No. 1 Chartiers Valley vs. No. 3 Thomas Jefferson
7 p.m. Saturday, Petersen Events Center
Audio broadcast:Trib HSSN
WPIAL titles: Chartiers Valley 7 (2025, ‘15, ‘10, ‘04, ‘01, 1998, ‘97); Thomas Jefferson 0
Chartiers Valley (22-2)
Coach: Corey Dotchin
Projected starting lineup
No., Name, Ht., Cl., Pos.
0, Luca Federico, 6-5, so., G/F
3, Logan Helfrick, 6-1, sr., G
4, Danny Slizik, 6-0, sr., G
5, Jake Lewis, 6-2, sr., F
12, Julian Semplice, 6-1, sr., G
How they got here: Chartiers Valley defeated No. 17 Montour, 61-48, in the first round; No. 9 Shaler, 69-66, in the quarterfinals; and No. 4 Moon, 39-37, in the semifinals.
Notable: Chartiers Valley is looking to defend its WPIAL Class 5A title after defeating Peters Township, 73-66, last season. The Colts defeated TJ, 72-50, in the first round last season. … The Colts have captured seven titles overall, tied for 11th in WPIAL history. … CV is led by senior Julian Semplice and sophomore Luca Federico, a Division I prospect. Both were first-team all-section selections. … Semplice scored 29 points in the quarterfinals, and Federico had 15 in the quarterfinals and 13 in the semifinals. … Chartiers Valley won the Section 4 title at 11-1 and averaged 67.1 ppg along the way. The Colts allowed 47.6 ppg. … Their only losses were to Fox Chapel and Moon. … They had a 13-game winning streak mid season. … Coach Corey Dotchin, the Section 4 coach of the year, has led CV to the finals in both his seasons as head coach. … The Colts are making their 14th appearance in the WPIAL finals.
Thomas Jefferson (23-2)
Coach: Dom DeCicco
Projected starting lineup
No., Name, Ht., Cl., Pos.
4, Josh Gardiner, 5-9, sr., G
5, Kane Eggerton, 6-1, jr., G/F
10, Justin Fry, 6-4, jr., G/F
11, Brady Kraus, 6-1, sr., F
23, Nick Trklja, 6-6, sr., G/F
How they got here: Thomas Jefferson beat No. 14 Latrobe, 86-79, in the first round; No. 6 Penn Hills, 74-69, in the quarterfinals; and No. 10 Hampton, 61-48, in the semifinals.
Notable: Thomas Jefferson is in the WPIAL finals for the first time since a loss to Aliquippa in 1988. … The Jaguars rolled to the Section 3 title with a 12-0 record. … They started the season 9-0 and have also finished strong with seven straight victories. … TJ’s only losses were to Penn-Trafford and McDowell. … The Jaguars average 68.3 ppg and allow 56 ppg. … Thomas Jefferson is led by senior Nick Trklja, who averages 22 ppg, and junior Justin Fry, who scores 19 ppg. Both were first-team all-section selections. … Trklja had 19 points and Fry added 15 in the semifinals. Kane Eggerton scored 11. … Coach Dom DeCicco was named the Section 3 coach of the year.
Next up: The winner will open the PIAA playoffs March 6 against the District 3 ninth-place finisher. The loser will play the District 3 eighth-place finisher.