What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Jan. 6, 2024: WPIAL to crown spirit champions

By: Don Rebel
Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 11:55 AM

The first championships of the new year will be determined Saturday with the 2024 WPIAL competitive spirit championships at Chartiers Valley.

A total of 27 district schools will battle for championships in five categories — 3A large and small varsity, 2A large and small varsity and co-ed.

This is the first year the event is being held at Chartiers Valley after being held at Hempfield the last 10 years.

The reigning champions are Hempfield in 3A large, Thomas Jefferson in 3A small, Neshannock in 2A large, Central Valley in 2A small and Butler in co-ed.

Besides the battle for gold, 15 district teams will try to qualify for the PIAA championships at the Giant Center in Hershey on Jan. 26 and 27.

The top nine scoring teams in 3A, the top five in 2A and the next highest scoring team in either classification will qualify for the state finals.

Performances will begin at 10 a.m. for 2A schools and 12:45 p.m. for 3A.

Saturday hoops events

‘Tis the season for district basketball teams to participate in one-day events that are prominent on Saturdays and some Sundays in January.

There are three events taking place on this first Saturday of 2024.

• The annual Chuckie Mahoney Classic takes place at Burgettstown. The event features five boys and four girls games at the school’s two gyms.

The boys schedule is:

McGuffey vs. Chartiers-Houston at 9 a.m.

OLSH vs. Quaker Valley at 11 a.m.

Weir (W.Va.) vs. Avella at 1 p.m.

Washington vs. Fort Cherry at 3 p.m.

West Allegheny at Burgettstown at 5 p.m.

The girls slate of games:

Weir (W.Va.) vs. Chartiers-Houston at 11 a.m.

Washington vs. Fort Cherry at 1 p.m.

West Allegheny at Burgettstown at 3 p.m.

OLSH vs. Avella at 5 p.m.

• The Don Graham Classic at North Catholic features a Trojans girls and boys doubleheader.

Greensburg Central Catholic battles North Catholic in the girls game at 2 p.m. while Penn Hills visits North Catholic in the boys game at 3:30 p.m.

• The Pittsburgh Basketball Club hosts its girls basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Ambridge with seven games on the docket:

Sto-Rox at host Ambridge at 10 a.m.

Gateway vs. Aliquippa at 11:30 a.m.

Oakland Catholic vs. Baldwin at 1 p.m.

Chartiers Valley vs. Quaker Valley at 2:30 p.m.

Shady Side Academy vs. Avonworth at 4 p.m.

Obama Academy vs. Seton LaSalle at 5:30 p.m.

Penn Hills vs. Bishop Canevin at 7 p.m.

County wrestling tournaments

Two big wrestling tournaments that began on Friday will conclude Saturday, along with another county championship tournament.

There are 13 teams taking part in the 2024 Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament from Greensburg Salem that concludes on Saturday.

Also starting on Friday and ending Saturday is the Tri-County Coaches and Athletic Directors Association tournament involving 17 schools from Washington, Greene, Fayette and Southern Allegheny County. The event is being held at Canon-McMillan.

Finally, the Ed Driscoll Midwestern Athletic Conference one-day wrestling tournament has 16 schools from Beaver, Lawrence and Western Allegheny County. That event will be held at Freedom starting at 9:30 a.m.

Tags: 5 Things in Pittsburgh, Aliquippa, Ambridge, Avella, Avonworth, Baldwin, Bishop Canevin, Canon-McMillan, Chartiers Valley, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry, Freedom, Gateway, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, McGuffey, North Catholic, Oakland Catholic, Obama Academy, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn Hills, Quaker Valley, Seton La Salle, Shady Side Academy, Sto-Rox, Washington, West Allegheny