By: Don Rebel

Thursday, January 19, 2023 | 12:24 AM

The second half of part motion in WPIAL women basketball begins Thursday, highlighted by a battle for first place in Section 1-4A.

Section chief and defending 3A champion North Catholic (11-3) will visits Highlands (9-4).

The Trojans have an ideal 6-0 part file on the halfway level, one recreation forward of the 5-1 Golden Rams.

North Catholic has gained 5 straight and eight of its final 9 video games because it sharpens its recreation for the second half and postseason.

Highlands has gained six straight video games following a 3-4 begin to the season.

The Trojans gained the primary assembly, defeating the visiting Golden Rams, 61-33, on Dec. 15.

Girls playoff positioning

With the second half upon us, consideration is now paid not solely to the combat for first place in every part however the battles for one of many prime 4 spots in every part and the shuffle for playoff positioning.

Here are among the key video games to look at across the district Thursday.

• Woodland Hills (4-2, 7-9) visits Franklin Regional 4-2, 5-8) in a battle for second place behind Indiana in Section 1-5A

• Winchester Thurston (3-2, 6-6) travels to Clairton (3-2, 5-5) in a conflict of two groups tied for third place in Section 3-2A, trailing Greensburg Central Catholic (6-0) and Serra Catholic (5-1).

• California (4-2, 7-7) hosts Chartiers-Houston (5-1, 9-6) in a combat for second place behind Washington (6-0) in Section 4-2A.

A nonsection women basketball recreation price noting matches the 2 prime groups in Class 5A.

• No. 1 McKeesport (12-2) visits No. 2 South Fayette (13-2).

The host Lions are in first place in Section 4-5A and have gained six straight video games.

The Tigers at the moment are in second place in Section 3-5A after their 10-game profitable streak ended Tuesday with a loss to Oakland Catholic, 59-51.

Targeting prime groups

The two prime groups in Sections 1 and a pair of sq. off on the taking pictures vary in a few WPIAL rifle matches set for Thursday.

Section 1 chief McGuffey (3-0, 5-1) will host the second-place group in Section 2, Bethel Park (2-1, 4-2).

Also on Thursday, Section 2 chief Trinity (4-0, 8-0) will tackle the second-place group in Section 1, Waynesburg Central (2-1, 3-3) on the Waynesburg Sportsmen Association.