Greensburg Central Catholic boys have unfinished business in state playoffs

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, March 7, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Greensburg Central Catholic might always wonder what if, but, for now, the boys basketball team is dialed in to what still could be.

The Centurions (23-3) were the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs but were upset by No. 8 Union, 44-42, in the quarterfinals.

GCC already had made the PIAA playoffs by reaching the quarterfinals and then won two consolation-round games to take fifth place in the WPIAL.

Now, the Centurions will try to make the extended postseason run they couldn’t create in the WPIAL tournament when they visit District 5 champion McConnellsburg (23-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday in the state first round.

“We know what’s at stake,” GCC guard Liam Gallagher said.

“(The WPIAL playoffs) didn’t go the way we wanted. We let it slip. But it’s a team game, and it’s no one player’s fault.”

After reaching the WPIAL finals last year and finishing second to Aliquippa, GCC beat Windber in the first round of the PIAA bracket and ran into rival Jeannette in the second round.

The Jayhawks, who won their first WPIAL title since 2008 over the weekend with a blowout of Union, stunned GCC, 48-46, at Norwin in the second round.

GCC made a run to the PIAA second round three years ago. It lost in the first round in 2023.

“States haven’t always been great to us,” GCC coach Christian Hyland said. “We still have that sour taste in our mouth from last year.”

McConnellsburg last made the state playoffs in 2023 but lost in the first round to Northgate.

The Spartans’ only loss is to Maryland School for the Deaf, 48-43. They have won 23 straight since, averaging 64 points.

“They are big across the board,” Hyland said. “They have shooters and post players, and they play fast.”

GCC used a triangle-and-2 defense against Union to contain standout guard Lucas Stanley. While Stanley managed only 14 points, the Centurions struggled to find consistent offense.

“We missed too any layups,” Hyland said. “It wasn’t our night.

“We played well against Northgate and OLSH, and you could tell our guys wanted to keep playing.”

Gallagher said the Centurions need to get back to their fast-paced style.

“Offensively, we need to get to the hoop more,” Gallagher said. “We want to finish the job.”

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.