‘Twas the week before Christmas and much to WPIAL hoop fans’ delight, girls basketball teams were fighting for section supremacy on a busy Thursday night.
While it is still early days, we should know a little more about Section 3-4A as the top four teams in the standings are set to square off against each other.
First, Belle Vernon is home to South Park at 7 p.m. in a battle of 2-0 section teams.
The Leopards have won both of their section games thus far, beating Ringgold and Yough easily.
Since losing its season opener to York Suburban, Belle Vernon has won five straight games.
The Eagles lost their first three games this month to Trinity, Shady Side Academy and Baldwin but rebounded to win their first two section games over Laurel Highlands and Mt. Pleasant.
Elizabeth Forward is also 2-0 atop the section as it prepares to host Mt. Pleasant at 7 p.m.
The Warriors split their four nonsection matchups, then defeated Southmroeland and Laurel Highlands in their first two section contests.
The visiting Vikings also split their four nonsection games, and then beat Yough in their section opener before losing to South Park on Monday.
Mt. Pleasant is tied with Ringgold at 1-1 in the section, one game behind Belle Vernon, South Park and Elizabeth Forward.
Southern styles
Two southern league rivals with a combined record of 8-1 collide for at least a share of the top spot in Section 3-3A girls basketball.
Waynesburg hopes to stay among the ranks of the unbeaten when it hosts Washington at 7:30 p.m.
The Raiders are averaging more than 60 points per game through five games, all victories.
Waynesburg defeated Frazier, West Greene, Carmichaels and Chartiers-Houston while also opening up section play with a win over Brownsville.
The Little Prexies won only four section games a year ago, but they are 3-1 on the season and 2-0 thus far in the section after wins over Charleroi and Brownsville.
Both Wash High and Waynesburg missed the playoffs a year ago.
‘Tis the season for beach ball
While many are preparing for some last-minute holiday shopping this weekend, two WPIAL boys basketball teams are headed to the Sunshine State for some sun, some fun and most importantly, some hoops.
Between now and the new year, several district boys and girls basketball teams will get away and head south to participate in several holiday tournaments.
The first two are Upper St. Clair (5-1) and North Allegheny (4-1).
The Panthers will play in the Fernadina Beach Holiday Tournament just north of Jacksonville.
USC will face the hosts on Thursday, Fletcher (Fla.) on Friday and Nassau (Fla.) on Saturday.
The Tigers are headed to Orlando to participate in the KSA Pre-Holiday Tournament.
They open up Thursday afternoon against Wayne Central (N.Y.).
NA will also have games to be determined on Friday and Saturday.