPIAL finals: Boys basketball No. 3

By: Don Rebel
Saturday, February 22, 2020 | 9:09 PM

2357909_web1_ptr-Moon-Mars07-030219 — Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Mars celebrates with Andrew Recchia after Recchia hit the winning shot with time running out to beat Moon during the WPIAL Class 5A boys championship at Petersen Events Center.

There were a lot of changes to the WPIAL basketball championships over the past 10 years.

They expanded from two days to three days and from eight boys and girls finals to a dozen championship games. The district also switched venues, moving from Duquesne’s Palumbo Center to Pitt’s Petersen Events Center.

Bigger and better has led to some fantastic championship moments over the course of the just-completed decade. So as we prepare for the first finals of the 20s, here is a look back with a countdown of the top 10 WPIAL boys and girls basketball championship games from the previous 10 years.

Boys No. 3 – Out of this world

Through two and a half quarters, Moon looked like it would cruise to its second WPIAL Class 5A basketball crown in three years.

To beat a champion, though, you usually have to knock them out. On this night, Moon could not deliver that big knockout punch.

Instead, Mars guard Andrew Recchia delivered the golden dagger when he hit the winning 3-pointer with 2.6 seconds left as the Fightin’ Planets erased a 16-point deficit for a sweet repeat that was out of this world.

Click below for Trib HSSN’s Chris Harlan’s recap with photos, highlights and interviews.

Mars 58, Moon 56

Previous Top 10:

Girls No. 3 – A perfect scare

Boys No. 4 – Perfect finish

Girls No. 4 – Shaler stunner

Boys No. 5 – Class A cat fight

Girls No. 5 – Royal run begins

Boys No. 6 – Three-peat chopped

Girls No. 6 – Golden Gators

Boys No. 7 – Stormy repeat

Girls No. 7 – Thrilling three-peat