What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Feb. 6, 2025: Playoff scenarios for girls basketball section hopefuls and bubble teams

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 12:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Thursday marks the final busy night of WPIAL girls basketball section play with some titles and postseason berths still up for grabs.

The section titles in Sections 3 and 4 in Class 5A were decided Monday and the Section 1 title will be decided on Friday.

That leaves first place in Section 2-5A shining bright in the spotlight when undefeated Penn-Trafford (20-0) hosts Indiana (16-4).

The Warriors are 11-0 atop the section while the Little Indians are a game back at 10-1.

P-T has been perfect, outscoring its 20 opponents by an average of 58-34.

Indiana comes into this showdown having won five of its last six games since losing at home to Penn-Trafford on Jan. 13.

In that game, the Warriors rallied from a nine-point deficit at halftime to outscore the Little Indians 34-12 in the second half and win the game, 50-37.

Sophomore Isabella Fontana and junior Hanna Weishaar each had 11 points for Penn-Trafford.

Junior Julia Antonucci led Indiana with eight points.

You can see the game on Trib HSSN.

Searching for crowns

Some other WPIAL girls basketball section championships up for grabs, shared or outright, on Thursday include:

• In Section 2-2A, Fort Cherry (17-2) visits South Side (15-5). The Rangers are 9-0 in the section while the Rams are a game back at 8-1. Fort Cherry won the first meeting at home, 50-45.

• In Section 4-2A, Winchester Thurston (16-2) hosts Riverview (12-3). The Bears are 9-0 in the section and the Raiders are 8-1. Winchester Thurston cruised past Riverview in Oakmont earlier this season, 57-36.

• In Section 1-4A, Oakland Catholic (17-3) and North Catholic (17-3) are tied for first place with 12-1 section records. On Thursday, the Eagles travel to Burrell and the Trojans visit Derry.

• In Section 3-3A, Keystone Oaks (17-1) and Seton LaSalle (14-5) are tied for first place with 10-1 section records. On Thursday, the Golden Eagles are at Washington and the Rebels are home to McGuffey. A Wash High win allows the Little Prexies to tie Brownsville for fourth place and they would both qualify for the playoffs.

• In Section 1-2A, Neshannock (19-2) and Aliquippa (14-4) are tied for first place with 8-1 section records. On Thursday, the Lancers visit Shenango and the Quips are at Rochester.

• In Section 2-6A, Norwin (12-7) is one game up on Upper St. Clair (14-5). The Knights are 8-1 in the section while the Panthers are 7-2. Norwin will host Hempfield on Thursday and USC is home to Mt. Lebanon.

Playoff scenarios on the bubble

Life on the playoff bubble in the final week of the regular season can be a tad stressful.

There are 13 teams in limbo that should have their playoff fate determined by the end of Thursday.

• In Section 2-5A, if Kiski Area (4-7) wins at McKeesport (2-9) and playoff-bound Greensburg Salem (5-6) loses at West Mifflin (0-9), then the Cavaliers will earn a playoff berth.

• In Section 1-4A, if Highlands (4-9) beats visiting Valley (1-12) and playoff-bound Freeport (5-8) loses at Knoch (9-4), then the Golden Rams will clinch a postseason berth.

• In Section 2-4A, Hampton (5-6) and Hopewell (5-6) are tied for fourth place. The Talbots are at Beaver (9-2) and the Vikings are hosting Central Valley (7-4). If they both win or both lose and end up tied for fourth, they will both qualify.

• In Section 3-4A, if Mt. Pleasant (4-9) wins at Ringgold (1-11) and playoff-bound Yough (5-8) loses against visiting Laurel Highlands (15-5), then the Vikings will earn a playoff berth.

• In Section 2-3A, Ligonier Valley and South Allegheny are tied for fifth place with 4-8 section records. On Thursday, the Rams host the Gladiators in a game you can see on Trib HSSN. The winner clinches a playoff berth but the loser is not eliminated because they each have one more section game Friday. LV travels to Avonworth (8-4) and SA is home to Steel Valley (2-10). If they end up tied after Friday, both will qualify for the postseason.

• In Section 3-3A, if Washington (4-7) wins at home against Keystone Oaks (10-1), the Little Prexies will clinch a playoff berth.

• In Section 2-2A, if Carlynton (2-7) wins at playoff-bound Burgettstown (3-6), the Cougars will clinch a playoff berth.

• In Section 3-2A, if Carmichaels (2-7) wins at Jefferson-Morgan (0-8), the Mighty Mikes qualify for the postseason.

• In Section 1-A, if Sewickley Academy (3-10) wins at home over Leechburg (2-10) and Eden Christian (4-9) loses to Union (12-0), the Panthers are playoff bound.

• In Section 2-A, if Avella (4-9) wins at home over West Greene (6-6) and Bishop Canevin (5-8) loses at Mapletown (1-12) on Thursday, the Eagles will make the playoffs.