Peters Township girls set for 4th meeting with TJ
Canon-Mac girls face Upper St. Clair for 3rd time
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
If it was an NBA playoff series, the Peters Township girls basketball team would be going for a four-game sweep against Thomas Jefferson.
But, like it was in the WPIAL semifinals, it’ll again be a one-and-done scenario when the two teams meet in the second round of the PIAA Class 5A girls basketball playoffs, 7 p.m. Wednesday at Canon-McMillan.
If the Indians (24-3) want to advance to the state quarterfinals, they’ll have to beat the Jaguars (22-5) for a fourth time this season.
There certainly aren’t many secrets between the two sides.
“At this point it’s not about scouting reports, because each team knows each other well,” Peters Township coach Steve Limberiou said. “You have to go out and execute. We won’t have to travel far, so it’s nice on that end.” Both teams beat District 3 opponents in the first round. Peters Township topped Conrad Weiser 58-25 and Thomas Jefferson defeated Susquehannock, 55-37.
The Indians topped the Jaguars 52-36 in the first meeting Dec. 12, but the last two matchups have been much closer. Thomas Jefferson raced out to early leads in both, but Peters Township battled back, winning 58-49 to clinch the outright Section 4 title on Feb. 3 and 46-43 in the WPIAL semifinals Feb. 22.
“I think we match up well,” Indians junior guard Bri Morreale said. “It’s been close the last two times, so I’m excited to play them one more time.”
Peters Township/Thomas Jefferson isn’t the only upcoming rematch.
Canon-McMillan (16-9) will meet Upper St. Clair (20-6) for a third time in the PIAA Class 6A girls second round, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Peters Township.
Both teams are in WPIAL Class 6A Section 2.
Upper St. Clair, the WPIAL champion, took the first meeting 66-44 on Dec. 19, but Canon-McMillan won the rematch 45-38 Jan. 24.
The Big Macs are coming off a comeback win over City League champion Allderdice, 48-44, in the PIAA’s first round. Madison Clair led the charge with 23 points.
Upper St. Clair blitzed District 3’s Manheim Township, 65-37, in the first round.
South Fayette earned a 56-21 victory over District 3’s Lower Dauphin in the Class 5A first round Saturday.
The Lions will get another District 3 opponent, West York, in the second round, 5 p.m. Wednesday at Altoona.
West York, who placed third in District 3, beat Mars 54-44 in the first round. South Fayette mercy ruled the Fightin’ Planets three times.
Boys basketball
After beating District 10 opponent Farrell in the opening round of the PIAA Class 4A boys playoffs, Belle Vernon gets another D10 foe in the second round.
The Leopards face Sharon, 6 p.m. tonight at North Allegheny.
Belle Vernon beat the Steelers, 74-63, while Sharon defeated Avonworth 82-74 Friday.
The Leopards played Avonworth in the WPIAL semifinals and won 57-56.
Sharon was the runner-up in District 10, to Cathedral Prep.
The Peters Township boys will travel to Altoona to play West York of District 3, 6 p.m. tonight.
West York won, 53-51, over Mars in the first round and Peters Township got past another District 3 team, Spring Grove, 64-54.
Peters Township beat Mars, 58-52, in overtime in the WPIAL semifinals.