ST. MARYS, Pa. – Ten District 9 basketball teams begin their quest for PIAA glory Friday, March 10, weather permitting.
There are seven boys’ teams and three girls’ teams slated to play Friday if Mother Nature cooperates. Otherwise, those games will most likely be postponed until Saturday.
Here is a look at the Friday games.
BOYS
CLASS 1A
Five District 9 teams are in the 32-team field with two – D9 champion Elk County Catholic and D9 runner-up Union – hosting games and three – third-place finisher DuBois Central Catholic, fourth-place finisher Cameron County, and fifth-place finisher Clarion – on the road.
(7-5) Neighborhood Academy (20-5) at (9-1) Elk County Catholic (25-2), 7 p.m.
How they got here: Neighborhood Academy dropped a 66-64 decision to Geibel Catholic in the WPIAL quarterfinals in a game that it led by 13 in the first half and by seven going to the fourth quarter before winning a pair of consolation games to finish in fifth place. The Bulldogs beat Rochester (71-46) and Aquinas Academy (78-75) in the consy round … ECC rallied from a nine-point deficit with 12 ½ minutes to play to beat Union, 50-35, in the D9 championship game. The Crusaders ended the game on a 26-2 run.
Who the winner gets: Winner of (7-3) Carlynton/(5-2) Southern Fulton game Tuesday, March 14
Neighborhood Academy Leaders: John Wilkins (18.4 ppg), Courtney Wallace (17.8 ppg), Shamar Simpson (14.4 ppg)
ECC Leaders: Jordan Wasko (10.0 ppg), Colby Nussbaum (7.9 ppg), Michael Jacobs (7.8 ppg), Wil Wortman (7.6 ppg),
Notes: Neighborhood Academy is making its first-ever appearance in the PIAA playoffs. The Bulldogs are a young team with just two seniors and two juniors but seven sophomores … ECC is making its 42nd appearance in the PIAA Tournament, all since 1974. The Crusaders are 48-40 in PIAA games including winning the 2006 PIAA Class 1A championship. Last year, ECC went to the PIAA semifinals before losing to eventual champion Bishop Canevin … ECC head coach Aaron Straub won his 965th game as a head coach in the D9 title game. He is 965-264 in 43 years as a head coach including 938-243 in his 41st year as the boys’ coach at ECC. He also coached the ECC girls for two years. This marks the 17th year a Straub-coached ECC boys’ team has won at least 25 games.
(5-3) Turkeyfoot Valley (17-9) at (9-2) Union (14-12), 7 p.m.
How they got here: Turkeyfoot Valley beat Fannett Metal, 51-47, in the opening round of the D5 playoffs before losing to Southern Fulton, 51-32, in the semifinals. The Rams then rebounded to beat Salisbury Elk Lick, 52-42, in the third-place game to claim the final PIAA playoff spot out of District 5 … Union made a surprise run to the D9 title game out of the sixth seed. The Golden Knights beat rival and third-seeded Clarion, 58-48, in the D9 quarterfinals then upset second-seeded DuBois Central Catholic, 51-48, in the semifinals in a game they trailed by 10 going to the fourth quarter. In the D9 title game against Elk County Catholic, Union led by nine with 12 ½ minutes to play only to watch the Crusaders go on a 26-2 game-ending run to win 50-35.
Who the winner gets: Winner of (9-5) Clarion/(7-1) Immani Christian Tuesday, March 14
Turkeyfoot Valley Leaders: Bryce Nicholson (15.7 ppg), Chris Kozlowski (13.9 ppg, 12.2 rpg), Bryce Schmidt (6.8 ppg)
Union Leaders: Payton Johnston (16.4 ppg), Zander Laughlin (12.0 ppg), Skyler Roxbury (10.1 ppg), Dawson Camper (8.3 ppg, 11.4 rpg)
Notes: Turkeyfoot Valley is making its first-ever appearance in the PIAA playoffs … The Rams have played a Union (Union, W.Va.) twice this season winning both times … Union is back in the PIAA postseason for the first time since 2016 and is looking for its first PIAA win since beating Union City, 73-59, in the 1974 PIAA Class 1A semifinals. The Golden Knights lost to Holy Ghost Prep, 63-48, in the PIAA title game that year and have lost nine PIAA playoff games in a row. This is only Union’s third trip to the PIAA playoffs since 1995.
(9-3) DuBois Central Catholic (17-8) at (6-2) Harmony (22-3), 7 p.m.
