SMA squads to play for D9 4A titles tonight in Clarion

The St. Marys Area Lady Dutch and Flying Dutchmen will both be competing for District 9 4A championships tonight at Clarion University, with the Lady Dutch taking on top seeded Punxsutawney at 6 p.m. for the girls’ title and the Flying Dutchmen facing top seeded Clearfield at 7:30 p.m. for the boys’ title.

The Lady Dutch and Lady Chucks played twice during the regular season, with Punxsutawney winning both games. In their first meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 18, Punxsutawney defeated St. Marys Area 45-34 in a game played at St. Marys Area High School. When the two squads met again on Tuesday, Feb. 7 in Punxsutawney, the Lady Chucks won 50-25.

The second seeded Lady Dutch defeated the third seeded Clearfield Lady Bison 46-27 in a semifinal last week in DuBois to advance to tonight’s title game. Punxsutawney had a bye directly to tonight’s matchup.

The D9 4A girls’ champion will advance to the state tournament.

The first round of the 2023 PIAA 4A Girls’ Basketball Championship will be held on Saturday, March 11, with the D9 4A champion facing off against the fifth place team from District 7.

Tonight’s D9 4A boys’ championship will be the first meeting of the Dutchmen and Bison this season.

The second seeded Flying Dutchmen defeated third seeded Punxsutawney 41-31 in a semifinal matchup last week in DuBois to reach tonight’s championship game. Clearfield had a bye directly to tonight’s contest.

According to the bracket on the PIAA website, the D9 4A boys’ champion will advance to the 2023 PIAA 4A Boys’ Basketball Championship and face the third place team from District 7 in the first round on Friday, March 10.