A week before the district basketball postseason begins, the WPIAL girls basketball section schedule winds down with a busy Thursday slate that includes a win-and-you’re-in showdown.
In Section 1-5A, Plum, Fox Chapel and Penn Hills have all clinched, leaving one more spot.
The winner of the Shaler at Franklin Regional game will finish in fourth place and claim that berth.
Both teams are 6-5 heading into this section showdown.
The Titans are 11-10 this season and following a strong start, have struggled in the second half with five losses in their last six games.
The Panthers are even at 10-10 this season and have won two of their last three section games to put themselves in a position to qualify.
The first meeting was a dandy as Shaler outscored Franklin Regional 8-4 in overtime to win, 60-56.
Olivia Gieraltowski led the Titans with 16 points while Katherine Yaniga had a game high 21 points for the Panthers.
Controlling your own destiny
There are several girls basketball teams that don’t need help and can clinch a playoff berth with a victory Thursday.
• In Section 1-6A, Butler can clinch with a win at North Allegheny and North Hills is in with a road victory against Woodland Hills.
• In Section 2-6A, Mt. Lebanon clinches with a home win against Upper St. Clair and Hempfield qualifies with a triumph at home against Norwin.
• In Section 2-5A, Kiski Area can clinch with a win over visiting McKeesport.
• In Section 1-4A, Knoch can qualify for the postseason with a win at Freeport.
• In Section 3-4A, Ringgold can clinch with a win at Mt. Pleasant and Laurel Highlands qualifies with a victory at Yough.
• In Section 1-3A, Sto-Rox clinches with a home upset of Beaver Falls and Mohawk is in if it can stun Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at home.
• In Section 2-3A, Ligonier Valley can qualify with a victory at South Allegheny.
• In Section 3, 3A, Washington can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Keystone Oaks.
• In Section 2-A, Monessen can clinch with a win at Clairton.
Boys clinchers
A couple of district boys basketball teams look to put the clamps down on a WPIAL playoff berth Thursday.
In the wild and crazy Section 1-6A, North Hills (6-6) can join the three other qualifiers with a win at home against Pine-Richland (7-5).
The Rams, along with New Castle and Seneca Valley, have already punched their ticket to the postseason.
You can watch the game Thursday on Trib HSSN at 7:30 p.m.
Also on Thursday, Kiski Area tries to clinch a Section 2-5A playoff berth when it hosts section winner Penn Hills.
If the Cavs lose, they will need help Friday in the form of a Hampton loss to Shaler or an Indiana loss to Plum.
Thursday on Trib HSSN
There are 10 broadcasts you can watch or listen to at TribHSSN.TribLive.com on the fifth day of February.
WPIAL Boys Basketball – Video Stream: Pine-Richland at North Hills at 7:30 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys Basketball – Audio Stream: New Castle at North Allegheny at 6:30 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Shaler at Franklin Regional at 7:30 p.m. on Westmoreland Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Derry at North Catholic at 7:30 p.m. on the North Catholic Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Washington at Keystone Oaks at 6 p.m. on WJPA-AM 1450 at TribHSSN.TribLive.con
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Video Stream: Serra Catholic at Geibel Catholic at 7 p.m. on WMBS-AM 590, WMBS-FM 101.1 at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball – Audio Stream: Butler at North Allegheny at 6:30 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
PIHL Hockey – Video Stream: Indiana at North Catholic at 8 p.m. on the North Catholic Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
PIHL Hockey – Audio Stream: South Fayette at North Allegheny at 9:10 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys and Girls Swimming – Audio Stream: Pine-Richland at North Allegheny at 5 p.m. on the North Allegheny Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com