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Monday, December 4, 2023 | 7:56 PM
Some believe Lincoln Park may be the best boys basketball team in the WPIAL.
So if the Leopards are first, it’s only fitting that the defending WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A champions open up section play this season first.
Lincoln Park and host Beaver begin the opening round of Section 2-4A on Tuesday.
As expected, the Leopards are on a roll this season with an impressive win at the Geneva College/Midland Classic.
Lincoln Park defeated Devon Prep by 31 points in the season opener and then beat Class 5A top-ranked Moon 63-53 on Sunday.
The Beavers also dominated the tip-off tournament in Brentwood, getting off to a 2-0 start. The Bobcats trailed Plum by 21 points and host Brentwood by 35 points.
Last season, the Beavers finished third in the section, four games behind Lincoln Park and two games behind second-place North Catholic.
A good start to the battle
Lincoln Park at Beaver won’t be the only matchup between a 2-0 team in men’s basketball on Tuesday.
Eight other district teams will clash to build on early-season non-sectional momentum.
• The new castle is located in the Kiski district. The Red Hurricanes defeated Western Beaver and Blackhawk in the opening weekend, while the Cavaliers beat Westmont Hilltop and defending WPIAL 3A champion Deer Lakes.
• Baldwin visits Thomas Jefferson. The Highlanders defeated Altoona and Chartiers Valley, while the Jaguars had wins over Elizabeth Forward and McKeesport.
• Shady Side Academy hosts Avonworth. The Bulldogs defeated Freeport and Riverview, and the Antelopes defeated West Shamokin and Winchester Thurston.
• Yo travels to South Park. The Cougars had wins over Summit Academy and Derry, while the Eagles had wins over Propel Montour and East Allegheny.
cool cats
The top two WPIAL women’s basketball programs in recent years will face off in an early season showdown on Tuesday as South Fayette hosts Upper St. Clair.
South Fayette is the two-time defending champion in Class 5A and has won the district championship three times in the past eight years.
The Lions won their season opener south of the border on Friday with a 68-66 win at Wheeling Park.
Upper St. Clair last won a WPIAL title 16 years ago when it defeated Peters Township in the 2008 final.
However, the Panthers have enjoyed a lot of light in recent seasons, finishing as district runners-up the past three years.
After losing to last year’s 4A defending champion North Catholic in Friday’s season opener, USC bounced back with a 36-point win over defending Class A champion Union.