The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) held its final championship games of the 2025-26 winter season this past Thursday through Saturday with the WPIAL/UPMC Sports Medicine Girls’ Basketball Championships.
Oakland Catholic (Class 4A) was the lone school to repeat as champions on the weekend, winning its second consecutive title and its eighth overall. Canon-McMillan (Class 6A) made history by winning its first-ever WPIAL girls’ basketball championship, becoming the 116th different school to claim a title.
Serra Catholic (Class 1A) ended a 20-year drought to claim its first title since 2005, while South Fayette (Class 5A), Shady Side Academy (Class 3A), and Neshannock (Class 2A) all added more gold to their programs' trophy cases.
CLASS 6A RECAP
Top-seeded Canon-McMillan captured its first WPIAL girls’ basketball championship with a 50-38 victory over second-seeded Norwin. The Big Macs held a 12-point lead at halftime and stayed ahead for the remainder of the contest to finish the WPIAL season with a 21-4 record.
Senior guard Madison Clair led Canon-McMillan with 15 points, while Samantha Miller recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Big Macs shot 42.5 percent from the field. Norwin was led by Anna Fraser and Nia O'Barto, who both finished with eight points.
CLASS 5A RECAP
Top-seeded South Fayette won its fourth WPIAL title in the last five seasons with a 57-38 win over second-seeded Thomas Jefferson. The Lions led throughout the game, outscoring the Jaguars in every quarter to finish the district season.
Haylie Lamonde led South Fayette with 19 points, while Lailah Wright, Ryan Oldaker, and Juliette Leroux also scored in double figures. Thomas Jefferson was led by senior Maggie Spell, who scored 12 points. Spell notably surpassed the 2,000-career point milestone during the 2025-26 season.
CLASS 4A RECAP
Second-seeded Oakland Catholic successfully defended its Class 4A championship with a 51-44 win over top-seeded and previously undefeated Blackhawk. The Eagles utilized a strong fourth quarter to secure their second consecutive title and eighth overall.
Senior forward Josie Fontana led the Eagles with 16 points and eight rebounds, and Zephaniah Troxler-Scott added 10 points. Blackhawk was led by Aubree Hupp, who finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Oakland Catholic entered the game on a 13-game winning streak and maintained that momentum through the final.
CLASS 3A RECAP
Top-seeded Shady Side Academy defeated third-seeded Greensburg Central Catholic, 57-40, to claim the Class 3A title. This victory marks the Bulldogs' second championship in the last three seasons.
Cassie Sauer led Shady Side Academy with 18 points, while Karis Thomas added 16 points. Shady Side Academy held a 34-22 rebounding advantage over the Centurions. Greensburg Central Catholic was led by Erica Gribble, the school’s all-time leading scorer, who finished with 14 points in the loss.
CLASS 2A RECAP
Top-seeded Neshannock won the Class 2A championship with a 60-51 victory over second-seeded Winchester Thurston. This win marks the Lancers' third WPIAL title in the last six seasons (2021, 2022, 2026) and their fourth in the last eight seasons.
Senior guard Jaelynn Quinn led Neshannock with 19 points, as the Lancers shot 48 percent from the field. Winchester Thurston was paced by Skyy Moore, who scored 17 points. Neshannock maintained a lead for the majority of the second half to secure the victory.
CLASS 1A RECAP
Second-seeded Serra Catholic defeated fourth-seeded Geibel Catholic, 47-46, to win its first WPIAL title in 20 years. Geibel Catholic reached the final after an upset win over top-seeded Aquinas Academy in the semifinals, but the Eagles held on for the one-point victory.
Lexi Pearce led Serra Catholic with 17 points, all scored in the first three quarters. Sophomore Bella Dumbroski contributed to the win while reaching her 1,000th career point during the game. Geibel Catholic was led by Emma Larkin, who finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds.