The first round of the WPIAL basketball playoffs wrapped Tuesday night with one of the biggest upsets as #14 Clairton knocked off #3 Ft. Cherry, ousting a returning WPIAL finalist. The Bears hit a number of early three pointers and took the Rangers out of their game. Elsewhere in boys action, Eden Christian grabbed an early 15-2 lead on Burgettstown and never looked back. Chartiers-Houston trailed only 27-26 halfway through the third quarter but Shenango outscored the Bucs 32-12 the rest of the way, cruising to victory. Avery Molek led the Bucs with 11 points, Jake Mele added 10.
On the girls side, Trinity led by 18 halfway through the fourth quarter but had to hold off Latrobe’s late rally to advance. Washington County is down to six remaining teams heading into the quarterfinals (5 girls, 1 boys). Greene County has two girls teams still in contention. Quarterfinal action begins Wednesday for 5A boys, 2A girls and 3A girls. We have a pair of games on our broadcast schedule including our first looks at #1 Peters Township boys (WJPA-FM) and #5 Burgettstown girls (WJPA-AM). All of our broadcasts will be available online as well. The WPIAL Championships are set for the Petersen Events Center March 2-4. WPIAL Brackets CLICK HERE
First Round
Tuesday, Feb. 21
2A Boys #5 Eden Christian 66, #12 Burgettstown 43
2A Boys #8 Shenango 59, #9 Chartiers-Houston 38
2A Boys #14 Clairton 53, #3 Ft. Cherry 46
5A Girls #4 Trinity 68, #13 Latrobe 61
Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Feb. 22
5A Boys #1 Peters Township vs. #8 South Park, 6:50 pm at Bethel Park WJPA-FM (95.3) Listen Here
2A Girls #5 Burgettstown vs. #4 Greensburg Central Catholic, 5:50 pm at Peters Township WJPA-AM (1450) Listen Here
2A Girls #7 Chartiers-Houston vs. #2 Freedom, 6 pm at Moon Area
3A Girls #8 Waynesburg vs. #1 Shady Side Academy, 6 pm at Norwin