We’ve reached the halfway point of section play in high school basketball with most teams playing each section opponent once. There are a handful of makeup games worked into the second half of the season due to COVID pauses and weather-related cancellations. Only section games count to determine playoff qualifiers. The top four teams in each section earn a spot in the WPIAL playoffs. Here’s a look at where each Washington County team stands as we move into the final two weeks of the regular season.
Boys
6A Canon-McMillan (2-3) and Peters Township (1-4) are on the bottom of the six-team section but each has a win against a team above them. With five games left, they’ll need to beat more than just one team in the top four spots to reach the playoffs.
5A Trinity (0-5) is last in Section 2 and trails the last playoff spot by two games with five to play. The Hillers basically need to go 4-1 the second time through and get some help. Ringgold (1-4) is in fifth place in Section 1, one game out of a playoff spot.
3A Wash High (4-0) leads Section 4 and has two make up games to play. Charleroi (3-2) is in fourth place, three games up on McGuffey (0-5) and Beth-Center (0-5).
2A Fort Cherry (4-1) is one game back of Section 2 leader Carlynton, having lost to the Cougars 38-35 in 3 overtimes. Chartiers-Houston (2-3) sits in 4th place with Burgettstown (0-5) two games back with five left to play. California (2-3) is in 4th place in Section 4, one game ahead of Bentworth (1-4).
1A Avella (0-5) is in last place in Section 2, two games back of the final playoff position.
Girls
6A Peters Township (3-3) is currently in 4th place in Section 2, a half-game up on Baldwin, a team that beat the Indians first time through. Canon-McMillan (0-7) is in last place, three games out of a playoff spot.
5A Trinity (6-0) leads Section 3, cruising through the first time. The Hillers closest game was a 14-point win over Albert Gallatin a week ago. The two meet again Feb. 7 at Trinity. Ringgold (2-3) is currently tied for fourth and has to make up a game vs. Thomas Jefferson, a game that could bump the Rams a game out of the playoffs.
3A Charleroi (2-3) has the best mark of the four county teams in Section 2, and that’s good enough for fourth place. McGuffey (1-4), Bentworth (1-5) and Wash High (0-5) are playoff longshots at best.
2A California (2-2) is in third place in Section 2, 1.5 games up on fourth place Beth-Center, still looking for its first win. The Bulldogs are tied with Carmichaels and Frazier at the bottom of the standings. Burgettstown (4-0) leads Section 3, having gone unbeaten overall until Thursday night’s non-section loss to Laurel. Fort Cherry (3-2) is third, Chartiers-Houston (2-3) fourth, both likely to make the post-season. The Bucs & Rangers play at Fort Cherry Jan. 27.
1A Avella (3-2) is currently third in Section, losing to the top two teams, beating the three teams below them.