Yes, there is kind of an important professional football game taking place in the region, but a busy schedule of WPIAL girls high school basketball games are still on tap Monday.
The start of the week marks the end of the first half of section play around the WPIAL girls basketball.
Sole possession of first place is up for grabs in Section 1-6A when Pine-Richland visits Seneca Valley.
The Rams are 4-0 in section play and have erased a tough start to sit at 8-5 for the season.
Following a 1-5 beginning to the season, Pine-Richland has won seven straight games, including a overtime and a double OT triumph.
The same script has been followed by the Raiders, who also sit at 4-0 atop the section.
Seneca Valley started the season with a 2-4 record, but has since won five out of its last six games, including three straights victories.
Tip off for the big game has been changed to 6:30 p.m.
Another section leader showdown
While Pine-Richland and Seneca Valley have the northern center stage in a fight for first place, two Class 5A teams hoping to lead their section at the midway point will take the southern spotlight.
Baldwin travels to Thomas Jefferson for the lead in Section 4-5A.
Both the Highlanders and the Jaguars are 5-0 and tied for first place in the section.
Baldwin has won 11 consecutive games since losing the season opener to Class 3A top-ranked Shady Side Academy.
Thomas Jefferson is 11-2 overall and has won seven of its last eight games since losing to Norwin. TJ has won three games in a row since a late-December loss to Bishop Guilfoyle.
The two teams finished in second and third place a year ago behind eventual district champion Peters Township.
Do the Bucs stop here?
The lead in Section 1-4A girls basketball could have one team on top after Monday, or it could have a three-way tie for first place.
Front running Oakland Catholic looks to remain alone on top as it visits Burrell.
The 2025 district champion Eagles are 5-0 in section play and 9-2 overall.
Oakland Catholic has won two straight since a loss to Nova, Fla. and has won nine of its last 10 games since an season-opening loss to District 5 power Berlin-Brothersvalley.
The Buccaneers are 4-1 in the section and tied for second place with North Catholic.
Burrell had an eight-game winning streak snapped by North Catholic before the holidays. Since then, it has defeated DuBois Central Catholic and Freeport sandwiched by a loss to Indiana.
Monday on Trib HSSN
There are three broadcasts and one podcast you can watch or listen to at TribHSSN.TribLive.com on the 12th day of January.
Video Stream: Rebel Yell Podcast featuring WPIAL basketball Team of the Week on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Mohawk at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at 7:30 p.m. on OLSH Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Geibel Catholic at Serra Catholic at 6 p.m. on WMBS-AM 590, WMBS-FM 101.1 and on MVI Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys Basketball – Audio Stream: North Allegheny at New Castle at 7 p.m. on Lawrence County SportsNet at TribHSSN.TribLive.com