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EVERY SECTION TITLE AND PLAYOFF-CLINCHING SCENARIO IN BOYS BASKETBALL

by: Don Rebel

For some WPIAL boys basketball teams on this final night of section play, it’s kind of like dancing the hokey pokey.

If you win, you are in, and if you lose, you are out. That’s what Friday is about.

Section championships and some District 7 postseason berths are still in play.

The one section title that will be decided in a head-to-head clash is the championship in Section 2-5A when Kiski Area (13-6) visits Penn Hills (10-8).

Both teams are tied for the lead with 10-1 section records.

The Cavaliers are perfect in 2025, winning 10 consecutive games since an overtime loss to Mohawk on Dec. 27.

The Indians have won three straight and six of their last seven games since losing at Kiski Area on Jan. 14, 68-53.

Seniors Carson Heinle (21) and Jacob Musselman (20) combined for 41 points in the victory for the Cavs.

Junior swingman Calix Clark led the Indians that night with 20 points.

Both teams are averaging 59 points per game on offense, but the difference between the two has been of defense.

Kiski Area has allowed an average of 47 points per game while Penn Hills is giving up an average of nearly 59 points per game.

You can watch the game on Trib HSSN at 7:30 p.m.

SEARCHING FOR BANNERS

In Section 1-6A, New Castle (16-3) and Fox Chapel (15-5) are tied for first place with 10-3 section records. On Friday, the Red Hurricanes are home to North Allegheny and Foxes are at Butler. New Castle swept the season series with Fox Chapel.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS ON THE BUBBLE

Life on the playoff bubble on the final day of section play is energetic yet stressful, especially if teams do not control their own destiny.

In Section 1-6A, if Woodland Hills (5-8) wins at playoff-bound North Hills (6-7), the Wolverines will earn a playoff berth. You can watch the Wolverines and Indians on Trib HSSN.

Section 2-5A has the most lengthy playoff explanation with three teams tied for fourth place and the final playoff spot. Two of them meet head to head as Plum (4-7) welcomes Indiana (4-7). The loser is eliminated. The winner has to wait to see what Shaler (4-7) does when it hosts playoff-bound Hampton (6-5). If Shaler wins and Plum is victorious, only the Titans qualify because they were 2-0 against the Mustangs. If Shaler and Indiana win, the Little Indians are the only qualifier because they were 2-0 against the Titans. If Shaler loses, it is out and only the winner of Indiana at Plum qualifies.

In Section 3-5A, Thomas Jefferson (5-6) has a one-game lead for the fourth and final playoff berth over Bethel Park (4-7). If the Jaguars upset visiting Baldwin (10-1), TJ clinches and is playoff bound. If the Black Hawks knock off visiting Peters Township (8-3) and Thomas Jefferson loses, then only BP clinches because it was 2-0 against TJ this season. Anything other than a Thomas Jefferson loss and Bethel Park win, and the Jaguars clinch. You can watch Peters at Bethel on Trib HSSN.