What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 3, 2026: Norwin, Imani Christian jockey for position

By: Don Rebel
Friday, January 2, 2026 | 9:09 PM

In Section 2-6A boys basketball, everybody is looking up at first-place Central Catholic.

Two of the teams locked in a three-way tie for second place, one game behind the Vikings, meet in a rare Saturday afternoon section game.

Imani Christian visits Norwin with the winner improving to 3-1, matching the record of Upper St. Clair behind Central Catholic at 4-0.

The Saints have dropped two straight and are 0-5 against a tough nonsection schedule.

However, Imani is 2-0 in the section, including a double-overtime victory the last time they were in Westmoreland County against Hempfield two days before Christmas.

The Knights have won three straight games and are 7-4 for the season.

Following a section-opening loss to defending champion Upper St. Clair, Norwin has won two straight section games over Connellsville and Mt. Lebanon.

Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m.

Saturday hoop events

Several WPIAL boys and girls basketball teams will be in action Saturday at three full-day events.

The annual Chuckie Mahoney Classic will take place at the main and auxiliary gyms at Burgettstown with this schedule:

Boys: Weir (WV) vs. McGuffey at 11 a.m.

Boys: Beaver vs. Neighborhood Academy at 1 p.m.

Girls: Washington vs. Fort Cherry at 1 p.m.

Boys: Washington vs. Fort Cherry at 3 p.m.

Girls: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart vs. West Allegheny at 3 p.m.

Girls: McGuffey vs. Chartiers-Houston at 5 p.m.

Girls: Weir (WV) at Burgettstown at 5 p.m.

Boys: Avella at Burgettstown at 7 p.m.

Five games will take place at McKeesport as part of the Slammin’ at the Port event.

Girls: Aliquippa vs. Brentwood at 1:30 p.m.

Girls: Obama Academy at McKeesport at 3 p.m.

Boys: Obama Academy vs. Bishop Canevin at 4:30 p.m.

Boys: Central Catholic vs. Woodland Hills at 6 p.m.

Boys: Kiski Area at McKeesport at 7:30 p.m.

Four games make up The Rumble at North Allegheny event.

Boys: Erie vs. Thomas Jefferson at 3 p.m.

Girls: Wilmington vs. Aquinas Academy at 4:30 p.m.

Boys: Hickory vs. South Allegheny at 6 p.m.

Boys: Aliquippa vs. Chartiers Valley at 7:30 p.m.

County wrestling concludes

The Tri-County Athletic Directors Association annual wrestling tournament concludes Saturday at West Greene with semifinals and consolation and championship finals.

The two-day event is made up of schools from Washington, Fayette, southern Allegheny and Greene Counties.

You can watch the matches on Trib HSSN starting at 10 a.m.

Another county tournament takes place at Laurel with the Ed Driscoll Midwestern Athletic Conference Tournament.

The teams involved from Beaver, western Allegheny and Lawrence Counties includes Ambridge, Beaver, Beaver County Christian, Blackhawk, Carlynton, Central Valley, Freedom, Hopewell, Laurel, Mars, Mohawk, Montour, Moon, Quaker Valley and West Allegheny.

Also on Saturday, 11 district teams are taking part in the Bo Wood Tournament at Indiana.

The schools include host Indiana, Chartiers Valley, Hampton, Highlands, Knoch, Penn Hills, Plum, Seneca Valley, South Allegheny, Summit Academy and West Mifflin.

Saturday on Trib HSSN

There is one broadcast you can watch or listen to at TribHSSN.TribLivew.com on the third day of January.

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Connellsville at Laurel Highlands at 1:30 p.m. on WMBS-AM 590, WMBS-FM 101.1 at TribHSSN.TribLive.com