PIAA boys basketball semifinal game recap from Saturday, March 22nd 2025:

Sewickley Academy 52 Greensburg Central Catholic 48 (2A Boys) - LISTEN BROADCAST

The Greensburg Central Catholic boys basketball team could not make a double-digit lead stand, as the Centurions fell 52-48 against Sewickley Academy in the PIAA Class 2A semifinals at Peters Township High School last Saturday. GCC scored the first nine points of the game, and led 19-9 after the opening frame. With Brady O’Rourke accounting for 14 points in the first half, GCC held a 36-27 edge at the intermission. The Panthers outpaced the Centurions 25-12 in the second half, however, to punch their ticket to the state final against Linville Hill. In addition to O’Rourke, Samir Crosby tallied 11 points and AJ Tarpley netted 10 for Greensburg Central Catholic (26-4), which was in pursuit of its first PIAA championship appearance since 2011. The duo of Lucas Grimsley and Mamadou Kane each posted 17 points for the Panthers (24-5).

PIAA boys and girls basketball second round game recaps from Saturday, March 15th 2025:

Greensburg Central Catholic 46 Jeannette 35 (2A Boys) - WATCH BROADCAST

In the highly-anticipated third meeting of the season, Greensburg Central Catholic boys basketball swept the series against rival Jeannette, with the Centurions prevailing 46-35 in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals last Saturday at Norwin High School. As a result, GCC (26-3) moves on to the state semifinals to face Sewickley Academy, while the Jayhawks (25-3) see their season end after capturing WPIAL gold last month. Samir Crosby amassed a game-best 13 points for the Centurions, including shooting 9-of-11 at the foul line, while AJ Tarpley added a dozen points. Jayce Powell was the only Jeannette player to score in double figures, contributing 10 points. The Centurions and Panthers will battle at noon Saturday at Peters Township High School with a trip to Hershey on the line.

PIAA boys and girls basketball second round game recaps from Tuesday, March 11th 2025:

Johnstown 67 Greater Latrobe 41 (5A Boys) - LISTEN BROADCAST

Greater Latrobe had a tough time generating much offensively in a 67-41 loss to District 6 champion Johnstown in a PIAA 5A second round game at Pitt-Johnstown. The Trojans jumped out to a 17-6 lead after one and extended it to an insurmountable advantage of 39-13 at halftime. Playing in their final games as seniors, John Wetzel and Max Butler scored 16 and 12 points respectively for the Wildcats (21-7). Butler was held without a field goal until the second half by a stingy Johnstown defense. Amire Robinson tallied 20 points to power the Trojans (26-1) who will play Chartiers Valley in the quarterfinals.

Sharon 69 Belle Vernon 64 (4A Boys)

The season came to a close for WPIAL champion Belle Vernon while the legendary coaching career of Joe Salvino also ended Tuesday night in a 69-64 loss to District 10 runners-up Sharon at North Allegheny. The Tigers outscored the Leopards 18-10 in the third quarter to take control of the game and then kept pace with BVA in a high-scoring fourth. Zion Moore put in 24 points, 18 in the second half, to lead Belle Vernon (22-5). Teammate Tommy Davis helped with 18 points. Derek Douglas poured in 26 points for Sharon (20-8) which advances to play Berks Catholic in the quarterfinals. Salvino finishes his career with the second most wins in WPIAL history (745), seven WPIAL titles and two PIAA gold medals.

OLSH 36 Greensburg Central Catholic 34 (2A Girls)

Despite OLSH losing to Greensburg Central Catholic by double-digits twice earlier this season, the Chargers turned the tables in the PIAA playoffs, upsetting the Centurions 36-34 in a Class 3A second round game at Peters Township. After Erica Rodriguez tied the game late at 34-34 for GCC, Claudia Ierullo connected on two free throws for OLSH which proved to be the difference. Ierullo notched 25 points for the Chargers (24-4) while Erica Gribble collected 19 points for the Centurions (22-6). OLSH faces Central Cambria in the quarterfinals.

