Mar 8, 2026 By Jerin Steele 2 min read

It was a pretty good Saturday for local teams in the first round of the PIAA basketball playoffs.

The Jefferson-Morgan boys, Belle Vernon and Peters Township girls joined Trinity and South Fayette girls in winning first round games.

Boys

Jefferson-Morgan 50, Redbank Valley 26: Jeremiah Robertson had a game-high 24 points to propel Jefferson-Morgan (24-3) to a 50-26 win at District 9 champion Redbank Valley (18-8) in the Class 2A first round.

The Rockets won their first state playoff game since 2000. They did so with stout defense, limiting the Bulldogs to 12 points in the second half and single-digits in three of four quarters.

Jefferson-Morgan will play Jeannette, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Peters Township in the second round.

Girls

Peters Township 46, Susquehannock 41 (OT): Peters Township had the longest trip of anyone in the WPIAL in the first round of states and worked overtime to come back home with a 46-41 victory at District 3’s third place team Susquehannock (20-7) in the Class 5A first round.

The Indians (16-11) outscored Susquehannock, 7-2, in overtime. Maddyn Mehl led three Peters Township players in double figures with 12 points. Alina Sopko scored 11 and Jordyn Welsh chipped in 10.

Peters Township advanced to play District 3’s seventh place team Manheim Central at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Altoona. Manheim Central stunned WPIAL runner-up Thomas Jefferson, 43-41, in the first round.

Belle Vernon 58, Clearfield 46: Aubrey Brown poured in 24 points to lead three Belle Vernon players in double figures in a 58-46 win at District 9 Champion Clearfield (18-7) in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

The Leopards (23-4) closed out the game by outscoring Clearfield, 16-7, in the fourth quarter. Saylor Lee added 13 points and Lyla McConnell scored 10 for the Leopards, who play Blackhawk, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at North Allegheny.

SUMMARIES

Boys

Jefferson-Morgan 14 11 14 11 – 50

Redbank Valley 4 10 6 6 – 26

Jefferson-Morgan: Jeremiah Robertson, 24 points.

Girls

Peters Township 14 7 14 4 7 – 46

Susquehannock 5 8 16 10 2 – 41

Peters Township: Maddyn Mehl, 12 points; Alina Sopko, 11; Jordyn Welsh, 10.

Susquehannock: Elena Snyder, 19 points; Johannah Bissett, 10.

Belle Vernon 22 8 12 16 – 58

Clearfield 15 13 11 7 – 46

Belle Vernon: Aubrey Brown, 24 points; Saylor Lee, 13; Lyla McConnell, 10.

Clearfield: Sonny Diehl, 23 points.