Author:
Thursday, January 5, 2023 | 00:12
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Mount Lebanon’s Ava Dziubek drives to the basket past Bethel Park’s Mary Boff during the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals last season.
They met three times last season. Now these two South Hills girls basketball powerhouses are poised to mix it up for the first time in 2023 with the top spot in the game.
Defending Class 6A district champion Mt. Lebanon (3-0, 7-3) hosts Route 19 neighbor Upper St. on Thursday. Clair (2-0, 7-2), with first place in Section 2-6A.
The Blue Devils have a half-game lead over the Panthers for first place in the section.
Mt. Lebanon has won three straight since starting 4-3 and is ranked No. 5 in 6A in the latest Trib HSSN rankings, while the Panthers have won seven of their last eight games and are ranked No. 2.
The rivals split in the regular season a year ago, both winning away from home.
Mt. Lebanon won the first meeting last January, 44-37, while the Panthers won the regular season finale, 58-53.
The Blue Devils got the last laugh and struck gold when they defeated the Panthers in the 2022 WPIAL 6A basketball championship game 55-44, capturing the program’s fourth district title since 2009.
Thursday is a strong night in district girls hoops with 11 matches where teams are fighting for at least a share of first place in their section.
• Norwin (1-0, 9-1) at Butler (1-0, 6-5) in 6A Section 1
• Mars (2-0, 7-2) at Armstrong (3-0, 10-0) in 5A Section 2
• South Fayette (1-0, 9-2) at Lincoln Park (1-0, 9-0) in Section 4-5A
• North Catholic (3-0, 7-3) at Greensburg Salem (2-0, 9-1) in Section 1-4A
• Laurel Highlands (2-0, 7-3) at Elizabeth Forward (3-0, 7-3) in Section 3-4A
• Neshannock (1-0, 5-4) at Laurel (1-0, 8-1) in Section 1-3A
• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (1-0, 6-3) at Avonworth (1-0, 5-4) in Section 2-3A
• Mt. Pleasant (1-0, 9-2) at Deer Lakes (1-0, 3-8) in Section 3-3A
• Serra Catholic (2-0, 5-0) at Greensburg Central Catholic (3-0, 9-2) in Section 3-2A
• Chartiers-Houston (3-0, 7-4) at Washington (2-0, 6-2) in Section 4-2A
Perennial boys basketball power North Catholic has lost two straight games and is a game under .500 overall at 4-5. However, Trojans fans needn’t reach for the panic button.
