Frantic February gets under way

The Dribbler stopped by the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Green Tree to check out the WPIAL playoff pairings meeting Tuesday night.

You could say he was a little bored — or should he say board — as he waited impatiently to see where Pine-Richland would be seeded. His anxiousness and constant pacing caught the eye of a security guard, who told The Dribbler to make like a tree and leave.

Plays on wood and thoughts of the sport played on hardwood didn’t stop The Dribbler from making some observations before he left …

A lot of coaches looked relaxed, but none more so than Carlynton’s Mike Kozy. … If you’re looking for laughs and comedy, just strike up a conversation with Hampton’s Joe Lafko and Mars’ Rob Carmody. … If Imani Christian coach Anwan Wesley was ever fouled while making a basket, would it be an “andone for Anwan?” … And apparently The Dribbler should take a trip to South America one day, so says Nazareth Prep’s Nehemiah Brazil.

As for The Dribbler’s WPIAL championship picks …

Class 6A: The team that is already golden, one with a point guard that should be sponsored by a salt.

Class 5A: The coach of this team is always ready for Valentine’s Day. You can’t spell his last name without “Rose.” Class 4A: Four-peat. Class 3A: Not strawberry. Not raspberry. This team hails from up north in Cranberry.

Class 2A: ICYMI: OLSH is very good. LOL.

Class 1A: A squad of Royals will be kings.

Best of luck to all during this frantic February.

The Dribbler went 4-3 last week to finish the regular season 45-26 (.633).

Here are his thoughts on this week’s top games:

Boys

Aliquippa vs. Steel Valley, 8 p.m. Friday at West Allegheny — This is a juicy matchup. Steel Valley’s Cam Polak is the WPIAL’s secondleading scorer and has put up 40-plus a few times this season. Meanwhile, Aliquippa might be the most dangerous fifth seed in the entire playoffs. The Dribbler wonders if Aliquippa’s Zuriah Fisher, a 6foot-3 Penn State football recruit, will guard Polak. Juicy. Winner: Aliquippa.

Allderdice vs. Obama Academy, 2 p.m. Saturday at Petersen Events Center — According to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, it’s the year of the rat. But really, isn’t it the year of the dragon every year? After going 22 years between City League titles, Allderdice is aiming to win its seventh in a row and 10th in 11 years. Beating Obama will be no layup, but look for a few dunks and another title for the Dragons. Winner: Allderdice.

Laurel Highlands vs. Hampton, 8 p.m. Monday at Fox Chapel — Welcome to the WPIAL playoffs, Rodney Gallagher! Laurel Highlands’ much-ballyhooed freshman poured in 23 points a game during the regular season. The Dribbler has seen Mustangs of many different colors. The ones from Laurel Highlands are dark, as in dark horse. Will they ride Gallagher and go on a deep playoff run? Winner: Laurel Highlands.

Central Catholic vs. Penn-Trafford, 8 p.m. Tuesday at Norwin — As if finishing the regular season with three consecutive losses wasn’t already disheartening enough, now Central Catholic must find a way to slow down the top scorer in Class 6A. Penn-Trafford’s Zach Rocco is averaging 23.7 points a game, which is more than even Butler standout Ethan Morton. Rocco will do well, but look for Central Catholic’s Ben Sarson to be the star. Winner: Central Catholic.

Girls

Allderdice vs. Westinghouse, Noon Saturday at Petersen Events Center — If you have to stand in line for a few minutes while purchasing tickets for this City League title game, have no worries: Waite is worth the wait. Allderdice’s diminutive point guard is fun to watch and has the Dragons a win away from a third consecutive title. The Dribbler thinks they might be able to make some noise in the PIAA playoffs, too. Winner: Allderdice.

McKeesport vs. Indiana, 6:30 p.m. Monday at North Allegheny — Shout out to McKeesport legend Swin Cash. It was announced this week that she will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame this year. McKeesport won its only WPIAL title Cash’s senior year in 1998. The Tigers are the fifth seed in Class 4A and could be a sleeper behind the play of Jhayla Bray. Against Indiana, it will be Bray’s day. Winner: McKeesport.

Moon vs. Mars, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at North Hills — How does a guy cut his hair on the moon? Eclipse it. What did Mars say to Saturn? Give me a ring sometime! OK, enough with the space puns. The Dribbler thinks this might just be the best first-round matchup, boys or girls. Moon’s Reilly Sunday and Mars’ Bella Pelaia are two of the top players in the class. And even though it’s a Tuesday, Sunday will shine. Winner: Moon.

Penn Hills vs. Plum, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fox Chapel — Driving with worn tires. Leaving medication lying around within reach of toddlers. This Plum team. All three are very dangerous. Plum junior Kennedie Montue is averaging 22.1 points per game, most of any Class 6A or 5A player, and the No. 9seeded Mustangs have won 11 of their past 13 games. A win here would earn them a date with unbeaten Chartiers Valley. Winner: Plum.