Westmoreland high school notebook: Basketball teams eye 2nd chances in PIAAs

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, February 25, 2018 | 3:43 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 still can qualify for the PIAA playoffs.

While not all together heartfelt, teams end up rooting for the opponent 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, and Norwin needs Mt. Lebanon to do the same, while 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.

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

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

Kelly to York

Penn-Trafford senior basketball player Sean Kelly announced he will attend York College, a Division III school. Kelly averaged 14 points and six rebounds this season.

He also considered Marietta and Seton Hill but warmed up to the York program.

“I think just the way their team plays and the players and coaching staff are the kind of people I want to be around,” he said.

Klinchock to St. Francis (Pa.)

Ligonier Valley senior Sara Klinchock committed to play golf at St. Francis (Pa.). An All-Heritage Conference selection, Klinchock is the daughter of Ligonier Valley Country Club head professional John Klinchock. She advanced to the PIAA West Regional last fall.

Klinchock also is one of the Rams' better softball players.

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

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