Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) held its final championship games of the 2024-25 winter season last Thursday through Saturday with the WPIAL/UPMC Sports Medicine Boys’ Basketball Championships presented by Piada Italian Street Food. Held at the Petersen Events Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, the weekend saw one repeat victor, two new winners, and three schools end extended droughts as Belle Vernon (Class 4A), Chartiers Valley (Class 5A), Jeannette (Class 2A), The Neighborhood Academy (Class 1A), South Allegheny (Class 3A), and Upper St. Clair (Class 6A) emerged as WPIAL champions.
Chartiers Valley snapped a 10-year drought with its seventh WPIAL boys’ basketball title, pulling it into a tie for 11th all-time. The Colts were champions in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, and now 2025.
Upper St. Clair was the lone school to repeat on the weekend, winning its fifth WPIAL boys’ basketball championship in school history, which brings it into a tie for 16th all-time. The Panthers were champions in 1996, 2005, 2021, 2024, and now 2025.
Belle Vernon ended a 47-year wait with its second WPIAL boys’ basketball championship and became the 61st different school to win multiple titles, previously winning in 1978. The next day, Jeannette snapped a 17-year drought to claim its second WPIAL boys’ basketball title, making it the 62nd different school to win at least twice after its inaugural crown in 2008.
The Neighborhood Academy and South Allegheny both joined the club of WPIAL boys’ basketball champions with their wins at Class 1A and Class 3A, respectively. The two schools are the 113th and 114th different schools to win a WPIAL title.
The top four schools in Class 1A and Class 6A, top five schools in Class 4A, top seven schools in Class 3A, and top eight schools in Class 2A and Class 5A have qualified for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Boys’ Basketball Championships, which begin with first round games on March 7-8 and conclude with championship games from March 27-29 at the GIANT Center in Hershey.
CLASS 6A RECAP
Top-seeded Upper St. Clair led for over 28 of 32 minutes against second-seeded New Castle, successfully defending its Class 6A championship with a 65-43 victory in the final of four games last Friday.
Upper St. Clair (23-2, 13-1 Section II) was efficient offensively, converting 45.0 percent (18-40) of its field goals, 47.1 percent (8-17) of its three-point attempts, and 75.0 percent (21-28) of its free throws. The Panthers outrebounded New Castle (21-4, 11-3 Section I) by a 39-23 margin, received a 17-7 advantage in bench points, and blocked seven shots to the Hurricanes’ two.
Senior forward Tyler Robbins led Upper St. Clair with a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double, adding five blocks defensively. Classmate Nico Gidas provided 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3PT) and four caroms, and junior guard Jake Foster was also in double-figures offensively with 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Senior guard Julian Dahlem dished out a game-high eight assists against one turnover and scored eight points, and sophomore forward Ryan Robbins contributed nine points and two blocks.
New Castle senior guard Ralphie Blundo was the game’s leading scorer with 13 points, adding two rebounds and two steals. Junior guard Damian Harrison provided 11 points, and freshman guard Kai Cox compiled seven rebounds and seven assists to go with five points.
Upper St. Clair opened the WPIAL tournament with a first-round bye, then topped ninth-seeded Woodland Hills (63-41) and fifth-seeded Central Catholic (59-39) to return to the Petersen Events Center. New Castle topped seventh-seeded Butler (64-43) following its first-round bye, then won in the semifinals against sixth-seeded Mt. Lebanon (67-56).
In the third-place consolation game, Central Catholic defeated Mt. Lebanon, 68-60.
Upper St. Clair begins the PIAA Championships hosting District III eight-place William Penn, and New Castle will welcome District III seventh-place Cumberland Valley. Central Catholic will play on the road to District X champion McDowell, and Mt. Lebanon travels to District III third-place Governor Mifflin.
New Castle is the only former PIAA winner of the four, doing so in the 2014 Class 4A title game.
CLASS 5A RECAP
Fourth-seeded Chartiers Valley led wire-to-wire in the Class 5A championship game, topping sixth-seeded Peters Township, 73-66, in the final game of five this past Saturday.
Chartiers Valley (23-3, 10-2 Section IV) rattled off nine consecutive points in the first quarter and never looked back, thanks to a 61.4 percent (27-44) conversion rate from the field and 70.0 percent (14-20) effort from the charity stripe. The Colts also enjoyed a 10-2 advantage in second chance points.
