What’s coming up: 6A Boys Basketball Semifinals & 5A Boys Basketball Consolations

Posted on: by Big 56 Conference

Photo Credit: @lebohoops

by: Don Rebel

UPPER ST. CLAIR, CENTRAL CATHOLIC TO AGAIN MEET IN PLAYOFF CLASH

It is becoming a postseason tradition – Upper St. Clair facing Central Catholic in the boys 6A semifinals.

Their meeting Monday marks the third straight year the Panthers and Vikings have clashed in the final four. The winner has gone on to claim gold the past two seasons.

In the 2023 semifinals, Central Catholic cruised past Upper St. Clair, 65-41.

Dante DePante had a game-hight 25 points to lead the Vikings, who later knocked off New Castle in the WPIAL finals, 61-52.

Last season, the two met again in the semis with Upper St. Clair coming out on top, 61-46.

Christian Ito led the Panthers with 17 points. USC advanced to the finals and cruised past Baldwin, 64-41.

Following the quarterfinal victories Thursday, top-seeded Upper St. Clair (21-2) is set to battle No. 5 Central Catholic (14-9) for the third time this season at Peters Township at 7 p.m. in a game you can hear on Trib HSSN.

The Panthers eliminated Woodland Hills, 63-41, thanks to 17 points from senior forward Tyler Robbins.

The Vikings won on the road, defeating Fox Chapel in the quarters, 52-45, with senior guard Calvin Vento scoring 13 points.

USC swept Central in two Section 2-6A regular season meetings. The Panthers won at home 46-31, then claimed victory at Chuck Crummie Court in Alumni Hall, 57-43.

In the other 6A semifinal, No. 2 New Castle (20-3) will take on No. 6 Mt. Lebanon (17-7) at North Allegheny at 8 p.m. Listen to the contest on Trib HSSN.

The Section 1-6A champion Red Hurricanes advanced with a 64-43 win over Butler in the quarterfinals.

Freshman Kai Cox led the ‘Canes with 16 points.

The Blue Devils ousted 2023 and 2024 district and state Class A champion Imani Christian in the quarters, 64-61.

Senior Liam Shealy pace Lebo with 23 points.

CONSOLATION MONDAY

All four teams in boys 5A have already qualified and now they are playing for seeding. Latrobe (19-5) visits Moon (18-6) and Uniontown (20-4) hosts Penn-Trafford (14-10) with both games tipping off at 7 p.m.