What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Feb. 28, 2024: State playoff berths on the line in consolation games

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 | 12:06 AM

Wednesday is a day of rest for all the semifinals survivors as they prepare to play for district gold at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center on Thursday through Saturday.

However, there is still a lot of district basketball coming up with 11 WPIAL consolation matchups Wednesday.

One playoff berth is up for grabs on the girls side as Bishop Canevin (8-14) visits Monessen (19-6) in the Class A fifth-place qualifier.

The Crusaders stayed alive in the consolation first round by beating Eden Christian, 46-34, while the Greyhounds kept their state playoff hopes alive with a close win over West Greene, 34-30.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. with the winner earning the fifth seed out of the WPIAL and the loser calling it a season.

The other Class A girls basketball consolation game is for the No. 3 seed out of the WPIAL when Riverview (16-7) battles Aquinas Academy (16-7) at 6 p.m. at Shaler.

In girls 6A, both teams have qualified for the PIAA postseason in the third-place consolation game when Chartiers Valley (16-7) visits Peters Township (22-2).

No more safety net

Six teams have run out of second chances and will hit the court Wednesday with their seasons on the line.

There are three seventh-place consolation games. The winners earn the No. 7 seed out of the WPIAL and can prepare of the PIAA postseason. For the losers, their 2024 season is over.

In Class 5A, Kiski Area (15-9) visits Gateway (17-8) at 7 p.m. It is the third meeting of the year between the Section 3-5A foes with Gators beating the Cavaliers in the previous two, 64-57 and 37-36 in overtime.

In Class 3A, Ellwood City (16-9) travels to Yough (19-6) at 7 p.m. in what will be the final high school basketball game for one of the two top scorers in the district this season. Yough senior Terek Crosby was second in the WPIAL in scoring, averaging nearly 25. 8 points per game, while Ellwood City senior Joseph Roth was third in the WPIAL, averaging 25.6 points per game.

In Class 2A, Serra Catholic (16-9) will host Eden Christian (12-12) at 7 p.m. The Eagles have struggled in their last two games, losing big to Aliquippa in the quarterfinals by 28 points and getting smashed by Bishop Canevin in their first-round consolation game by 33 points. The Warriors lost big to Greensburg Central Catholic in the quarters by 28 points, but were competitive in an eight-point loss to Jeannette in the first round of the consolations.

More hoop consos

There are five more boys district consolation games Wednesday.

In 5A, Thomas Jefferson (21-4) will travel to Shaler (22-3) at 8 p.m. for third place out of the WPIAL. Fox Chapel (14-11) hosts Bethel Park (13-12) at 8 p.m. for fifth place.

In 3A, Lawrence County rivals Neshannock (20-4) and Mohawk (17-8) meet in Bessemer at 7 p.m. in the rubber game of their season series for the third seed out of District 7 while Derry (15-7) faces Shady Side Academy (17-8) at Fox Chapel at 6 p.m. for the fifth seed. The Bulldogs beat the Trojans twice this season by 15 and 17 points.

In 2A, Jeannette (16-8) will welcome Bishop Canevin (14-11) at 7 p.m. for the fifth seed in 2A.

PIHL playoffs continue

The PIHL Penguins Cup postseason continues Wednesday with another Class A first-round game.

In what is basically the No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 seed matchup, Greensburg Salem (13-5-2) will face Plum (12-7-1) at the Pittsburgh Ice Arena in New Kensington at 9 p.m.

The winner gets No. 2 seed Quaker Valley in the quarterfinals next week.