Don’t Miss the WPIAL Sports Showdown on January 20, 2025: Clairton vs. Geibel Catholic Rematch! | Trib HSSN

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, January 19, 2025 | 8:58 PM

The Clairton Bears and Geibel Gators are currently ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in WPIAL Class A girls basketball. If the playoffs were to start now, they would likely secure the two and three seeds for the postseason.

This Monday promises an exciting match as Clairton visits Geibel Catholic. It’s a crucial game for both teams, competing for first place in Section 2-A. The Bears lead the section with a perfect 6-0 record and an overall record of 8-2. They are riding a five-game winning streak, recovering well after a tough loss to Thomas Jefferson.

The Gators are not far behind, holding a 7-1 record in the section and an impressive 14-1 overall. They have found their rhythm, winning seven straight games since their only loss earlier in the season against Clairton.

This matchup features the two top scorers in WPIAL girls basketball. Clairton’s Iyanna Wade, a senior guard, is aiming for her third consecutive district scoring title. With 429 points this season, she’s averaging an astounding 42.9 points per game. On the other hand, Geibel’s junior guard Emma Larkin has scored 323 points so far, keeping a solid average of 24.8 points per game.

In other sections, two teams are also making headlines. In Section 3-4A, Laurel Highlands is set to face front-runners Elizabeth Forward. Laurel Highlands holds a record of 11-4, while Elizabeth Forward boasts a 9-3 record in the section. Last month, Elizabeth Forward edged Laurel Highlands in a close contest, 60-56.

Meanwhile, in Section 1-3A, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is hosting Beaver Falls. OLSH has a strong 13-2 record and seeks to improve their section record to 9-0, creating a comfortable gap with only five section games left. In their earlier encounter, OLSH secured a victory against Beaver Falls, winning 48-34.

Lastly, on Monday, North Catholic will host Seneca Valley in a non-section game. This features two section leaders, with North Catholic on a 12-game winning streak and a spotless record in Section 1-4A. Seneca Valley follows closely with a five-game winning streak and a strong record in Section 1-6A.