What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Dec. 13, 2024: Beaver County rivals to square off | Trib HSSN

By: Don Rebel


Friday, December 13, 2024 | 12:35 AM

One of the craziest, most thrilling WPIAL boys basketball games ever took place 20 years ago this season, and it known simply as the Lance Jeter game.

Jeter scored 37 points in the 2005 WPIAL Class 2A boys basketball championship game, including a 3-point buzzer beater at the end of regulation, another big 3 late in the second overtime and another buzzer beater from near half court at the end of the third overtime that was the game winner as Beaver Falls outlasted Aliquippa, 79-78.

Two decades later, section play begins for many district boys basketball teams Friday, including Beaver Falls visiting Aliquippa in a Section 1-3A lid lifter.

Much like the recent football season, the Tigers’ boys basketball team is struggling.

Beaver Falls is a 0-6 with four of the losses by double-digit points.

Two-time defending district Class 2A winner Aliquippa moves up to 3A.

Even though the football team had their season end “early” with a district semifinals loss, this is actually the Quips’ season opener.

This also marks the first time these Beaver County rivals have collided on the court in a section game since the 2020 season.

In the 2021 and 2022 cycle, both Aliquippa and Beaver Falls were in Class 3A, but the Quips were in Section 2 and the Tigers were in Section 1.

In the last two seasons, Aliquippa was in Class 2A and Beaver Falls remained in 3A.

Battle of unbeatens

Two programs with strong success this decade collide for early bragging rights in Section 4-2A.

When Our Lady of the Sacred Heart visits Neshannock, they are each trying to avoid their first loss of the young season.

In five years thus far, the Chargers have won at least a share of their section crown four times this decade, while the Lancers have taken first place twice.

This season, OLSH has wins over Riverview, Albert Gallatin, Brownsville and Sto-Rox heading into their section opener on Friday, while Neshannock is 2-0 with victories over Howland (Ohio) and Mohawk.

Union is also undefeated overall heading into its Section 4-2A opener with a 4-0 record. The Scotties on Friday host Laurel (3-2).