Westmoreland County girls basketball game recaps from Monday, February 5 2024:

Norwin 51 Pine-Richland 44

Norwin shrugged off a sluggish first half to win at Pine-Richland 51-44 in a Section 1-6A contest. The Knights trailed 19-10 after the first quarter and were down 28-20 at halftime but outscored the Rams 30-16 in the second half to claim the win. Lauren Palangio's 15 points carried Norwin (17-3, 9-0) while Ava Kobus added 13. Madison Zavasky put in a game-high 22 points for Pine-Richland (7-12, 4-5).

Butler 71 Hempfield Area 51

Hempfield trailed by just four points at halftime, 33-29, but couldn't contain butler down the stretch in a 71-51 Section 1-6A loss to the Golden Tornado. Ashley Hosni (19) and Mia Shipman (14) led the Spartans (8-13, 1-8) while Amelia McMichael's 25 points were a game-high for Butler (5-15, 2-7).

McKeesport Area 64 Penn-Trafford 37   WATCH BROADCAST

McKeesport Area jumped out to a 15-0 lead against homestanding Penn-Trafford and never looked back, as the Tigers notched a 64-37 mercy-rule victory in a Section 3-5A showdown. Rachael Manfredo paced the Tigers with 13 points, one of three players for McKeesport (17-2, 9-1) to reach double figures in scoring. Olivia Pepple shouldered the scoring burden for PT (13-7, 6-5), scoring 19 points, including 13 of the team’s 16 points in the first half. Lauren Marton added seven points for the Warriors, who had already secured a playoff berth. Penn-Trafford concludes the section slate on Thursday at Greater Latrobe.

Franklin Regional 39 Gateway 26   WATCH BROADCAST

Franklin Regional trailed for much of the first quarter but finished the frame on a 10-0 run to take control of the game and never look back in a 39-26 win against visiting Gateway in Section 1-5A action. Olivia Orndoff put in a game-high 16 points for the Panthers (7-14, 6-6) who led 26-10 at halftime. Maia Jones had 11 points for the Gators (2-17, 0-11). Franklin Regional needs Penn Hills or Woodland Hills to lose Friday to earn a WPIAL playoff spot.

Plum 61 Kiski Area 49

Plum used a big third quarter to pull away from Kiski Area in a 61-49 victory in Section 1-5A play. The Mustangs were ahead 27-23 at halftime but went on a 24-14 run in the third. Two players had massive performances in the game. Megan Marston racked up 36 points for Plum (13-7, 9-2) while Abbie Johns poured in 28 points for the Cavaliers (6-14, 2-9). Gianna Devito added 12 points for Kiski Area which finishes the season at home against Penn Hills on Friday.

Thomas Jefferson 42 Greater Latrobe 39 (OT)

The Wildcats narrowly missed clinching a playoff spot, as Thomas Jefferson edged Greater Latrobe 42-39 in overtime. Laekyn Flinn notched 17 points to lead the host Jaguars (8-12, 5-6), who kept their postseason hopes alive from Section 3-5A by matching the Wildcats (10-11, 5-6) in the standings. Elle Snyder and Carley Berk each contributed a dozen points for GL, while Belle Blossey posted 10 points in the setback. The Wildcats conclude the section slate with a home matchup against Penn-Trafford on Thursday.

Freeport 43 Derry Area 41

Despite a strong second quarter, Derry Area fell just short of Freeport 43-41 in a Section 1-4A clash. The Trojans were down 21-15 at halftime but rallied in the second half only to come up two points shy of the Yellowjackets. Rachelle Marinchek and Samantha Gruska each collected 12 points to lead Derry Area (5-15, 2-10). Freeport's record improves to 8-12, 4-7.

Highlands 55 Greensburg Salem 45

Kaitlyn Mankins' game-high 20 points weren't enough for Greensburg Salem in a 55-45 defeat to visiting Highlands in a Section 1-4A match up. Kalleigh Nerone finished with 16 points to power the second place Rams (14-6, 9-2). The Golden Lions (14-7, 6-5) can still finish tied for third place with Knoch if they beat Freeport on Thursday and the Knights lose to North Catholic.

Southmoreland 45 Ringgold 42

After a sluggish start, the Scotties rallied to claim a 45-42 win at Ringgold in Section 3-4A play. Southmoreland (3-17, 2-9) was led by Gianna Perbonish, who netted 19 points. Addison Jenkins scored 13 points to lead the Rams (3-17, 0-11), who held a 22-6 advantage after the first quarter.

Elizabeth Forward 55 Belle Vernon 28

Belle Vernon was outscored in every quarter in a 55-28 loss to Elizabeth Forward in a Section 3-4A game. Caroline Lee scored 15 points to pace the Leopards who managed only 11 points in the second half. Chloe Zombeck's 17 points lead the first place Warriors (18-2, 11-0). Belle Vernon has clinched a WPIAL playoff spot and will finish the regular season in fourth place.

Mount Pleasant 51 Ligonier Valley 29

Morgan Gesinski poured in 20 points in leading the Vikings to a convincing 51-29 victory at home against Ligonier Valley in a Section 3-3A county clash. Riley Gesinski added 16 points, while Grace Arrigo posted 11 points for the playoff-bound Vikings (13-7, 5-4). The Rams (5-15, 2-7) were paced by Marlee Miller, who scored 10 points.

Yough 27 McGuffey 26

The Cougars edged McGuffey 27-26 in a low-scoring contest in Section 4-3A. Although nobody scored in double figures, Autumn Matthews produced nine points to lead Yough (9-11, 2-7), which remained alive in postseason contention. The Highlanders (13-7, 3-6) have already secured a playoff berth, but the Cougars can tie them with a win on Thursday at South Park, coupled with a McGuffey loss.

Burrell 48 Apollo-Ridge 17

Burrell jumped out early, leading 15-4 after one, and went on to defeat Apollo-Ridge 48-17 in Section 3-3A action. Jules Fisher racked up 21 points and Casey Bruncuto added 10 for the second place Buccaneers (15-4, 7-2). Sophie Yard tossed in 13 points for the Vikings (8-12, 4-5).

Jeannette 46 Hillel Academy 23

Returning to the court, Jeannette earned a 46-23 Section 3-1A victory over visiting Hillel Academy. Venicia Vignoli's 20 points were a game-high for the Jayhawks (8-9, 3-4) while Adriana Allison tallied 10.