Senior guard Jayden Davis led the way for Chartiers Valley with 28 points (11-17 FG, 6-7 FT), nine assists, six rebounds, and three steals. He was one of four players with double-digit points, joined by juniors Julian Semplice (13 points), Julius Best (10 points), and Jake Lewis (10 points). Semplice led all players with eight rebounds, and Lewis was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field.
Peters Township (18-8, 9-3 Section III) saw senior guard Ben Miller score a team-high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting and add five rebounds. Classmate Nick McCullough provided 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, four steals, and two assists, while junior guard Dylan Donovan compiled 10 points, six assists, and two steals. Senior guard Sean Thelk was a perfect 3-for-3 from deep.
Chartiers Valley began the postseason with a win over 13th-seeded Thomas Jefferson (72-50), followed by victories over fifth-seeded Moon (51-44) and top-seeded Montour (47-44). Peters Township started the tournament with a triumph against 11th-seeded Penn Hills (63-30), then outlasted third-seeded Uniontown (56-52) and 10th-seeded Mars (58-52, OT) to reach the final.
In the consolation finals, Montour bested Mars for third place, 81-72, Uniontown topped Greater Latrobe for fifth, 69-38, and Moon defeated Penn-Trafford for seventh, 75-59.
Chartiers Valley, Peters Township, and Montour will begin the PIAA Championships at home as the Colts face District III ninth-place Cocalico, the Indians play District III eighth-place Spring Grove, and the Spartans host District III seventh-place Milton Hershey. Mars travels to District III third-place West York, Uniontown heads to District X champion Meadville, Greater Latrobe plays District III runner-up Exeter Township on the road, Moon is away to District VI champion Greater Johnstown, and Penn-Trafford faces District III champion Hershey.
Moon and Uniontown are both former PIAA champions. The Tigers have won twice, doing so in 2004 at Class 3A and more recently 2019 in Class 5A. The Red Raiders own four PIAA trophies with victories in 1925, 1962, 1964, and 1981.
CLASS 4A RECAP
Top-seeded Belle Vernon took a 12-point lead into halftime of the Class 4A championship game and held on from there, defeating second-seeded North Catholic, 54-49, in the final game of three this past Thursday.
Belle Vernon (21-4, 11-1 Section III) dominated in the paint, outscoring North Catholic (19-6, 11-1 Section I) by a 38-12 margin to go with a 40-17 difference on the glass. The Leopards shot 43.2 percent (19-44) from the floor and 72.7 percent (16-22) from the free throw line, and led for 27 of the game’s 32 minutes.
Senior forward Tommy Davis was one of three Belle Vernon players in double-figures scoring, producing a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double on 7-of-9 shooting with four blocks. Classmates Trevor Kovatch and Zion Moore both poured in 12 points each, with Kovatch adding a game-high three steals defensively. Senior forward Dominic Ghilani led all players with 13 rebounds – eight coming on the offensive end.
The Trojans saw junior guard Jason Fredericks score a team-high 20 points (7-14 FG, 3-5 3PT, 3-3 FT) to go with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Classmate Jude Rottmann added 15 points for North Catholic.
Belle Vernon opened the WPIAL playoffs with a bye, then defeated eighth-seeded Elizabeth Forward (55-51) and fourth-seeded Avonworth (57-56) to reach the championship game. North Catholic also enjoyed a first-round bye before defeating seventh-seeded Deer Lakes (65-51) and third-seeded Beaver (71-42).
Avonworth was an 83-57 winner against Beaver in the third-place consolation game, while Knoch defeated Deer Lakes, 56-42, for fifth place and the final PIAA spot.
Belle Vernon starts PIAA play by hosting District X fifth-place Farrell, while North Catholic welcomes District X third-place Hickory. Avonworth, Beaver, and Knoch all start their journeys on the road, with the Antelopes facing District X runner-up Sharon, the Bobcats taking on District VI champion Central, and the Knights squaring up with District X champion Cathedral Prep.
All five WPIAL qualifiers are searching for their first PIAA championship.
CLASS 3A RECAP
Down 35-34 with 29 seconds remaining in the Class 3A championship game, South Allegheny senior forward Josh Jackowski stole an inbounds pass and scored the go-ahead basket, lifting the second-seeded Gladiators to their first WPIAL boys’ basketball championship with a 37-35 win over top-seeded Aliquippa in the second game of five played this past Saturday.
