Three days before the big man comes sliding down the chimney looking for a midnight snack, there are plenty of treats on a busy night of WPIAL girls section basketball Monday.
One standout clash pits the 2024 WPIAL Class 6A champions against the 2025 Class 6A winners of gold when Norwin visits Upper St. Clair at 7 p.m.
The Knights have been perfect early on this season, winning nonsection games against Penn-Trafford, Abington Heights, State College and Thomas Jefferson, before opening up Section 2-6A action with a 24-point victory over Connellsville.
It has been a bit of a struggle for the reigning champion Panthers thus far.
Under first-year coach Suzie McConnell-Serio, USC is 3-3, including a loss to Canon-McMillan in the section lid lifter last week.
These two programs met for gold in February with Upper St. Clair defeating Norwin, 45-40, to send retiring coach Peter Serio out on top in the district.
Current Kent State guard Rylee Kalocay led the way with 13 points and Ryan Prunzik added 11 points for the Panthers.
Ava Christopher was the lone Knights player in double-digit scoring with 11 points.
Others to keep an eye on
Here are three other girls basketball section games Monday worth noting:
• It has been a near perfect start to the season for the Burrell girls basketball team.
Since losing their season opener to Armstrong, the Buccaneers have won eight straight games, including Section 1-4A victories over Highlands, Knoch and Derry, putting the Bucs in a first-place tie with defending Class 4A champion Oakland Catholic.
However, their toughest test comes Monday when they visit North Catholic.
The perennial power Trojans are 3-3 overall with two of their losses coming to teams out of state.
North Catholic is 1-1 in the section following a loss to Oakland Catholic and a 24-point win over Freeport.
• Three teams have yet to lose in Section 3-3A, with two of them going head-to-head Monday when Waynesburg Central visits Seton LaSalle.
The Raiders are undefeated at 6-0, including section triumphs over Brownsville and Washington.
The Rebels are 5-1 overall and have won four straight since losing to Aquinas Academy. They are 3-0 in the section with wins over Keystone Oaks in double overtime, Charleroi and Brownsville.
McGuffey is 2-0 in the section and hosts Brownsville.
• Sole possession of first place is up for grabs in Section 1-A when St. Joseph hosts Aquinas Academy.
The Spartans are 3-0 in the section and 5-2 for the season with three straight wins over Western Beaver, Leechburg and Eden Christian Academy.
The Crusaders are unbeaten at 6-0 this season and 2-0 in the section with victories over Union and Sewickley Academy in their two section games.
Two for the show
While district girls hoops has the spotlight Monday, there are two boys section contests taking place with first-place ramifications.
The two top teams in Section 3-5A collide when Ringgold travels to Thomas Jefferson.
The two are a combined 5-0 in section play and 13-1 overall.
The Rams are one of the great stories in boys hoops early on.
A year ago, they finished in last place in the section with a 1-11 record and an overall mark of 5-17.
However, Ringgold’s first-year coach, Scott Stephenson, has the Rams sitting at 2-0 in the section and 6-1 for the season before the holidays. They have won six straight since losing their season opener to Belle Vernon.
The Jaguars have been perfect this season, winning all seven games, including wins over Peters Township, Trinity and South Fayette in section play.
In Section 3-3A, South Allegheny hosts Apollo-Ridge with at least a share of first place in the section up for grabs.
Both the Gladiators and Vikings are 1-0 in the section and 6-2 overall.