What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 15, 2024: Section races heat up on mats

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 10:30 PM

Mats throughout the district will be out with midweek high school wrestling duals, the second-to-last section meets of the 2025 season.

In Section 6-3A, first place is up for grabs as Shaler (5-0) hosts North Hills (6-3).

The Titans and Indians are tied for first place with 1-0 records in the four-team section.

In Section 4-3A, North Allegheny (12-2) welcomes visiting Seneca Valley (5-5).

The Tigers are perfect in section matches with a 2-0 record while the Raiders check in at 1-1.

If NA is victorious Wednesday, that will set up a section championship match next week against Butler (4-0, 3-0).

You can listen to that match on Trib HSSN.

In Section 2-3A, Trinity (4-2) is home to 2022 WPIAL champion Waynesburg (3-6).

The Hillers are 2-0 in the section, one game ahead of the Raiders at 1-1.

If Trinity wins, it will be tied for first place with Canon-McMillan (7-8, 3-0) and that sets up a section title match next week between the Hillers and Big Macs.

Class 2A wrestling

There is a wild chase for the top spot in Section 4-2A, with four teams separated by only one game with two weeks remaining.

Laurel (14-2) is alone in first place at 2-0, one game ahead of Ellwood City at 2-1 and Knoch and Summit Academy at 1-1.

Laurel is home to Summit Academy while Knoch hosts North Catholic (4-6, 0-3).

Defending 2A champion Burrell is home to Riverview (1-3, 0-2) in a Section 9-2A match.

The Bucs are trying to win to improve to 2-0 in the section and keep pace with section leader Highlands (3-0, 10-4).

Finally, first place in Section 8-2A is up for grabs when Derry (13-2) visits Ligonier Valley (3-11).

Both the Trojans and Rams are 1-0 in the four-team section.

Midweek section hoops

There are three section contests set for Wednesday in WPIAL girls basketball.

In Section 2-6A, first-place Upper St. Clair (10-2) is home to last-place Connellsville (3-10).

The Panthers are 4-0 atop the section and have won seven straight games while the Falcons are 0-3 and have dropped five of their last six games.

In Section 2-4A, Central Valley (7-4) visits Lincoln Park (3-7).

The Warriors are in third place with a 3-2 section record and have been victorious in their last two games while the Leopards are in fifth place at 1-2 and just ended a seven-game skid with a win over Ambridge.

In Section 1-3A, Riverside (9-6) travels to Mohawk (3-10) at 6:30 p.m.

The Panthers have won two straight and are tied for fourth place with Ellwood City with 4-3 section records and the Warriors sit in sixth place with a 2-5 section mark as they look to end a five-game losing streak.