A trio of District 10 teams are vying for spots in the PIAA basketball championship games Tuesday in the semifinals.
In Class 5A girls, District 10 champion Cathedral Prep is looking for its first trip to the state championship as the Ramblers. The last time the program was in the state title game it was as Villa Maria in 2021. The Ramblers will take on WPIAL third-seed McKeesport, seeking its first-ever trip to the finals, for the right to play for a state championship.
In Class 3A boys’ action there will be a District 10 title game rematch between champion Girard, looking for its first trip to the state title game since 1990, and runner-up Franklin, trying to get back to the title game for the first time since 2006. The Yellowjackets topped the Knights, 60-50, in the D10 title game.
CLASS 3A BOYS
FRANKLIN (23-5) VS. GIRARD (26-2)
When/Where: 7 p.m. at PennWest Edinboro’s McComb Field House
Winner gets: Winner of Devon Prep vs. Math, Civics, Sciences at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Giant Center, Hershey, Pa.
How Franklin got here: The Knights were the District 10 runners-up and then beat Neshannock, 69-55, Chestnut Ridge, 64-57, and Deer Lakes, 83-66, in the PIAA playoffs.
How Girard got here: The Yellowjackets won the District 10 title, then beat Derry Area, 74-65, Bishop Guilfoyle, 55-52, and Mohawk, 70-50, in the PIAA playoffs
Franklin key players: Jalen Wood (5-10, Sr., G), 17.8 ppg; Damon Curry (6-5 Sr., G/F), 17.0 ppg; Demarco Payne (5-11, Sr., G), 11.6 ppg; Cole Buckley (6-3, Sr. G), 10.9 ppg;
Girard key players Nate Edwards (6-0, Sr., G), 16.2 ppg; Kenny Godoy (6-0, So., G), 14.4 ppg; Geremia Dell’omo (6-6, Sr., F), 12.5 ppg
Franklin PIAA Title Game History: 2006 – Won 3A; 2001 – Won 3A
Girard PIAA Title Game History: 1990 – Won 2A; 1988 – Won 2A
CLASS 5A GIRLS
CATHEDRAL PREP (22-3) VS. MCKEESPORT (24-4)
When/Where: 6 p.m. at Slippery Rock University’s Morrow Field Housel
Winner gets: Winner of Bethlehem Catholic vs. Archbishop Wood at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 23 at Giant Center, Hershey, Pa.
How Cathedral Prep got here: The Ramblers were the sole District 10 5A team and won a subregional title, 61-33 over Obama Academy, then beat Trinity, 53-29, Northern York, 61-36, and Oakland Catholic, 39-29, in the PIAA playoffs.
How McKeesport got here: The Tigers lost in the WPIAL semifinals to eventual champion South Fayette then beat West York, 61-32, Indiana, 48-27, and Armstrong, 57-35, in the PIAA playoffs.
Cathedral Prep key players: Addie Biel (6-2, Jr., F) 16.0 ppg; Jayden McBride (5-11, Sr., G), 14.3 ppg; Lena Walz (5-10, Sr., G) 11.5 ppg
McKeesport key players Rachel Manfredo (6-0, Sr., G.F) 15.9 ppg; Kaylee Charles (5-10, Sr., F) 14.8 ppg; Maddie Hertzler (5-7, Sr., G) 14.1 ppg.
Cathedral Prep PIAA Title Game History: 2021 – Lost 4A; 2017 – Lost 4A; 2016 – Lost 3A; 2011 – Won 2A; 2010 – Won 2A; 2009 – Won 2A; 2007 – Lost 2A; 2003 – Lost 3A; 2002 – Lost 3A; 1982 – Lost 3A
McKeesport PIAA Title Game History: None
