News

The North and the South have controlled the highest classification all season long. The two sections will clash again with one putting contender to win the WPIAL title.

Both games will be at 8 p.m. on a neutral court.

No. 1 Pine-Richland Rams (21-2) vs. No. 5 Butler Golden Tornado (19-4) At Fox Chapel

With just about a quarter to go in its quarterfinal game, top-seed Pine-Richland needed a miracle to advance to tonight’s game. That’s exactly what the Rams got. They erased a 17-point deficit against No. 9 Peters Township with just over a quarter to go and got a game-winning layup from senior Colin Luellen as time expired. The Rams outscored the Indians 23-7 in the final quarter. Senior Dan Petcash led the comeback with 23 points. Senior Greg Shulkosky finished with 13 points and junior Logan Murray finished with 11 points. Pine-Richland defeated Woodland Hills, 65-61, in the semifinals last year…After coming close to a bye, Butler advanced to the semifinals after knocking off the team that got a bye over them, No. 4 Upper St. Clair, 75-70. The game stayed close throughout, with the Golden Tornado finishing strong in the fourth quarter. Junior Ethan Morton led the team with 32 points. Freshman Devin Carney finished with 12 points and sophomore Mattix Clement had 11 points. Butler last competed in the semifinals two years ago, defeating Woodland Hills, 54-36…Pine-Richland swept the regular season series, winning 79-74 on Jan. 8 and 95-76 on Jan. 29.

No. 3 Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils (20-3) vs. No. 7 Canon-McMillan Big Macs (16-8) At Moon

The long layoff didn’t effect Mt. Lebanon has they defeated No. 6 Fox Chapel, 56-40, in the quarterfinals. It was a hot start for the Blue Devils, hit made seven of their first nine shots and led 19-11 after the first quarter. Senior Hayden Mitchell led the charge with 19 points. Junior Jake Hoffman was also in double figures with 11 points. Mt. Lebanon is looking for a better outcome after losing in the semifinals last year as the top-seed to Penn Hills, 69-66…Canon-McMillan has entrenched themselves as the Cinderella team of the tournament. After nearly being eliminated in the first round, the Big Macs, led from start to finish in the quarterfinals against No. 2 Latrobe, coming away with a 83-62 victory. Leading the victory was senior Ethan Beachy with 25 points. Senior Luke Palma and junior Tommy Samosky finished with 19 points apiece and senior Drew Engel added 12…Mt. Lebanon easily swept the regular season series, winning 78-46 on Jan. 4 and 70-50 on Jan. 25.

For a complete look at the Class 6A bracket, click here.