WPIAL Class 5A, 3A girls wrap up semifinals in Wednesday’s 3 games to watch

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 | 7:30 PM

The final night of WPIAL girls basketball semifinals will be contested Wednesday, with championship game berths on the line for Class 5A and Class 3A. Here's a look at three games to watch:

Class 5A semifinals: Oakland Catholic vs. Mars at North Hills, 8 p.m.

Fresh off a WPIAL Class 5A upset of No. 1 Trinity on Saturday, No. 8-seeded Oakland Catholic (16-8) is still riding high. But if the Eagles are going to reach the WPIAL finals for the 14th time, they will have quite a test to pass in the semifinals.

Mars features one of the best guard tandems in the WPIAL with Xavier recruit Lauren Wasylson (18.2 ppg) and Bucknell recruit Tai Johnson (17.6 ppg). They helped the Fightin' Planets defeat section rival Hampton, 48-41, in the quarterfinals Saturday.

Oakland Catholic is led by 6-foot forward Sierra DeAngelo, who had 15 points in the quarterfinals. Jayde Boyd and Cierra Christian each had 13.

Class 5A semifinals: Gateway vs. Chartiers Valley at Baldwin, 8 p.m.

Defending WPIAL Class 5A champion Chartiers Valley had its share of struggles during the regular season, enduring one stretch of three losses in five games. But the No. 6-seeded Colts (18-6) seem to have it all figured out and have won 10 straight games, including a 49-42 win over No. 3 West Allegheny in the quarterfinals.

Chartiers Valley is led by the tandem of Megan McConnell (20.1 ppg) and Mackenzie Wagner (17.3 ppg). In Saturday's quarterfinals, the guard tandem combined for 48 of the team's 49 points.

Gateway also is on quite a winning run, riding a 13-game streak of victories, including a 57-54 win over section rival Thomas Jefferson in Saturday's quarterfinals.

The Gators are led by Niagara recruit Jordan Edwards, who tallied 15 points against TJ. Sophomore 6-foot-3 forward Lexi Jackson added 19 points and 19 rebounds, and Mary Kromka had 13 points.

Gateway allows just 35.5 points per game, the best average in Class 5A.

Class 3A semifinals: Bishop Canevin vs. Mohawk at Moon, 8 p.m.

Top-seeded Bishop Canevin won the 2017 WPIAL Class 3A title a year ago with a 65-36 triumph over Neshannock. To make a return trip (possibly to again face Neshannock, which plays No. 2 East Allegheny in the other semifinal), the Crusaders will have to pass a test against No. 4 Mohawk.

The Warriors (19-4) are coming off a thrilling 53-51 victory over Avonworth in the quarterfinals. Carlee Stetler made two free throws with one-tenth of a second remaining for the victory. Karly McCutcheon had 15 points, Stetler added 13, and Caitlin Carnuche had 12 for Mohawk, which is looking for its first title-game appearance.

Bishop Canevin, which also won the 2016 WPIAL title, then in Class 2A, is led by Bri Allen and Shamijha Price. Allen scored 22 points in Saturday's 57-32 quarterfinal win over Laurel. She averages 15.6 points, while Price averages 14.4.

Bill Hartlep is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bhartlep@tribweb.com.

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Chartiers Valley, Gateway, Mars, Mohawk, Oakland Catholic