By: Don Rebel


Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 11:18 PM

We are at the midway point of the regular season as the second half of section play tips off for many district boys basketball teams on another frosty Friday.

Top teams do battle in both Class 6A sections to get the ball rolling on the second half.

In Section 1-6A, there is a three-way tie for first place between New Castle (12-1), Fox Chapel (11-3) and Seneca Valley (9-6). All three have section records at the break of 5-1.

On Friday, Fox Chapel visit Seneca Valley.

In the first meeting between the two, the Foxes rolled to a double-digit victory at home over the Raiders in mid-December, 52-41.

The Red Hurricanes are also on the road Friday when they visit North Hills (3-4, 4-10).

The Indians are currently tied for fourth place in the section with Pine-Richland.

In Section 2-6A, the top two teams at the midway point collide Friday as top-ranked and defending champion Upper St. Clair (14-1) visits Central Catholic (9-4).

The Panthers are on a nine-game winning streak since suffering their only loss of the season to Montour on Dec. 14.

The Vikings are coming off a three-point triumph over Imani Christian on Tuesday and have won four straight and eight of their last 10 since losing at USC last month, 46-31.

Three’s a crowd

Section 1-6A is not the only boys basketball section with three teams tied for first place.

Logjams exist atop three other sections, which all begin second half action Friday.

• In Section 3-5A, Baldwin, Peters Township and South Fayette are all 5-1.

The Highlanders do not play, but the Indians are home to Thomas Jefferson and the Lions host Ringgold.

• In Section 1-4A, Deer Lakes, Knoch and North Catholic are all 5-1 in the section.

The Lancers are at Freeport, the Knights visit Valley and North Catholic does not play.

• In Section 3-4A, Belle Vernon (6-1), Elizabeth Forward (5-1) and Derry (5-1) all have one loss in the section.

While the Leopards and Warriors do not have a section game scheduled, the Trojans visit East Allegheny.

Two for 2-A

First place in two Class 2A boys basketball sections will be at stake Friday.

In Section 3-2A, Chartiers-Houston (12-2) enjoys a one-game lead in the loss column over Fort Cherry (7-6), Jefferson-Morgan (9-4) and West Greene (7-6).

The front running Buccaneers are 6-1 in the section as they prepare to open up the second-half schedule at home against the Rangers, who are 5-2 in section play.

In their first meeting, Chartiers-Houston won at Fort Cherry last month, 49-43.

On Friday, the other two teams tied for second place are in action as the Rockets are on the road at Burgettstown (1-6, 4-10) and the Pioneers are hosting Carmichaels (2-5, 3-9).

In Section 4-2A, the top teams collide when Neshannock (12-1) travels to take on Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (10-4).

The Lancers currently sit in first place with a 7-0 section record, winners of five straight games.

The Chargers are in second place with a 5-1 section mark and have gone 6-3 overall since falling at Neshannock in December, 49-42.