The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) has recently disclosed the playoff brackets for the 2024 WPIAL/UPMC Boys’ Basketball Championships. The games are slated to be held at Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus from February 29 to March 2.
A total of 87 teams spanning six classifications have qualified for the WPIAL Boys’ Basketball Championships. The postseason is set to kick off on Thursday, February 15, with the initial round game in Class 1A, followed by first round contests in Class 1A and Class 3A, as well as a preliminary round contest in Class 5A on Friday, February 16. Teams have secured their spots in the postseason by finishing within the top four of their respective sections following the conclusion of the regular season. In instances where ties cannot be broken, all tied teams are included in the playoff bracket.
The championship game will showcase teams from various classifications, with Central Catholic and Mt. Lebanon prevailing in Section I and Section II in Class 6A. On the other hand, Thomas Jefferson, Shaler, Franklin Regional, and Moon came out on top in the Section champions in Class 5A. In Class 4A, Hampton, Lincoln Park, Uniontown, and Montour emerged as the unbeaten section champions. Moreover, Mohawk, Deer Lakes, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Seton LaSalle, Yough, and Washington secured victories in Class 3A; while Aliquippa, Bishop Canevin, Greensburg Central Catholic, and Fort Cherry emerged as the champions in Class 2A. In Class 1A, Rochester, Monessen, and Imani Christian Academy emerged as the winning teams.
Teams finishing within the top three in Class 6A, top five in Class 1A, and top seven in Class 2A, Class 3A, Class 4A, and Class 5A will qualify for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Boys’ Basketball Championships. The PIAA Championships are set to commence on March 8-9, culminating in the championship games from March 21-23 at the GIANT Center in Hershey. Additionally, consolation round contests will be conducted in each classification to determine the WPIAL’s qualifiers outside of the championship games.
The reigning WPIAL boys’ basketball champions are Aliquippa (Class 2A), Central Catholic (Class 6A), Deer Lakes (Class 3A), Imani Christian Academy (Class 1A), Lincoln Park (Class 4A), and Penn Hills (Class 5A).
The tournament games and the championship dates are as follows:
– Class 6A Championships: Friday, February 23 (Start Date)
– Class 5A Championships: Friday, February 16 (Preliminary Round) and Monday, February 19 (First Round)
– Class 4A Championships: Friday, February 16 (Start Date)
– Class 3A Championships: Monday, February 19 (Start Date)
– Class 2A Championships: Tuesday, February 20 (Start Date)
– Class 1A Championships: Thursday, February 15 (Union-Hillel Academy first round game) and Friday, February 16 (remainder of first round)
All these events will culminate in the thrilling championship games scheduled to take place at Petersen Events Center, University of Pittsburgh.
The forthcoming 2024 Boys’ Basketball Championships promises to be an extraordinary and captivating event, showcasing immense talent and skill from various schools. Save the dates and prepare to support your favourite teams!