[naviga:h3]Hockey playoff brackets released[/naviga:h3]

Three teams from Butler County will be involved in the first round of the PIHL playoffs, which begin this week.

Class 3A: Seneca Valley (11-7) vs. Upper St. Clair (14-4), 9 p.m. Tuesday at Ice Castle Arena

Class 2A: Mars (10-8) vs. Montour/West Allegheny (13-5), 7 p.m. Monday at Baierl Ice Complex

Class 1A: North Catholic (17-2) vs. South Park (14-5), 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lemieux Sports Complex

[naviga:h3]PIAA hoop tourney pairings complete[/naviga:h3]

Six Butler County basketball teams will be competing in PIAA tournament play beginning this weekend.

Friday

Boys Class 5A, Mars (19-6) vs. Elizabethtown (19-9), 6 p.m., at Valley

Saturday

Boys Class 6A, Butler (20-4) vs. Central Dauphin (22-6), 2:30 p.m., at North Allegheny

Boys Class 3A, North Catholic (24-2) vs. Westmont Hilltop (19-7), 3 p.m., at Kiski Area

Girls Class 5A, Slippery Rock (18-7) vs. Hollidaysburg (17-7), 6:30 p.m., at Farrell

Girls Class 4A, North Catholic (24-1) vs. Freeport (17-7), 1:30 p.m., at Kiski Area