State wrestling gold up for grabs as part of 3 things to watch Saturday in WPIAL athletics

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 9, 2018 | 11:54 PM

After a busy Friday in which they beat defending state champion Nazareth in the quarterfinals and fellow district squad Seneca Valley in the semifinals, Kiski Area will wrestle for a PIAA championship Saturday afternoon in Hershey.

The Cavaliers will face District 11 champion Bethlehem Catholic at the Giant Center at 1 p.m. Kiski Area is trying to become the first WPIAL team to win the PIAA 3A wrestling crown since Franklin Regional in 2015.

The Cavs' previous trip to the state title match was in 2003 when they lost to Easton, 43-12.

Three other district teams are in the consolation round on Saturday morning. In Class 2A, Burrell will face Boiling Springs at 9 a.m. With a win, the Bucs will earn a matchup against a Muncy team that knocked them off in the first round. In the Class 3A round three consolations, Canon-McMillan faces Central Dauphin with the winner advancing to face Seneca Valley in the consolation semifinals.

Boys hoops playoff tune-ups

What better way to prepare for the district playoffs then to play one of the top teams in the state? That's what Chuck Crummie must be thinking as he takes his Section 1-6A champion Central Catholic Vikings north to battle two-time defending PIAA Class A champion Kennedy Catholic.

There are four boys basketball games Saturday pitting WPIAL playoff-bound teams against each other in nonsection action, including Franklin Regional at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic and Monessen visiting Washington.

Four Class A postseason-bound teams meet in a pair of afternoon games as West Greene hosts Propel Andrew Street and Winchester Thurston visits Holy Family Academy.

Girls basketball Saturday swagger

A half dozen girls nonsection basketball games slated for Saturday match teams preparing for the Path to the Pete.

The highlight is a pair of defending district champions squaring off as Chartiers Valley visits Bishop Canevin. The Colts are 14-6 a year after winning their first WPIAL Class 5A crown while the Crusaders are 16-3 the season after winning Class 3A gold.

The other playoff prep showdowns are Bethel Park at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Trinity at South Fayette, Neshannock at Central Valley, California at West Greene and Charleroi at Frazier.

Don Rebel is a TribLive High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: Bethel Park, Bishop Canevin, Burrell, Canon-McMillan, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Chartiers Valley, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Kiski School, Monessen, North Catholic, Trinity, Washington, Winchester Thurston