What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Jan. 21, 2025: Montour, Chartiers Valley to battle for top spot

By: Don Rebel
Monday, January 20, 2025 | 10:30 PM

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If there is any action to be had on what is expected to be a bone-chilling Tuesday, there are some red-hot matchups worth bundling up for.

The top two teams in the latest Trib HSSN boys basketball rankings collide for a second time this season when No. 1 Montour hosts No. 2 Chartiers Valley.

The two are a combined 26-2 overall this season.

The Spartans are 12-1 and have won six straight games since suffering their only loss over the holidays to Countryside, Fla., in the Tampa Bay Invitational.

The Colts are 14-1 and are winners of eight consecutive games since their only loss of the season to Montour on Dec. 17.

In that game, Montour built up double-digit leads twice in the first half then hung on to fend off several Chartiers Valley rallies to win, 66-60.

The Spartans were paced by senior forward Ama Sow, who had 25 points, while seniors Colton Straight and Kaleb Platz had 14 points each.

The Colts were led by senior guard Jayden Davis, who dropped 25 points as well while junior Julian Semplice had 14 points and freshman Luca Federico added 10 points.

Both Sow and Davis are among the leading scorers in the WPIAL as Davis averages 24.2 points per game and Sow averages 22.2.

Montour sits in first place with a 7-0 record in Section 4-5A, one game ahead of second-place Chartiers Valley at 6-1.

The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. and can be viewed here on Trib HSSN.

More 5A fight for first

Two of the four sections in Class 5A boys basketball have three teams separated by only one game at the top of their section.

On Tuesday, one of them could have more clarity or it could further muddy the section title waters.

There is a three way fight going on for the top spot in Section 3-5A between South Fayette (11-4), Baldwin (13-1) and Peters Township (11-4).

The Lions are 6-1 in the section, the Highlanders are 5-1, and the Indians are 5-2.

Baldwin hosts Peters Township on Tuesday.

In their first meeting at PT back in December, the Highlanders defeated the Indians, 56-49.

Fight for fourth

The top five teams in each of the two Class 6A boys basketball sections will qualify for the playoffs this winter.

However, the fight for fourth place in both sections picks up Tuesday.

In Section 1, North Hills (5-10), fresh off its upset of New Castle last week, is 4-4 and has a one-game lead over both Butler (3-5, 10-5) and Pine-Richland (3-5, 5-9).

On Tuesday, the Indians visit the Golden Tornado while the Rams host Fox Chapel (11-4, 6-2).

In Section 2, Mt. Lebanon (8-6, 4-4) is in fifth place, a half-game behind Norwin (8-6, 4-3).

Both teams have home challenges against the two second-place teams in the section.

The Knights host Imani Christian (8-6, 6-2) while the Blue Devils are home to Central Catholic (9-5, 6-2).

You can watch the Central-Lebo game at 7:30 p.m. on Trib HSSN.