What to watch at WPIAL Sports on 02/02/2023: Women’s basketball teams look to break through section traffic

To: don level

Thursday, February 02, 2023 | 12:05 AM

Whether the groundhog sees its shadow on Thursday, early spring or a longer winter won’t affect the five-team chase in the crowded top of Section 2-5A of WPIAL Women’s Basketball.

The top five teams are only two games apart with two or three games to go.

Hampton (13-5) visits Armstrong (16-3) on Thursday.

The Talbots are tied for first place with Mars (13-4), both of whom have 7-2 section records. They are half a game ahead of the 7-3 Riverhawks.

Two other teams in the crowded pack are Fox Chapel (6-4, 12-7) and Shaler (5-4, 14-5).

On Friday, frontline Fightin’ Planet will take on the host Titan.

Hampton are trying to equalize after losing 52-32 to Armstrong on Jan. 9.

Junior Kyla Fitzgerald scored 18 points to lead the River Hawks, while junior Megan Murray scored a game-high 19 points over the Talbots.

Class 3A battles for the lead

Class 3A has two district women’s basketball sections, leading the three-team chase for first place.

Avonworth (6-1, 12-5) leads Keystone Oaks (5-2, 13-6) and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (5-2, 12-6) by one game.

On Thursday, Antelope hosts the Golden Eagles.

The only section loss Avonworth has suffered this season was 55–48 at Keystone Oaks on 9 January.

Senior Eliona Neal led the KO with 19 points, while sophomore Greta O’Brien scored a game-high 20 points on ‘Lopes.

Also on Thursday, the OLSH moves to East Allegheny (0-7, 3-12).

In Section 4-3A, Waynesburg (6-1, 16-2) had one game against both Young (5-2, 10-8) and South Park (5-2, 9-10). have an advantage.

The Raiders can take a big step towards a section crown when they host the Cougars on Thursday. Young handed Waynesburg his only section loss at Cougar Mountain on January 9, 44-38.

Seniors Mikala Tuning and Rainie Geldick each scored 14 points for the Cougars, while junior Josie Horn scored 12 points for the Raiders.

South Park visit Charleroi on Thursday (3-4, 8-8). The Cougars have a one-game lead over McGuffey in his fourth place in the section.

Class A deadlock

After Thursday’s action, the WPIAL has just one week left in the regular season.

Therefore, the winner of the Section 2-A showdown at Monvalley will take a big step towards the Section Championship.

West Green (10-7) visited Monessen (12-4) as both teams finished first with a 6-1 section record.

The Greyhounds’ only section loss was a 45–42 loss to the Pioneers in December.

It is also the last time Monessen lost. Currently on a 10 win streak.

West Green’s only section loss was last week’s 64-49 loss to Abella. Pioneers have lost 2 of their last 3 matches overall.