Westmoreland County girls basketball section recaps from Monday, January 31st 2023:

Norwin 60 Butler 22   WATCH BROADCAST

Butler jumped out to an early 9-5 lead but Norwin answered with a 16-0 run to take control of the game and go on to a 60-22 Section 1-6A victory at home. Lauren Palangio had 16 points while Ava Kobus put in 14 for the Knights (16-3, 6-1) who remain tied for first place with North Allegheny. Amelia McMichael's eight points topped the Golden Tornado (10-8, 4-3).

Seneca Valley 51 Hempfield Area 48

Hempfield Area's rally came up short as the Spartans lost at Seneca Valley 51-48 in a Section 1-6A tussle. Down 38-28 after three quarters, Hempfield Area held a 20-13 scoring edge in the fourth quarter but it wasn't quite enough. Ashley Hosni collected 15 points for the Spartans (8-10, 2-5) while Brooke McCoy added 11. Gracie Cato ended with 13 points to pace the Raiders (5-13, 1-6).

Greater Latrobe 76 Connellsville 44

Camille Dominick's 23 points helped Greater Latrobe to a 76-44 victory in Section 3-5A against Connellsville. The Wildcats pulled away from the Falcons in the third quarter after a 29-9 run. In addition to Dominick, Josie Straigis scored 18 points and Carley Berk tallied 14 for Greater Latrobe (12-7, 4-5). Hillary Claycomb tossed in 16 points for Connellsville (3-16, 0-10).

North Catholic 45 Greensburg Salem 28

Kait Mankins had a big game for Greensburg Salem but the Golden Lions were without secondary scoring in a 45-28 loss to first place North Catholic in Section 1-4A play. Mankins finished with 20 points for Greensburg Salem (13-6, 5-4) which trailed 29-7 at halftime. Tori Drevna came in with 16 points for the Trojans (15-3, 10-0).

Knoch 58 Derry 30

Derry Area couldn't hold a first quarter lead, falling to Knoch 58-30 in a Section 1-4A match up. The Trojans were ahead 13-10 through the first eight minutes but the Knights came to life in the second quarter outscoring Derry Area 23-3 to take command. Rachelle Marinchek posted eight points to lead the Trojans (9-11, 2-8) while Megan Vasas finished with 10 for the Knights (12-6, 7-2).

Belle Vernon 56 Southmoreland 34

Belle Vernon used a big second quarter to secure a 56-34 victory at Southmoreland in a Section 3-4A contest. The Leopards were already ahead 19-8 after the first quarter then went into halftime ahead 34-11. Jenna Dawson fired in a game-high 21 points for Belle Vernon (13-6, 9-1) while Kenzi Seliga added 14. Maddie Moore's 13 points paced the Scotties (1-18, 0-9).

Mount Pleasant 55 Deer Lakes 25

Tiffany Zelmore exploded for 32 points in Mount Pleasant's 55-25 triumph over Deer Lakes in Section 3-3A play. The Vikings used an 18-2 scoring edge in the second quarter to take control of the game. Riley Gesinski also reached double-figures scoring 11 points for Mount Pleasant (13-6, 4-3). Layne Loper amassed 12 points for the Lancers (5-14, 3-4). The Vikings are in sole possession of third place with the win.

Shady Side Academy 67 Burrell 26

Burrell got behind early, 14-8, and dropped a 67-26 decision at first place Shady Side Academy in a Section 3-3A game. Emily Wojtczak led the Bucs (8-11, 2-5) with nine points. Maggie Spell's 20 points were a team-high for the first place Bulldogs (15-2, 7-0).

Apollo-Ridge 55 Ligonier Valley 41

Ligonier Valley went down 18-5 after one quarter and couldn't dig itself out of the early hole in a 55-41 defeat to Apollo-Ridge in a Section 3-3A match up. Layla Barr collected 14 points for the Rams (2-14, 0-7) while Sydnee Foust added 11. Syd McCray totaled 19 points for the victorious Vikings (16-3, 5-2).

Yough 54 Charleroi 38

Yough won its fourth consecutive game, downing Charleroi 54-38 in a home Section 4-3A game. Laney Gerdich and Hailey Bock each registered 16 points to pace Yough (10-8, 5-2) which lost to Charleroi by 11 points earlier this season. Autumn Matthews chipped in with 12 points. McKenna DeUnger tallied a team-high 19 points for Charleroi (8-8, 3-4).

Serra Catholic 40 Greensburg Central Catholic 35

Serra Catholic dealt Greensburg Central Catholic its first Section 3-2A loss of the season winning 40-35. The Centurions trailed 28-23 after three and were within four points on two separate occasions in the fourth quarter but the Eagles eventually pushed the lead to 37-28 and closed it out. Erica Gribble's 15 points topped Greensburg Central Catholic (16-4, 9-1) while Serra Catholic (13-2, 8-1) was led by Cate Clarke who also finished with 15 points. The Centurions now have a half-game lead on the Eagles for first place.

St. Joseph 54 Jeannette 26

Jeannette trailed 20-7 after one quarter and eventually suffered a 54-26 loss to St. Joseph in Section 3-1A action. Venicia Vignoli put in 12 points for the Jayhawks (1-17, 1-4).