While the winners bracket takes a day off before 24 teams collide to determine 12 WPIAL basketball championships, the district postseason consolation games take center stage.
With the exception of four third-place games to be played Thursday, the consolation games that will determine the PIAA playoff field and their order conclude Wednesday with these 16 matchups.
• In boys 6A, the third-place game pits Seneca Valley (14-10) against Central Catholic (21-3) at 7 p.m. Both teams have qualified for the state playoffs.
• In boys 5A, section champs meet when Penn Hills (18-7) visits Gateway (17-8) at 7 p.m. for the fifth seed.
In the battle for the seventh seed, Shaler (14-11) is home to Ringgold (15-11) at 7 p.m.
With eight teams qualifying in 5A, all four teams have clinched.
• In boys 4A, Section 1 foes meet again when North Catholic (18-6) hosts Deer Lakes (12-13) in the third place game at 7 p.m. The Trojans beat the Lancers twice, 80-67 and 81-77.
In the fifth-place game, Section 2 rivals collide when Central Valley (17-8) travels to Hopewell (16-9) at 7 p.m. The Vikings beat the Warriors twice in close ones, 61-57 and 59-66.
With five teams from the WPIAL qualifying in 4A, the season ends for the loser of this game.
• In boys 3A, for the fifth seed, Seton LaSalle (19-6) heads north to battle Mohawk (21-2) at 7 p.m.
Also in 3A, a state playoff berth is up for grabs in the fight for the seventh seed as Southmoreland (15-9) hosts Ligonier Valley (13-12) at 7 p.m.
The Scotties swept the Section 4 series against the Rams, 60-47 and 61-45. The loser sees its season come to an end.
• In boys 2A, the two semifinals losers meet for third place when Clairton (18-4) visits Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (20-5) at 7 p.m.
In the fifth-place game, Jefferson-Morgan (23-2) welcomes Eden Christian Academy (17-7) at 7 p.m.
In the game to determine the seventh seed, Winchester Thurston (16-9) travels to Neshannock (18-6) at 7 p.m.
Both teams have qualified for the PIAA playoffs.
• In girls 4A, the third seed goes to the winner of the Elizabeth Forward (18-7) at North Catholic (19-6) game at 7 p.m.
In the fifth-place game, Section 3 foes collide when Belle Vernon (21-4) hosts South Park (16-9) at 7 p.m. The two split with the Eagles winning in December, 39-38, and the Leopards bouncing back in January to win, 42-32.
With six teams making the state playoffs in 4A, both teams have already qualified.
• In girls 2A, Fort Cherry (17-6) is home to 2025 champion Aliquippa (16-8) in the fifth-place game at 7 p.m.
For the seventh seed and a berth in the PIAA playoffs, Laurel (13-12) visits Burgettstown (17-8) at 7 p.m. The loser has its season come to an end.
• In girls Class A, the third seed out of the WPIAL goes to the winner of Union (19-5) at Aquinas Academy (20-3) at 7 p.m. The Crusaders beat the Scotties twice this season as Section 1 foes, 52-17, and 51-43.
Sewickley Academy (15-10) visits St. Joseph (14-10) at 7 p.m. for the fifth seed in a battle of teams that tied for third place in Section 1. The Panthers won the first game, 51-45, and the Spartans took the rematch, 53-39.
Both teams have already qualified for the PIAA postseason.
The consolation games conclude Thursday with the two boys and two girls third-place games.
• In boys 5A, Hampton (15-8) visits Moon (20-4) at 7 p.m.
• In boys 3A, South Park (20-4) hosts Shady Side Academy (10-15) at 7 p.m.
• In girls 6A, Seneca Valley (14-7) travels to Upper St. Clair (12-12) at 7 p.m.
• In girls 2A, Chartiers-Houston (20-4) is home to Rochester (14-10) at 7 p.m.
Looking ahead
The golden week doesn’t just include the 12 WPIAL basketball championship games this weekend.
Pitt will once again host the 2026 WPIAL boys and girls swimming championships at Trees Pool.
The two-day event takes place Thursday and Friday.
The Class 3A championships begin both days at 10 a.m. with the 2A finals set for 3 p.m. each day.
On the mats, the field for the upcoming PIAA individual championships will be filled in from two regional events Friday and Saturday.
The PIAA Class 3A West Regionals begin at 5 p.m. Friday and continue at 9 a.m. Saturday at Canon-McMillan.
The PIAA Class 2A Southwest Regionals take place Friday and Saturday at Altoona.
Also, the PIAA West Regionals for girls wrestling are slated for Saturday at Mt. Lebanon starting at 10 a.m.
Thursday on Trib HSSN
There are three broadcasts you can listen to at TribHSSN.TribLive.com on the 26th day of February.
WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class A Championship: Serra Catholic vs. Neighborhood Academy at 5 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 3A Championship: Greensburg Central Catholic vs. Shady Side Academy at 7 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 4A Championship: Knoch vs. Quaker Valley at 9 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
Friday on Trib HSSN
There are four broadcasts you can listen to at TribHSSN.TribLive.com on the 27th day of February.
WPIAL Girls Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class A Championship: Serra Catholic vs. Geibel Catholic at 3 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 2A Championship: Sewickley Academy vs. Jeannette at 5 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 5A Championship: Thomas Jefferson vs. South Fayette at 7 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 6A Championship: New Castle vs. Upper St. Clair at 9 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
Saturday on Trib HSSN
There are five broadcasts you can listen to at TribHSSN.TribLive.com on the 28th day of February.
WPIAL Girls Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 2A Championship: Winchester Thurston vs. Neshannock at 11 a.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 3A Championship: Aliquippa vs. South Allegheny at 1 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 4A Championship: Oakland Catholic vs. Blackhawk at 3 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Girls Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 6A Championship: Norwin vs. Canon-McMillan at 5 p.m. on WJPA-AM 1450 at TribHSSN.TribLive.com
WPIAL Boys Basketball Playoffs Audio Stream – Class 5A Championship: Thomas Jefferson vs. Chartiers Valley at 7 p.m. on the TribLive High School Sports Network at TribHSSN.TribLive.com