What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Feb. 8, 2024: Moon, Montour girls battle for playoff spot

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | 9:00 PM

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The four best words this time of year might be “win and you’re in.”

That is the case for two West Hills rivals in a battle for fourth place in WPIAL girls basketball as Montour (8-12) hosts Moon (13-8) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Trib HSSN.

Both the Spartans and Tigers are 3-6 in Section 4-5A, trailing playoff-bound Lincoln Park, Trinity and South Fayette.

Moon squeaked out a 48-45 win at home on Jan. 15. Since that big win, the Tigers have gone 4-4.

The Spartans are 3-4 since that meeting but have dropped three straight games.

Sophomore Jaedin Griggs led the Tigers in that victory with 21 points while senior Jordyn Wolfe had a game-high 25 points for the Spartans.

Two other teams also need a win Thursday to clinch a playoff berth.

In Section 2-4A, Beaver can clinch with an upset win at section champion Blackhawk. A victory would tie the Bobcats for fourth place with Hopewell.

In Section 4-3A, Yough can clinch a playoff berth with a win at South Park, plus they also need McGuffey to lose to Charleroi.

Section championships at stake

There are five WPIAL girls basketball games Thursday with the prize being the section championship.

All five include one team looking for the outright section crown while the other team is trying to force a share of the section title.

Three of the five are in Class 5A.

In Section 1, Indiana (15-5) hosts Plum (13-7). The Little Indians are in first place with a 10-1 section record while the Mustangs are a game back at 9-2.

In Section 3, Oakland Catholic (20-0) travels to McKeesport (18-2). The Eagles are 11-0 and in first place, one game in front of the Tigers at 10-1.

In Section 4, Lincoln Park (19-1) welcomes Trinity (16-5). The Leopards have clinched a share of their first section title at 8-1, while the Hillers are looking for the split with a section record of 7-2.

In Section 1 of Class 3A, Neshannock (15-5) visits Beaver Falls (13-6). The Lancers are on top with an 8-1 section mark while the Tigers are one game out with a 7-2 record.

In Section 3 of Class A, St. Joseph (17-2) travels south on Route 28 to visit Riverview (14-5). The Spartans have yet to lose in the section with a 6-0 record while the Raiders check in with a 5-1 mark.

Bull’s-eye

Two days after Butler repeated as WPIAL rifle team champion, history could be made Thursday on the shooting range.

No athlete has ever won three straight WPIAL individual championships, but McGuffey senior Riley Dunn has a shot.

Dunn won gold as a sophomore in 2022 and a junior in 2023, becoming only the third athlete to repeat and rifle champ.

Robbie Gagliana of Avella first repeated in 2008-2009, and then Selena Phillips of Waynesburg won back-to-back crowns in 2018-2019.