Neither South Allegheny (23-3, 10-0 Section III) nor Aliquippa (20-5, 12-0 Section I) could build a lead larger than seven points, with the contest consisting of five deadlocks and three lead changes. The Gladiators only led for 1:45, thanks in part to an 11-4 advantage in fourth quarter scoring.
Senior guard Cameron Epps led South Allegheny with 11 points, two steals, and two rebounds, while junior Drew Cook added 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Jackowski’s game-winning bucket was part of an eight-point day, and he added game-highs in rebounds (8), assists (3), and blocks (2).
The Quips were paced offensively by junior guard Joshua Pratt, who scored 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting to go with four rebounds and two steals. Fellow junior QaLil Goode provided nine points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
South Allegheny made it to its first WPIAL championship game since 2021 with wins over 15th-seeded Charleroi (61-32), 10th-seeded Ellwood City (77-34), and third-seeded Mohawk (75-53). Aliquippa, in search of a third consecutive WPIAL title, topped 16th-seeded New Brighton (83-29), ninth-seeded Shady Side Academy (71-49), and fourth-seeded Bishop Canevin (66-36) to punch its ticket to the Petersen Events Center.
In the consolation finals, Mohawk defeated Bishop Canevin for third, 70-64, Shady Side Academy bested Ellwood City for fifth, 67-46, and Keystone Oaks earned the final PIAA spot in seventh with a 57-45 triumph against Southmoreland.
South Allegheny, Aliquippa, and Mohawk all begin the PIAA Championships with home games, as the Gladiators welcome District IX champion Cranberry, the Quips take on District VI third-place Westmont Hilltop, and the Warriors face District V runner-up Chestnut Ridge. Bishop Canevin will travel to District VI runner-up Bishop Guilfoyle, Shady Side Academy gets District V champion North Star on the road, Ellwood City heads to District X champion Mercer, and Keystone Oaks will face District VI champion Forest Hills.
Three WPIAL schools in the field are previous PIAA champions – Aliquippa, Bishop Canevin, and Shady Side Academy. The Quips are six-time champions, winning most recently last year in Class 2A to pair with titles from 1949, 1989, 1994, 1997, and 2016. The Crusaders won PIAA gold in 1995 and 2000, and the Crusaders captured the 2022 title at Class 1A.
CLASS 2A RECAP
Third-seeded Jeannette opened a 14-5 lead after one quarter and never looked back in the Class 2A championship game, as it defeated eighth-seeded Union, 63-39, in the second game of four played this past Friday.
Jeannette (23-2, 12-2 Section I) converted 52.2 percent (24-46) of its field goal attempts, doubled up Union (19-7, 10-4 Section IV) in both points in the paint (32-16) and fast-break points (18-9), and held the Scotties to 26.5 percent (13-49) shooting from the field.
Jayhawks sophomore guard Jayce Powell was one of three players on his team in double-digit scoring, leading the way with 14 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3PT), three rebounds, and three steals. Classmate Markus McGowan added 12 points, while junior forward Xavier Odorisio-Farrow posted an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. Junior guard Kymon’e Brown recorded six points, eight assists, six rebounds, and six steals for Jeannette.
Union senior guard Lucas Stanley was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points, adding three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Senior forward Jamel Mitchell collected five rebounds, four steals, and two blocks defensively, and freshman guard Aiden Booker was a perfect 2-for-2 from three and the line for eight points off the bench.
Jeannette qualified for the WPIAL championship game with wins over 19th-seeded Brentwood (91-42), sixth-seeded Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (55-50), and second-seeded Sewickley Academy (45-25). Union topped ninth-seeded Fort Cherry (70-49), one-seeded Greensburg Central Catholic (44-42), and fourth-seeded Neshannock (60-56) to reach the title tilt.
In the consolation finals, Sewickley Academy took third with a 51-37 win over Neshannock, Greensburg Central Catholic defeated Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for fifth, 57-40, and Northgate edged Chartiers-Houston for seventh, 48-47.
