The WPIAL boys’ basketball playoff brackets were released this past Monday, and here’s everything you need to know about them.

Class 6A

Top Seed: Upper St. Clair

Upper St. Clair has put together one of the most impressive resumes in the entire WPIAL. The Panthers had impressive wins against Central Catholic, Mt. Lebanon, and Imani Christian in which they won 74-32. Few teams were able to win 20 games this season, but Upper St. Clair was one of them. With an overall record of 20-2, the Panthers are a dominant force in Class 6A.

Contenders: Upper St. Clair, Imani Christian Academy, and New Castle

Don’t sleep on the New Castle Hurricanes. After a 19-3 season, the Hurricanes are poised for a playoff run. New Castle has already beaten fellow top seeded Fox Chapel twice during the regular season, as well as Aliquippa and Nazareth Prep. Let’s not forget the season that Imani Christian has had. The jump from 1A to 6A is not easy. They have proven that they can compete at the highest level. As the #3 seed, they could make some noise in the playoffs.

Dark Horses: Mt. Lebanon 

The Blue Devils record doesn’t reflect the team they are. They went an underwhelming 9-5 during conference play, and 14-7 overall. But with that being said, they do have multiple impressive wins. With wins against Imani Christian and Norwin, Mt. Lebanon is battle tested.

My Pick: Upper St. Clair

There is a reason Upper St. Clair is the #1 seed. A 20 win team led by a strong senior class and a veteran coach. Tyler Robbins has been one of the best players in the entire WPIAL this year, and when Niko Gidas is hot from three there isn’t much you can do to stop this Panther offense. 

Class 5A

Top Seed: Montour

Montour has been one of the most dominant teams in the WPIAL this season. The Spartans swept Moon this year along with a statement win against 6A’s best, Upper St. Clair. Montour went 20-1 this year with their lone loss coming against the Countryside Cougars; one of the top teams in Florida. Montour is led by standout Senior Ama Sow.

Contenders: Montour, Baldwin, and Chartiers Valley

Baldwin might not have played a tough schedule, but they are still a very solid team. Their impressive win this year was by far their 66-57 win against Beaver, one of the top seeds in 4A. For the first time since 1986, Baldwin won their section. This is largely due to their standouts Nate Wesling and Matt Schenk. When it comes to Chartiers Valley, they have a sneaky good team. Senior PG, Jayden Davis and the Colts have a chance to play deep into February.

Dark Horse: None

Honestly I can’t really see any teams beating any of the top four seeds. The true contenders were awarded the top seeds for a reason.

My Pick: Montour

Why do I think Montour will win 5A? Ama Sow. The 6’9 PF is virtually unstoppable. Sow averages 21.3 points per game as well as shooting 66% from the field. Sow is a near lock for WPIAL Fab 5, and has a strong case for WPIAL player of the year. Senior, Colton Straight also adds to this high powered offense contributing 17.7 points per game and shooting 40% from three.

Class 4A

Top Seed: Belle Vernon

The Leopards posted an impressive 17-4 record this season after an 0-2 start. Although Belle Vernon has played a lot of close games this season, they have also won these close games. Those are the type of wins you need come mid-February. Zion Moore is also one of the most underrated players in the Entire WPIAL. The senior has put together a 2,000 point career and could will this talented Belle Vernon squad to a WPIAL championship.

Contenders: Belle Vernon, Beaver, and Avonworth

Avonworth has a true three-level scorer in Rowan Carmichael. He is the WPIAL’s leading scorer and has led Avonworth to a top four seed. Beaver is one of the most complete teams in the entire WPIAL. The Bobcats went 16-4 beating a tough Grove City team as well as edging out Avonworth and The Neighborhood Academy in their respective meetings. Brady Mayo and Junior Marino are key contributors to the Bobcat offense. With Mayo leading the way, Beaver could be a dangerous team to match up against.

Dark Horse: Again I find it hard to imagine a team outside of what I view as the three true contenders winning it all.

My Pick: Beaver

Beaver’s roster can match up with any team in 4A. They also are placed on the easier side of the bracket in my opinion. Their toughest competition until the championship would come from North Catholic, who quite frankly is overrated. If they can contain Moore or Carmichael in the championship, the Bobcats will be the ones walking away with first place medals.

Class 3A

Top Seed: Aliquippa

The Quips posted another impressive season this year going 16-4. Aliquippa fans and WPIAL basketball fans in general should not be surprised by this. The Quips never seem to be short on talent, and that still holds true. Aliquippa closed out their season with a one point loss to New Castle, which is impressive for a 3A school hanging with one of the true contenders of 6A.

Contenders: Aliquippa

Only having one true contender may feel boring, but it’s true. The Quips are battle tested and have proven that they can win on the big stage. Josh Pratt has had too good of a season to finish it without a medal.

Dark Horse: None

Again I know it’s boring, but you might as well pencil in Aliquippa as the champions right now.

My Pick: Aliquippa

I think you get it by now.

Class 2A

Top Seed: Greensburg Central Catholic

As much as I would love to praise the top seed like I have for the previous classifications, I can’t. Even though they have dominated their fellow 2A opponents, I’m just not impressed by the Centurions. 2A isn’t a competitive classification.

Contenders: Greensburg Central Catholic

They have gotten it done when it matters. Although they may not have had the hardest schedule in the WPIAL, they won the games they were supposed to win. I don’t see why they couldn’t go all the way. 

Dark Horse: Clairton

I know it seems crazy given that the Bears only went 8-10 overall, but they haven’t played easy competition. Clairton has lost to multiple teams at the top of 1A as well as Thomas Jefferson. The Bears have always played gritty, hard-nosed basketball, and that can be very beneficial in the playoffs.

My Pick: Greensburg Central Catholic (I guess?)

This bracket is just so meh. And in what world should 21 teams qualify for the playoffs?

Give me Greensburg C.C., and save your time by not paying attention to the 2A playoffs.

Class 1A

Top Seed: The Neighborhood Academy

This one was obvious. The Bulldogs had an overall record of 20-1 with their only loss coming to a 4A contender in Beaver. They lost 71-70 in late December. Other than that, the Bulldogs have cruised through their season. The Bulldogs have beaten a team from every classification 1A-6A as well as the city league. The Neighborhood Academy is led by senior Yale commit Courtney Wallace and his 21.5 points per game.

Contenders: The Neighborhood Academy

Again a classification with only one true contender. The Bulldogs beat the #2 seeded Serra Catholic Eagles by a total of 55 points in their two regular season matchups. Between Courtney Wallace, Shamar Simpson, Syncere Nicholson, and Kedron Gilmore the Bulldogs have what seems to be the best backcourt in the WPIAL. Pair those four guards with 6’6 center Derick Hardeman, and the Bulldogs are virtually unstoppable. 

Dark Horse: None

Throughout the season, The Neighborhood Academy has cemented themselves as the top team in 1A and could quite honestly compete in all classifications.

My Pick: The Neighborhood Academy

The Bulldogs average margin of victory was just over 33 points per game. They also beat the Environmental Charter 104-24 just two weeks ago. They have dominated 1A the entire season, and it would be viewed as the biggest upset in recent memory if they are not celebrating in the Petersen Event Center.