☛ WPIAL Class 4A

1. Blackhawk (26-1) — The defending WPIAL champs are primed to win another title under coach Steve Lodovico. The Cougars will have a strong backcourt with senior Quinn Borroni (10 ppg) and junior Alena Fusetti (13 ppg), both all-section picks a year ago.

2. North Catholic (22-6) — Any doubt whether Blackhawk is the clear-cut favorite heading into the season comes from the return of North Catholic to Class 4A thanks to the PIAA biennial realignment. The Trojanettes have two future Division I college players in senior guard Dacia Lewandowski (Akron) and junior guard Alayna Rocco (Harvard).

3. Knoch (22-4) — The Knights were something of a surprise last year, making it to the championship game for the first time in school history. Senior guard Nina Shaw (13 ppg) was an all-section pick and is one of four returning starters. Knoch will play in the same section as North Catholic.

4. Highlands (19-5) — Last season, the Rams finished second in the section behind Knoch. Junior guard Kalleigh Nerone made all-section as a sophomore.

5. Belle Vernon (15-8) — The Leopards finished third in their section last year but are a team to watch with all-section guard Viva Kreis. Southmoreland is in the same section as Belle Vernon, but the Scotties will be without standout Olivia Cernuto, who suffered a torn ACL in a soccer game.