Jeannette starts the PIAA Championships at home against District X third-place Mercyhurst Prep, Union hosts District VI third-place Bishop McCort, and Sewickley Academy welcomes District V runner-up Windber. Neshannock, Greensburg Central Catholic, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Northgate, and Chartiers-Houston all begin their PIAA runs on the road – the Lancers get District X runner-up Rocky Grove, the Centurions play District V champion McConnellsburg, the Chargers face District IX champion Redbank Valley, the Flames square up with District VI champion Portage, and the Buccaneers travel to District X champion Lakeview.
Three WPIAL schools in the bracket are previous PIAA champions – Jeannette, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and Sewickley Academy. The Jayhawks won the Class 2A title in 2008, while the Chargers went back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. The Panthers are three-time PIAA winners, doing so in 1997, 2010, and 2017.
CLASS 1A RECAP
One year after making its first WPIAL championship game appearance, top-seeded The Neighborhood Academy earned its first WPIAL championship with a 69-46 victory over second-seeded Serra Catholic in the first game of three last Thursday.
The Neighborhood Academy (24-1, 10-0 Section II) made 42.0 percent (29-69) of its field goal attempts, drained nine three-pointers, and outscored Serra Catholic (21-4, 8-2 Section II) on second chance points, 16-4. The Bulldogs were 47-29 victors on the glass and forced 17 turnovers defensively.
Senior guard Courtney Wallace finished stuffing the stat sheet to the tune of 21 points (9-16 FG, 3-6 3PT), 18 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Classmate Shamar Simpson added 14 points (6-9 FG, 2-4 3PT), three caroms, two helpers, and two steals, while another senior guard, Syncer Nicholson, provided 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Sophomore guard Kedron Gilmore dished out a game-high seven assists to go along with nine points and six rebounds.
Serra Catholic had three players reach double-figures scoring, with senior Owen Dumbroski and sophomore Mark Johnson sharing the team lead with 14 points each. Johnson added five rebounds, two steals, and a block. Sophomore guard Brayden Graham collected 11 points (5-9 FG), three rebounds, and a steal.
The Neighborhood Academy picked up victories against eighth-seeded Beaver County Christian (66-20) and fourth-seeded Aquinas Academy (69-35) to reach the championship game, while Serra Catholic defeated seventh-seeded The Summit Academy (80-61) and third-seeded Nazareth Prep (57-45).
In the third-place consolation game, Nazareth Prep was a 46-30 winner against Aquinas Academy.
The Neighborhood Academy starts its quest for a PIAA title by facing District V third-place Shanksville at Peters Township HS, while Serra Catholic hosts District VI runner-up Saint Joseph’s Academy. Nazareth Prep will travel to District IX champion Otto-Eldred, and Aquinas Academy makes its PIAA debut against District X champion Erie First Christian.
Serra Catholic is the only former PIAA winner of the four, doing so in the 2008 Class 1A title game.
PIAA PREVIEW
Start Dates: March 7-8
Championship Dates & Location: March 27-29 at GIANT Center (Hershey, Pa.)
Total Champions from WPIAL: 88 (1 in Class 5A, 5 in Class 4A, 36 in Class 3A, 32 in Class 2A, 14 in Class 1A)
- Previous Champions: Farrell (7), Aliquippa (6), Midland (5), Beaver Falls (4), Blackhawk (4), Irwin (4),
Lincoln Park (4), Uniontown (4), Duquesne (3), Homestead (3),
Sewickley Academy (3), Wampum (3), Imani Christian Academy (2),
McKeesport (2), Moon (2), Monessen (2), Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (2),
Shady Side Academy (2), Sto-Rox (2), Washington (2), Ambridge (1),
Avalon (1), Bishop Boyle (1), Bishop Canevin (1), Carlynton (1), Clairton (1),
Fort Cherry (1), Fox Chapel (1), Geibel Catholic (1), General Braddock (1),
Jeannette (1), Laurel Highlands (1), Monaca (1), New Castle (1),
North Braddock Scott (1), Penn Hills (1), Ringgold (1), Serra Catholic (1),
Seton LaSalle (1), Sharon (1), South Fayette (1), Valley (1)
Last Class 6A Champion from WPIAL: None
Last Class 5A Champion from WPIAL: Moon (2019)
Last Class 4A Champion from WPIAL: Lincoln Park (2024)
Last Class 3A Champion from WPIAL: Lincoln Park (2019)
Last Class 2A Champion from WPIAL: Aliquippa (2024)
Last Class 1A Champion from WPIAL: Imani Christian Academy (2024)
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