Westmoreland County boys basketball game recaps from Friday, February 9 2024:

Norwin 58 Hempfield Area 45

Norwin used a big third quarter to pull away from Hempfield Area and complete the season sweep of the Spartans with a 58-45 win in the Section 2-6A finale. The Spartans held a 31-26 edge at halftime but the Knights outscored Hempfield Area 16-5 in the third quarter and 16-9 in the fourth. Noah Wilson tallied a game-high 17 points for Norwin (8-12, 2-8) while Luke Denny came in with 14 points and Alex Wiggins added 12. The Spartans end the season with a 4-18 overall record.

Franklin Regional 92 McKeesport 85

After clinching the Section 3-5A championship, Franklin Regional finished the regular season with a high-scoring victory over McKeesport, 92-85. A whopping eight players reached double-figures in the game with Cam Rowell's 25 points pacing the Panthers (19-2, 9-1). In addition to Rowell, Cooper Rankin (24), Colin Masten (14), Fin Hutchison (12) and Connor Crossey (10) all finished in double digits. Lamont Perkins had a game-high 40 points for the Tigers (5-13, 1-9).

Gateway 55 Greater Latrobe 53

Greater Latrobe dropped its final contest of the season, falling at home against Gateway 55-53 in a Section 3-5A contest. The Wildcats were ahead 39-34 through three quarters but the Gators closed the game on a 21-14 run. Kyle McNeil collected 16 points to lead Greater Latrobe (8-13, 3-7) while Max Butler had 15. Bryson Pavlik scored 13 points for Gateway (15-6, 7-3).

Kiski Area 62 Penn-Trafford 37

Kiski Area clinched a WPIAL playoff spot by cruising past Penn-Trafford 62-37 in Section 3-5A action. The Cavaliers led PT 22-13 after one and 38-23 at halftime. Isaiah Gonzalez poured in 23 points for Kiski Area (14-7, 5-5) with Noah Thimons adding 16. Tyler Freas tossed in 10 points for the Warriors (11-11, 5-5) who had already clinched a playoff spot on Tuesday with a win over Greater Latrobe.

Hampton 64 Greensburg Salem 50

Greensburg Salem needed a win to clinch a WPIAL playoff spot but came up empty in a 64-50 loss to first place Hampton in Section 1-4A. Ryan Burkhart put in 17 points for the Golden Lions (4-17, 2-8). Braedon Leatherman and A.J. Tarpley had 12 and 11 points respectively. Peter Kramer's 19 points were a game-high for the Talbots (18-3, 10-0).

Southmoreland 66 Albert Gallatin 55

A trio of players finished in double-figures for Southmoreland as the playoff-bound Scotties finished the regular season with a 66-55 Section 3-4A triumph at Albert Gallatin. Noah Felentzer collected 17 points for Southmoreland (16-6, 5-5) with Ty Keffer adding 14 points and Ronnie Collins contributing 11. Shymere Wilson racked up a total of 28 points for the Colonials (9-11, 3-7). Southmoreland finishes in fourth place.

Elizabeth Forward 71 Belle Vernon 58 OT

Zion Moore's 32 points were not enough as Belle Vernon dropped its final regular season game of the year to Elizabeth Forward in overtime 71-58 in Section 3-4A action. The loss doesn't hurt the Leopards in the standings as they will still finish in second place. With the win, however, the Warriors lock up third place in the section. In addition to Moore, Trevor Kovatch contributed 11 points and Curtis Wade ended with 10 for Belle Vernon (12-7, 7-3). Cy Herchelroath scored 21 points to pace Elizabeth Forward (14-7, 6-4).

Derry Area 96 Ligonier Valley 60  WATCH BROADCAST

Nate Papuga helped Derry Area have a memorable Senior Night as he exploded for 42 points in the Trojans 96-60 Section 3-3A victory over visiting Ligonier Valley. The Trojans scored at least 21 points in every quarter against the Rams including 31 in the opening frame. In addition to Papuga, Stan Rajkovich posted 12 points and Roman Fridley had 10 for Derry Area (13-6, 7-5) which finishes in fourth place and will prepare for the WPIAL postseason.

Burrell 58 Valley 44

Macky Bennis racked up a game-high 24 points to lead Burell past Valley 58-44 in a Section 3-3A contest. The Buccaneers (13-5, 8-4) clinch third place in the section, one game above fourth place Derry Area. Jake Straniec's 14 points topped the Vikings (5-15, 3-9).

Washington 47 Mount Pleasant 40

Despite a big game from Dante Giallonardo, Mount Pleasant dropped a 47-40 decision to Washington in Section 4-3A play. The Little Prexies outscored the Vikings 19-14 in the final quarter to pull away. Giallonardo registered a game-high 20 points for Mount Pleasant (8-10, 7-3) which will finish in third place regardless of the result of Saturday's game against Yough. De'Ondre Daugherty came in with 17 points for Washington (14-7, 11-1).

Yough 52 Charleroi 26

Yough outscored Charleroi in each quarter, cruising to a 52-26 triumph against Charleroi in Section 4-3A. Yough was in front 15-6 after one quarter and extended it to 24-9 at halftime. Terek Crosby's finished with 21 points and Zander Aird added 12 for Yough which can finish tied for first place with a victory over Mount Pleasant Saturday.

Jeannette 75 Riverview 54

Jeannette used a big second half to blow the game open and run away from Riverview in a 75-54 Section 3-2A victory. The Jayhawks scored 51 points in the second half to secure the win. Jayce Powell (23), Markus McGowan (15), Kymone Brown (13) and Isaiah Mallich (10) all finished in double figures for Jeannette (14-7, 9-3) which finishes in second place.

Greensburg Central Catholic 73 Springdale 40

Tyree Turner and Franco Alvarez combined for 41 points to power Greensburg Central Catholic past Springdale 73-40 in a Section 3-2A game. Turner finished with 21 points and Alvarez scored 20 as the Centurions finished section play undefeated. Liam Gallagher added 11 points for GCC (20-2, 12-0). Mason Gent's 16 points lead the Dynamos (14-8, 5-7).