Through the decades, there has always been growth in high school sports.
Many sports began with just one classification, then more schools meant more classes.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of multiple classes in girls high school basketball.
The PIAA expanded girls hoops from one to two classifications and in February of 1976, Avonworth knocked off Brentwood in the first girls Class 2A finals, 39-31.
Through the years, the state and district continued to grow until when, in the 2016-2017 season, football, basketball, baseball and softball went from four classes to the current six-classification system.
So as the district prepares for the 10th basketball championships with 12 titles to award this weekend, here is a look back at some team achievements and the ever-popular factoids from the six classification basketball championship era.
Rinse, wash, repeat
There have been nine boys basketball repeats in the last nine years, one three-peat and one school that captured four straight championships.
New Castle won three Class 4A titles in a row from 2017-2019, while it was Our Lady of the Sacred Heart that made history with a record winning streak that included four consecutive Class 2A district crowns from 2019-2022.
Those WPIAL championship runs were a bump up from the nine repeats and two teams that won three WPIAL titles in a row in the four-classification years from 2000-2016.
On the girls side, there have been seven back-to-back district crowns since 2017.
There have been four teams that won three district straight championships: Rochester (2019-2021), Union (2023-2025), Chartiers Valley (2019-2021) and South Fayette (2022-2024).
The North Catholic girls program added to its record total of district titles when it captured four consecutive 4A crowns from 2017-2020.
From 2000-2016, there were 12 district girls teams that repeated, plus Oakland Catholic won gold three years in a row from 2000-2002 and Vincentian Academy earned an amazing five consecutive Class A golden basketballs from 2012-2016.
Home at The Pete
Two years before expansion to six classes, the WPIAL moved the basketball finals from the Palumbo Center at Duquesne to the Petersen Events Center at Pitt for the 2015 finals.
The championships have been played there every year since with the exception of the post-covid postseason in 2021, which were split between North Allegheny and Peters Township.
Them again
Does it sometimes feel like the same programs are reaching the district finals each year?
While new blood is always appreciated, the coaches and schools that reach the grand stage a lot deserve a tip of the cap.
Here is a rundown of boys basketball teams that have reached the WPIAL basketball title game at least three times since 2017, including this weekend.
New Castle – 8 times (three in 6A, two in 5A and three in 4A)
Lincoln Park – 7 (three in 4A and four in 3A)
North Catholic – 6 (three in 4A and three in 3A)
OLSH – 6
Upper St. Clair – 4
Quaker Valley – 4
Aliquippa – 4
Union – 4
Pine-Richland – 3
Butler – 3
Moon – 3
Mars – 3
Chartiers Valley – 3
South Allegheny – 3
Sewickley Academy – 3
Serra Catholic – 3
Neighborhood Academy – 3
Imani Christian – 3
Vincentian Academy – 3
Here is the list of girls teams that have played in the district championship games at least three times in the last nine years.
North Catholic – 8 times (six in 4A and two in 3A)
North Allegheny – 7
Blackhawk – 6
Neshannock – 6 (two in 3A, four in 2A)
South Fayette – 5
Oakland Catholic – 5
Chartiers Valley – 5
Bishop Canevin – 5
Upper St. Clair – 4
Shady Side Academy – 4
West Greene – 4
Norwin – 3
Peters Township – 3
Greensburg Central Catholic – 3
Beaver – 3
Winchester Thurston – 3
Rochester – 3
Union – 3
Working extra
While there have been championship game thrillers that have gone down to the wire, only a handful of title games in the six-classification era have gone beyond regulation.
Of the 108 district finals played since 2016, only five have gone to overtime.
2022 boys 5A – Laurel Highlands 60, New Castle 58 in double overtime
2019 girls 6A – Peters Township 43, North Allegheny 40
2020 girls 6A – North Allegheny 54, Bethel Park 50
2024 girls 4A – North Catholic 40, Blackhawk 37
2024 girls A – Union 50, St. Joseph 43
Five of 108 finals are about on par with the previous nine years from 2008-2016 when in 72 championship games, there were only three overtime contests.