What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 9, 2026: Pair of 1 vs. 2 matchups set in boys basketball

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 5:38 PM

These two WPIAL boys basketball Class 3A powers are ranked No. 1 and 2 in the Trib HSSN Top 5, they are No. 8 and 9 in the Trib 10 power rankings, and they are No. 3 and 4 in the latest HSSN state rankings.

While they are next to each other in all of those rankings, they are deadlocked atop the Section 1-3A standings.

That tie will be broken Friday when Mohawk hosts Aliquippa in the first of two regular season battles at 7:30 p.m.

The Warriors are 4-0 in section play and 10-1 overall. They have won 10 straight since losing their season opener to Class 6A power Central Catholic.

The Quips are also 4-0 in the section and 7-1 for the season. They won their first six games and then lost to Chartiers Valley on Saturday before rebounding with a section win against New Brighton.

Aliquippa easily handled Mohawk in their two meetings last season, winning by 33 points at home and 17 points on the road.

Both teams lost to South Allegheny in the district playoffs with the Warriors falling in the semifinals and the Quips going down to the Gladiators in the Class 3A district finals.

Earlier this week, Joey Nail scored 26 points as Mohawk rolled past Beaver Falls and Qa’lil Goode scored 29 points in the Aliquippa win over New Brighton.

Another 2 vs. 1

That Class 3A showdown isn’t the only Trib HSSN No. 1 against No. 2 boys basketball clash set for Friday as the top spot in Class A is also up for grabs.

In a rematch of the 2025 Class A district finals, No. 1 Neighborhood Academy hosts No. 2 Serra Catholic.

The Bulldogs are 3-0 in Section 2-A and 10-1 this season. The other NA has won four straight since suffering its only loss of the campaign Dec. 29 to Kiski Area.

The Eagles also sit at 3-0 atop the section and are 7-4 overall. They also have won four in a row since losing to South Allegheny on Dec. 16.

In the 2025 finals, Neighborhood Academy busted open a close game by outscoring Serra Catholic 17-4 in the second quarter to go on and win their first WPIAL championship, 69-46.

Courtney Wallace was dominant for the Bulldogs in recording a title game double-double, scoring 21 points and picking up 18 rebounds.

Owen Dumbroski and Mark Johnson each scored 14 points to lead the Eagles.

More Friday fights for 1st

Besides the two games pitting the top two ranked teams against each other on a busy boys basketball Friday, we also have a No. 1 vs. No. 3 showdown in Class 4A and a No. 3 against an unranked opponent trying to crack the Top 5 in 3A with sole possession of first place up for grabs.

In Section 1-4A, first place is at stake when Knoch visits North Catholic.

The Knights, behind first-year coach Joe Lafko, are 4-0 in section play and 10-2 for the season. Knoch started the season 1-2 but has won nine straight games since losing to Class 6A top-ranked New Castle on Dec. 6.

The Trojans are 3-0 in the section and 9-3 overall. Class 4A No. 1 North Catholic has yet to lose to a team in the state, with all three losses coming against schools from Ohio.

In Section 2-3A, Keystone Oaks and Bishop Canevin are tied for first place with 3-0 records as they are set to meet Friday at BC.

The Golden Eagles have won 10 of their 11 games this season and have won four in a row since suffering their only loss at Hopewell on Dec. 16.

The Crusaders are even with a 6-6 record against a tough nonsection schedule. BC has lost to New Castle, Upper St. Clair, Butler, North Catholic, Jeannette and City League power Obama Academy.

We’ve got spirit, yes we do

The top cheer teams in the state will converge on Johnstown for the 14th annual PIAA competitive spirit championships.

A total of 120 teams from the 12 districts in the PIAA will take part in the two-day event starting Friday at the 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial.

Five championships will be awarded in the 3A large division, 3A small division, 2A large division and 2A small division as well as the co-ed division.

Friday on Trib HSSN

There are 10 broadcasts you can watch or listen to at TribHSSN.TribLivew.com on the ninth day of January.

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: New Castle at Fox Chapel at 7 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Keystone Oaks at Bishop Canevin at 7:30 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Upper St. Clair at Hempfield at 7:30 p.m. on the Westmoreland Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Montour at Thomas Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. on the MVI Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Uniontown at Laurel Highlands at 7:30 p.m. on WMBS-AM 590, WMBS-FM 101.1 at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Knoch at North Catholic at 7:30 p.m. on the North Catholic Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Aliquippa at Mohawk at 7:30 p.m. on Lawrence County SportsNet at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Laurel at Neshannock at 7:30 p.m. on Lawrence County SportsNet at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Boys Basketball – Audio Stream: North Hills at North Allegheny at 8 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

WPIAL Girls Basketball – Audio Stream: North Hills at North Allegheny at 6:30 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com