How they got here: DCC lost to Union in the D9 semifinals, 51-48, in a game it led by 10 going to the fourth quarter but came back to beat Cameron County, 50-47, on a last-second shot by Luke Fragle. The Cardinals were behind most of the game before rallying to win … Harmony lost to Portage, 70-62, in the District 6 title game
Who the winner gets: Winner of (10-1) Farrell/7-4 Geibel Catholic game Tuesday, March 14
DCC Leaders: Luke Swisher (15.9 ppg), Andrew Green (13.3 ppg), Marek Hoyt (7.2 ppg)
Harmony Leaders: Jack Bracken (22.6 ppg), Cohlton Fry (20.5 ppg), Anthony Maseto (10.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg)
Notes: This is the second meeting this season between these teams. DCC won at Harmony, 68-58, Dec. 14 in a game that was tied going to the fourth quarter before the Cardinals outscored the Owls, 25-15. Luke Swisher had 28 points for DCC with Andrew Green adding 14. Cohlton Fry had 26 points for Harmony with Jack Bracken scoring 17 … Harmony is in the PIAA tournament for the first time since 2009 and for the sixth time overall. The Owls won their first-ever PIAA playoff game, 66-59, over Iroquois in double overtime in 2000 but have lost five in a row since then … DCC made it to the second round of the PIAA tournament last year before falling to eventual champion Bishop Canevin. The Cardinals’ first-round win over Conemaugh Valley, 70-50, was the 12th PIAA win in school history. DCC is 12-12 all-time in PIAA games and was the 2007 PIAA Class 1A runner-up … Last year’s PIAA appearance was the first for the Cardinals since making it to the second round in 2011.
(9-4) Cameron County (17-8) at (6-1) Portage (25-2), 7 p.m.
How they got here: After pulling a mild upset of No. 4 Johnsonburg, 40-37, in the D9 quarterfinals, Cameron County dropped a 43-28 decision to Elk County Catholic and then lost the third-place game, 50-47, on a last-second shot by DuBois Central Catholic in a game the Red Raiders led for most of the night … Portage beat Harmony, 70-62, to win the District 6 title. It was the third consecutive D6 title for the Mustangs who won 2A championships in 2021 and 2022 after a runner-up finish in 2A in 2020
Who the winner gets: Winner of the (10-2) Kennedy Catholic/(7-2) Union (New Castle) game Tuesday, March 14
Cameron County Leaders: Camydn Allison (12.5 ppg), Josh Smith (10.8 ppg), Ryan Shaffer (10.6 ppg), Landon Farren (8.0 ppg)
Portage Leaders: Andrew Miko (14.6 ppg), Mason Kargo (13.9 ppg), Luke Scarton (13.3 ppg), Trae Kargo (10.3 ppg), Bode Layo (8.0 ppg)
Notes: Cameron County is back in the PIAA tournament for the first time since 2020 when it lost in the second round to Bishop Canevin. The Red Raiders are making their 13th all-time appearance in the PIAA postseason but only their fourth since 2000 … Portage is 53-4 combined in the last two years, 75-7 over the last three, and 96-14 since the start of the 2019-20 season … The Mustangs lost to Kennedy Catholic in the PIAA 2A quarterfinals last year after falling to eventual champion OLSH in the semifinals in the champions-only tournament of 2021 … Prior to 2020, Portage had only been to the PIAA Tournament once, in 2015 … The Mustangs’ two losses have come in overtime to Windber and to D6 2A champion United.
(9-5) Clarion (17-9) vs. (7-1) Imani Christian at North Allegheny High School, 7:30 p.m.
