News

by: Don Rebel

As we hit the midway point of January, teams around WPIAL boys basketball reach the end of the first half of section play with plenty of key matchups.

In Class 6A, the top four teams in each section square off Tuesday.

In Section 1, there is a three-way tie for first place and only one game separates those top four teams.

Butler (10-2) and defending champion Central Catholic (7-5) are 3-1 in the section, North Allegheny (5-8) is 2-1, and Pine-Richland (6-6) is 2-2.

The Golden Tornado visits the Rams while the Vikings host the Tigers.

In Section 2, Upper St. Clair (10-3) is alone in first place at 4-0, followed by Mt. Lebanon (11-2) and Baldwin (10-3) with 3-1 section records and Canon-McMillan (7-7) is 2-2.

After beating Lebo at home last week, the Panthers host the Highlanders on Tuesday while the Blue Devils are home to the Big Macs.

You can watch the Baldwin at USC game on Trib HSSN at 7 p.m.

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At least a share of first place is up for grabs in two of the four Class 5A boys basketball sections Tuesday.

In Section 2, first-place Fox Chapel visits second-place Shaler at 7:30 p.m. on Trib HSSN.

The Foxes are 4-0 in the section and 9-6 overall but have won five straight games.

The Titans are 3-1 in the section and an impressive 13-1 overall. They have won their last two games since suffering their only loss of the season to Woodland Hills.

In Section 4, second-place Mars is set to host front-running Moon.

The Fightin’ Planets are tied for second place with a 3-1 section record and are 9-5 overall. Mars has won two straight since its only section loss to South Fayette, which is also 3-1 in the section.

The Tigers are on top with a 4-0 section record and their overall mark is 11-2. Moon has won 10 straight games after losing two of its first three contests this season.

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While most of the WPIAL girls basketball teams concluded the first half of section play Monday, there is a big battle for first place in Class 5A set for Tuesday.

Lincoln Park and Trinity are both 4-0 in Section 4-5A and are a combined 24-1 this season.

The Leopards are a perfect 13-0 and have an average margin of victory in those wins of 28 points.

The Hillers are 11-1 overall and have won 10 straight games since losing to Elizabeth Forward in the second game of the season.

Lincoln Park at Trinity tips off at 6 p.m. and can be seen here on Trib HSSN.