The high school basketball season for boys teams is at the halfway point with most teams having played each section opponent once by now. The top four teams in each section qualify for the WPIAL playoffs, along with any unbreakable ties for qualifying positions. Following is a rundown for each team in the Washington/Greene County area (section records as of Tuesday).
Class 6A Canon-McMillan (0-5) is two games back of the final playoff spot, currently held by Norwin. The Big Macs lost to the Knights by one point, and by two to fifth-place Hempfield the first time through section play. C-M will have to win both of those games the second time through to have a shot at qualifying.
Class 5A Peters Township (4-1) created a three-way tie for first with Bethel Park and Thomas Jefferson. The Indians won at Bethel Tuesday night but lost to Thomas Jefferson in triple overtime right after New Years. Trinity (2-3) currently holds the final playoff spot thanks to comfortable wins over Ringgold (1-4) and Connellsville.
Class 3A Wash High (6-0) leads the seven-team section, beating each team by at least 19 points the first time through. McGuffey (4-2) is tied with Yough for second place. Charleroi (2-4) is one game back of the final spot while Waynesburg (0-6) is three games off the pace.
Class 2A Fort Cherry (6-0) ran the table, the Rangers’ closest margin being a 10-point win over second place Chartiers-Houston (5-1), the Bucs’ only loss. Burgettstown (4-2) and Bentworth (3-3) hold the other playoff positions at the moment, having lost to each team above and beating each team below them in the standings. Carmichaels (2-4) is one game back while Beth-Center (0-6) is three off the pace with six games left.
Class 1A Section 1 Avella (1-4) is one game back of the final playoff spot, currently held by Western Beaver. The Eagles lost to the Golden Beavers, 76-37, in early January.
Class 1A Section 2 Jeff-Morgan (3-2) and Mapletown (2-3) hold the final two playoff spots behind Monessen and Geibel Catholic. West Greene (1-4) and California (0-5) trail the field with five games left.