What’s coming up: 6A Boys Basketball First Round

Posted on: by Big 56 Conference

by: Don Rebel

WOODLAND HILLS, SENECA VALLEY PLAY RUBBER MATCH

They say that opposites attract.

If that’s the case, then Woodland Hills and Seneca Valley were destined to meet for a third time in the postseason.

That matchup is one of three Class 6A boys basketball first round games on Monday.

Both Woodland Hills and Seneca Valley finished the season with overall records of 11-11, even though the Wolverines were two games behind the Raiders in the Section 1 standings.

However, the path these two teams took to a .500 finish had them going in opposite directions by the end of the regular season.

Seneca Valley sat in first place in the section for a good part of the season.

Following a win over North Allegheny on Jan. 21, the Raiders had won 10 straight and were alone in first place with an 8-1 section record.

But the boys in black and blue were beat up near the end of the regular season, losing their last five games.

Woodland Hills started slowly sitting at 1-6 in the section at the midway point.

With their backs to the wall, the Wolverines rallied to win their last four games and finish in a tie for fifth and final playoff spot with a North Hills team they beat by 25 in the section finale to clinch.

On Jan. 10, Seneca Valley won at home, beating Woodland Hills, 61-51. Senior guard Tyler Pepin led Seneca Valley with 17 points.

In the rematch Feb. 4, the Wolverines edged the Raiders on two free throws by sophomore Donshae Mosely, 53-51. Mosely led Woodland Hills with 17 points.

No. 9 Woodland Hills visits No. 8 Seneca Valley at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to the 6A quarterfinals on Thursday to play at top-seeded Upper St. Clair.

There are two other 6A boys opening round contests Monday, and both of those also are section rematches.

No. 10 North Hills (7-15) heads north to challenge No. 7 Butler (15-6) in a game you can listen to on Trib HSSN at 7 p.m. The Indians won 69-66 at home Dec. 17, while the Golden Tornado won 51-39 at home Jan. 21. The winner visits No. 2 New Castle in the quarterfinals.

No. 6 Mt. Lebanon (15-7) will host No. 11 Norwin (10-11) at 7 p.m. The Blue Devils won big at home in the second meeting 84-60 on Jan. 28, after the Knights won the first contest 51-49 in overtime Jan. 3. The winner advances to face No. 3 Imani Christian at a site to be determined.