WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball championship

No. 1 Quaker Valley vs. No. 3 Knoch

9 p.m. Thursday, Petersen Events Center

Audio broadcast:Trib HSSN

WPIAL titles: Quaker Valley 2 (2022, 1997); Knoch 0

Quaker Valley (20-3)

Coach: Mike Mastroianni

Projected starting lineup

No., Name, Ht., Cl., Pos.

0, Zach Washington, 6-2, sr., G

3, Sam Chapman, 6-3, jr., G

4, Kolton Johnson, 6-2, jr., F

5, Harrison Kerley, 5-8, so., G

13, Nicolas Cohen, 5-10, so., G

How they got here: Quaker Valley had a first-round bye, then beat No. 8 Belle Vernon, 72-41, in the quarterfinals; and No. 13 Deer Lakes, 44-42, in the semifinals.

Notable: Quaker Valley is seeking its third WPIAL title, following wins in 2022 and 1997. … The Quakers rolled to the Section 2 title at 10-0. … They got hot late in the season and have rattled off 13 straight victories, including a nail-biter over Deer Lakes in the semifinals. … Zach Washington averages around 18 ppg, and Cohen is around 16 ppg. Washington had 20 points, and Cohen added 10 in the semifinal victory. … Two of the Quakers’ losses came against out-of-state teams during the KSA holiday tournament in Orlando, Fla. They also lost a nonsection game to Shaler. … QV coach Mike Mastroianni surpassed the 600-win milestone earlier this season.

Knoch (21-4)

Coach: Joe Lafko

Projected starting lineup

No., Name, Ht., Cl., Pos.

2, Derek Lang, 6-7, sr., G/F

13, Roman DeFelice, 6-1, jr., G

21, Teegan Finucan, 6-1, sr., G

24, Liam Avon, 6-5, jr., F

30, Vincent DeFelice, 6-3, sr., G/F

How they got here: Knoch defeated No. 14 East Allegheny, 56-21, in the first round; No. 6 Central Valley, 57-24, in the quarterfinals; and No. 2 North Catholic, 70-46, in the semifinals.

Notable: Section 1 co-champion Knoch is chasing its first WPIAL title. The Knights made one prior appearance in the championship game, losing to Moon in 2004. … The Knights’ defense was among the best in the WPIAL this season, holding opponents to a Class 4A-best 40.3 ppg. That number was bettered via playoff wins where they limited East Allegheny to 21 points and Central Valley to 24. … Knoch’s losses have come to Lincoln Park, New Castle, Obama Academy and North Catholic. … The Knights had a 14-game winning streak earlier this season. … Teegan Finucan averages 16.6 ppg, and Vincent DeFelice 12.1 to lead the Knights. Forwards Derek Lang and Liam Avon provide an inside threat.

Next up: The winner will open the PIAA playoffs March 6 against the fifth-place finisher from District 10. The loser will play the District 10 third-place finisher.