Trending
SATURDAY
GIRLS
PIAA CLASS 1A FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS
Teams: 7-4 Riverview Lady Raiders (16-8) vs. 6-1 Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Lady Marauders (24-3)
Site, time: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic H.S., 3 p.m.
The coaches: Riverview--Jill Catanzaro; Bishop Guilfoyle--Kristi Kaack
Playoff path: Riverview--def. Monessen, 44-23, in WPIAL quarterfinals; lost to Union, 56-13, in semifinals; lost to Aquinas Academy, 45-37, in consolation. Bishop Guilfoyle--def. Purchase Line, 69-14, in District 6 quarterfinals; defeated Bishop Carroll Catholic, 57-40, in semifinals; def. Williamsburg, 46-42, in District 6 championship.
Probable starting lineups: Riverview--G Katerina Tsambis, jr.; G Isabel Chaparro, so.; G Lola Abraham, sr.; F Lily Bauer, jr.; F Juliette Brun, fr. Bishop Guilfoyle--G Maurie Querry, fr.; G Morgan Ruggery, fr.; G-F Anderlyn Petrecca, fr.; F Stella Yeskey, so.; F Alana Lightner, so.
Key reserves: Riverview--G Gina Volpe, jr.; G Catie Hoolahan, fr.; F Blake Huffman, fr. Bishop Guilfoyle--G-F Riley Gofus, jr.; G Gia Adams, so.; G Delaney Lechner, so.
Who they get: The winner will play District 9 third-place finisher DuBois Central Catholic or District 10 champion Jamestown in the second round on Wednesday.
Notable: Riverview hasn't played in the PIAA playoffs since 2020 when it lost in the Class 2A first round, 69-33, to Everett. ... Katerina Tsambis is the only Riverview player averaging double figures in points and averages 12 points per game. ... The Lady Marauders defeated Bishop Canevin, 56-43, in last year's state playoffs before they fell to Otto-Eldred. ... Bishop Guilfoyle won the 2021 Class 1A PIAA championship, 62-47, over Jenkintown. ... The Lady Marauders have won seven PIAA championships overall, two in 2A (1984, 1991) and five in 1A (1993, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2021). ... Bishop Guilfoyle has not lost a game this season to a 1A school. Its losses have come against 5A Hollidaysburg, 3A Forest Hills and 2A Bishop McCort. All three of those teams were the top seeds in their respective District 6 tournaments, and Hollidaysburg and Forest Hills won championships.
PIAA CLASS 1A FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS
Teams: 7-3 Aquinas Academy Crusaders (17-7) vs. 6-2 Williamsburg Lady Blue Pirates (24-3)
Site, time: Claysburg-Kimmel H.S., 3 p.m.
The coaches: Aquinas Academy--Chris Lebakken; Williamsburg--Amy Hileman
Playoff path: Aquinas Academy--def. Eden Christian Academy, 47-31, in quarterfinals; lost to Saint Joseph's, 65-56, in semifinals; def. Riverview, 45-37, in consolation. Williamsburg--def. Juniata Valley, 63-32, in District 6 Class 1A quarterfinals; def. Saint Joseph's, 56-42, in semifinals; lost to Bishop Guilfoyle, 46-42, in District 6 championship.
Probable starting lineups: Aquinas Academy--G Emily Fisher, sr.; G Ellie Junker, so.; G Tess Duer, so.; F Violet Johnson, jr.; F Victoria Taylor, sr. Williamsburg--G LeeAnna Royer, so.; G Ayla Hileman, sr.; G Regan Prough, so.; F Laney Prough, sr.; F Levada Gorsuch, fr.
Key reserves: Aquinas Academy--F Annie Austin, sr.; F Riley Mahon, sr.; G-F Elliot Keverline, so.; G-F Alexa Risdon, so. Williamsburg--G Claire Carper, sr.; F Anastasia Ranalli, jr.
Who they get: The winner will play District 9 champion Elk County Catholic or WPIAL fifth-place finisher Monessen in the second round on Wednesday.
Notable: Aquinas Academy defeated Juniata Valley, 59-45, in last year's PIAA first round to earn its first-ever PIAA playoff win. The Crusaders lost to PIAA semifinalist Berlin Brothersvalley, 47-35, in the second round. ... Aquinas has four of its five starters from last year's PIAA playoff run returning. ... Emily Fisher (12.2), Violet Johnson (11.2) and Ellie Junker (10.0) all average double figures scoring for Aquinas, and Johnson nearly averages a double-double with 9.3 rebounds per game. ... Williamsburg has made the PIAA playoffs the last two seasons. The Lady Blue Pirates lost in the PIAA semifinals to Northumberland Christian in 2022 and to Union in the PIAA quarterfinals last year. ... Williamsburg has made it to the PIAA championship twice, winning in 1997, 55-43, over Marian Catholic and losing, 50-46, to Lebanon Catholic in 1995.
