It’s time playoffs increase the fanfare
Like about 28 million others around the country, The Dribbler tuned in to watch the Olympic opening ceremonies.
Whil eit looked pretty cool —make that very cold — The Dribbler couldn’t help but think how neat it would be if oneday the WPIAL held such anevent to kick off the basketball playoffs.
The festivities would begin witha week-long WPIAL torch relay, one that would weave its way through each ofthe 10 counties that has a WPIAL school. That run would culminate with the WPIAL cauldron being lit at Heinz Field. All participating players and coaches would be invited to attend, and the eventwould be open to the general public.
In addition, there would be Zambelli fireworks, a concert by WPIAL athlete-turned-musician Daya, a pierogi eating contest, and special appearances by T.J. McConnell, Charlie Batch, and radio personalities Mikey and Big Bob. Let’s make it happen! The WPIAL playoffs begin thisweekend. Here is who The Dribbler believes will takehome titles …
Boys: Pine-Richland, Mars, Quaker Valley, Lincoln Park, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Vincentian.
Girls: North Allegheny, Chartiers Valley, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Bishop Canevin, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Winchester Thurston.
Hereare his thoughts on thisweek’s top games:
Boys
Allderdice vs. Westinghouse, 2 p.m. Saturday at Petersen Events Center — Seeing All derdice win City League championships has become common place. Winners off our consecutive titles, the Dragons will now shoot for that “one for the thumb.” Coach Buddy Valinsky has some shooters on his squad, most notably Jackson Blau feld and the red-hot Bobby Clifford. Look for Clifford to light it up and the Dice to roll over the House for the thirdtime this season. Winner: Allderdice.
Butler vs. Latrobe, 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Fox Chapel — Latrobe plays at a really fast pace. With that comes good and bad. The Wildcats ranked first in Class 6Ain scoring in the regular season with 72.5 points per game.But defensively, they ranked— you guessed it — dead last, allowing 67.3 a game. Pair that uptempo pace with a Butler team led by Ethan Morton, and this has fun game written all over it. Butler, though, will be the only team smiling at the end. Winner: Butler.
Canon-McMillan vs. Seneca Valley, 1:30 p.m. Saturday at West Allegheny — This is another one of those intriguing first round games in Class 6A. The Dribbler was a little miffed at Canon-McMillan’ s see ding. The Big Macs have won more games(20) than any team in the bracket, yet were seeded just seventh. Seneca Valley canplay with anyone. The Raiders own road wins this month against both PineRichland and Butler. Winner: Seneca Valley.
Trinity vs. Greensburg Salem, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Peters Township — This isa 5-12 game and Trinity is undoubtedly the favorite, but youcan never easily write off ateam that has a player who can put a team on his back. Greensburg Salem has that in Marvel McGowan, who ranks sixth in the WPIAL in scoring with 23.8 points a game.As marvelous as Marvel might be in this game, it won’t be enough for the Golden Lions to climb atop the Hillers. Winner: Trinity.
Girls
Oakland Catholic vs. South Fayette, 6:30 p.m. Friday at Upper St. Clair — This is an excellent matchup between the 8 and 9 seeds in 5A. South Fayette lost its final four regular-season games, but check out the opponents — West Allegheny, Trinity, Chartiers Valley and Bishop Canevin. Wow! And now another talented opponent awaits. The Dribbler questions how much the Lions have left in the tank. Answer? At least one win. Winner: South Fayette.
Leechburg vs. Frazier, 6:30 p.m. Friday at West Allegheny — It’s not often twoof the top 10 scorers in the WPIAL meet in a first-round playoffgame, but that will be the case here when Leech burg’ s Mi kayla Lovelace (23.9 ppg) goes head to head against Frazier’ s Brooke Poling (22.9). Only Char tie rs- Houston’ s Alexa Williamson has scored more among 2A players. Both Lovelace and Poling will get their points. Leechburg will get the win. Winner: Leechburg.
Allderdice vs. Westinghouse, noon Saturday at Petersen Events Center — Just like their boys team, the All derdice girls have been great at getting to the City League final in recent years. The problem has been they havenot been so great when they get there. Runners-up eachof the past five seasons —the past four were losses to Obama Academy — Allderdice is about to break through and earn itself some gold medals. Winner: Allderd-ice.
Mt. Lebanon vs. Penn Hills, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Baldwin — The Dribbler loves it when teams challenge themselves in non-section play, and both of these teams most certainly have. Heck, Mt. Lebanon has played quality teams from six states (Pennsylvania, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, California and Ohio). These two met the first weekend of the season, with Penn Hills pulling out a 43-39 win. Look for a similar result in the rematch. Winner: Penn Hills.