By: Bill Beckner Jr.


Wednesday, December 25, 2024 | 11:01 AM

One of only five undefeated teams left in WPIAL girls basketball this season, Penn-Trafford took confidence into a seven-day break from competition.

The Warriors are 9-0 – their best start since 2003-04 – as they get set to face North Hills on Friday.

The question is when — if at all — will they lose a game?

The next two opponents, North Hills and McKeesport, have a combined record of 3-12.

A potentially tough stretch awaits as the Warriors face five straight Section 2-5A opponents that currently have winning records in Kiski Area (6-3), Indiana (6-2), Hempfield (6-1), Greensburg Salem (5-3) and Latrobe (5-3).

Coach John Giannikas knows he has talent, but Penn-Trafford refuses to take any opponent lightly.

“In all honesty, every game is a concern,” Giannikas said. “You can look at box scores and see upsets every night. We have some really good nonsection games still, with Upper St. Clair, Hempfield, North Hills and Plum. Plus, our section games for the second half, which is always tougher, and still have Kiski Area and Indiana, who are playing well, along with McKeesport.”

Penn-Trafford has played well for quarters, but Giannikas has yet to see a squeaky clean four quarters – a complete game – from his deep group.

“Every kid in our locker room knows we have to be better and that they have to get better individually,” the coach said. “That’s what we love about this team. They are staying humble and know that we haven’t been our best yet. They see the big picture.”

The other undefeated teams in the WPIAL are Shady Side Academy (8-0), South Fayette (7-0), Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (7-0) and Union (7-0).

Spartans ranked

It’s not softball season, but Hempfield has a girls team in the top 5 rankings.

The Spartans (6-1), who nearly knocked off No. 3 Mt. Lebanon last week (42-40), went from unranked to No. 4 in this week’s TribLive 6A rankings.

Hempfield plays Indiana and Latrobe in Latrobe’s holiday tournament on Friday and Saturday.

Berk on a tear

Latrobe senior guard Carley Berk continues to show why Millersville courted her to play in the Division II PSAC.

Berk poured in 31 points last week in a loss to Penn-Trafford, including a halfcourt buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter. She didn’t get an upset win, but she looked like the best player on the court. She also grabbed nine rebounds and dished six assists.

Berk followed with a 27-point effort in a 71-13 win over McKeesport, then scored 20 in a 42-39 loss to Butler.

Unreal shot ! https://t.co/NjfgotTo57

— Latrobe Girls Basketball (@livingston20m) December 18, 2024

Timeout, Norwin

Norwin last played a game Dec. 19 at Connellsville to open Section 2-6A play, but the defending WPIAL 6A champion Knights won’t play again until Friday against North Catholic at North Allegheny – a span of seven days, akin to a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Yough streak

Yough has yet to lose two games in a row this season, but the Cougars (7-3) are currently on a three-game winning streak.

The Cougars topped Charleroi on Monday, 55-23, as Hailey Bock and Evelyn Gates each scored 17 points.

Yough has been efficient while only averaging 37.6 points. It is allowing 31.6, however.

Yough will host Southmoreland on Jan. 2 in a matchup of improved programs.

Holiday hoops

Holiday tournaments are on the menu this weekend, with several events set for Friday and Saturday.

Mt. Pleasant will host three teams for its tournament — West Mifflin, Connellsville and Greensburg Salem.

Greensburg Salem and Mt. Pleasant play each other at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Latrobe will host Indiana, Laurel Highlands and Hempfield.

Latrobe and Hempfield will meet at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Norwin plays North Catholic on Friday and Shaler on Sunday at the Holiday Bash at North Allegheny.

Jeannette will be in the South Allegheny tournament with Winchester Thurston and Trinity Christian, while Monessen will play in the Burgettstown tournament with Aliquippa, Freedom and Burgettstown.

On Sunday, Franklin Regional will take on Canon-McMillan (2:30), and Belle Vernon faces Greensburg Central Catholic (5:30) in the Cal (Pa.) Hoopfest.

At the same event Monday, Franklin Regional meets Upper St. Clair (1 p.m.) and GCC plays OLSH (7 p.m.).

Layups

Franklin Regional is in first place in Section 1-5A with a 3-0 record (5-3 overall). … GCC has won its last two games by an average of 62.5 points. … Lauren Marton of Penn-Trafford had a double-double in a 70-58 win over Latrobe with 14 points and 13 rebounds. She wasn’t alone: Sydnee Foust of Ligonier Valley had a double-double of her own in a 51-43 win over Steel Valley, piling up 13 points and 18 rebounds, while Aubrey Brown of Belle Vernon went for 19 points and 13 rebounds in a 48-32 win over Yough.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Latrobe