WPIAL boys basketball clinchings, playoff picture through Feb. 5, 2019

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 5, 2019 | 11:18 PM

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There is less than a week left in section play in WPIAL boys basketball. The top four teams in each section qualify for the district playoffs. All teams tied for a playoff spot in which head-to-head does not break the tie all qualify for the postseason.

Trib HSSN’s exclusive coverage of the 2019 WPIAL boys basketball playoffs begins with the Basketball Playoff Pairings Show on Feb. 12.

If Hempfield wins at Latrobe on Friday, the Spartans clinch and will increase the Class 6A playoff field 13 teams.

In Class 5A, Thomas Jefferson could clinch with a win at West Mifflin Friday and a West Allegheny loss at Chartiers Valley. That would increase the Class 5A playoff field to 13 teams.

Another possible 13th team could happen in Class 4A. If Blackhawk wins at home over Beaver on Friday, the Cougars would tie the Bobcats for fourth place, and both teams would qualify.

The Class 3A field is set with 16 playoff teams.

Four teams are alive for three possible playoff spots in Class 2A. Apollo-Ridge can clinch with a win Wednesday at Springdale. Springdale needs to beat Apollo-Ridge, then win at home against Riverview on Friday to clinch. Brentwood can clinch if Chartiers-Houston loses one more section game. Chartiers-Houston also clinches with one more section win. If they win both games at Jeannette and at Carmichaels, they clinch and Brentwood is out.

In Class A, West Greene and Avella are tied for fourth, a half-game ahead of Jefferson-Morgan. Avella hosts Bishop Canevin Friday while Jefferson-Morgan is at Geibel Catholic on Thursday and at West Greene on Friday. Clairton has a one-game lead over Imani Christian for fourth place. Clairton hosts Trinity Christian on Thursday and hosts Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday. Imani is at St. Joseph on Thursday and home to Trinity Christian on Friday.

Here is the list of teams that have qualified for the boys basketball playoffs through Feb. 5.

Class 6A: 12 of a possible 13 playoff teams have clinched

Pine-Richland

Butler

North Allegheny

Seneca Valley

Mt. Lebanon

Upper St. Clair

Canon-McMillan

Peters Township

Latrobe

Fox Chapel

Penn-Trafford

Connellsville

Class 5A: 12 of a possible 13 playoff teams have clinched

Penn Hills

Woodland Hills

McKeesport

Albert Gallatin

Moon

Chartiers Valley

Montour

West Allegheny

Mars

Shaler

Franklin Regional

Hampton

Class 4A: 12 of a possible 13 playoff teams have clinched

Highlands

Knoch

Derry

Freeport

New Castle

Quaker Valley

Ambridge

Beaver

Uniontown

Ringgold

South Park

Belle Vernon

Class 3A: SET with 16 playoff teams

Lincoln Park

Aliquippa

Neshannock

Beaver Falls

Seton LaSalle

North Catholic

Keystone Oaks

Avonworth

Deer Lakes

Steel Valley

Valley

Shady Side Academy

Washington

McGuffey

Charleroi

Southmoreland

Class 2A: 10 of a possible 13 playoff teams have clinched

Winchester Thurston

Sto-Rox

Summit Academy

Serra Catholic

Jeannette

California

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Sewickley Academy

South Side

Shenango

Class A: 10 of at least 12 playoff teams have clinched

Cornell

Vincentian Academy

Nazareth Prep

Union

Monessen

Bishop Canevin

Geibel Catholic

St. Joseph

Greensburg Central Catholic

Leechburg

Don Rebel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Don at drebel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TheDonRebel.