The WPIAL basketball postseason consolation games take center stage Wednesday as 16 matchups will determine seeding and state playoff berths across multiple classifications. According to TribLive, these consolation games will finalize the PIAA playoff field while championship bracket teams take a day off before this weekend’s title games.
With the exception of four third-place games scheduled for Thursday, most WPIAL basketball consolation games conclude Wednesday evening. All games are set for 7 p.m. tipoffs at various venues across the district.
High-Stakes Boys Basketball Matchups
In boys Class 4A action, elimination is on the line as Central Valley travels to Hopewell for the fifth-place game. The Vikings defeated the Warriors twice during the regular season in close contests, 61-57 and 59-66. With only five teams from the WPIAL qualifying in Class 4A, the loser’s season comes to an end.
Additionally, North Catholic hosts Deer Lakes in the third-place game, with the Trojans having swept the season series against the Lancers. In boys Class 3A, Southmoreland welcomes Ligonier Valley in a winner-takes-all battle for the seventh seed and a state playoff berth.
Girls Basketball Consolation Action
The girls Class 4A consolation games feature Elizabeth Forward at North Catholic for third place, while Belle Vernon hosts South Park for fifth. The two Section 3 rivals split their regular season matchups, with Belle Vernon winning 39-38 in December before South Park claimed a 42-32 victory in January. However, both teams have already secured PIAA playoff spots with six teams advancing from Class 4A.
Meanwhile, in girls Class 2A, Laurel visits Burgettstown at 7 p.m. for the seventh seed and final state playoff berth. The loser faces season elimination in this critical consolation matchup.
Multiple Classifications Feature WPIAL Basketball Playoffs
In boys Class 5A, all four teams competing Wednesday have already clinched state playoff berths. Penn Hills visits Gateway for the fifth seed, while Shaler hosts Ringgold for seventh place. Both matchups feature section champions seeking favorable seeding entering the PIAA tournament.
The boys Class 2A bracket includes three consolation games Wednesday. Clairton visits Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for third place, Jefferson-Morgan welcomes Eden Christian Academy for fifth, and Winchester Thurston travels to Neshannock for seventh. According to the report, both teams in the Winchester Thurston-Neshannock game have already qualified for state competition.
Class A and Additional Postseason Events
In girls Class A, Union travels to Aquinas Academy for the third seed in a rematch of Section 1 opponents. The Crusaders swept the regular season series, winning 52-17 and 51-43. In contrast, Sewickley Academy visits St. Joseph for the fifth seed after the two teams split their section meetings.
Beyond basketball, the WPIAL swimming championships take place Thursday and Friday at Pitt’s Trees Pool. Class 3A championships begin at 10 a.m. both days, with Class 2A finals scheduled for 3 p.m. sessions.
Wrestling Regionals Round Out Busy Week
The PIAA wrestling regional tournaments begin Friday to determine state championship qualifiers. The Class 3A West Regionals start at 5 p.m. Friday at Canon-McMillan and continue Saturday at 9 a.m. The Class 2A Southwest Regionals occur Friday and Saturday at Altoona, while the girls wrestling West Regionals are scheduled for Saturday at Mt. Lebanon starting at 10 a.m.
The remaining four third-place basketball games will be played Thursday, featuring boys Class 5A, boys Class 3A, girls Class 6A, and girls Class 2A matchups. Championship weekend begins Thursday with 12 WPIAL basketball title games scheduled through Saturday across all classifications.
