Nos. 1-2, Greensburg Central Catholic and Jeannette, prepare for boys basketball rematch
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Monday, February 3, 2025 | 5:58 PM
Jeannette’s Kymone Brown (left) attempts a shot under pressure from Greensburg Central Catholic’s Brady O’Rourke (right) on Jan. 10, 2025, at Jeannette.
The top two boys basketball teams in WPIAL Class 2A have circled back for a rematch.
No. 2 Jeannette (17-1, 10-1) will visit No. 1 Greensburg Central Catholic (18-2, 12-0) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in a matchup of Section 1-2A heavyweights, the latest chapter in one of Westmoreland County’s hottest rivalries.
Never before have the teams faced off as the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the WPIAL twice in the same season.
Jeannette has won six straight — its last loss was to GCC, 53-47, on Jan. 10— while GCC is on a three-game winning streak after a 71-51 nonconference loss to Belle Vernon.
GCC also carries the No. 2 ranking in the state.
While the teams’ first meeting left both with something to be desired, a high-scoring affair is possible in the rematch. Jeannette is averaging 69.3 points and GCC 67.2.
Jeannette is winning by an average margin of 29.3 points, GCC 24.2. The only section game that was remotely close for either team was the one they played against each other.
When they played before a sellout crowd in January, Jeannette was No. 1 and GCC No. 2, but GCC’s win changed the rankings.
Samir Crosby grabbed headlines as he scored 19 points, 15 in the second half, as GCC dealt Jeannette its only loss.
Markus McGowan led Jeannette with 17 points, and Kymon’e Brown added 12. The Jayhawks did not make a field goal in the final minute and shot 8 of 17 from the free-throw line.
Jeannette had the largest lead, at eight points. GCC went to a 2-3 zone in the second half.
Some believe the teams are front-runners to meet in the WPIAL final and perhaps the PIAA playoffs after they played three times last year.
Jeannette upset the favored Centurions in last year’s PIAA second round, 48-46 in overtime.
The other top-five teams this year are Sewickley Academy (3), Neshannock (4) and Chartiers-Houston (5).
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
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