The sprint to the finish is here for WPIAL basketball teams. One week remains in the regular season, albeit a very busy week for some with as many as four section games on the docket. The top four teams in each section qualify and only section games count in that process. Playoff spots are in hand for Peters Township, Ringgold, Charleroi, California, Burgettstown, Fort Cherry and Avella girls teams. Boys squads who have already punched their tickets include Wash High, Fort Cherry and California. Here’s a look at where each Washington County team stands as we move into the final week of section play.
Girls
6A Peters Township (6-3) has clinched its berth and is tied for for second with Upper St. Clair. The two meet Monday night at USC. Canon-McMillan (0-10) has been eliminated.
5A Trinity (10-0) leads Section 3, has clinched a playoff berth and is ranked #2 behind Chartiers Valley in the latest TribHSSN rankings. The Hillers have rolled past most section foes and host Albert Gallatin Monday night. Hear the game on WJPA-AM (1450) or Listen Here starting at 7:05 pm. The Colonials gave Trinity one of the few challenges the first time through the section. Ringgold (2-5) is currently tied for fifth, a game back of Connellsville. The two split their regular season games. The Rams need to win two of three games this week at least.
3A Charleroi (6-4) has won four of its last five games to settle into fourth place, three games up on the rest of the section. Playoff spots from Section 2 are locked up and that leaves McGuffey (3-7), Bentworth (2-8) and Wash High (0-10) on the outside.
2A California (5-3) is in third place in Section 2 with a playoff spot in hand. Beth-Center (0-8) can not qualify. Burgettstown (6-1) has clinched a berth and leads Section 3 with three to play, all against teams on the bottom of the standings. Fort Cherry (5-2) pulled into a tie for second and clinched a playoff spot with a win at Burgettstown. Chartiers-Houston (3-3) is fourth and locks up a spot with a win in any of its four games this week. With a little help, the Bucs could pull all the way into a tie for the section title. Chartiers-Houston visits Fort Cherry Tuesday. Hear the game on WJPA-AM (1450) or Listen Here starting at 5:50 pm.
1A Avella (4-3) is tied for third with Mapletown in Section 2, having lost to the top two teams, beating the two teams below them and splitting with the Maples.
Boys
6A Canon-McMillan (3-5) stayed alive in the playoff race with a home win over Baldwin Saturday. CM visits Upper St. Clair Tuesday. Hear the game on WJPA-AM (1450) or Listen Here starting at 7:20 pm. The Big Macs need to win out to stay in the chase. Peters Township (1-7) has been eliminated.
5A Ringgold (2-6) is a game back of Thomas Jefferson for the fourth spot in Section 1. The two meet at Ringgold Tuesday. Trinity (0-8) can not make the playoffs out of Section 2.
3A Wash High (9-0) has clinched a playoff spot, leads Section 4, two games ahead of Brownsville with three games left. The Little Prexies clinch a share of the section title with any win, and win it outright with two more wins or a Brownsville loss. Charleroi (3-5) has dropped to fifth place, a half-game back of Waynesburg. McGuffey (2-7) is two games back of the last berth and virtually needs to win out. Beth-Center (0-10) can not make the playoffs.
2A Fort Cherry (6-1) is one game back of Section 2 leader Carlynton. The Rangers host the Cougars Wednesday night. Hear the game on WJPA-AM (1450) or Listen Here starting at 7:20 pm. Chartiers-Houston (3-4) sits in 4th place and can clinch a playoff spot with any win. Burgettstown (0-7) must win out and get help but to qualify. California (3-4) is in 4th place in Section 4 and has clinched. Bentworth (1-7) must win out and get help from Jeff-Morgan and Carmichaels against California.
1A Avella (1-6) is in last place in Section 2, two games back of the final playoff position and needs a perfect storm to earn a playoff spot, three wins plus two losses by Mapletown (3-4).