Westmoreland County boys basketball game recaps from Friday, January 3rd 2024:

Norwin 51 Mount Lebanon 49 (OT)   WATCH BROADCAST

Chris McKnight's layup with 25 seconds remaining in overtime pushed Norwin past Mount Lebanon 51-49 in an exciting Section 2-6A contest. In a back-and-forth match up, the Blue Devils held a slim 44-42 lead with under a minute left in regulation. Nate Kuch connected on a floater to tie the game for the Knights and force OT. Norwin never trailed in the extra frame. McKnight finished with 21 points for the Knights (6-5, 2-2) while Jacob Zaber's 15 points topped Mount Lebanon (5-4, 1-2).

Franklin Regional 59 Laurel Highlands 45

Franklin Regional utilized a big third quarter to pull away from Laurel Highlands, securing a 59-45 Section 1-5A victory. The Panthers were ahead just 25-23 at halftime before outscoring the Mustangs 20-5 in the third to take control of the game. Connor Crossey poured in 21 points for Franklin Regional (5-6, 1-3) while teammate Jonah Johnston added 15. Luke Martin scored 16 points for Laurel Highlands (3-8, 0-4).

Kiski Area 64 Armstrong 39

Carson Heinle's 21 points helped power Kiski Area to a 64-39 Section 2-5A triumph over Armstrong. In addition to Heinle, Amaree Gonzales (13) and Colin Keller (11) each reached double figures for the Cavaliers (4-6, 2-1) who scored 40 points in the second half. Jaydon Oliver put in nine points for the Riverhawks (4-7, 0-4).

North Catholic 66 Burrell 44

Burrell was outscored 22-3 in the second quarter and eventually lost to North Catholic 66-44 in a Section 1-4A match up. The Buccaneers trailed by just one point, 17-16, after the first quarter before allowing the big run in the second. Tucker Bitar's 13 points lead Burrell (4-7, 1-3) while Jude Rottmann erupted for 26 points for the Trojans (7-4, 3-0).

Derry Area 76 West Mifflin 57

Stanley Rajkovich went off for 32 points powering first place Derry Area to a 76-57 victory against West Mifflin in Section 3-4A play. John Wasnick also had a big game, scoring 21 points for the Trojans (7-3, 4-0) who led 38-27 at halftime. Daven Reynolds tossed in 19 points for the Titans (2-10, 1-2).

Belle Vernon 63 Elizabeth Forward 59

Belle Vernon tallied 24 points in the fourth quarter to push past Elizabeth Forward 63-59 in a Section 3-4A showdown. Zion Moore recorded a game-high 22 points for the Leopards (8-4, 3-1) while Trevor Kovatch came in with 19 points. Tyler Basic's 16 points topped the Warriors (8-3, 2-1). The victory moved Belle Vernon coach Joe Salvino into second place on the WPIAL's all-time wins list with 731.

Brownsville 61 Mount Pleasant 60

Mount Pleasant rallied, scoring 26 points in the fourth quarter but couldn't complete the comeback in a 61-60 loss to visiting Brownsville in Section 4-3A. Cole Mesarai (18) and Aiden Johnson (11) each ascended to double figures for the Vikings (0-11, 0-2). Maxime Dieodonne recorded 19 points for the Falcons (3-9, 1-1).

Jeannette 77 Frazier 33

Four players reached double figures for Jeannette as the Jayhawks steamrolled Frazier 73-33 in Section 1-2A. Kymon'e Brown and Marcus McGowan each finished with 16 points while Xavier Odorisio-Farrow had 13 and Lonnie Greene contributed 12 points for Jeannette (10-0, 4-0).

Greensburg Central Catholic 67 Bentworth 29

Greensburg Central Catholic went out to an early 19-10 lead and built the advantage to 40-19 at halftime, cruising to a 67-29 win at Bentworth in Section 1-2A. Brandon Martin collected 20 points while Liam Gallagher finished with 15 for the Centurions (10-1, 4-0). Christopher Harper had 10 for the Bearcats (3-7, 0-4).