New basketball sections revealed

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

For some local basketball coaches, Tuesday was like Christmas morning, especially when it comes during a pandemic. They can finally focus on their upcoming seasons, even though it may be brief.

The WPIAL announced their new basketball realignment for the next two seasons, showing each team which schools they’ll be seeing twice a season in section play.

Locally, all of the local boys teams fall between Class 5A and 2A. There are no Class A teams in our region.

Ringgold moves into Class 5A, joining Section 1 with Thomas Jefferson, Albert Gallatin, Connellsville, West Mifflin and defending WPIAL champion Laurel Highlands.

McKeesport will be in Section 3 with newcomers Franklin Regional and Latrobe, along with Gateway, Kiski Area, Penn Hills and Woodland Hills. 

“The WPIAL always finds a way to put us in a tough section, but that’s a good thing,” Tigers coach Kevin Kovach said. “Franklin Regional is there, they beat us by 20 in the first game last season and Coach (Steve) Scorpion probably has the best show game in the WPIAL. Latrobe has been down a couple years but they were a powerhouse.

“There’s two long road trips we won’t have to take (Albert Gallatin and Laurel Highlands) so that’s going to be different. We have some good, young players. It’s going to be competitive like it always is.”

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