Class 6A Quarterfinals

#3 Norwin (19-3) vs #6 Baldwin (10-12) – Thursday, Feb. 23 7 p.m. at Norwin

About the Matchup: The Knights tied for first in Section 1, matching North Allegheny with a mark of 9-1. Norwin, which ended the regular-season on a five-game winning streak, has the best scoring defense in 6A, allowing just 33.2 points per game. The Highlanders, meanwhile, tied with Peters Township for fourth in Section 2.

Up Next: The winner advances to the semifinals to face either #2 North Allegheny or seventh-seeded Pine-Richland on Monday, Feb. 27. All four semifinalists will also qualify for the PIAA postseason.

Coach Interview: Brian Brozeski

Class 5A First Round

#8 Penn-Trafford (15-7) vs #9 Shaler Area (16-6) – Tuesday, Feb. 21 8 p.m. at Penn-Trafford

About the Matchup: The Warriors finished in third place from Section 3, courtesy of a 51-45 victory against Greater Latrobe in the section finale. Penn-Trafford posted a seven-game winning surge earlier in the season. The Titans, meanwhile, tied for third with Hampton in Section 2.

Up Next: The victorious team moves on to the quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 24, and will face top-seeded South Fayette or the winner of the play-in game, which pits #16 Plum against #17 Montour.

Coach Interview: John Gianikkas

#13 Greater Latrobe (14-8) vs #4 Trinity (15-6) – Tuesday, Feb. 21 7 p.m. at Trinity

About the Matchup: The Wildcats placed fourth in Section 3, losing twice against each of the other three playoff teams from the section. Greater Latrobe has played without senior standout Emma Blair since the fourth game, when she sustained a season-ending injury. The Hillers finished as runners up in Section 4, posting a six-game winning streak earlier in the campaign.

Up Next: The winner advances to the quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 24 against either fifth-seeded Armstrong or #12 Woodland Hills.

Coach Interview: Mark Burkardt

#15 Kiski Area (9-12) vs #2 Oakland Catholic (19-3) – Tuesday, Feb. 21 6 p.m. at Fox Chapel

About the Matchup: The Cavaliers tied for third with Plum and Penn Hills in Section 1. Kiski Area is under the guidance of first-year head coach Dave Williamson. Conversely, the Eagles went unblemished to win Section 3, and have outscored opponents on average by more than 23 points per game.

Up Next: The winning squad advances to the quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 24 to face either seventh seed Mars Area or #10 Lincoln Park.

Class 4A First Round

#8 Belle Vernon Area (14-8) vs. #9 Greensburg Salem (14-8) Tuesday, Feb 21 7 p.m. at Belle Vernon

About the Matchup: The Leopards placed second in Section 3, with both of their losses coming to section champion Elizabeth Forward. Prior to consecutive losses to finish the regular season, BVA had compiled a seven-game winning surge. The Golden Lions finished fourth in Section 1. Greensburg Salem enjoyed an eight-game winning streak, but also endured four straight losses.

Up Next: The victor moves to the quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 24 to face top-seeded Blackhawk.

Coach Interview: Kaitlyn Slagus

Coach Interview: Rick Klimchock

Class 3A Play In Round

#16 Yough (10-11) vs. #17 Beaver Falls (9-11) Thursday, Feb. 16 7 p.m. at Yough

About the Matchup: The Cougars tied for third with McGuffey and Charleroi in Section 4, but Yough dropped its final three contests, all section tilts. The Cougars qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2010. The Tigers placed fourth in Section 1, hampered by losing a pair of games via forfeit in January.

Up Next: The winner moves on to the first round, and will battle top seeded Shady Side Academy at noon on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Fox Chapel Area High School.

Class 3A First Round

#12 Mount Pleasant (14-8) vs #5 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (16-6) Saturday, Feb. 18 Noon at Peters Township

About the Matchup: The Vikings placed third in Section 3, led by senior Tiffany Zelmore, who eclipsed 1,500 career points earlier this month. The Chargers finished in second from Section 2, keyed by the second-best scoring defense in Class 3A.

Up Next: The winning squad advances to the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Feb. 22 against either fourth-seeded Avonworth or #13 McGuffey.

Coach Interview: Scott Giacobbi

#15 Burrell (10-12) vs #2 Laurel (20-2) Saturday, Feb. 18 noon at Laurel

About the Matchup: The Buccaneers clinched fourth in Section 3, courtesy of their 40-25 win against Deer Lakes to conclude the section slate. The Spartans tied Neshannock atop Section 1, finishing on a five-game winning streak.

Up Next: The winner will next play either #7 Keystone Oaks or #10 South Park in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Class 2A First Round

#4 Greensburg Central Catholic (18-4) vs. #13 California Area (10-12) Friday, Feb. 17 6 p.m. at Gateway

About the Matchup: The Centurions shared the Section 3 title with Serra Catholic. GCC, which compiled an eight-game winning streak earlier in the campaign, boasts the top scoring offense in Class 2A, averaging 58.6 points per contest. The Trojans placed third in Section 4, but lost their final three games of the regular season.

Up Next: The winner advances to the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Feb. 22 to battle either fifth seed Burgettstown or #12 Winchester Thurston. Additionally, all eight quarterfinalists will punch their ticket to the PIAA postseason.

Class 1A First Round

#11 Jeannette (2-19) vs #6 Eden Christian Academy (6-14) Monday, Feb. 20 6 p.m. at Peters Township

About the Matchup: The Jayhawks won just twice, but both were section victories against Hillel Academy, allowing Jeannette to secure fourth in Section 3. The Jayhawks, who endured an eight-game skid, are under the guidance of first-year head coach Anna Leonard. The Warriors went winless in Section 1, but with just four teams in the section, they were guaranteed a playoff spot.

Up Next: The winning team will move to the quarterfinals to play #3 Aquinas Academy on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Class 1A Quarterfinals

#4 Monessen (15-5) vs either #5 Saint Joseph (18-4) or #12 Geibel Catholic (11-11) Thursday, Feb. 23 7 p.m. at Monessen