WPIAL, D9 and D10 basketball playoffs: Butler County teams in and out, and what bubble teams must do
The basketball season flew by.
The clock is ticking on the high school hoops regular season, meaning it’s time for Butler County teams to put it all on the line in the name of trying to reach the postseason.
Let’s take a quick look how Butler County’s teams can lock up a playoff berth.
A-C Valley (2-15, 1-9 KSAC)
The Falcons are eliminated in District 9.
Butler (6-12, 4-8 WPIAL Section 1-6A)
Five teams in each Class 6A section get in, and this one is complicated. As it stands after its loss against Seneca Valley on Friday night, Butler is on the outside looking in along with North Hills (12-7, 5-6). Pine-Richland is 6-5 in section play, with Fox Chapel, Seneca Valley and Woodland Hills all tied at 6-6.
The Golden Tornado must win both of their remaining section games — against Pine-Richland and Fox Chapel this week — in order to have a chance. The best Butler can finish in section play is 6-8, which means they need teams ahead of them to lose enough to fall to that same record.
The WPIAL tiebreaker system looks at head-to-head records among all tied teams, meaning a three-way or four-way tie looks at the head-to-head-to-head(to-head). Butler would need to have a better record in those matchups than the other teams to break the tie.
If the tie can’t be broken, WPIAL sends all tied teams to the playoffs.
Freeport (5-10, 3-5 in WPIAL Section 1-4A)
The Yellowjackets, fifth in the section, have section games remaining against Highlands, Valley and Knoch. Deer Lakes (9-9, 4-5) and Burrell (9-11, 5-6) are ahead in the final two spots, but Burrell holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The only path is Freeport must win one more game than the Lancers to tie for the fourth spot (the two teams have split their season series), or two more to get in outright. Deer Lakes has three section games left against Valley, Highlands and North Catholic.
Karns City (9-9, 4-4 KSAC)
The Gremlins must win at least two of their final four to head to the postseason, but they can opt into the District 9 tournament without being .500 if they choose. Karns City has Union, Brookville, North Clarion and Moniteau left on its schedule.
Knoch (16-3, 10-0 WPIAL Section 1-4A)
Joe Lafko’s Knights have already secured a spot in the postseason.
Mars (9-10, 5-4 WPIAL Section 4-5A)
It’s pretty simple for the Planets. Beat Montour on Monday and a playoff spot is theirs.
If not, one more section win in Mars’ two other games would do the trick.
Moniteau (9-5, 4-3 KSAC)
Jake Jewart’s Warriors need two more wins to save themselves a seat at the D9 postseason table. They have to complete seven games in the final 10 days of the season.
North Catholic (14-4, 8-1 WPIAL Section 1-4A)
The Trojans have already clinched the playoffs, with their only section loss coming against rival Knoch. Jim Rocco’s team is aiming for payback on the road Tuesday.
Seneca Valley (11-8, 6-6 WPIAL Section 1-6A)
The Raiders control their own destiny. With wins in both of their remaining section contests — against Woodland Hills and Pine-Richland — they’re in safely.
A split likely extends their season, as well, but they’d need to root against North Hills, Pine-Richland and Fox Chapel.
Slippery Rock (2-15, 0-6 District 10, Region 4)
The Rockets are likely out, needing to be one of the top 12 teams in District 10 Class 4A, even if they win five straight.
Summit Academy (7-8, 2-5 WPIAL Section 1-1A)
The Knights are currently clinging to their section’s fourth and final playoff spot, behind Avella, Aquinas Academy and Nazareth Prep. If Summit Academy can win at least two of its last three section outings, it will outlast Cornell and Beaver County Christian.
Union (5-12, 1-6 KSAC)
The Knights won’t be going to the postseason.
Butler (10-9, 3-5 WPIAL Section 1-6A)
The Golden Tornado need to win their two remaining section games — against Pine-Richland (13-7, 7-1) and North Allegheny (8-10, 3-5) — and hope North Hills loses at least one of its final two against NA and winless Woodland Hills, which would guarantee Butler a playoff spot without any tiebreaking procedures needed.
Freeport (10-9, 4-6 WPIAL Section 1-4A)
If the Yellowjackets beat Knoch on Thursday, they clinch a playoff spot.
Karns City (16-2, 7-1 KSAC)
Steve Andreassi’s Gremlins will be in the D9 playoff fold.
Knoch (4-15, 4-6 WPIAL Section 1-4A)
The Knights must win their final two section games — against Freeport and North Catholic — to keep their season going.
Mars (6-11, 3-6 WPIAL Section 3-5A)
By winning their final three section games, the Planets would automatically head to the postseason. A win over Montour would would mean the Spartans could finish no better than 5-7 in section play.
In that case, Mars would need to just win one other matchup and tiebreakers would be in account.
Moniteau (5-10, 3-3 KSAC)
The Warriors are eliminated, according to head coach Dee Arblaster.
North Catholic (13-5, 8-2 WPIAL Section 1-4A)
You’ll see Molly Rottmann’s Trojanettes in the dance.
Seneca Valley (12-5, 8-0 WPIAL Section 1-6A)
Dorothea Epps’ Raiders have locked up a playoff spot. A section title is in sight.
Slippery Rock (13-4, 4-0 District 10 Region 4)
The Rockets have locked up a playoff spot and are vying for the top seed in District 10 Class 4A.
Union/A-C Valley (6-11, 2-7 KSAC)
The Falcon Knights would have to opt in to make the D9 playoffs unless they win five straight to close the season.
