Per:
Thursday, January 12, 2023 | 18:27
Mike Darnay | Mon Valley Independent
South Allegheny’s Bryce Epps looks to outplay Ligonier Valley’s Jacob Hollick in a 2021 WPIAL Class 3A first-round playoff game.
Friday the 13th This is the day that superstitious people fear.
However, two WPIAL boys programs that haven’t relied on luck in recent years collide for first place in Section 4-4A when Quaker Valley visits South Allegheny.
After losing in the WPIAL 4A final to New Castle in 2017, 2018 and 2019, Quaker Valley finally won district gold last season with a 61-52 win over Montour.
South Allegheny knows a thing or two about getting close.
The Gladiators lost in the 3A semifinals in 2020 and 2022. In 2021, South Allegheny reached the 3A final, but lost to Ellwood City.
Now in their first season in 4A, the Gladiators host the Quakers on Friday in a battle for the section lead.
Both teams are 3-0 at the top of the division. SA is one of four WPIAL boys basketball teams with a perfect 11-0 overall record, while QV is 7-3 and has won three of its last four.
The Gladiators are No. 5 in the latest Trib HSSN rankings and are led by Bryce Epps, who is averaging 23.3 points per game. Joe Coyle leads the defending champion Quakers with an average of 15.4 points per game.
You can watch the 4A showdown here on Trib HSSN at 7:30 p.m
More fights on Friday for first place
In addition to the QV-SA battle for section supremacy, there are seven other WPIAL boys hoops contests with an outright lead or at least a share of first place up for grabs as we approach the midway point of section play.
• In Section 1-6A, Butler (10-2) visits Central Catholic (5-5). Both teams are tied for first with New Castle at 2-1. The Vikings handed the Red Hurricane their first loss on Tuesday.
• In Section 1-5A, Thomas Jefferson (7-4) travels to Bethel Park (8-3). Both the Jaguars and Black Hawks are 3-0 in the sectional and both have won three straight games since sectional play began last week.
• In Section 3-5A, Gateway (8-3) hosts Franklin Regional (9-3). Both teams are 3-0 in the section. The Panthers have won four straight while the Gators have won five straight contests.
• In Section 1-4A, Hampton (10-2) is at Knoch (4-8). The Talbots are one of the top teams in the class and are 3-0 in the division. The Knights have won two straight after losing eight of their first 10 games.
• In Section 2-2A, Bishop Canevin (10-0) has its perfect record heading into a showdown with Eden Christian (9-2). Both the Crusaders and Warriors are 3-0 and tied for first in the division.
• In Section 3-2A, Clairton (6-5) is home to Greensburg Central Catholic (7-5). The Bears (3-2) are tied with three teams in the loss column: Serra Catholic (3-2), Riverview (2-2) and Jeannette (2-2). All trail the Centurions (3-1) by one game in the loss column.
• In Section 3-A, Imani Christian (5-5) heads north to take on Summit Academy (6-2). The home Knights (2-1) are tied for second place with Aquinas Academy, one game behind the Saints (3-0).
Sensations section in girls with hoops
There are five WPIAL girls basketball games on Friday, including a Section 3-5A showdown.
Class 5A top-ranked McKeesport (11-1) visits No. 3 Penn-Trafford (9-2).
The Tigers have won nine straight games, while the Warriors won seven straight before losing to Oakland Catholic on Tuesday, 61-43.
Other Friday girls hoop games:
• Section 2-6A, Bethel Park (2-2, 5-6) at Baldwin (1-4, 5-9)
• Section 2-6A, Chartiers Valley (2-2, 6-4) at Peters Township (2-2, 8-5)
• Section 2-5A, Hampton (2-2, 8-5) at Shaler (2-2, 10-3)
• Section 2-A, Avella (1-1, 6-6) at Jefferson-Morgan (0-2. 0-12)
Back to Cally
Friday is opening day of the two-day MVI Shootout Classic girls high school basketball event in California.
Matches:
• Monessen in California at 2 p.m
• South Allegheny vs. Clairton at 3:30 p.m
• South Park vs. Belle Vernon at 6 p.m
• Serra Catholic vs. Charleroi at 7:30 p.m
Tags: Quaker Valley, South Allegheny