What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Dec. 16, 2024: Avonworth, Shady Side Academy set for rematch

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, December 15, 2024 | 4:00 PM

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Over the last two girls basketball seasons, Avonworth and Shady Side Academy have built up a rivalry based on success.

In each of the last two seasons, the Antelopes have won the Section 2-3A title while the Bulldogs captured the Section 3-3A crown.

In 2023, Avonworth defeated Shady Side Academy in the WPIAL semifinals, 41-35, on its way to eventual district gold.

Last winter, the two met again in the postseason, this time in the WPIAL 3A championship game. It was the Bulldogs’ turn to capture gold as they defeated the Antelopes in the finals, 52-45.

Following realignment, these two girls hoops Class 3A powers are both in Section 2-3A.

The first of their two regular season meetings is Monday when Avonworth hosts Shady Side Academy at 7:30 p.m.

The Antelopes have won three straight after a season-opening loss to West Allegheny, including a section opening victory over Ligonier Valley on Thursday by 58 points.

Defending champion Shady Side Academy is flying out of the gate with five wins in five games, including a victory in the section opener over South Allegheny by 65 points.

Scoring machines collide

Senior Iyanna Wade of Clairton and junior Emma Larkin of Geibel Catholic are two of the top scorers in WPIAL girls basketball. In fact, they finished No. 1 and No. 2 in district scoring last season.

Wade became only the second player in WPIAL girls basketball history to average more than 40 points per game when she scored 40.1 points per contest last winter. Cali Konek of Imani Christian averaged 45.9 points per game back in 2016.

As a sophomore last season, Larkin scored 656 points for an average of 29.8 points per game.

Both are off and running again this season with Wade averaging over 35 points a game and Larkin at 24 points per game.

The two will see each other up close and personal Monday when Geibel Catholic visits Clairton in a Section 2-A showdown at 6:30 p.m.

The Gators are undefeated at 7-0 on the season with each victory by double-digit points.

In its section opener, Geibel Catholic defeated West Greene, 46-27.

The host Bears are 3-1 with their lone blemish coming in a 73-58 loss at Allderdice.

Clairton opened Section 2 play last week with a 69-56 victory at Serra Catholic.

Early season statements

It is early in the section race in WPIAL girls basketball, but two games Monday feature contests between the current top four teams.

In Section 2-5A, undefeated Penn-Trafford (1-0, 7-0) visits Latrobe (1-0, 4-2) while Indiana (1-0, 5-1) travels to Kiski Area (0-0, 5-1).

In Section 1-4A, all four teams that won their section openers last week square off.

Burrell (1-0, 5-1) hosts Knoch (1-0, 1-5) while Freeport (1-0, 1-4) visits North Catholic (1-0, 2-2).

Tags: Avonworth, Burrell, Clairton, Freeport, Geibel, Indiana, Kiski Area, Knoch, Latrobe, North Catholic, Penn-Trafford, Shady Side Academy