Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 26, 2024

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 4:07 PM

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WPIAL basketball playoffs

Boys

Class 5A

Semifinals

3-Shaler (22-2) vs. 2-Franklin Regional (22-2)

8 p.m. Monday at Mt. Lebanon

Winner plays: Winner of 4-Thomas Jefferson (21-2)/1-Moon (21-3) in championship 9 p.m. March 1 at Petersen Events Center

Coaches: Rob Niederberger, Shaler; Jesse Reed, Franklin Regional

Players to watch: Keegan Smetanka, Shaler; Cam Rowell Franklin Regional

Layup lines: Shaler advanced to the semifinals for the fourth time — the first since 2012 — with a 35-26 win over Bethel Park and its zone defense. Smetanka was the game’s high scorer with 12 points. The Titans lost to Franklin Regional earlier in the season, 72-62, in double overtime. They have won eight straight since. The Titans average 60.5 points. The Titans lost in the first round last year to South Fayette, 34-33. They lost to New Castle in the quarterfinals two years ago. Franklin Regional and Shaler were section opponents for two years (2018-20). Shaler struggled for years before Niederberger took over in 2016. Niederberger led Burrell to the WPIAL finals in 2013. … With its second win this season over Gateway, Franklin Regional advanced to its first WPIAL final since 2017-18 when it lost to Mars. Rowell had 21 points, and Cooper Rankin added 19 as the Panthers pulled away with a big second half. They have won 11 in a row, their last loss coming against Gateway on Jan. 12. Rowell needs 23 points to hit 1,000 for his career. … Neither team has won a WPIAL title.

Class 2A

Consolation tournament

Eden Christian (12-11) at Jeannette (15-8)

7 p.m. Monday

Winner plays: Winner of Serra Catholic (16-8)/Bishop Canevin (13-11) Wednesday in fifth-place game (time, date TBD)

Coaches: Aaron Smith, Eden Christian; Adrian Batts, Jeannette

Players to watch: Nathan Garrett, Eden Christian; Markus McGowan, Jeannette

Layup lines: Eden Christian stayed with No. 2 Greensburg Central Catholic early before going cold offensively and getting mercy-ruled in the quarterfinals. Garrett scored 17 points in the loss, including three first-half 3-pointers. The Warriors went 2-0 in the consolation bracket last year to take fifth in the WPIAL, then reached the second round of the PIAA playoffs. … Jeannette rallied to close the gap to three in the fourth quarter but couldn’t get past Northgate in a 55-44 quarterfinal loss, eliminating a shot at rival GCC in the final four. Kymone Brown had 11 points and McGowan 10 for the Jayhawks, who lost to Northgate in the first round last year 89-65. … The loser of this game will play for seventh place.

Girls

Class 6A

5-Chartiers Valley (16-6) vs. 1-Norwin (19-3)

6 p.m. Monday at AHN Arena, Peters Township

Winner plays: Winner of 3-North Allegheny (21-2)/2-Peters Township (22-1) in championship 7 p.m. March 1 at Petersen Events Center

Coaches: Mike Semplice, Chartiers Valley; Brian Brozeski, Norwin

Players to watch: Lilah Turnbull, Chartiers Valley; Kendall Berger, Norwin

Layup lines: Chartiers Valley pushed its way into the semis with a patient, 34-26 victory over Mt. Lebanon in the quarterfinals. Turnbull scored almost as many points as her opponent, with 25. The Colts split with Mt. Lebanon during Section 2 play and lost to the Blue Devils in the first round last season. Chartiers Valley is improved with the return of guard Ella Cupka from an injury. She is a Mercyhurst recruit. The Colts made the 5A semis in 2022, but they lost in the WPIAL and PIAA finals. … Norwin returns to the semifinals for the second straight time but is seeking its first finals trip since 2016 when it won the second of back-to-back titles. The Lady Knights handled No. 8 Seneca Valley in the quarterfinals 58-20 as Lauren Palangio (14 points), Ava Kobus (14) and Berger (12) scored in double figures. Defensive pressure keyed the rout, with Norwin holding Seneca Valley scoreless in the third quarter. Norwin is 17-0 against WPIAL teams this season. Last season, they lost to North Allegheny in the semis 38-36 before reaching the PIAA semifinals.

Class 4A

Consolation tournament

Greensburg Salem (16-8) at Highlands (16-7)

6 p.m. Monday

Winner plays: Winner of Central Valley (12-11)/Knoch (14-10) in fifth-place game

Coaches: Rick Klimchock, Greensburg Salem; Shawn Bennis, Highlands

Players to watch: Kaitlyn Mankins, Greensburg Salem; Jocelyn Bielak, Highlands

Layup lines: Greensburg Salem ran into a team that has come a long way from an early-season overtime matchup, falling 49-25 to top-seeded Blackhawk. The Golden Lions were held to one point in the first quarter and scored just nine and five in the second and third quarters. Mankins finished with 11 points in the loss. The Golden Lions lost in the first round last year and have not been to the PIAA playoffs since 2006-07. … Highlands was tripped up in the quarterfinals by Laurel Highlands, 45-33, despite outscoring the Mustangs, 6-0, in the third quarter. The Golden Rams allowed 23 in the fourth. Highlands swept a pair of Section 1-4A games from Greensburg Salem by scores of 54-47 and 55-45. The winner qualifies for states but will play for fifth place. The loser is eliminated.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Chartiers Valley, Franklin Regional, Norwin, Shaler