PITTSBURGH — No. 6 South Fayette dealt with a tough opponent in No. 5 Armstrong and finished with a 70-63 victory to take home the WPIAL 5A girls’ basketball title Saturday night at the Petersen Events Center.
The Lions (18-8) win their third straight WPIAL 5A Championship and fourth overall, with their first title coming at Class 3A in 2016. They defeated the Oakland Catholic Eagles last season 64-49 and the Chartiers Valley Colts in 2022, 57-48. The loss for the River Hawks ends their opportunity to win their first ever WPIAL title in girls’ basketball.
Armstrong started the game with an 8-5 lead, thanks to senior forward/center Sarai Weaver making two baskets down low and senior guard Emma Paul making two layups herself. South Fayette responded to end the first quarter on a 9-2 run with four different scorers.
The Lions forced four turnovers from the River Hawks in the second quarter, turning it into eight points. The River Hawks shot more efficiently than the Lions in the period, but the Lions made four 3-pointers to the River Hawks’ one. Senior Erica Hall made two shots from behind the arc and she got a layup to put the Lions up 35-25 at halftime.
Sophomore forward Juliette Leroux countered four points from Armstrong to start the third quarter with five of her own on a jumper and a converted and-one opportunity on a layup, putting South Fayette up 40-29.
Paul starred for the River Hawks throughout the game and picked up her scoring in the third period. She scored two foul shots and then made two 3-pointers, with her last a buzzer beater that cut the lead to 47-43. Senior center/forward Kyla Fitzgerald also provided eight points to cut trim the Lions’ advantage to just four points.
Armstrong continued to rely on Paul throughout the fourth quarter, as she made four 3-pointers, to keep them in it.
South Fayette held on to the lead for the rest of the game, as they shot 12-for-16 from the foul line. Sophomore guard/forward Haylie Lamonade made seven of her eight free throws, while Hall made three of her four, to ensure they won their third straight title.
Both teams now enter the PIAA playoffs with First Round action taking place next Saturday, March 9. South Fayette will face District III Eighth Place Finalist Red Land, just south of Harrisburg, while Armstrong takes on District III Fifth Place Finisher Palmyra, just east of Harrisburg.
South Fayette/Armstrong Press Conferences
