CORAOPOLIS — The sites are crowded. So is the field.

But the WPIAL Basketball Tournament is bracketed and ready to commence Saturday, just one day behind schedule despite nearly 10 days of snow delays.

"I laud our committee for getting this done under incredibly challenging conditions," said WPIAL executive secretary Tim O'Malley. "All of us have been dealing with impossible weather.

"For everybody who worked so hard to get all of their section games in, we thank you."

Because Wednesday's pairings meeting at The Embassy Suites took place a day later than scheduled, the district decided not to schedule games on Friday, allowing all teams an equal amount of practice and preparation time.

Butler High is one of a handful of sites hosting four games Saturday, including a 2 p.m. Class AA boys matchup involving Freeport and Summit Academy.

Other games are being played at noon, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Knoch athletic director Josh Shoop, a member of the WPIAL Basketball Committee, said his group lost a full day's preparation in bracketing the tournament.

"Normally we do the bracketing on Monday, give it to the board for approval Tuesday, then have the meeting Tuesday night," Shoop said. "Because key games were still being played Tuesday, we didn't convene until 9 a.m. (Wednesday).

"We haven't been home yet."

Shoop said the brackets were completed at 2 p.m.

"There was a lot of deliberation going on," he said. "We had to keep teams away from teams in their section, try to keep schools with boys and girls teams at the same site, then go to work on finding places to put all these games."

The Butler boys are headed to Chartiers Valley for a 6 p.m. matchup Saturday with Peters Township. The Indians have lost three of their last four games, including a 55-42 decision at North Hills Feb. 2.

"We don't know a thing about them, but we'll learn plenty over the next couple of days," Butler coach Matt Clement said. "Our two teams never crossed paths this year. Both teams are in the same situation.

"I told the kids we were going to prepare the same way no matter who we play," he added.

The Tornado boys will face a rubber match with section rival North Allegheny in the quarterfinals should both teams win their openers. The Tigers play Canon-McMillan in the first round.

The Butler girls ended the regular season with a 14-game winning streak and secured the No. 2 seed behind Mount Lebanon in Class AAAA. The Golden Tornado received a bye and won't play until Tuesday night.

Butler faces the winner of Saturday's Penn Hills-Penn-Trafford matchup, which takes place at 2 p.m. at Fox Chapel.

"I was hoping for the No. 2 seed, but figured we might be third," Butler coach Dorothea Epps said. "It really doesn't matter. All of the teams are good and we won't take anyone for granted."

Section 1-AA champion Freeport will battle Butler County neighbor Summit Academy. The two have met in the playoffs in past years.

"Their students are well-behaved and supportive," Yellowjackets coach Garrie Davies said. "That's one of the strengths of their school.

"I'm happy we're playing in Butler. It's close to home for both of us and we've had a great following this year."

Freeport won its first section title since 2004, as Davies returned to coach the team after a five-year absence.

"Our staff is so experienced and that made a big difference. Kids stuck with the program, too," Davies said. "Last time I coached, our seniors were in seventh grade."

Summit Academy is in the WPIAL playoffs for the third time in four years. The Knights have had 27 players suit up for varsity ball this season.

"We consider it a privilege to be on the basketball team at our school," Knights coach Cliff Guy. "Get into trouble and you're not going be on the team.

"Steven Boone, Qu'ran Reaves and Tevin Allison have been regular starters all year. The other two spots have been different. This is our second season and the kids have gotten used to playing together."

Mars will play a boys-girls doubleheader Saturday at Keystone Oaks. The Planets boys face West Allegheny at noon and the girls meet Belle Vernon at 2 p.m.

"We had no idea who we were going to play," Mars girls coach Tony Howard said. "I don't even know what the committee looks at. They tell us where and when. It's up to us to be ready."

WPIAL BASKETBALL PAIRINGS

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BoysClass AAAAButler (16-4) vs. Peters Township (12-9), Saturday, 6 p.m., at Chartiers Valley

Class AAAMars (12-7) vs. West Allegheny (12-8), Saturday, noon, at Keystone Oaks

Class AAFreeport (14-2) vs. Summit Academy (9-11), Saturday, 2 p.m., at Butler

GirlsClass AAAAButler (16-5) vs. Penn Hills (8-13)-Penn Trafford (13-9) winner, Tuesday, site and time TBA

Class AAAMars (12-10) vs. Belle Vernon (14-8), Saturday, 2 p.m., at Keystone Oaks

Saturdayat Butler HighClass A girls: St,. Joseph vs. Western Beaver, noon

Class AAA girls: West Mifflin vs. Highlands, 4 p.m.

Class AAA boys: Highlands vs. New Castle, 6 p.m.