When Plum visited Shaler earlier this season, first place in Section 1-5A girls basketball was up for grabs.
Not much has changed in the last month.
On Thursday, the Mustangs host the Titans and at least a share of the section top spot is at stake.
Shaer is in second place with a 5-2 section record and an overall mark of 10-7.
The Titans have won three of their last four section games, but have dropped two straight games to Class 6A teams North Allegheny and Upper St. Clair.
Plum is alone in first place at 7-1 in the section and 12-3 overall.
Since losing back-to-back games over the holidays, the Mustangs are on a six-game winning streak in 2026.
The only section loss for Plum was in the first meeting at Shaler.
In a close, low-scoring game throughout, the Titans edged the Mustangs, 38-32.
Reese Smetanka led all scorers with 18 points for the Titans while Tamia West scored 16 for the Mustangs.
Three’s a crowd
While Oakland Catholic and Blackhawk own two-game leads at the top of Sections 1 and 2, first place is a crowded battle between three teams in Section 3-4A.
Two of the three teams tied for first collide Thursday when Belle Vernon visits South Park.
The Leopards are 8-1 in the section and have an overall record of 14-3.
Belle Vernon has won eight straight since losing to Bethel Park over the holidays.
The Eagles are also flying high with an 8-1 section mark and a record of 11-6 for the season.
South Park has won three in a row and five of its last six games.
The first meeting between the two went down to the wire.
Hayley Bennett hit two free throws with 3.5 seconds remaining to give the Eagles the win over the host Leopards, 39-38.
Bennett led South Park with 11 points while Lyla McConnell had a game-high 22 points for Belle Vernon.
The teams enter Thursday’s action tied with Elizabeth Forward (8-1, 12-4) for first place. The Warriors visit Mt. Pleasant (4-5, 7-9).
Three for 3A
While first place is not at stake in any of these three Class 3A girls basketball contests, playoff positioning is.
• In Section 1-3A, first-place Beaver Falls has a two-game lead. However, the chase for second place is a close one with Quaker Valley at 7-2 and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Riverside tied for third place at 6-3. On Thursday, OLSH hosts the Quakers.
• In Section 2-3A, Shady Side Academy has a one-game lead over Greensburg Central Catholic for first place. In the fight for third, Deer Lakes and Avonworth are tied with 6-3 records. The Lancers host the Antelopes on Thursday.
• In Section 3-3A, Waynesburg and McGuffey are tied for second place with 5-2 records while Washington and Keystone Oaks are tied for fourth place at 4-4. Waynesburg visits Washington and McGuffey is home to Charleroi (1-6).
Thursday on Trib HSSN
There are seven broadcasts you can watch or listen to at TribHSSN.TribLive.com on the 22nd day of January.
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Belle Vernon at South Park at 7:30 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Quaker Valley at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at 7:30 p.m. on OLSH Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Bishop Canevin at Geibel Catholic at 7 p.m. on WMBS-AM 590, WMBS-FM 101.1 at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
District 10 Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Lakeview at Wilmington at 7 p.m. on Lawrence County SportsNet at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
PIHL Hockey – Video Stream: Bishop McCort at Baldwin at 7 p.m. on MVI Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
PIHL Hockey – Video Stream: Mt. Lebanon at Thomas Jefferson at 9 p.m. on MVI Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys and Girls Swimming & Diving – Audio Stream: Butler at North Allegheny at 5 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com