PIAA boys and girls basketball first round game recaps from Saturday, March 8th 2025:

Greensburg Central Catholic 54 McConnellsburg 43 (2A Boys) - LISTEN BROADCAST

Liam Gallagher's 20 points guided Greensburg Central Catholic to a 54-43 PIAA Class 2A first round victory at District 5 champion McConnellsburg. The Centurions were down at the halftime break 23-19 but turned it on in the second half, holding a 35-20 scoring edge in the second half. In addition to Gallagher, Brady O'Rourke notched 14 points for Greensburg Central Catholic (24-3) which advances to face Neshannock in the second round on Wednesday at North Allegheny starting at 7:30 p.m. The Lancers are the No. 4 seed out of District 7 and defeated Rocky Grove 64-39 in the first round.

Jeannette 61 Mercyhurst Prep 54 (2A Boys)

Kymon'e Brown racked up a game-high 20 points as Jeannette moved on in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs following a 61-54 win over Mercyhurst Prep. Markus McGowan added 14 points for the WPIAL champion Jayhawks (24-2) which outscored Mercyhurst Prep 18-11 in the second quarter to seize control of the game. Tanner Ashton finished with 18 points for the Lakers (13-10) who were the third seed out of District 10. Jeannette next plays District 6 No. 2 seed Northern Cambria in the second round on Wednesday at Johnstown High School at 7 p.m.

Middletown 52 Penn-Trafford 50 (5A Girls)

Penn-Trafford couldn't hold a fourth quarter lead and were unable to contain Middletown's Jayla Koser in a 52-50 loss in the first round of the PIAA 5A playoffs. The Warriors were ahead 41-35 through three quarters but Middletown used a 17-9 run to claim the victory. Torrie DeStefano's 14 points topped Penn-Trafford (25-2). Koser exploded for 28 points for the Blue Raiders (22-4) who will take on Cathedral Prep on Wednesday in the second round.

PIAA boys and girls basketball first round game recaps from Friday, March 7th 2025:

Hershey 52 Penn-Trafford 43 (5A Boys)

Penn-Trafford held a 27-24 lead at halftime but couldn't put the game away in the second half, losing at Hershey 52-43 in a PIAA Class 5A first round contest. Zach Feldman put in 13 points to lead the Warriors (14-13) who were outscored 28-16 in the second half. Cameron Sweeney tallied 22 points for the Trojans (19-2).

Greater Latrobe 64 Exeter Township 58 (5A Boys)

Ian Decerb scored a game-high 25 points carrying Greater Latrobe to a 64-58 victory at Exeter Township in a PIAA Class 5A first round game. The Wildcats trailed 52-41 through three quarters but closed the game on a 23-6 run to secure the victory. In addition to DeCerb, Max Butler came in with 13 points to pace Greater Latrobe (21-16) which advances to play District 6 Champion Greater Johnstown on Tuesday at Pitt-Johnstown at 7 p.m.

Belle Vernon 74 Farrell 63 (4A Boys)

Four players finished in double-figures leading WPIAL champion Belle Vernon to a 74-63 triumph over Farrell in the first round of the PIAA Class 4A playoffs. Tommy Davis and Trevor Kovatch each collected 18 points for the Leopards (22-4) while Zion Moore tallied 17 points and Dominic Ghilani added 12. Trae Cousin and Juelz Johnson each recorded 19 points for the Steelers (12-12). Belle Vernon squares off with District 10 runner-up Sharon on Tuesday at North Allegheny in the second round beginning at 6 p.m.

Altoona 49 Norwin 38 (6A Girls)

Norwin couldn't capitalize on a halftime lead, dropping a first round PIAA Class 6A game at Altoona 49-38. The Knights were in front 20-16 at the break but were outscored 33-18 by the Lions in the second half. Belle Furno's 14 points and Kendall Berger's 12 points topped Norwin (15-8). Brianna Hudson poured in 22 points for District 6 champion Altoona (23-2) which faces Garnet Valley in the second round on Tuesday.

Greensburg Central Catholic 61 Cambria Heights 31 (3A Girls)

Greensburg Central Catholic shrugged off a slow start and pulled away from Cambria Heights, winning 61-31 in a PIAA 3A first round contest. The Centurions lead by just three points at halftime, 26-23. but outscored the Highlanders by a wide margin of 35-8 in the second half. Jayla Peterson netted 23 points to lead all scorers for Greensburg Central Catholic (22-5) while Erica Gribble struck for 21. GCC will match up against OLSH on Tuesday in the second round at Peters Township High School starting at 6 p.m. The Centurions beat OLSH in a blowout 41-18 in the WPIAL semifinals on February 22nd.