By: Don Rebel


Friday, December 13, 2024 | 11:41 PM

A “big” boys basketball battle is set for La Roche College on Saturday as part of the annual Harry Jenkins Classic.

When Upper St. Clair (5-0) takes on Montour (2-0) in the first of four games, the contest not only features two undefeated teams, but also two of the best big men in the WPIAL.

The Panthers are led by 6-foot-10 senior forward Tyler Robbins, a Miami (Ohio) commit, while the Spartans rely on 6-11 senior forward and center Ama Tening Sow, who plans to play his college ball at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Both USC and Montour are expected to contend in their respective classifications of 6A and 5A.

The other three nonsection contests set for Saturday at La Roche include Knoch (4-1) against North Hills (1-3) at 4:30 p.m., Allderdice (1-3) taking on South Fayette (3-0) at 6 p.m., and the finale pits Avonworth (2-1) against Shaler (2-3).

Hitting the roundball road

Four district girls basketball teams are headed out of state for a short trip centered on hoops.

North Allegheny (1-2) heads west to Ohio to face Massillon Washington in the Archbishop Hoban of Ohio Tournament.

Laurel Highlands (3-2) is going south into West Virginia to match up against University High.

Two other WPIAL teams also are traveling south into Virginia to participate in the She Got Game Classic at St. James High School.

Seneca Valley (2-3) challenges Freedom (Va.) while North Catholic (1-2) battles John Marshall (Va.).

Visitor from the east

Perkiomen Valley (3-0) is a girls basketball power in the eastern half of the state in the highest classification.

The Vikings have won back-to-back District 1 championships and were 27-1 last season before losing to eventual PIAA 6A champion Cardinal O’Hara in the state quarterfinals.

The team is off to a good start again this season as they head to District 7 for a pair of games.

Following a 56-34 victory at Norwin on Friday, Perkiomen Valley will visit Upper St. Clair (3-1) for an afternoon game set for 2:30 p.m.