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EspañolThe District 11 championship games and consolation games will take place this Friday and Saturday as three local teams are looking to win District 11 championships. Two other Schuylkill League programs are also looking to clinch their spots in the PIAA State Playoffs, which begin next week.
Class A Championship Game: No. 1 Bethlehem Christian vs No. 3 Weatherly
Where: Easton High School
When: Saturday, Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m.
The buzz: Despite a 7-15 record during the regular season, the Weatherly Wreckers are headed to the state playoffs after defeating Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School in the semifinals, 32-19.
Now, the Wreckers will have to face Bethlehem Christian in the Class A Championship game. The Panthers went 16-3 during the regular season, playing an independent schedule.
Bethlehem Christian has won 12 straight games heading into Saturday’s championship game in Easton. Weatherly, who struggled for much of the season, has won three of its last four games.
Class 2A Championship Game: No. 1 Williams Valley vs No. 2 Marian Catholic
Where: Martz Hall
When: Friday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m.
The buzz: Williams Valley and Marian Catholic split a pair of regular-season matchups, setting up Friday’s Class 2A championship matchup.
Williams Valley defeated Shenandoah Valley 31-19 in the first round of the Class 2A bracket, while Marian ran away from Lincoln Leadership 59-30.
The Fillies are playing their best basketball of the season, winning each of their last five games, including a 39-31 win over Williams Valley on January 29.
The Vikings, after losing four straight in late January, have found their footing with four straight wins, including their round one victory over Shenandoah Valley. They’re averaging 51 points during that stretch.
Class 3A Consolation Game: No. 1 Notre Dame Green Pond vs No. 6 Pine Grove
Where: Catasauqua High School
When: Friday, Feb. 27, 6p.m.
The buzz: Pine Grove narrowly fell to Schuylkill Haven in the Class 3A semifinals 42-36, but the Cardinals still have the opportunity to clinch a spot in the state playoffs.
They’ll take on top-seeded Notre Dame Green Pond on Friday night in Catasauqua for the final District 11 spot. The Crusaders lost in the semifinals to No. 3 Executive Education 48-33, snapping a 13-game winning streak.
Pine Grove defeated No. 3 Catasauqua in the Class 3A quarterfinals and has won three of their last four games.
Class 4A Championship Game: No. 7 Allentown Central Catholic vs No. 8 Blue Mountain
Where: Easton High School
When: Saturday, Feb. 28, 1:15 p.m.
The buzz: Blue Mountain went from the de facto last team into the field in the Class 4A playoffs to earning a spot in the PIAA state playoffs with their win over North Schuylkill on Wednesday.
Now, the Eagles will look to win a District 11 title when they face the Allentown Central Catholic Vikings.
Central Catholic, despite being the No. 7 seed and 11-11 overall, is much better than its record would indicate as the Vikings face Class 6A schools regularly. Their strength of schedule is the strongest of any Class 4A program, according to the District 11 power rankings. The Vikings won three of their last four games heading into the postseason before defeating Northwestern Lehigh 46-42 and Palmerton 55-37 to earn their spot in the championship game.
Class 4A Consolation Game: No. 3 Palmerton vs No. 5 North Schuylkill
Where: Executive Education Academy
When: Saturday, Feb. 27, 12 p.m.
The buzz: In the Class 4A consolation game, Palmerton and North Schuylkill will meet on Saturday at Executive Education Academy, looking to secure the final spot in the PIAA State Playoffs for District 11.
Palmerton was 16-6 during the regular season and won three of their final games heading into the playoffs. The Blue Bombers defeated Wilson 41-39 in their quarterfinal match before falling to Allentown Central Catholic in the semifinals.
North Schuylkill will look for redemption after a semifinal loss to Blue Mountain. The Spartans were 15-7 during the regular season, before picking up postseason wins over Marian in the Schuylkill League playoffs and Tamaqua in the District 11 quarterfinals. The Spartans during the regular season were 4-4 against non-Schuylkill League opponents.