PIAA CLASS 1A FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS
Teams: 5-2 Northern Bedford Lady Panthers (15-9) vs. 9-2 Ridgway Lady Elkers (20-6)
Site, time: Ridgway H.S., 2 p.m.
The coaches: Northern Bedford--Jon Ewart; Ridgway--Jason Schreiber.
Playoff path: Northern Bedford--received a bye into District 5 semifinals; def. Southern Fulton, 59-37, in semifinals; lost to Berlin Brothersvalley, 51-18, in District 5 championship. Ridgway--Beat DuBois Central Catholic, 44-42, in District 9 semifinals; lost to Elk County Catholic, 42-20, in District 9 championship.
Probable starting lineups: Northern Bedford--G Leah Swanseen, sr.; G Mariah Hall, sr.; G Alyssa Yeatts, so.; F Lacy McIlnay, sr.; F Lauren Heck, sr. Ridgway--G Kristen Ellenberger, sr.; G Gabby Amacher, sr.; G Emma Vargas, jr.; G-F Grace Bon, jr.; F Jenna Kasmierski, sr.
Key reserves: Northern Bedford--G-F Addie Love, jr.; G-F Halle Baker, so.; G-F Amberly Detterline, fr. Ridgway--G-F Sara Zameroski, so.; G-F Sophia Fullem, fr.
Who they get: The winner will play WPIAL champion Union or District 9 fifth-place finisher Port Allegany in the second round on Wednesday.
Notable: Ridgway is in the PIAA playoffs for only the second time in more than 40 years. Its previous appearance came two years ago when Williamsburg knocked off the Lady Elkers, 49-37, in the first round of the state playoffs on its way to the PIAA semifinals. Prior to that game, Ridgway's last PIAA game was in the Class 2A PIAA first round in 1989 when it lost to Girard, 87-45, at Brookville. ... Northern Bedford lost to Elk County Catholic, 50-27, in this game last season. ... The Lady Panthers made the PIAA 2A playoffs in 2022 after winning the District 5 championship but lost to Shenango, 49-45, in the first round. ... Northern Bedford's four starting seniors played in a District 5 championship game in each of the past three seasons.
PIAA CLASS 5A FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS
Teams: 3-6 Manheim Central Barons (17-9) vs. 6-1 Hollidaysburg Lady Tigers (22-3)
Site, time: Hollidaysburg Area H.S., 2:30 p.m.
The coaches: Manheim Central--Michael Smith; Hollidaysburg--Deanna Jubeck
Playoff path: Manheim Central--def. Exeter Township, 46-30, in District 3 first round; lost to York Suburban, 39-23, in quarterfinals; def. Mechanicsburg, 39-29, in consolation; lost to Palmyra, 31-28, in consolation. Hollidaysburg--def. Selinsgrove, 59-12, in the District 4-6 semifinals; def. Shikellamy, 65-45, in District 4-6 championship game.
Probable starting lineups: Manheim Central--G Payton Snyder, sr.; G Gianna Walters, fr.; G Lilah Walters, fr.; G Maddie Gehman, fr.; F Emma Herman, jr. Hollidaysburg--G Lauren Stevenson, jr.; G Bella Vent, jr.; G Makenna Weimert, so.; F Samantha Shoemaker, sr.; C Isabella Yohn, sr.
Key reserves: Manheim Central--G Hannah Weaver, sr.; F Stella Higgins, jr.; F Eden Buckwalter, so. Hollidaysburg--G Hannah DiPangrazio, sr.; F Clare Padamonsky, so.
Who they get: The winner plays WPIAL runner-up Armstrong or District 3 fifth-place finisher Palmyra in the second round on Wednesday.
Notable: Manheim Central defeated Roxborough in the first round of the PIAA tournament in 2022 as District 3's fourth-place team before losing to West York in the second round. ... Last year, the Barons lost to Oakland Catholic in the first round of the PIAA playoffs, 65-39, as District 3's fifth seed one round before Oakland Catholic edged Hollidaysburg, 48-47. ... Manheim Central lost to Central Dauphin, which won the Mid-Penn Commonwealth, 30-20, on Dec. 27. Central Dauphin split with Altoona this season, as did Hollidaysburg. ... The Lady Tigers have won their last two PIAA opening-round games since a 71-59 loss to Spring Grove in the shortened 2021 state playoffs that saw only district champions qualify. ... Sophomore Clare Padamonsky led Hollidaysburg in scoring in the district title game despite coming off the bench in the game.
BOYS
PIAA CLASS 2A FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS
Teams: 6-4 Claysburg-Kimmel Bulldogs (15-10) vs. 4-1 Muncy Indians (20-6)
Site, time: Muncy H.S., 5 p.m.
