High school roundup for Jan. 30, 2026: Pine-Richland stuns New Castle, Fox Chapel beats North Hills in chaotic 6A playoff race

By: Triblive
Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 12:14 AM

Joe McGivney scored a career-high 22 points to lead Fox Chapel to a 60-48 victory over North Hills for a key win in a crowded Section 1-6A boys basketball playoff race.

John Rehak added 13 for the Foxes (11-8, 6-6). Nathan Schanbacher scored 15 points and Jackson Long had 14 for North Hills (12-7, 5-6).

Pine-Richland (6-5), Fox Chapel (6-6), Seneca Valley (6-6), Woodland Hills (6-6) and North Hills (5-6) are in second through sixth place with five teams guaranteed spots in the playoffs.

Pine-Richland 51, New Castle 49 – Grant Spacciapolli hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 32 seconds left as Pine-Richland (10-9, 6-5) handed No. 1 New Castle (17-1, 11-1) its first loss of the season in Section 1-6A.

Aquinas Academy 58, Beaver County Christian 38 – Sam Duer led with 18 points, Jonah Burchill followed with 15 and Clayton Frissora added 14 for Aquinas Academy (9-8, 6-2) in a Section 1-A win. Ethan Schmidt scored 11 points for Beaver County Christian (4-12, 1-6).

Avella 63, Cornell 49 – Cameron Ullom and Brayden Fuller scored 17 points each and Bryce Wright had 13 to send Avella (14-4, 5-2) to a Section 1-A win. Eduardo Benitez scored 18 and Terrance Collington had 16 for Cornell (4-14, 2-6).

Belle Vernon 77, East Allegheny 69 – Luca Ghilani scored 21 points, Dane Daugherty followed with 19 and Cam Jenko chipped in 10 for Belle Vernon (12-9, 8-3) in a Section 3-4A win. Cedrick Mack led East Allegheny (9-7, 4-5) with 16 points. Jayden Patterson had 15 and Chris Portis and DJ Warren each added 13 for the Wildcats.

Carmichaels 67, Mapletown 35 – Scott Maskil scored 20 points and Alex Toth had 11 to lead Carmichaels (4-14, 3-9) past Mapletown (0-19, 0-12) to a Section 3-2A win.

Central Catholic 66, Norwin 42 – Jack Stoessel scored 19 points and Enzo Khalil had 13 to lead Central Catholic (16-2, 10-1) to a Section 2-6A win. Alex Graney scored 16 points for Norwin (10-10, 5-7).

Central Valley 69, Avonworth 55 – Ryan Conti scored 21 points to lead Central Valley (13-5, 5-2) to a Section 2-4A win. Angelo Conti added 17 and Adam Shroads 13 for the Warriors. Will Shields and Jaden Jones each scored 15 for Avonworth (7-10, 3-4).

Chartiers-Houston 58, Beth-Center 35 – Bryson Boskovich scored 14 points to lead four players in double figures for Chartiers-Houston (17-3, 12-0) in Section 3-2A. Brody McCrerey added 12 and Wesley Yeater and Aaron Walsh each had 11 for the Bucs. Jason Zellie led Beth-Center (10-10, 6-6) with 15 points.

Derry 69, Yough 42 – Stanley Rajkovich scored 16 points, William Stockett-Harter had 13 and Logan Irvin and Gary Tarbuk added 10 points apiece to lead Derry (14-6, 9-2) to a Section 3-4A win. Wyatt Kalna scored 12 points for Yough (2-16, 1-9).

Elizabeth Forward 80, West Mifflin 53 – Daniel Spence led Elizabeth Forward (13-7, 9-2) with 25 points, Tyler Basic followed with 18 and Kellen Watson added 10 in a Section 3-4A win. Julian Dewberry scored 15 points and Rocco LeDonne had 13 for West Mifflin (2-19, 2-9).

Frazier 60, California 36 – Kolby Stewart hit for 28 points and Brant Alekson added 13 to lead Frazier (7-11, 3-8) in Section 1-2A. Chase Shemansky scored 13 for California (0-19, 0-12).

