Some Westmoreland teams’ state playoff chances hang in balance

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, February 25, 2018 | 12:54 PM

Coaches often stress the importance of second-chance points. Their teams could get a second chance in the basketball postseason.

Thanks to the WPIAL's follow-the-winner format, several area teams that lost in the district quarterfinals can still qualify for the PIAA state playoffs.

While not altogether heartfelt, teams end up rooting for the team that beat them in the WPIAL tournament.

The number of WPIAL state qualifiers in boys basketball are: six teams in 6A; five in 5A; and six in 4A through A. Girls qualifiers: five in 6A; six in 5A; seven in 4A; six in 3A; seven in 2A; and five in A.

Local boys teams already in the state playoffs are Franklin Regional (5A), Belle Vernon (4A) and Jeannette (2A).

No area girls teams have secured spots yet.

Here's what has to happen for Westmoreland teams to get into the PIAA postseason:

• Latrobe's boys need Mt. Lebanon to beat Penn Hills in the 6A semifinals Wednesday.

• Valley has to have Quaker Valley reach the 4A title game.

• Monessen boys need Imani Christian to make the Class A final.

• In 6A, the Hempfield girls need Peters Township to win the championship, while Norwin needs Mt. Lebanon to do the same, and Latrobe's chances hinge on Bethel Park winning it all. One local team will be eliminated Tuesday because Peters Township plays Bethel Park in the semifinals.

• Greensburg Central Catholic can get pulled into the 2A boat if Serra Catholic makes the WPIAL championship.

• Belle Vernon's girls have to have Beaver Area make the 4A final.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Greensburg C.C., Hempfield Area, Latrobe, Monessen, Norwin