Basketball

Chartiers Valley’s Aislin Malcolm pulls down a rebound next to Thomas Jefferson’s Molly Wagner during the WPIAL Class 5A championship game Saturday, Mar. 2, 2019, at Petersen Events Center.

Thomas Jefferson girls made program history by reaching title game

March 8, 2019

The Thomas Jefferson and Chartiers Valley basketball teams clashed March 2 in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game at Pitt’s Peterson Events Center.

Chartiers Valley’s Gabby Legister scores over Thomas Jefferson’s Dalaney Ranallo during the WPIAL Class 5A championship game Saturday, Mar. 2, 2019, at Petersen Events Center.

Rebounding, scoring struggles prove costly for Thomas Jefferson girls in WPIAL final

The bubble finally burst for the surging Thomas Jefferson girls basketball team.

Thomas Jefferson players celebrate as time expires in their WPIAL Class 5A girls semifinal victory over Oakland Catholic Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at North Allegheny High School.

Team chemistry key for TJ girls basketball

Does winning spark good team chemistry, or does good team chemistry enhance winning?

Unbeaten teams to test Highlands, Leechburg boys in PIAA opening round

March 7, 2019

Only two WPIAL basketball teams made it through the district playoffs with a perfect record, and both were on the girls’ side — Class 6A champion Peters Township (25-0) and Class 5A winner Chartiers Valley (25-0).

Penn Hills’ Tyree Spencer (11) is fouled by Montour’s Justin LaBrie (10) during a WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal game Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at Fox Chapel.

5 things to watch in the PIAA boys basketball playoffs

Coach Dan DeRose and his Penn Hills boys basketball players are leaving at 10 a.m. Friday for a four-hour bus ride to Hershey, the site picked for their state playoff opener.

North Catholic’s Kylee Lewandowski scores past Central Valley’ Allyson Kirby during the 4A girls WPIAL Championship at Petersen Events Center.

5 things to watch in the PIAA girls basketball playoffs

There are 192 girls basketball teams across Pennsylvania with visions of state championships dancing in their heads as the 2019 PIAA playoffs tip off with first round play Friday and Saturday.

Highlands’ Luke Cochran scores past New Castle’s Donte Burnett during the fourth quarter of their WPIAL Class 4A boys semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, at North Allegheny High School.

A-K Valley basketball teams use time off to prepare for PIAA tournament

Five Alle-Kiski Valley basketball teams have played the waiting game for the PIAA tournament since their elimination from the WPIAL playoffs more than a week ago.

Ligonier Valley’s Michael Marinchak shoots over West Shamokin’s Tyler Lightcap during the Heritage Conference championship game Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at IUP.

Ligonier Valley boys turn focus to Beaver Falls, PIAA tournament

Ligonier Valley, the only Westmoreland County-based high school whose sports teams compete outside the WPIAL, is getting a rare opportunity to impress its western neighbors in boys basketball.

Mars boys, Peters Township girls stay atop Trib 10 power rankings

March 6, 2019

Every Wednesday during the 2018-19 WPIAL basketball season, the TribLive High School Sports Network releases Power Rankings during the WPIAL Roundball Report at 6:30 p.m.

Monessen’s Devin Whitlock scores next to St. Joseph’s Andrew Sullivan during their WPIAL Class A quarterfinal Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at West Allegheny High School.

After long rest, Monessen boys set to face Jamestown in PIAA playoffs

At this point in past seasons, the buzz about District 10’s Class A champion has been all about Kennedy Catholic.

Franklin Regional’s Nick Leopold gets around Moon’s Donovan Johnson during WPIAL playoff action Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at West Allegheny High School.

Franklin Regional boys excited for ‘another chance to play’ in state tournament

March 5, 2019

A sense of finality seemed to wash over Franklin Regional boys basketball players, coaches and fans after the Panthers lost to Moon in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals at West Allegheny.

Quaker Valley junior Chris Iorio, left, knocks the ball loose from junior Mike Sacco during practice Nov 30, 1998.

PCN will re-air Quaker Valley vs. Annville-Cleonas PIAA basketball final from 1999

The Quaker Valley boys basketball team and coach Mike Mastroianni experienced a heartbreaking state championship loss to Annville-Cleonas 20 years ago this winter.

Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Player of the Week: Mars’ Andrew Recchia

March 4, 2019

Andrew Recchia

Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Team of the Week: Chartiers Valley

The Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Team of the Week picked up two postseason wins this past week, the second victory earning them gold for the second time in three years — the Chartiers Valley Colts.

Trib HSSN boys basketball state rankings for week of March 4, 2019

Let the fun begin. Five rounds will produce six champions in three weeks in the Pennsylvania boys basketball version of March Madness.

Jayla Wehner and Norwin will look to put a WPIAL Class 6A semifinals loss in the rear-view mirror in the first round of the PIAA tournament Friday night against District 6 champion Altoona.

Norwin girls ready to ‘come back even stronger’ for PIAA playoffs

Jayla Wehner called on a motivational quote to help erase a tough semifinal loss and fast-forward to what lies ahead for the Norwin girls basketball team.

Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Team of the Week: Mt. Lebanon

March 3, 2019

Our Trib HSSN Team of the Week proved they are the top team in the top classification with a first championship in nine years as we salute the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils.