Pittsburgh Games To Watch This Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we turn the corner on the week its time to look at the key games to pay attention to through Sunday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>FRIDAY</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Central Catholic vs Butler</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems this year that every game Pittsburgh Central Catholic plays is a big one...Well, Friday got a whole lot bigger after the Vikings road win at New Castle on Tuesday. Senior big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284792' first='Debaba' last='Tshiebwe']</strong> dominated in the paint, scoring 18 and unsung hero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1483892' first='Tommy' last='Kristian']</strong> had 17 in the victory. That win opened up the battle for the divisional title and Butler will come to town with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991371' first='Madden' last='Clement']</strong> and <strong>Donovan Carney</strong> leading their backcourt against <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991365' first='Dante' last='DePante']</strong> and company. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Mt. Lebanon vs Norwin</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lebo is always a pesky, well coached bunch and this year is no different. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991389' first='Michael' last='Pfeuffer']</strong> and his teammates have rattled off a set of wins after Christmas that have them in play for first place in the second of the two 6A divisions. Norwin, meanwhile, has lost its first two divisional games and will look to right the ship in a tough place to win on Friday night. They're seeing that they need more than just <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186052' first='Adam' last='Bilinsky']</strong> to win in 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Shaler vs Armstrong</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A battle of two teams chasing Penn Hills for the top of their division in 5A, both are off to good starts this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186053' first='Cadin' last='Olsen']</strong>, a Penn football recruit at quarterback, could be the difference maker in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Any game in 5A Section 4</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be the most interesting division in the entire WPIAL. It's a battle every night. Friday night we get<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1188607' first='Jayden' last='Davis']</strong> vs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991376' first='Tasso' last='Sfanos']</strong> as Char Valley tackles Mars; a rugged South Fayette team trying to get over the hill against <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham']</strong> and North Hills and Moon, who just keeps on playing impressive basketball following that Christmas win over Elizabeth(NJ), takes on West Allegheny. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Ambridge vs Beaver Area</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beaver has a three headed monster in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395899' first='Aiden' last='Townsend']</strong> in the frontcourt, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185952' first='Sawyer' last='Butler']</strong> in the backcourt along with 2025 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188638' first='Brady' last='Mayo']</strong> that has raced to a 10-1 start and played Lincoln Park Charter even up. Ambridge counters with high scoring freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406902' first='Jared' last='Astorino']</strong>, a guard with high upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our Lady Of The Sacred Heart vs Seton LaSalle</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OLSH had its state record winning streak snapped not long ago but has found its groove once again. They're an inside-outside team led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186067' first='Rocco' last='Spadafora']</strong> and forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186068' first='Bryson' last='Kirschner']</strong>, a multi year varsity contributor at a key level. Seton has won both games since <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116023' first='Connor' last='Spratt'] </strong>has returned. His infusion of offense will open up more opportunities for a pair of 6'5" juniors in <strong>Hayden Merchant</strong> and forward <strong>Nick Sikorski</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Eden Christian vs Bishop Canevin</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The divisional title may be on the line in this one. If Canevin can clip a road win off against Eden, it would give them a big leg up with the return leg coming in East Carnegie--Canevin's gym is a pit to play in when it's full and one of the tougher venues in the WPIAL to win as a road team. <strong>Malachai Manges</strong> will have to continue his leadership role as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991350' first='Damon' last='Astorino']</strong>, their best overall player, is being slowly reintroduced into the lineup after working his way back from injury. If they can contain <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186057' first='Shea' last='Champine']</strong>, who's now got quite a bit of scholarship interest as a lead guard at the next level, they'll have a shot. If Champine goes for 40, like he has several times this year, it could be a long night for Eden. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>SATURDAY Games to Watch</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Imani Christian vs Theordore Roosevelt(DC) at CHAMBERSBURG</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After breaking the scoreboard vs Aquinas, elite prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188606' first='Alier' last='Maluk']</strong> and his talented teammates take on a showcase event against Roosevelt high school from Washington DC. It's a massive step up in quality from tiny Aquinas to a DC power player and it will be a good barometer for how far Imani has come from its early season losses. On Sunday, Imani takes on perennial Philly power Chester High in another marquee test. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lincoln Park vs Pittsburgh Central Catholic AT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest matchups of the year in Pittsburgh isn't even being played in the WPIAL territory. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991401' first='Brandin' last='Cummings']</strong> form the top backcourt in Pittsburgh and Central will need DePante at his best, as well as "step it up" performances from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403752' first='Peyton' last='Wehner']</strong>, Kristian, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186402' first='Randy' last='Wilkerson']</strong> and the rest of the guard rotation, and Debaba and <strong>Cole Sullivan</strong> will have to own the paint. It's a big showdown and containing the LPC guards is the key to PCC having a good shot at the end of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->