WPIAL boys basketball quarterfinals set for Class 3A, A teams in Thursday’s 3 games to watch

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 | 10:21 PM

After five days of first-round action, it's time to finally turn the page to the quarterfinals in the 2018 WPIAL boys basketball playoffs. Thursday features second-round games in both Class 3A and Class A, including playoff openers for Vincentian Academy, Monessen, Union and Clairton.

Class 3A quarterfinals: Aliquippa vs. Riverside at Ambridge, 6:30 p.m.

One of the first section rematches of this postseason will help lift the curtain to the quarterfinals as Section 1-3A rivals Aliquippa and Riverside meet for a third time.

The results of the first two contests were one-sided in favor of the Quips. Back in December, Aliquippa jumped out to a 20-8 lead after one quarter and cruised to a 66-35 triumph. William Gipson had 14 points to lead the Quips. In the rematch at Riverside in January, again a quick start paved the way as Aliquippa grabbed a 35-23 lead at the half en-route to a 68-51 win. M.J. Devonshire had 15 points for the Quips while Elijah DeMarco had 14 for the Panthers.

In the third matchup, however, Riverside is playing its best basketball of the season with wins in five of the past seven games, including a 32-27 victory over Burrell in the first round. It also was a good start for Aliquippa in these playoffs as the Quips rolled past South Side Beaver, 62-45, as Devonshire tallied 23 points.

Class 3A quarterfinals: Washington vs. Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic at Moon, 8 p.m.

Last year, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic faced Washington in the semifinals with a berth in the title game at stake. Now the two teams meet a round earlier with a berth in the state playoffs and a spot in Monday's district final four at stake.

Last year, the Trojans knocked off the Little Prexies, 49-44, at Moon, on their way to the school's second straight WPIAL boys basketball crown. In that game, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic saw a 12-point third quarter lead evaporate as Washington took its only lead midway through the fourth at 42-41. But Vince DiNicola hit a 3-pointer with just over two minutes left as the Trojans outscored the Little Prexies, 8-2, the rest of the way. Now third-seeded Washington hopes to reverse the outcome at the same venue.

On Saturday, in first-round action, Washington beat Brentwood, 46-37, with a big fourth quarter behind Zahmere Robinson's 18 points and Jordan Swart's 17 points. Ryan Feczko scored 21 points, Brian Davidson added 17 and Michael Drambel 13 points in Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's opening-round victory. The Trojans outscored Ellwood City, 16-3, in the second quarter in a 67-53 victory.

Class A quarterfinals: Monessen vs. Imani Christian at Chartiers-Houston, 7:30 p.m.

After receiving a first-round bye, Monessen will officially open up defense of its 2017 Class A championship against Imani Christian, the team it beat in the title game at the Petersen Events Center.

Monessen claimed its seventh district crown by pulling away from Imani Christian in a physical battle. The Greyhounds led 42-25 in a first half that included a combined 29 fouls. Justice Rice had 30 points for Monessen while teammate Jaden Altomore added 17 points as the Greyhounds cruised to a 74-59 golden victory. Kenny Robinson ended up with 21 points for the Saints despite two technical fouls.

Lyndon Henderson scored 13 points for Monessen in that title game and his big sophomore season has carried over to this year as he leads the Greyhounds in scoring and dropped 55 points in a victory over Geibel Catholic three weeks ago.

Imani Christian beat West Greene, 46-39, on Saturday in the first round of the Class A playoffs as the Saints built up a 23-12 halftime lead. Deshawn Hubbard had a game-high 21 points for the Saints, while Marc Peters chipped in 10 points.

Don Rebel is a TribLIVE High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.