WPIAL clinched: Boys basketball playoff qualifiers through Jan. 27, 2026

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 11:10 PM

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After a frosty start, the stretch run is underway as the 2026 WPIAL boys basketball playoff field is starting to build.

A reminder of the playoff format this season as sections with eight or more teams send the top five teams to the playoffs while sections with seven or fewer schools will send the traditional top four teams.

If two or more teams tie for the final playoff spot and the head-to-head tiebreaker does not break the tie, all of the tied teams qualify.

Here is the latest list of teams that earned a district playoff berth through Tuesday.

*won or shared section championship

Class 6A

3 of at least 10 playoff teams have clinched

Section 1

*New Castle Red Hurricanes

Section 2

Upper St. Clair Panthers

Central Catholic Vikings

Class 5A

8 of at least 17 playoff teams have clinched

Section 1

Gateway Gators

Section 2

Penn Hills Indians

Shaler Titans

Section 3

Thomas Jefferson Jaguars

Peters Township Indians

Section 4

Chartiers Valley Colts

Lincoln Park Leopards

Moon Tigers

Class 4A

6 of at least 12 playoff teams have clinched

Section 1

Knoch Knights

North Catholic Trojans

Section 2

Quaker Valley Quakers

Section 3

Derry Trojans

Belle Vernon Leopards

Elizabeth Forward Warriors

Class 3A

5 of at least 16 playoff teams have clinched

Section 1

Mohawk Warriors

Aliquippa Quips

Ellwood City Wolverines

Section 2

Bishop Canevin Crusaders

Section 3

None

Section 4

Southmoreland Scotties

Class 2A

9 of at least 19 playoff teams have clinched

Section 1

Jeannette Jayhawks

Clairton Bears

Section 2

Sewickley Academy Panthers

Eden Christian Academy Warriors

Section 3

Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers

Jefferson-Morgan Rockets

Fort Cherry Rangers

Section 4

Neshannock Lancers

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chargers

Class A

3 of at least 8 playoff teams have clinched

Section 1

Nazareth Prep Saints

Section 2

Neighborhood Academy Bulldogs

Serra Catholic Eagles