How they got here: Clarion, the third seed, was upset by Union, 58-48, in the District 9 quarterfinals before rallying to take fifth place by beating Smethport, 83-28, and Keystone, 69-41 … Imani Christian won the WPIAL title with a 64-41 win over Union (New Castle)
Who the winner gets: Winner of (9-2) Union/(5-3) Turkeyfoot Valley game Tuesday, March 14Notes:
Clarion Leaders: Devon Lauer (16.8 ppg), Gabe Simko (11.8 ppg), Dawson Smail (11.1 ppg), Bryce Brinkley (7.4 ppg)
Imani Christian Leaders: Dame Givner (15.8 ppg), Alier Maluk (15.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.5 bpg), Virgil Hall (12.2 ppg), RJ Sledge (11.1 ppg), Avery Wesley (9.1 ppg), Nate Brazil (9.1 ppg)
Notes: Clarion is in the PIAA playoffs for the third time in four years … The Bobcats advanced to the 1A semifinals in 2021 during the champions-only tournament … Clarion … Imani Christian is a tall team with Alier Maluk checking in at 6-foot-11 and Virgil Hall at 6-foot-8 … RJ Sledge played for Class 1A state champion Bishop Canevin as a freshman before transferring to Imani Christian this season. The WPIAL initially ruled Sledge ineligible but the PIAA overturned that decision. His parents told WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh that the transfer was because of “discrimination, finances, and a lack of inclusion” at Bishop Canevin but that “basketball was not a factor” in the decision to transfer. Imani Christian’s win at the WPIAL championships caused controversy with Union (New Castle) head coach Mark Stanley saying it “wasn’t fair” his team had to play a private school that added transfers this year … The Saints were the fourth-place team out of the WPIAL last year but advanced to the 1A quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Bishop Canevin … A relative newcomer to the PIAA playoffs, Imani Christian is making just its fifth appearance in the PIAA’s and had never won a game until last year.
CLASS 4A
Clearfield is District 9’s lone representative in Class 4A. The Bison will host Laurel Highlands at 7 p.m.
(7-3) Laurel Highlands (22-3) at (9-1) Clearfield (17-6), 7 p.m.
How they got here: Laurel Highlands lost to North Catholic, 74-59, in the WPIAL semifinals before beating Highlands, 83-60, in the third-place game … Clearfield beat St. Marys, 47-30, to win the District 9 championship, the eighth straight year the Bison have finished in first place in D9.
Who the winner gets: Winner of (10-1) Grove City/(7-5) Hampton game Tuesday, March 14
Laurel Highlands Leaders: Keondre Deshields (22.2 ppg), Rodney Gallagher (21.8 ppg), Mason Bolish (7.9 ppg)
Clearfield Leaders: Cole Miller (19.8 ppg), Andon Greslick (9.1 ppg), Braison Patrick (8.7 ppg), Morgan Billotte (7.7 ppg)
Notes: Laurel Highland’s second-leading scorer Rodney Gallagher is headed to West Virginia on a football scholarship … The Mustangs won the WPIAL 5A title in 2022 and advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals before losing to Gateway … This is Laurel Highlands’ third PIAA appearance since 2020. Before that, you had to go back to 2006 for the last time the Mustangs made the PIAA tournament, and before that 1986 … Clearfield is in the PIAA playoffs for the seventh time in the last eight years. Last year, the Bison failed to get there falling to Obama Academy in a subregional contest … Clearfield is 1-19 all-time in PIAA playoff games with the lone win coming in the first round in 1989 over Penn Hills. Since then, the Bison have lost 15 straight PIAA contests.
CLASS 5A
DuBois is District 9’s lone representative in Class 5A. The Beavers will travel to Penn Hills.
(9-1) DuBois (11-13) at (7-1) Penn Hills (21-3), 7 p.m.
How they got here: DuBois beat Obama Academy, 44-37, in the D8-9-10 subregional semifinals before losing the finals to Cathedral Prep, 40-32 … Penn Hills beat Peters Township, 70-65, to win the WPIAL title.
Who the winner gets: Winner of the (3-3) Hershey/(7-4) Gateway game Tuesday, March 14
DuBois Leaders: Tyson Kennis (14.1 ppg), Cam Thompson (11.1 ppg), Maddox Bennett (8.5 ppg)
Penn Hills Leaders: Daemar Kelly (16 ppg), Noah Barren (12 ppg)
Notes: DuBois is in the PIAA tournament for the second straight year after losing to Gateway last season. Last year was the Beavers’ first PIAA playoff appearance since 2000. DuBois made its first PIAA playoff appearance in 1931 losing to Farrell and this year marks the 18th all-time appearance in the tournament with the last win coming in the 1996 Class 4A first round … Penn Hills won the WPIAL title for the first time since 2018. The Indians are the best defensive team in the WPIAL allowing just over 44 ppg … Penn Hills finished seventh in the WPIAL last season but advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals in Class 5A which was their deepest foray in the tournament since winning the 4A crown in 2004 … Leading scorer Daemar Kelly is headed to Division I Quinnipiac for basketball, while another starter, Julian Dugger, just a junior, is being heavily recruited to play football including by Pitt and Toledo.
GIRLS
CLASS 2A
District 9 has two teams in the girls’ Class 2A bracket with both hosting games. District 9 champion Redbank Valley will host Serra Catholic and District 9 runner-up Moniteau will host Lakeview.
