.WPIAL boys basketball preliminary round game recaps from Thursday, February 12th 2026:

Greater Latrobe 57 Mars 46 (5A)

Ian DeCerb scored all of his 15 points in the second half to help lead Greater Latrobe to a 57-46 victory over Mars in a WPIAL Class 5A preliminary round game. The Wildcats held a slim 17-16 advantage at halftime but held a 22-12 scoring edge in the third quarter to take control of the game. Greater Latrobe connected on key free throws down the stretch as DeCerb went 6-for-8 from the foul line. Robert Young contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the 14th seeded Wildcats (10-12) who will play at No. 3 Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the first round. Nicholas Santoro put up nine points to lead the Fighting Planets (9-14).

Greensburg Central Catholic 43 Union 41 (2A)

J.T. Stawovy's steal and breakaway layup with under a minute to play lifted Greensburg Central Catholic to a 43-41 win at Union in a WPIAL Class 2A preliminary round contest and a rematch of last year's quarterfinal game in which Union upset GCC. The Centurions trailed 20-13 at halftime but outscored the Scotties 30-21 in the second half. Luke Semelka collected 14 points to pace Greensburg Central Catholic (7-16) which will take on No. 2 seed Sewickley Academy in the first round on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Landon Eckert scored a game-high 20 points for Union (9-14).