Gateway 63, Uniontown 42 – Mykel Bruce-McCrommon led with 24 points, Jax Vovaris followed with 17 and Isaiah Allah added 12 for Gateway (13-6, 11-1) in a Section 1-5A win. Nolan Baker scored 12 points and Isaac Ellsworth had 11 for Uniontown (10-9, 6-6).

Greensburg Central Catholic 48, Riverview 39 – Tommy Dlugos scored 15 points as Greensburg Central Catholic (5-13, 5-6) held off Riverview (5-14, 3-9) in Section 1-2A. Luke Semelka added 14 and James Botti chipped in 10 for the Centurions. Rex Roberts led the Raiders with 21.

Hampton 59, Trinity 53 – Jonas Cupps scored 20 points and Gavin Guinn had 19 to lead Hampton (10-7) to a nonsection win over Trinity (4-13).

Hempfield 68, Canon-McMillan 40 – Lucas Simmons scored 17 points and Alex Waitkus had 11 to lead Hempfield (13-6, 6-5) to a Section 2-6A win. Keegan Williams scored 12 points for Canon-McMillan (6-12, 2-9).

Jefferson-Morgan 52, Fort Cherry 42 – Jeremiah Robertson led with 26 points and Dayten Marion followed with 14 for Jefferson-Morgan (18-1, 11-1) in a Section 3-2A win. Gavin Grace scored 10 points for Fort Cherry (10-8, 8-4).

Laurel 58, South Side 50 – Mason Ernst hit for 25 points and Tyrone Kunselman added 17 for Laurel (13-7, 8-4) in Section 4-2A. Andrew Corfield scored 27 and Micah Goebbel contributed 12 for South Side (8-11, 4-8).

Laurel Highlands 66, Albert Gallatin 27 – Luke Martin scored 16 points, Kayden Smith had 13 and Sevi Vechiolia and Nick Crouch added 10 points apiece to lead Laurel Highlands (11-8, 5-7) to a Section 1-5A win. Elliot Sines scored 11 points for Albert Gallatin (2-17, 0-12).

Ligonier Valley 73, Brownsville 51 – Michael Vargulish-Graver scored 26 points and Michael Wisniewski followed with 23 to lead Ligonier Valley (10-7, 5-2) past Brownsville (2-14, 1-7) in Section 4-3A.

McGuffey 52, Keystone Oaks 48 (OT) – Kolt McGowan scored 19 points and Sam Stout added 18 to lead McGuffey (11-8, 3-4) to a Section 2-3A win. Aaron Beck scored 18 points and Erond Jakupi had 14 for Keystone Oaks (13-4, 6-2).

Mohawk 68, Beaver Falls 42 – Joey Nail scored 18 points, Bobby Fadden had 13 and Drew Wrona added nine to lead Mohawk (17-1, 10-0) to a Section 1-3A win over Beaver Falls (4-15, 3-8).

Mt. Lebanon 61, Connellsville 56 – Liam Sheely scored 28 points and Carter Gould had 11 to push Mt. Lebanon (13-6, 7-5) to a Section 2-6A win. Christian Thomas scored 20 points and Lucas Hardwood had 17 points and five 3-pointers for Connellsville (5-14, 0-12).

Neshannock 81, Western Beaver 36 – David Kwiat led with 33 points and Luca Pagley followed with 16 for Neshannock (14-3, 11-1) in a Section 4-2A win over Western Beaver (2-17, 0-11).

OLSH 57, Shenango 19 – Jake Johnson scored 20 points to lead OLSH (15-4, 10-1) to a Section 4-2A victory over Shenango (12-6, 6-6). Tiernan McCullough added 13 and Nolan Reed 12 for the Chargers.

Penn Hills 62, Plum 54 – Amon Hawthorne put up 24 points and Calix Clark added 17 to lead Penn Hills (13-6, 10-1) to a Section 2-5A victory. Owen Proskin scored 14, Xavier Barto added 13 and Bryce Nabozny chipped in 11 for Plum (5-14, 2-8).

Penn-Trafford 63, McKeesport 37 – Peyton Mastro scored 21 points and Ethan McDonald had 13 to lead Penn-Trafford (10-9, 8-4) to a Section 1-5A win. Darryl McCullough scored 14 points for McKeesport (9-9, 6-6).