The coaches: Claysburg-Kimmel--Mike Harris; Muncy--Jason Gresh
Playoff path: Claysburg-Kimmel--def. United, 57-51, in District 6 quarterfinals; lost to West Branch, 81-51, in semifinals; lost to West Shamokin, 73-58, in consolation. Muncy--def. South Williamsport, 55-46, in District 4 quarterfinals; def. Line Mountain, 51-36, in semifinals; def. Neumann Regional Academy, 49-48, in District 4 championship.
Probable starting lineups: Claysburg-Kimmel--G Elias Ritchey, sr.; G Brayden Haney, so.; F Anthony Napolitano, sr.; F Cory Walter, so.; F Aidan Simpson, sr. Muncy--G Stiles Eyer, jr.; G Patrick Zalonis, sr.; G Nate Rogers, fr.; G Konnor Shearer, sr.; F Noah Confer, sr.
Key reserves: Claysburg-Kimmel--F Christian Treon, so.; F Landon Douglas, jr. Muncy--C Ken Hampe, jr.; G Kyran Lisembee, fr.
Who they get: The winner plays either District 11 third-place finisher Schuylkill Haven or District 2 champion Holy Cross in the second round on Wednesday.
Notable: Muncy coach Jason Gresh won his 200th career game on Jan. 27 against Neumann Regional Academy, the same team Muncy edged by a point for the District 4 title. Gresh is now second all-time at the school in wins behind Al Barraco. ... Muncy has made it to seven PIAA tournaments under Gresh, including last year when it entered as District 4 champions and beat Mount Union, 73-58, before the Indians lost to Holy Cross, 66-38. ... Noah Confer leads Muncy with a scoring average of 16.7 points per game, and Patrick Zalonis is averaging 12 points a game. ... Brayden Haney leads Claysburg-Kimmel with a scoring average of 18.1 points per game, and Elias Ritchey is at 12.8 points per game with 5.6 assists per game. ... Both Haney and Ritchey are first-team Inter-County Conference all-stars. ... Claysburg-Kimmel's 15 wins has matched a school record for a single season.
PIAA CLASS 3A FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS
Teams: 6-3 Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders (23-4) vs. 7-2 Burrell Bucs (16-9)
Site, time: Burrell H.S., 1 p.m.
The coaches: Bishop Guilfoyle--Ryan Lestochi; Burrell--Michael Fantuzzo
Playoff path: Bishop Guilfoyle--def. Richland, 73-43, in District 6 quarterfinals; lost to Westmont Hilltop, 53-45, in semifinals, def. Tyrone, 72-58, in consolation. Burrell--def. Seton LaSalle, 55-50, in WPIAL first round; def. Shady Side Academy, 48-44, in quarterfinals; def. Mohawk, 51-34, in semifinals; lost to Deer Lakes, 55-49, in WPIAL championship.
Probable starting lineups: Bishop Guilfoyle--G Tyson Lestochi, so.; G Jude Haigh, jr.; G Hamilton Gates, jr.; G-F Taurean Consiglio, so.; F Trevor Rehm, jr. Burrell--G Tucker Bitar, jr.; G Joey Discello, sr.; G Macky Bennis, sr.; G Dylan McKallip, sr.; F Esau King-Buchak, sr.
Key reserves: Bishop Guilfoyle--G-F Chase Kissell, jr.; G-F Jake Kissell, so.; G Nick Foor, jr.; G Troy Ruggery, fr. Burrell--G Colter Christie, sr.; F Maliq Buchak, sr.; C Ryan Croushore, sr.
Who they get: The winner will play District 10 champion Girard or WPIAL sixth-place finisher Derry Area in the second round on Wednesday.
Notable: Burrell entered the WPIAL playoffs as the No. 11 seed and upset sixth-seeded LaSalle, third-seeded Shady Side Academy and second-seeded Mohawk before losing to top-seeded Deer Lakes, 55-49, in the championship. ... Burrell opened the season 7-0 before traveling to Florida and losing three games in a tournament there. ... Deer Lakes defeated Penn Cambria in the 3A semifinals last year before losing in the state championship. ... Burrell is 0-5 all-time in the PIAA playoffs with its most recent defeat coming in 2022 in the Class 4A playoffs to Fairview, 61-36. The Bucs have lost to two District 6 teams in previous trips, 95-74, to Huntingdon in 1984 and 62-43 to Bishop McCort in 2013. ... The Marauders are 29-33 all-time in the PIAA tournament after losing in the first round last season. ... BG made the quarterfinals in 2022, the semifinals in 2021, were in the quarterfinals in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic halted the tournament and lost, 54-52, to Math, Civics & Science in the 2019 2A championship game.
-- Compiled by Michael Boytim