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Thursday January 16, 2025 | 00:03
Christopher Horner | TribLive
North Catholic’s Sam Weir drives past Oakland Catholic’s Zephaniah Troxler-Scott during their game Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at Cranberry.
Christopher Horner | TribLive
North Catholic’s Sam Weir blocks a shot from Oakland Catholic’s Makayla Canty during their game Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at Cranberry.
Christopher Horner | TribLive
North Catholic’s Sam Weir celebrates with Mackenzie James (13) and Sarah Loughry after beating Oakland Catholic, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Cranberry.
We’re halfway through the regular season with the second half of sectional play beginning Thursday for many WPIAL girls basketball teams.
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 in first place and can take a two-game lead in the section with a win.
North Catholic is on a 12-game winning streak after losing its 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 straight games since losing to North Catholic last month, 42-34.
In Section 2-4A, two teams with an 11-2 overall record meet when Blackhawk hosts Beaver.
The No. 2 Cougars sit in first place with a 5-0 sectional record.
Blackhawk has won four straight and 11 of its last 12 games.
The Bobcats sit in second place with a 5-1 sectional record.
Beaver has won 8 straight games since losing to Blackhawk in December, 59-44.
Grade “A” matches
With Class 4A in the spotlight with two key matchups with first-place implications, the two section leaders in Class A girls hoops will be challenged on Thursday.
In Section 1, it’s a rematch of the 2023 WPIAL Class A championship game when the 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 Union’s average margin of victory was nearly 24 points.
The Crusaders, who have yet to lose at home this season, sit in second place with a 5-1 record in the section and 8-4 overall this season.
Aquinas Academy has won five straight and six of its last seven since a 56-37 loss at Union last month.
In Section 2-A, top-ranked 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 Clairton in December.
Neighbors in conflict
The top two teams in WPIAL women’s basketball Section 3-3A are not only next to each other in the standings, they are also across from each other on a map.
Seton LaSalle leads the way with a 6-0 sectional record and has won 10 of its 13 games this season.
Keystone Oaks is in second place with a 4-1 sectional record and 10-1 overall record.
The Rebels have won four in a row since losing to Elizabeth Forward over the holidays.
The Golden Eagles have won seven straight since losing to Seton LaSalle on Dec. 12, 60-57.
KO looks to even the score and standings when it hosts Seton at 7:15 p.m.