Peters Township 66, South Fayette 46 – Lucas Saxe led with 16 points, Dylan Donovan and Jayden Greco followed with 14 points apiece and Daniel Dudek added 11 for Peters Township (14-5, 8-2) in a Section 3-5A win. Tyson Wright scored 20 points and Owen Keener had 16 for South Fayette (8-11, 6-5).

Quaker Valley 77, Hopewell 61 – Zachary Washington led with 26 points, Sam Chapman followed with 18 and Nic Cohen added 17 for Quaker Valley (14-3, 7-0) in a Section 2-4A win. James “Booboo” Armstrong scored 16 points and Justin Shegog had 11 for Hopewell (12-8, 4-4).

Ringgold 53, Baldwin 52 – David Wachinski scored 15 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer, to lead Ringgold (11-7, 4-5) to a Section 3-5A win. Demetri Lowe added 13 for the Rams. Evan Golvash scored 14 and Nico Macurak and Max Marzina each had 13 for Baldwin (9-9, 3-7).

Riverside 49, Freedom 39 – Behind 13 points from Cole Becker and 11 from McCartney Plassmeyer, Riverside (14-6, 6-5) beat Freedom (2-15, 0-10) in Section 1-3A. Will Kumrow scored 23 and Chase Andrews had 10 for the Bulldogs.

Seneca Valley 50, Butler 30 – Owen Congdon scored 16 points and Andrew Omasits added 14 to lead Seneca Valley (11-8, 6-6) in a Section 1-6A win. Stainton Forbes scored eight points for Butler (6-12, 4-8).

Sewickley Academy 91, Propel Braddock Hills 17 – Led by 14 points from Eric Craciun and 11 from Rob Southall, Sewickley Academy (17-0, 10-0) defeated Propel Braddock Hills (4-15, 1-10) in Section 2-2A.

Shady Side Academy 46, Apollo-Ridge 21 – Alex Demchak scored 12 points and Paul Benec added nine to help Shady Side Academy (7-12, 3-5) to a Section 3-3A win over Apollo-Ridge (8-8, 1-5).

Shaler 63, Kiski Area 51 – Jordan Epps hit four 3-pointers and finished with 26 points to lead Shaler (13-7, 8-2) to a Section 2-5A win. Gabriel Thimons hit five 3s and ended up with 18 points, Amaree Gonzalez added 17 points and Landyn Artman had 12 for Kiski Area (10-9, 5-5).

Southmoreland 62, Waynesburg 61 – Noah Felentzer scored 20 points, Brock Pritts put up 18 and Brady Sherbondy added 10 to lead Southmoreland (11-7, 7-0) in a matchup of top teams in Section 4-3A. Jackson Dean scored 23 and Cole Headlee had 14 for Waynesburg (6-11, 4-3).

Thomas Jefferson 83, Bethel Park 56 – Nick Trklja led Thomas Jefferson (18-2, 10-0) with 37 points and Justin Fry followed with 22 in a Section 3-5A win. Joe Parisi scored 14 points for Bethel Park (2-17, 2-8).

Union 41, Rochester 37 – Aiden Booker scored 11 points as Union (8-12, 5-7) rallied from a four-point halftime deficit in Section 4-2A. Jace Garuccio led Rochester (2-17, 2-10) with 10 points.

Upper St. Clair 76, Imani Christian 52 – Ryan Robbins scored 22 points to lead six players in double figures for Upper St. Clair (18-1, 11-1) in a Section 2-6A win over Imani Christian (5-13, 5-6). Jake Foster, Luke Marchinsky, Finn Beggy, Jude Ausi and Luke Rickel each scored 10 points for the Panthers.

Washington 62, Sto-Rox 58 – Vincent Johnson led with 22 points and 12 rebounds, Tristan Reed followed with 14 points and William Callan added 11 to push Washington (9-10, 3-5) to a Section 2-3A win. Lamarr Washington scored 22 points and Daluan Harris had 14 for Sto-Rox (5-13, 2-5).

Girls basketball

Aquinas Academy 63, Winchester Thurston 57 – Tess Duer led Aquinas Academy (14-2) with 34 points and Becca Guillen added 10 in a nonsection win. Aleah Cooper scored 26 points and DaShae Cochran had 18 for Winchester Thurston (14-3).

