Breaking down the 2025 WPIAL girls basketball playoffs
Class 6A
Favorite: Norwin has won back-to-back WPIAL titles before (2015, ’16) and the Knights will take another shot as the top seed, the same position they were in a season ago. A late-season win over Upper St. Clair went a long way in securing the top seed. Kendall Berger is a 1,000-point scorer and Clarion commit who leads a battle-tested group that includes Averi Brozeski, Bella Furno and Ava Christopher. Norwin won its final eight Section 2 games.
Challengers: Upper St. Clair was ranked No. 1 for a large part of the season and presents one of the best shooting teams in the bracket, led by Kent State commit Rylee Kalocay (23 ppg), the top scorer in 6A. … Seneca Valley has only lost twice since late December and was the Section 1 champion. … Canon-McMillan (42.4 ppg) and Mt. Lebanon (41.1) had two of the stingiest defenses in Section 2. Canon-McMillan only lost Norwin by two points. Mt. Lebanon played a strong nonsection schedule.
Don’t overlook: Butler finished second in Section 2 behind Seneca Valley.
Prediction: Upper St. Clair over Norwin
Class 5A
Favorite: WPIAL champions in the last three seasons, South Fayette has the pedigree and talent to make it a four-peat. The Lions, who allow just 35 points a game, take a 13-game winning streak into the tournament. They have wins over Class 6A teams Norwin, Mt. Lebanon, Pine-Richland and Altoona.
Challengers: Another section winner, Peters Township, took a six-game winning streak into Monday. The Indians had not lost at home this season. Natalie Wetzel, a 6-foot-3 forward, is a Miami commit who scores 21 a game. … Penn-Trafford finished the regular season undefeated and has the balance and depth to compete for its second WPIAL title. Post players Lauren Marton (Shippensburg) and Kamryn Pieper (Point Park) are Division II recruits. … Shaler gives up only 34.1 points a game. … Franklin Regional, fresh off its first section title since 1979, has won 10 of its last 11.
Don’t overlook: Indiana plays a slow-down style that also can limit offenses. … Chartiers Valley was a semifinalist in Class 6A last year. … Thomas Jefferson leads 5A in scoring with a 63-point average.
Prediction: South Fayette over Penn-Trafford
Class 4A
Favorite: Blackhawk was a finalist last year after earning the No. 1 seed. The Cougars had won 12 in a row going into Monday. They won the WPIAL in 2022. Aubree Hupp is a 20-point scorer with Division II interest.
Challengers: Oakland Catholic gives up just 32.1 points and owns a win over the Trojanettes. … North Catholic has won three straight WPIAL titles and seven in eight years. The Trojanettes, who are the highest scoring team in 4A, have only lost once since Dec. 14. Their most recent loss was to Oakland Catholic, a 5A semifinalist last year with whom they shared the section title. … Elizabeth Forward was a section winner led by guard Michelle Jellison (16 ppg). … Beaver has won five in a row.
Don’t overlook: South Park was the runner-up to Elizabeth Forward in Section 3, while Laurel Highlands was third. Both are potential sleepers.
Prediction: North Catholic over Blackhawk
Class 3A
Favorite: Undefeated Shady Side Academy has the look of a team set for a repeat. The fast-paced Bulldogs finished the regular season undefeated, averaging 63 points and allowing 30. Karis Thomas (19 ppg) makes the offense go, but Cassie Sauer is a potent post player.
Challengers: Greensburg Central Catholic, the WPIAL 2A champion last season, was bumped up to 3A because of the PIAA’s competitive balance system. GCC, which was swept by Shady Side Academy in two section games, features Erica Gribble (21 ppg), a Richmond commit who can score in waves. … Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is one of the top defensive teams in any classification with a 29.7-point average. OLSH’s losses are to GCC and West Allegheny. Claudia Ierullo (16 ppg) is the go-to scorer for the Chargers. … Laney Wagner-led Keystone Oaks’ only loss so far came against Seton LaSalle in early December. Those teams shared the Section 3 title.
Don’t overlook: Avonworth made the finals last year as the No. 1 seed. … Quaker Valley features 6-4 Division I prospect Mimi Thiero (22 ppg).
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Prediction: Shady Side Academy over GCC
Class 2A
Favorite: Neshannock split the Section 1 title with Aliquippa, losing in overtime to the improved Quips before responding with a 30-point win in the rematch. The Lancers have won 11 in a row, scoring 60 or more points in six straight games. Neshannock played in Class 3A last season and reached the WPIAL semifinals.
Challengers: Carla Brown (16 ppg) leads Aliquippa. … Winchester Thurston allows only 27.5 points a game and recently won 15 straight. … South Side Beaver has a nice one-two scoring punch with Bailey Strnisa and Ashtyn Michael, who both average 15 points. … Fort Cherry shared the Section 2 crown with South Side Beaver, a pair of defensively sound teams. … Chartiers-Houston also held teams to low numbers all season with a 27.4 points-against average.
Don’t overlook: Riverview was the runner-up to Winchester Thurston in Section 4. Beth-Center and California tied for second in Section 3.
Prediction: Neshannock over Aliquippa
Class A
Favorite: Union is another team hungry for a three-peat and is motivated to win it all with a perfect record. The undefeated Scotties average 57 points and allow only 26. Kylie Fruehstorfer is only 5-5 but plays a big role . She scored 50 points Friday against Winchester Thurston. She averages 20 a game. Union is the No. 1 seed for a third straight season.
Challengers: One-loss Geibel, powered by standout point guard Emma Larkin (27 ppg), has a shot to reach the finals. The Gators had 14 straight wins. … Clairton is a tough out with WPIAL scoring sensation Iyanna Wade (42 ppg) leading the charge. … Serra Catholic has playoff pedigree but has slid some late in the season. Abby Genes (17 ppg) leads the Eagles. … Aquinas Academy also plays in Section 1 and has a win over St. Joseph.
Don’t overlook: St. Joseph is led by Gia Richter (15 ppg) and plays in Union’s section.
Prediction: Union over Clairton