By: Don Rebel


Monday, February 3, 2025 | 11:44 PM

The final week of the regular season in WPIAL boys basketball continues with plenty of high-stakes contests for both section titles and district playoff spots.

There are five district boys hoops games with first place and a possible section crown at stake, but only one of them is between two teams currently tied for the top spot.

In Section 1-4A, Knoch, fresh off a big win Friday over Deer Lakes (9-2, 16-4), visits North Catholic on Tuesday.

Both the Knights are Trojans are tied for first place with 9-1 section records and they are each 14-5 overall.

Knoch has won six of its last seven games while North Catholic has won five straight games since losing in the first matchup between these two teams Jan. 10.

Juniors Vinnie DeFelice scored 16 points, Derek Lang had 15 and Jackson Bauman delivered 14 points as the Knights won at home over the Trojans, 61-56.

Junior Jason Fredericks led all scorers with 21 points and senior Owen Maddalon scored 17 for North Catholic.

Deer Lakes has only one more section game remaining when it hosts North Catholic on Friday.

You can listen to the game on Trib HSSN.

The other 4 for 1st

Four section showdowns Tuesday pit one team in first place looking to clinch the outright section crown against another team one game back looking for a victory to move into a tie for the top spot and possibly earn a share of the section title later this week.

• In Section 1-6A, Fox Chapel (15-4) hosts New Castle (15-3) in a game you can watch on Trib HSSN at 7 p.m. The Foxes are 10-2 atop the section, one game ahead of the Red Hurricanes at 9-3.

New Castle outscored Fox Chapel 24-7 in the fourth quarter of their first meeting to win big, 72-41. Freshman Kai Cox scored 19 points to lead the ‘Canes. Senior Caden Kaiser scored 14 points for the Foxes.

• In Section 1-3A, Aliquippa (15-3) visits Mohawk (16-4) in a game you can view on Trib HSSN at 7:30 p.m. The Quips are a perfect 10-0 in the section, one game ahead of the Warriors at 9-1.

Aliquippa crushed visiting Mohawk three weeks ago, 76-43. Junior Josh Pratt scored 29 points for the Quips while junior Bobby Fadden led the Warriors with 22 points.

• In Section 1-2A, rivals collide when Greensburg Central Catholic (18-2) welcomes Jeannette (17-1) on Trib HSSN at 7:30 p.m. The Centurions sit in first place with a perfect section record at 12-0, one game ahead of the Jayhawks at 11-1.

GCC fell behind early in the first meeting between the two but rallied on the road to defeat Jeannette, 53-47. Junior Samir Crosby had a game-high 19 points to lead the Centurions while sophomore Marcus McGowan had 17 points for the Jayhawks.

• In Section 2-2A, Sewickley Academy (15-3) travels to battle Northgate (10-7) at 7:30 p.m. on Trib HSSN. The Panthers are undefeated in the section with a 10-0 record while the Flames are on their heels at 8-1.

The first clash between the two was tight as Sewickley Academy held on to beat Northgate, 54-49. Junior Lucas Grimsley led the Panthers with 15 points while senior Kadenne Kemp led all scorers with 16 points for the Flames.

More key games

A handful of other Tuesday district basketball games hold significance with time running out on the regular season.

In boys games:

• Shaler (4-6, 7-12) is at Indiana (4-7, 7-12) in a battle for fourth place in Section 2-5A. Plum (4-6, 8-10) is also in the mix for a playoff berth as it visits first-place Kiski Area.

• Highlands (3-7, 4-13) travels to Freeport (3-7, 6-12) with the winner moving into sole possession of fourth place in Section 1-4A and clinching a playoff berth. You can watch this game on Trib HSSN.

• Carlynton (3-5, 8-11) hosts Washington (3-5, 5-12) with the winner moving into sole possession of fourth place in Section 2-3A and clinching a playoff berth. You can watch this game on Trib HSSN.

• Charleroi (3-5, 9-10) can earn a playoff spot with a win at Brownsville (2-6, 4-14). A Falcons victory over the visiting Cougars leaves both teams tied for fourth place in Section 4-3A and the tiebreaker even between the two.

• Brentwood (5-5, 8-10) can earn a playoff spot with a win at Eden Christian (4-6, 6-14). A Warriors victory over the visiting Spartans leaves both teams tied for fourth place in Section 2-2A and the tiebreaker even between the two.

In girls games:

• North Hills (2-6, 6-13) is in must-win mode as it visits North Allegheny (4-4, 8-10). The Indians must beat the Tigers, then beat visiting Woodland Hills and have NA lose at Butler on Thursday to qualify for the playoffs.

• West Allegheny (3-7, 10-9) is also in must-win mode as it visits Moon (5-5, 10-7). The Indians must beat the Tigers, then beat visiting New Castle and have Moon lose at Montour on Thursday to qualify for the playoffs.