Shady Side Academy boys ride another upset to WPIAL semis

13th-seeded Bulldogs defeat No. 5 Southmoreland to advance to the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals

Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:33am

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The Shady Side Academy boys basketball team, seeded 13th, pulled off another upset in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals, defeating No. 5 Southmoreland 47-34. Paul Benec scored 20 points and Cam Mallory added 13 to lead the Bulldogs, who will now face No. 8 South Allegheny in the semifinals.

Why it matters

Shady Side Academy's run to the semifinals as a lower-seeded team is an inspiring underdog story, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to overcome the odds. The win also highlights the unpredictability of the WPIAL tournament, where any team can pull off a surprise victory.

The details

Shady Side Academy's defense was the key to the victory, holding Southmoreland to just 34 points and limiting high-scoring guard Noah Felentzer to 9 points. The Bulldogs pulled away in the third quarter with a 10-0 run, and although Southmoreland made a late push to cut the deficit, they couldn't overcome the early deficit.

  • Shady Side Academy defeated No. 4 Bishop Canevin 61-48 in the first round on February 18, 2026.
  • The quarterfinal game against Southmoreland was played on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Jim Dudas

The head coach of the Shady Side Academy boys basketball team, who is in his first season with the school.

Paul Benec

A player for Shady Side Academy who scored 20 points in the quarterfinal victory.

Cam Mallory

A player for Shady Side Academy who scored 13 points in the quarterfinal victory.

Noah Felentzer

A senior guard for Southmoreland who was held to 9 points, nearly 10 below his average.

Frank Muccino

The head coach of the Southmoreland boys basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know what to say. Our kids just played tremendous.”

— Jim Dudas, Head Coach, Shady Side Academy (triblive.com)

“It looked worse because we didn't shoot well. If we shoot a little bit better, it's a different game.”

— Frank Muccino, Head Coach, Southmoreland (triblive.com)

What’s next

Shady Side Academy will play No. 8 South Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at a site and time to be determined.

The takeaway

Shady Side Academy's improbable run to the WPIAL semifinals as a lower-seeded team showcases the unpredictability and excitement of the high school basketball playoffs, where any team can pull off a surprise victory through hard work, determination, and strong defensive play.