(7-6) Serra Catholic (18-4) at (9-1) Redbank Valley (25-1), 6 p.m.
How they got here: Serra Catholic, which finished the regular season 16-2, lost to Aliquippa, 60-56, in the WPIAL quarterfinals before beating Chartiers-Houston, 50-24, in a consolation game. The Eagles then lost to Greensburg Central Catholic, 67-37, in the fifth-place game to finish in sixth place … Redbank Valley won the D9 title, its second in a row (last year was in 3A) with a 61-35 win over Moniteau.
Who the winner gets: Winner of (6-3) Bishop McCort/(7-2) Freedom game Tuesday, March 14.
Serra Catholic Leaders: Brianna Battles (around 15 ppg), Cate Clarke (around 14 ppg), Abby Genes (around 12 ppg),
Redbank Valley Leaders: Mylee Harmon (21.0 ppg), Alivia Huffman (16.0 ppg), Caylen Rearick (6.4 ppg)
Notes: Serra Catholic finished third in the WPIAL last year and beat Clarion-Limestone, the D9 runner-up, in the opening round of the PIAA playoffs, 52-37, before losing in the second round to Homer-Center … The Eagles won the 2005 Class 1A girls’ title … Redbank Valley is in the PIAA playoffs for the third time in the last four years. Last year, the Lady Bulldogs lost to Laurel, 49-44, in the 3A opening round at Redbank Valley … The Lady Bulldogs advanced to the second round in 2020 … Redbank Valley’s lone loss was a 45-40 setback to OLSH at PennWest California Dec. 27. It has won 18 straight since then.
(10-3) Lakeview (16-9) at (9-2) Moniteau (19-7), 7 p.m.
How they got here: Lakeview beat Union City, 50-21, in the District 10 quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Kennedy Catholic, 61-29, in the semifinals. The Sailors then beat Cambridge Springs, 36-33, to claim the third and final PIAA playoff berth awarded to District 10 in 2A … Moniteau beat Coudersport, 50-38, in the D9 semifinals before losing to Redbank Valley, 61-35, in the championship game.
Who the winner gets: Winner of (6-4) Marion Center/(7-1) Shenango game Tuesday, March 14
Lakeview Leaders: Kyndra Seddon (16 points in the quarterfinal win & 11 in the third-place game), Emma Masteller (Scored 12 points in the quarterfinal win & 9 in the third-place game), Alaina Peterson (Scored 8 points in the third-place game)
Moniteau Leaders: Catherine Kelly (15.2 ppg), Kendall Sankey (7.2 ppg), Davina Pry (7.2 ppg), Allie Pry (6.9 ppg)
Notes: Lakeview advanced to the second round of the PIAA 3A playoffs last year … Moniteau is in the PIAA playoffs for the first time since 2016 … Of the Lady Warriors’ seven losses, four are to D9 2A champion Redbank Valley … The teams have a common opponent in Mercer. Lakeview split with Mercer winning 54-31 Dec. 19 and losing 31-29 Jan. 29 … Moniteau lost to Mercer 37-32 Dec. 30.
CLASS 3A
Karns City is District 9’s lone team in the Class 3A playoffs. The Lady Gremlins host Shady Side Academy.
(7-3) Shady Side Academy (23-3) at Karns City (15-9), 7 p.m.
How they got here: Shady Side Academy lost to Avonworth, 41-35, in the WPIAL semifinals before beating Neshannock, 60-52, in the third-place game … Karns City beat Kane, 28-21, for the District 9 title but lost to Chestnut Ridge, 36-17, in the D5-8-9 subregional title game
Who the winner gets: Winner of (10-1) Mercyhurst Prep/(7-7) Waynesburg Central game
Shady Side Academy Leaders: Maggie Spell (Around 21 ppg), Karis Thomas (Around 17 points per game)
Karns City Leaders: Chloe Fritch (11.8 ppg), Brooklynn Taylor (11.4 ppg), Emma Dailey (8.0 ppg)
Notes: Shady Side Academy and Karns City met in the 2007 Class 2A playoffs when the Lady Gremlins won, 39-26, at Clarion’s Tippin Gym … Karns City is back in the PIAA playoffs for the first time since 2017 when it reached the second round in 3A … The Lady Gremlins won the 2000 PIAA championship … Shady Side Academy is a young team with its two top players, Maggie Spell and Karis Thomas, both freshmen.
