What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 3, 2022: Big night for girls basketball
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Sunday, January 2, 2022 | 9:42 PM
North Allegheny’s Lydia Betz shoots against Pine-Richland’s Madison Zavasky during their game on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at North Allegheny High School.
Mohawk’s Jordan Radzmynski collides with North Catholic’s Anna Waskiewicz during their game on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Cranberry.
Welcome to the first day of high school sports in 2022.
The new year begins with a bang as there are 48 WPIAL girls section basketball games, including section openers in classes 2A and A, Monday.
Six of the past seven WPIAL girls basketball champions in the highest classification have been won by Norwin and North Allegheny.
The Knights won the district Class AAAA championship back-to-back years in 2015 and ‘16 while the Tigers have taken home 6A gold in four of the past five years, including back-to-back crowns twice, in ‘17 and ‘18 and again in ‘20 and ‘21.
NA swept the season series from Norwin last season.
The Tigers and Knights are 2-0 in Section 1-6A.
North Allegheny is undefeated at 6-0 overall, while Norwin is 5-1 with their lone loss to Mt. Lebanon.
You can listen to the game at 7:30 p.m. on Trib HSSN.
2A and A finally begin
As mentioned earlier, Class 2A (except Section 1) and Class A finally tip off section play in WPIAL girls basketball.
While everybody is chasing three-time defending champion Rochester in Class A, two of the Rams’ Section 1 rivals collide when Union visits Eden Christian Academy.
Both the Scotties and Warriors are off to great starts, having won a combined 12 of 13 games.
Union is 7-0 while Eden Christian is off to a 5-1 start, with their lone loss a two-point defeat against District 10’s Grove City.
Hockey opens up 2022
After a week and a half holiday break, the PIHL hockey season continues Monday as four of the top teams in Class 2A are set to face off.
West Division front runner Thomas Jefferson will host South Fayette. The Lions are in third place in the West, four points behind the Jaguars.
In between those two teams in the West is Meadville. The Bulldogs have 18 points and look for their 10th victory on Monday when they visit Franklin Regional. The Panthers lead the East Division with a record of 10-1-1.
Tags: Eden Christian, Franklin Regional, North Allegheny, Norwin, South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson, Union
More High School Basketball
• 23 WPIAL players picked to 2024 all-state boys basketball team, including 2 players of the year• Hampton basketball readies for rare coaching search
• Hall of fame basketball coach Joe Lafko steps down at Hampton
• Dave Pucka, one of Plum’s own, hired to coach boys basketball team
• Corey Dotchin steps down as Highlands boys basketball coach
