Basketball

Chartiers Valley’s Aislin Malcolm celebrates with Megan McConnell next to Moon’s Brianna Toal during their game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, at Moon Area High School.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class 5A girls basketball preseason breakdown

December 6, 2020

Getting to the WPIAL girls basketball finals will take even more dedication and focus than ever this season.

Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher celebrates as time expires in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game against Mars Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at Petersen Events Center.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball preseason breakdown

This will surely be a boys basketball season like no other.

Hempfield Area’s Niheim Lewis during practice Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 at Spartan Field House.

Basketball tips off this week on TribLive High School Sports Network

After a week of rest in between scholastic sports seasons, we turn our attention fully to winter sports with pucks and round balls this week only on the TribLive High School Sports Network.

Junior guard Trinity Lockwood-Morris is among the returning starters for St. Joseph.

Girls basketball preview: Numbers shouldn’t be a problem for St. Joseph this season

The St. Joseph girls basketball team won just three games a year ago, but an opportunity to take part in the WPIAL Class A playoffs was a positive end to a season of growth for a team that lost just two to graduation.

Southmoreland boys basketball coach Frank Muccino will try to nurture a young roster this season.

Boys basketball preview: Southmoreland steps up in class with young roster

With a quiet demeanor, the Southmoreland boys basketball team practices with masks on while the coach looks on wearing a face shield.

Olivia Cernuto will try to help the Southmoreland girls duplicate their long playoff run of a season ago.

Girls basketball preview: Southmoreland hopes for strong encore to historic season

Reaching the WPIAL finals for the first time and going two rounds deep in the state playoffs made Southmoreland one of the darlings of WPIAL girls basketball last season.

St. Joseph’s Andrew Sullivan shoots during practice Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.

St. Joseph boys basketball eyes return to postseason after down year

Andrew Sullivan remembers the feeling two years ago when the St. Joseph boys basketball team won 18 games and advanced to the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 1A playoffs.

Jeff Ackermann talks with an official during a game against Butler on Jan. 28, 2020, at Pine-Richland. Ackermann was hired by Baldwin during the offseason.

Baldwin basketball teams take fresh approach

Location, location, location.

Sewickley Academy’s Kamryn Lightcap competes against Shady Side Academy during a scrimmage last season.

Loaded Sewickley Academy girls roster includes 5 returning starters and then some

The excitement in coach Mark Gaither’s voice was through the roof.

Quaker Valley’s Corinne Washington and Riverview’s Sydney McDonough fight for a loose ball Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018 at Walter Dlubak Athletic Center.

Quaker Valley girls basketball, a program on the rise, sets championship goals

The Quaker Valley girls basketball team got a nice taste of success last season, and now it’s ready for more.

Gateway’s William Kromka (23) pulls down a rebound against Shaler during a WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal game Feb. 17 at North Hills.

Gateway boys look to build off WPIAL playoff berth

The Gateway boys basketball team made strides last season, going from just three wins in section and five victories overall the year before to 10 wins and a return berth in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

Upper St. Clair’s Luke Gensler drives to the basket against Bethel Park’s Anthony Chiccitt during their game Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at Upper St. Clair High School.

Trib HSSN 2020-21 WPIAL Class 6A boys basketball preseason breakdown

December 5, 2020

This will surely be a boys basketball season like no other.

Springdale freshman Katerina Puskar dribbles the ball up the court during a practice on Dec. 3, 2020.

New coaches bring excitement, confidence to Springdale girls basketball

There’s a new-found energy surrounding the Springdale girls basketball program.

Springdale junior Logan Dexter drives to the basket during practice on Dec. 3, 2020.

With newfound focus and depth, Springdale boys ready to make deep playoff run

The Springdale boys basketball team came out of nowhere last season.

Shady Side Academy’s Nyla Rozier competes against Sewickley Academy during a scrimmage Dec. 3, 2019 at Shady Side Academy.

Shady Side Academy girls basketball returns full roster from last season

Not many WPIAL teams can boast about returning their entire roster.

Penn-Trafford’s Josh Kapcin (30) drives toward the net against Central Catholic in boys’ WPIAL basketball playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 at Norwin High School.

Familiar face leads Penn-Trafford boys basketball into season

When Penn-Trafford district officials went searching for a new boys basketball coach after Jim Rocco resigned following five seasons, they were looking for someone familiar with the program.

Gateway’s Dynasty Shegog averaged nearly 10 points last season and recently committed to Cal (Pa.).

Girls basketball preview: Gateway has firepower to contend in loaded section

December 4, 2020

The Gateway girls basketball team opened its season with a practice Nov. 20, the first day winter sports teams were permitted to do so in the WPIAL and throughout Pennsylvania.