What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Feb. 26, 2025: 3 do-or-die consolation games set

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | 12:00 AM

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The day before the district gold rush begins at the Petersen Events Center, the consolation bracket continues in both the boys and girls basketball postseason.

There are 10 games on the boys side and six contests on the girls side.

Of the 16 games, 13 will be for state postseason seeding purposes and three contests will be for a PIAA playoff berth.

• In boys 6A, for the second straight year, Central Catholic (14-10) battles Mt. Lebanon (17-8) in the 6A third-place game at Fox Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Both teams have qualified and are playing for the No. 3 and 4 seeds in the state playoffs. Last year, only three teams qualified and the Blue Devils ended the Vikings’ season with a consolation victory.

• In boys 5A, Uniontown (21-4) hosts Latrobe (20-5) at 7 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN with the winner getting the No. 5 seed and the loser getting the No. 6 seed. Penn-Trafford (14-11) visits Moon (18-7) at 7 p.m. with the winner earning the No. 7 seed and the loser is No. 8 out of District 7.

• In boys 4A, Avonworth (18-6) travels to Beaver (19-5) at 7 p.m. with the No. 3 seed going to the winner and the No. 4 seed to the loser. It’s a do-or-die contest when Deer Lakes (18-6) visits Knoch (18-7) at 7 p.m. with audio on Trib HSSN. The winner clinches a state playoff berth as the No. 5 seed while the season is over for the loser.

• In boys 3A, Ellwood City (15-10) takes on Shady Side Academy (11-13) at Fox Chapel at 6 p.m. as the No. 5 seed goes to the winner and the No. 6 seed to the loser. The season is on the line when Keystone Oaks (17-8) hosts Southmoreland (18-7) at 7 p.m. The winner is the No. 7 seed and the season is over for the loser.

• In boys 2A, Neshannock (21-3) visits Sewickley Academy (19-5) at 7 p.m. (audio on HSSN) for the No. 3 seed to the winner and No. 4 to the loser. The winner of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (19-6) at Greensburg Central Catholic (22-3) game at 7 p.m. is the No. 5 seed and the loser is No. 6. The winner of the Chartiers-Houston (20-5) at Northgate (14-11) game at 7 p.m. is the No. 7 seed and the loser in No. 8.

• In girls 4A, Elizabeth Forward (19-6) travels to North Catholic (21-4) at 7 p.m. with winning earning the No. 3 seed and the loser will be No. 4. Laurel Highlands (18-6) visits South Park (17-6) with the winner becoming the No. 5 seed and the loser is set at No. 6.

• In girls 2A, Fort Cherry (20-4) is home to Rochester (11-13) at 7 p.m. with the No. 5 seed going to the winner and No. 6 to the loser. Chartiers-Houston (19-6) will host Laurel (10-15) at 7 p.m. in a win-and-you’re-in game. The winner is the No. 7 seed and the loser’s season comes to an end.

• In girls A, Aquinas Academy (15-8) heads south to face Geibel Catholic (22-2) at 7 p.m. with the winner earning the No. 3 seed and the loser getting No. 4. The winner of Bishop Canevin (13-10) at St, Joseph (17-8) at 7 p.m. is the No. 5 seed and the loser is No. 6.