By: Don Rebel


Monday, January 13, 2025 | 11:47 PM

The first half of section play in WPIAL boys basketball concludes Tuesday with plenty of big games around the district, including a showdown in Section 4-5A.

Montour is alone in first place with a 4-0 section record and is 9-1 overall. The Spartans, who have won three straight since a holiday loss to Countryside (Fla.) in Tampa Bay, will visit Moon.

The defending Class 5A champion Tigers are 4-1 and 11-2, one-half game behind second-place Chartiers Valley (12-1, 5-1) after the Colts’ 68-65 win over Mars (7-6, 3-2) on Monday night.

You can watch the Spartans against the Tigers on Trib HSSN at 7:30 p.m.

Southern log jam

Another WPIAL boys basketball section that is very crowded at the top is Section 3-2A, where five of the eight teams are within a game of first place.

Nobody is undefeated in the section, and the top two teams will square off to see who leads at the midway point.

Jefferson-Morgan (9-3) will visit Chartiers-Houston (10-2) in a game you can see on Trib HSSN.

The Rockets are 5-1 in the section while the Buccaneers, who still have one make-up section game from the first half, are 4-1.

Another big game in the section has Beth-Center (4-2, 7-5) traveling to play West Greene (4-2, 6-6).

The Bulldogs and Pioneers are tied for second place with Fort Cherry (6-6) at 4-2. The Rangers on Tuesday visit Carmichaels (2-4, 3-8).

More fights for 1st

There are several head-to-head matchups Tuesday with first place or a share of the top spot at stake up and down the six classifications.

• In Section 2-5A, Penn Hills (5-6) is at Kiski Area (6-6). The Indians are alone in first place at 5-0, a game ahead of the Cavaliers at 4-1.

• In Section 1-4A, two-time champion Deer Lakes (12-2) travels to North Catholic (9-5) in a game you can watch on Trib HSSN. The Lancers are on top at 5-0, one game ahead of the Trojans at 4-1 and Knoch (4-1, 9-4).

• In Section 2-4A, two of the top players in the district go head to head when Avonworth (10-2) hits the road to battle Beaver (11-3). The Antelopes are the front runners with a 4-0 section record, one game ahead of the Bobcats (3-1) and Central Valley (3-1, 11-2). Avonworth is led by Rowan Carmichael while good friend Brady Mayo leads Beaver.

• In Section 3-4A, Derry (8-4) visits Elizabeth Forward (10-3) here on Trib HSSN. The Trojans are in first place at 5-0, one game up on the Warriors at 4-1 and Belle Vernon (5-1, 10-4).

• In Section 4-2A, Neshannock (11-1) plays host to Union (5-1, 11-3) on Trib HSSN. The Lancers are alone on top of the section at 6-0, one game up on the Scotties at 5-1 and OLSH (4-1, 9-4).

• First place in Section 1-A is up for grabs when Aquinas Academy (12-1) hosts Nazareth Prep (9-3). Both the Crusaders and Saints are 4-0 in the section with a two-game lead over both Avella and Beaver County Christian.