Class 6A

#11 Norwin Knights (9-10) at #6 Butler Golden Tornado (12-9) Tuesday, February 22nd at Butler at 7 p.m.

About the Matchup: The Knights edged Penn-Trafford 48-45 in the section finale to secure their postseason berth. Junior Adam Bilinsky and senior Michael Fleming are the top offensive weapons for Norwin, which is under the guidance of first-year head coach Lance Maha. The teams met earlier during the season, a 69-61 Norwin triumph.

Up Next: The winner advances to the quarterfinals, and will play No. 3 Pittsburgh Central Catholic, which earned a first-round bye, on Friday, Feb. 25.

#13 Hempfield Area Spartans (7-15) at #4 Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils (14-8) Tuesday, February 22nd at Mt. Lebanon at 7 p.m.

About the Matchup: Hempfield Area scored wins in its final two section games to secure a playoff spot. Prior to those consecutive victories, however, the Spartans had lost eight of nine. Sean Gordon is the top scorer for Hempfield Area, which played the second half of the season without Joe Fiedor. Bill Swan is the longtime head coach for Hempfield Area. Earlier this season, the Blue Devils cruised to a 64-33 win against the Spartans.

Up Next: The winner will meet either No. 5 Upper Saint Clair or No. 12 Penn-Trafford in the quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 25.

#12 Penn-Trafford Warriors (9-12) at #5 Upper St. Clair Panthers (15-7) Tuesday, February 22nd at Upper St. Clair at 7 p.m.

About the Matchup: Penn-Trafford dropped its final three section games, but rebounded with a lopsided nonsection win against Woodland Hills, redeeming an earlier loss to the Wolverines. Seniors Nick Crum and Noah Wright are the top offensive weapons for PT, which played the entire season without 6-foot-6 forward Ben Myers. Doug Kelly is in his second season at the helm of the Warriors.

Up Next: The victor moves on to the quarterfinals to play either No. 4 Mount Lebanon or No. 13 Hempfield Area on Friday, Feb. 25.

Coach Interview: Bill Swan

Class 5A

#9 Kiski Area Cavaliers (15-7) at #8 Hampton Talbots (12-10) Monday, February 21st at 7 p.m. at Hampton

About the Matchup: Kiski Area notched a 77-69 win at Greater Latrobe in the regular-season finale to secure its postseason berth. Lebryn Smith and Isaiah Gonzalez are among the best playmakers for the Cavaliers, who are led by first-year head coach Corey Smith, a Kiski Area alum.

Up Next: The winner moves on to the quarterfinals, and will face either top-seeded Laurel Highlands or No. 16 Woodland Hills on Thursday, Feb. 24.

Coach Interview: Corey Smith

Class 4A

#3 Belle Vernon Leopards (18-3) receives a bye and will play winner of #6 Uniontown Area vs. #11 Freeport Area

About the Matchup: Belle Vernon Area’s three losses all came out of section – against Laurel Highlands, Bishop Canevin, and Montour. Two-sport star Devin Whitlock is the headliner for the Leopards, but Daniel Gordon and Quinton Martin are also instrumental players. Legendary coach Joe Salvino guides BVA. During the regular season, Belle Vernon Area defeated section foe Uniontown Area twice,

Up Next: The winner moves on to the semifinals, and will play No. 2 Montour, No. 7 Burrell, or No. 10 Elizabeth Forward on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Coach Interview: Joe Salvino

#7 Burrell Buccaneers (13-8) vs. #10 Elizabeth Forward Warriors (14-8) Friday, February 18th at Burrell at 7 p.m.

About the Matchup: Burrell concluded its section ledger with three straight wins. Brandon Coury and Macky Bennis are among the top offensive threats for the Bucs. Burrell alum Mike Fantuzzo serves as the head coach of the Bucs.

Up Next: The team that prevails will face second-seeded Montour, which earned a first-round bye, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

#12 Yough Cougars (13-9) at #5 Lincoln Park Leopards (15-6) Friday, February 18th at Lincoln Park at 7 p.m.

About the Matchup: Yough finished the regular season on a five-game surge, including three section victories. Terek Crosby is the top scoring option for the Cougars, while Austin Matthews has become an accomplished player, as well. Jim Nesser is at the helm of Yough.

Up Next: The winner moves on to the quarterfinals and will meet either No. 4 North Catholic or No. 13 Central Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

Coach Interview: Jim Nesser

Class 3A

#9 Ligonier Valley Rams (12-10) at #8 Avonworth Antelopes (15-6) Monday, February 21st at Avonworth at 7 p.m.

About the Matchup: Ligonier Valley notched wins in its final two games, both section tilts. Matthew Marinchak is the most accomplished player, having surpassed 1,000 points in his career, while Haden Sierocky has also impressed in his first season playing basketball. Tim Gustin is in his second year as the Rams’ head coach.

Up Next: The triumphant team moves on to the quarterfinals to play either top-seed Ellwood City or No. 16 Summit Academy on Thursday, Feb. 24.

Coach Interview: Tim Gustin

Class 2A

#4 Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (16-3) vs. #13 South Side Beaver Rams (8-14) Tuesday, February 22nd at Greensburg CC at 7 p.m.

About the Matchup: Greensburg Central Catholic enjoyed a 14-game winning streak earlier this campaign, but finished the regular season with a pair of losses in the final four games. Brevan Williams is the top scorer for the Centurions, and GCC boasts three starters who measure 6-foot-4 or taller. Christian Hyland, a GCC alum, is in his third season guiding the program.

Up Next: The winner advances to the quarterfinals, and will play either No. 5 Monessen or No. 12 Jeannette on Friday, Feb. 25.

Coach Interview: Christian Hyland

#12 Jeannette Jayhawks (10-11) at #5 Monessen Greyhounds (18-4) Tuesday, February 22nd at Monessen at 7 p.m.

About the Matchup: Jeannette dropped four of its final five contests. Senior Anton Good is the veteran leader, while leading scorer Nasheed Thompson is expected back after missing several games throughout the season. Longtime coach Adrian Batts guides Jeannette. Monessen, meanwhile, is on a 15-game winning streak.

Up Next: Whichever team wins will move on to the quarterfinals to battle either No. 4 Greensburg Central Catholic or No. 13 South Side Beaver.

Coach Interview: Adrian Batts