Pittsburgh Games To Watch This Weekend
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As we turn the corner on the week its time to look at the key games to pay attention to through Sunday. FRIDAY Central Catholic vs Butler It seems this year that every game Pittsburgh Central Catholic plays is a…
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Continue ReadingAs we turn the corner on the week its time to look at the key games to pay attention to through Sunday.
FRIDAY
Central Catholic vs Butler
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 Debaba Tshiebwe Debaba Tshiebwe 6'6" | PF Central Catholic | 2023 State PA dominated in the paint, scoring 18 and unsung hero Tommy Kristian Tommy Kristian 6'0" | SG Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2023 State PA had 17 in the victory. That win opened up the battle for the divisional title and Butler will come to town with Madden Clement Madden Clement 5'10" | PG Butler | 2023 State PA and Donovan Carney leading their backcourt against Dante DePante Dante DePante 6'3" | PG Central Catholic | 2023 State PA and company.
Mt. Lebanon vs Norwin
Lebo is always a pesky, well coached bunch and this year is no different. Michael Pfeuffer Michael Pfeuffer 6'2" | CG Mt. Lebanon | 2023 State PA 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 Adam Bilinsky Adam Bilinsky 6'3" | SF Norwin | 2023 State PA to win in 6A.
Shaler vs Armstrong
A battle of two teams chasing Penn Hills for the top of their division in 5A, both are off to good starts this year. Cadin Olsen Cadin Olsen 6'5" | SF Armstrong | 2023 State PA , a Penn football recruit at quarterback, could be the difference maker in this one.
Any game in 5A Section 4
This may be the most interesting division in the entire WPIAL. It’s a battle every night. Friday night we get Jayden Davis Jayden Davis 5'10" | CG Chartiers Valley | 2025 State PA vs Tasso Sfanos Tasso Sfanos 6'1" | PG Mars | 2023 State PA as Char Valley tackles Mars; a rugged South Fayette team trying to get over the hill against Royce Parham Royce Parham 6'8" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State #53 Nation OH and North Hills and Moon, who just keeps on playing impressive basketball following that Christmas win over Elizabeth(NJ), takes on West Allegheny.
Ambridge vs Beaver Area
Beaver has a three headed monster in Aiden Townsend Aiden Townsend 6'3" | SG Beaver | 2023 State PA in the frontcourt, Sawyer Butler Sawyer Butler 5'11" | PG Beaver | 2023 State PA in the backcourt along with 2025 Brady Mayo Brady Mayo 6'0" | CG Beaver | 2025 State PA that has raced to a 10-1 start and played Lincoln Park Charter even up. Ambridge counters with high scoring freshman Jared Astorino Jared Astorino 6'1" | CG Ambridge | 2026 State PA , a guard with high upside.
Our Lady Of The Sacred Heart vs Seton LaSalle
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 Rocco Spadafora Rocco Spadafora 6'0" | SG OLSH | 2023 State PA and forward Bryson Kirschner Bryson Kirschner 6'4" | PF OLSH | 2023 State PA , a multi year varsity contributor at a key level. Seton has won both games since Connor Spratt Connor Spratt 6'3" | PG Seton LaSalle | 2023 State PA has returned. His infusion of offense will open up more opportunities for a pair of 6’5″ juniors in Hayden Merchant and forward Nick Sikorski.
Eden Christian vs Bishop Canevin
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. Malachai Manges will have to continue his leadership role as Damon Astorino Damon Astorino 6'2" | CG Eden Christian Academy | 2023 State PA , their best overall player, is being slowly reintroduced into the lineup after working his way back from injury. If they can contain Shea Champine Shea Champine 6'0" | CG Bishop Canevin | 2023 State PA , 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.
SATURDAY Games to Watch
Imani Christian vs Theordore Roosevelt(DC) at CHAMBERSBURG
After breaking the scoreboard vs Aquinas, elite prospect Alier Maluk Alier Maluk 7'0" | PF Long Island Lutheran | 2025 State #62 Nation NY 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.
Lincoln Park vs Pittsburgh Central Catholic AT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE
One of the biggest matchups of the year in Pittsburgh isn’t even being played in the WPIAL territory. Meleek Thomas Meleek Thomas 6'4" | CG Lincoln Park | 2025 State #5 Nation PA and Brandin Cummings Brandin Cummings 6'3" | SG Lincoln Park | 2024 State #132 Nation PA form the top backcourt in Pittsburgh and Central will need DePante at his best, as well as “step it up” performances from Peyton Wehner Peyton Wehner 6'0" | PG Central Catholic | 2024 State PA , Kristian, Randy Wilkerson Randy Wilkerson 6'0" | CG Central Catholic | 2023 State PA and the rest of the guard rotation, and Debaba and Cole Sullivan 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.