Baldwin 66, Uniontown 60 – Lynsey Bernotas scored 27 points and Julianne Ott added 11 to lead Baldwin (16-3, 8-2) to a Section 4-5A win. Lyric McLee scored 19 points and Aierra Jenkins had 18 for Uniontown (9-9, 2-7).

Beaver 47, Hopewell 41 – Annsley Baker scored 20 points to reach the 1,000-point mark for her career and Ava Wright added 12 to lead Beaver (13-6, 8-2) to a Section 2-4A win. Avery Boyd scored 22 points for Hopewell (3-13, 2-7).

California 42, Carmichaels 12 – Lila Mitchell scored 19 points to lead California (9-8, 6-1) to a Section 3-2A win over Carmichaels (1-17, 0-7).

Fox Chapel 45, Armstrong 35 – Lyla Jablon scored 12 points and Emily McKee added 11 to power Fox Chapel (12-8, 7-3) to a Section 1-5A win. Amylia Gaiser led Armstrong (7-13, 2-9) with 10 points.

Kiski Area 63, West Mifflin 31 – Gianna DeVito and Jada Blanciak scored 15 points apiece and Olivia Strellec added 11 to lead Kiski Area (10-8, 4-5) to a Section 2-5A victory. A’ryah Scott scored 13 for West Mifflin (6-14, 1-9).

Knoch 46, Derry 18 – Neah Ewing scored 19 points, including three 3-pointers, and Liv Foster added nine points to help Knoch (4-15, 4-6) to a Section 1-4A win. Kylee Metcalf led Derry (4-13, 2-8) with six points.

McGuffey 40, Brownsville 33 – Mykenna Meighen scored 12 points and Eliana Janovich had 11 to lead McGuffey (12-8, 7-3) to a Section 3-3A win. Ava Clark led Brownsville (5-15, 0-11) with 19 points.

North Allegheny 44, Woodland Hills 11 – Vange Balouris scored 17 points to help North Allegheny (8-9, 3-4) past Woodland Hills (0-17, 0-8) in Section 1-6A.

OLSH 51, Sto-Rox 27 – Lola Garner scored 14 points to lead OLSH (14-6, 8-4) to a Section 1-3A win. Allie Dotson scored 11 points and Brooklyn Sykes had 10 for Sto-Rox (8-9, 5-7).

Penn-Trafford 60, McKeesport 53 – Hanna Weishaar scored 16 points and Raya Johnson put up 15 to send Penn-Trafford (15-4, 10-0) to a Section 2-5A victory. Adriana Allison and Dannah Sebelia each scored 14 and Sunny Harper had 13 for McKeesport (10-10, 3-8).

Peters Township 63, Albert Gallatin 16 – Ally Froelich scored 12 points to lead Peters Township (10-9, 4-6) to a Section 4-5A win over Albert Gallatin (0-17, 0-11).

Plum 52, Penn Hills 34 – Behind 18 points from Riley Stephans and 11 from Tamia West, Plum (16-3, 9-1) picked up a Section 1-5A victory. Harmony McLean led Penn Hills (9-10, 7-4) with 10 points.

West Allegheny 61, Montour 50 – Emma Ruperto led with 22 points, Ella Smith followed with 14, Alexis Santucci had 13 and Sky Gubba added 10 to push West Allegheny (15-4, 8-2) to a Section 3-5A win. Tiffany Miller scored 12 points and Sofia Brandy had 11 for Montour (12-6, 4-6).

West Greene 46, Clairton 27 – Madelyn Roberts scored 16 points and Kendra Tharp had 11 to lead West Greene (13-5, 8-3) to a Section 2-A win. Karma Fuqua scored 15 points for Clairton (6-10, 3-9).

Yough 52, Southmoreland 36 – Brooke Kowalski scored 18 points to lead Yough (8-12, 2-10) past Southmoreland (1-19, 0-12) in Section 3-4A. Daisy Miller added 13 and Carly Fitzgibbons had 10 for the Cougars. Ashley Seder led the Scotties with 10 points.