By: Don Rebel


Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 12:03 AM

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We are at the midway point of the regular season with the second half of section play tipping off for many WPIAL girls basketball teams Thursday.

The second half begins with a bang in a pair of Class 4A girls hoops sections.

In Section 1-4A, top-ranked North Catholic (12-2) visits No. 3 Oakland Catholic (10-2).

The Trojans are 7-0 and sit in first place and can take a commanding two-game lead in the section with a victory.

North Catholic is on a 12-game winning streak after dropping their first two games.

The Eagles are alone in second place at 6-1 and can move into a tie for first place with a home win.

Oakland Catholic has won nine games in a row since losing at North Catholic last month, 42-34.

In Section 2-4A, two teams sporting 11-2 overall records collide when Blackhawk hosts Beaver.

The No. 2 Cougars are in first place with a 5-0 section record.

Blackhawk has won four straight and 11 of its last 12 games.

The Bobcats are in second place with a 5-1 section mark.

Beaver has been victorious in 8 consecutive games since falling to visiting Blackhawk in December, 59-44.

Grade ‘A’ matchups

While Class 4A is in the spotlight with two key games with first-place implications, the two section leaders in Class A girls hoops will be challenged Thursday.

In Section 1, it is a rematch of the 2023 WPIAL Class A championship game when Union visits Aquinas Academy.

The two-time defending champion Scotties are 6-0 in the section and a perfect 12-0 for the season.

The average margin of victory for Union has been nearly 24 points.

The Crusaders, who have yet to lose at home this season, sit in second place with a 5-1 section record and are 8-4 overall this season.

Aquinas Academy has won five straight games and six of its last seven since a 56-37 loss at Union last month.

In Section 2-A, front-running Clairton (8-2) is home to Serra Catholic (7-6).

The Bears are 6-0 and a half-game ahead of second place Geibel Catholic (6-1, 13-1).

The Eagles are 5-2 in the section and have won six of seven games since a 13-point loss to visiting Clairton in December.

Feuding neighbors

The top two teams in WPIAL girls basketball Section 3-3A are not only next to each other in the standings, they are across the street from each other on a map.

Seton LaSalle leads the way with a 6-0 section record and has won 10 of its 13 games this season.

Keystone Oaks is in second place with a 4-1 section mark and an overall record of 10-1.

The Rebels are winners of four in a row since a holiday loss to Elizabeth Forward.

The Golden Eagles have won seven straight since losing at Seton LaSalle on Dec 12, 60-57.

KO looks to even the score and the standings when it hosts Seton at 7:15 p.m.