Mar 5, 2015 7 min read

When the WPIAL released its basketball playoff pairings, many coaches raised an eyebrow over the new system to determine the district’s final entries into the state playoffs. Even WPIAL executive director Tim O’Malley voiced his displeasure with the new format.

As in past years, all four teams that reach the semifinals received a berth in the PIAA playoffs. However, instead of the routine follow-the-leader approach for seedings 5 through 7, those spots were determined by games played in the new consolation bracket.

Two local teams benefitted greatly from the new format.

Instead of preparing for the spring sports season, the girls teams at California and McGuffey have been getting ready for the PIAA tournament. The two teams lost in the WPIAL quarterfinals, and under the old postseason system, the Trojans and Highlanders would not have qualified for the PIAA playoffs.

Imani Christian and Trinity would be in the state tournament instead of California and McGuffey.

Both the Trojans and Highlanders are more than happy to accept a second chance.

California (24-2), which was upset by Riverview in the Class A quarterfinals, will begin the state playoffs as the WPIAL’s fifth seed Saturday against Venango Catholic (21-5), the District 9 champion, at Clarion University (5:30 p.m.).

After losing to the Raiders, California had to defeat Jefferson-Morgan and Serra Catholic to advance to the PIAA playoffs for the second consecutive season and only the second time in program history.

“Obviously, I like it because we benefitted from it, but I think the system is well-received,” California head coach Chris Minerd said. “The teams will have to earn their way. We had to win two games in three days against two pretty good teams. I think that’s a nice accomplishment, especially after losing in the playoffs. It’s tough to get your team back in that mindset after a loss like we had.”

The Highlanders (19-8) are in a similar situation. After upsetting third-seeded Indiana in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs, McGuffey lost to Elizabeth Forward to drop to the consolation bracket.

Seven WPIAL teams received spots in the state playoffs in Class AAA, so after McGuffey lost to South Park in a consolation game, the Highlanders got a third chance against Trinity and prevailed. The Highlanders open the PIAA playoffs Saturday (1 p.m.) against section rival and WPIAL runner-up South Fayette (19-7) at Chartiers Valley.

Instead of traveling to face an unfamiliar opponent, which the Highlanders did the last two seasons in the PIAA Class AA playoffs, they get a third shot at the Lions. The teams split their two Section 5 games.

“We know what to expect, they know what to expect,” McGuffey head coach Amanda Burchett said. “It’s going to be a good game. We’re both physical teams. They’ve very good. We’ll try to switch up a few things.”

Minerd does not have the advantage of knowing much about the Trojans’ opponent, but he did attend the Vikings’ District 9 championship game.

He saw a team that reminded him of Riverview – a strong offensive team with two guards who are savvy. Junior Ava Homan is averaging 18 points per game and senior Taylor Moltz is contributing 16. The two provide the bulk of the offense for a team that scores 48 points per game.

“They are a very unselfish team. They play good defense and they rebound well,” Minerd said. “They don’t look to push the ball that much. I don’t know how much they want to run, though they are capable of doing it. We’ll have to be at the top of our game.”

California will need sophomore guard Jenna Miller and freshman guard Bailey Vig to build off strong performances against Serra Catholic in the fifth-place game. The Trojans also have a height advantage with sophomore forward Kylie Huffman and senior center Lyndsey Huhn.

For McGuffey, it will be a final try for a senior group – Sammie Weiss, Rachel Czulewicz and Lauren Crimm – that has led the best three-year stretch in program history.

“I’ve had them since they were in seventh grade. Seeing them come full circle is the difference,” Burchett said. “To see them make this stage for them is great for them as a group, as well as the other kids. They’ve done everything I ever asked.”

For the second consecutive season, Monessen (20-6), which won the WPIAL Class A title last Friday, will open the PIAA playoffs against an impressive post player.

Venango Catholic (16-9), the fourth-place team from District 9, is led by 6-11 forward Devin Zegar, who averages more than 18 points per game. The two teams meet tonight at Chartiers Valley High School (7:30 p.m.)

Last year, the Greyhounds played Erie First Christian Academy in the first round, which featured 6-11, 270-pound senior center Olusola Sangoyami. Monessen defeated EFCA, 87-78, in overtime and held Sangoyami to 14 points.

They’ll need a similar performance to avoid an upset.

“I just think that when somebody has so much size like that, you have to put pressure on the ball so the ball-handler doesn’t see him,” Monessen head coach Joe Salvinio said. “At 6-11, if he sees that person open, he’ll be able to lob it in there. He must pressure the ball and take him away.”

The Chartiers-Houston girls rose up the WPIAL ranks behind a strong freshman class and the leadership of two seniors.

The Bucs (17-9), who defeated Neshannock to earn the WPIAL’s seventh seed in the PIAA Class AA playoffs, will face Harbor Creek (18-7), the District 10 champion, 6 p.m. tonight at Mercyhurst Prep in Erie.

In Class AAA boys, South Fayette (19-6), the WPIAL’s seventh seed, plays WPIAL champion Indiana (24-2) tonight at Plum. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.