PITTSBURGH — As the calendar flips to February, the WPIAL landscape has shifted from preseason projection to high-stakes reality. The pretenders have been weeded out, and a select group of programs has risen to the top of the heap.
For the Steel City Hoops faithful, here is the definitive breakdown of the power players in Pittsburgh right now.
The Heavyweights: 6A and 5A Powerhouses
New Castle (17-0)
The Red Hurricanes remain the gold standard. Ralph Blundo has his squad playing flawless, team-first basketball. Currently undefeated, they are the hunted. Every team in 6A is measuring themselves against New Castle’s relentless defensive pressure and transition scoring led by Damian Harrison.
Upper St. Clair (16-1)
The Panthers are a legitimate 1A to New Castle’s 1. Since an early season slip, USC has been a buzzsaw. Their recent 48-47 thriller over Central Catholic proved they have the mental toughness to win the slugfests that define WPIAL playoff basketball.
Central Catholic (15-2)
Don’t let the narrow loss to USC fool you; the Vikings are built for March. They possess a physical interior presence and a battle-hardened rotation that has seen every style of play the district has to offer. They remain a massive threat in the 6A bracket.
Chartiers Valley (16-2)
The Colts are the story of 5A. Driven by the meteoric rise of sophomore star Luca Federico, Chartiers Valley has transformed from a playoff contender to a title favorite. Their surge this season has sent a clear message: the road to the 5A title goes through Bridgeville.
Thomas Jefferson (17-2)
TJ is putting together one of the most dominant seasons in school history. They play with a chip on their shoulder and an explosive offense that can bury opponents in a four-minute window. They are currently the primary threat to the established order in 5A.
The Class Battles: Small School Giants
Lincoln Park (12-5)
While the record has a few more blemishes than the 6A leaders, Lincoln Park’s ceiling is arguably as high as anyone’s. With Josh Pratt leading the way and the Leopards’ trademark athleticism, they remain a dangerous force in the 4A ranks.
Sewickley Academy (15-0)
In Class 2A, Sewickley Academy is playing a different game than everyone else. Undefeated and winning by significant margins, they are the undisputed kings of the small-school circuit right now.
Knoch (15-2)
The Knights have emerged as a legitimate force in 4A. Led by a disciplined core and elite shooting, they have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the traditional powerhouses.
The Final Cut: The Contenders
Rounding out the elite tier are teams that refuse to be overlooked. Mohawk (16-1) has dominated Class 3A with a grit that mirrors its community. Jeannette (15-1) continues to be a factor in the 2A race, while Moon (15-3) remains a high-floor team that can beat anyone on a given night. Meanwhile, South Park remains a tough, defensive-minded out that could play spoiler in the postseason.
Who is Number One?
The records favor New Castle, the recent big-game wins favor Upper St. Clair, and the star power of Chartiers Valley and Lincoln Park makes them impossible to count out.
But we want to hear from you. Who is the true king of the court in the 412 this year? Is New Castle’s perfection enough to hold the crown, or is a 5A team like Chartiers Valley ready to take down a 6A giant?