Westmoreland High School Basketball Playoff Preview Capsules

Teams set to compete in WPIAL semifinals on February 21, 2026

Feb. 21, 2026 at 1:20am

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The Westmoreland high school basketball playoff preview capsules highlight the upcoming WPIAL semifinal matchups for girls and boys teams on February 21, 2026. The girls Class 5A semifinal features a rematch between Penn-Trafford and Thomas Jefferson, while the Class 3A semifinal sees defending champion Greensburg Central Catholic take on Beaver Falls. On the boys side, Monessen faces off against Neighborhood Academy in the Class A semifinals.

Why it matters

The WPIAL basketball playoffs are a highly anticipated annual event that showcases the top high school talent in the Westmoreland County region. These preview capsules provide in-depth analysis of the key matchups and players to watch as teams compete for district championships and a chance to advance to the PIAA state playoffs.

The details

In the girls Class 5A semifinal, Penn-Trafford looks to return to the WPIAL championship game for the first time in 12 years, led by standout Torrie DeStefano. They face a tough Thomas Jefferson squad featuring 2,000-point scorer Maggie Spell. In Class 3A, defending champion Greensburg Central Catholic, led by Jayla Peterson, takes on a strong Beaver Falls team paced by Dreaven Haskins. On the boys side, Monessen, making its 45th straight WPIAL playoff appearance, faces off against the talented Neighborhood Academy Bulldogs, the defending WPIAL champions.

  • The girls Class 5A semifinal is scheduled for noon on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Norwin.
  • The girls Class 3A semifinal is scheduled for noon on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at AHN Arena in Peters Township.
  • The boys Class A semifinal is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Norwin.

The players

Torrie DeStefano

A standout player for Penn-Trafford's girls basketball team.

Maggie Spell

A 2,000-point scorer and Campbell commit for the Thomas Jefferson girls basketball team.

Jayla Peterson

A key player for the defending champion Greensburg Central Catholic girls basketball team.

Dreaven Haskins

A leading scorer for the Beaver Falls girls basketball team.

Rodney Johnson

A standout player for the Monessen boys basketball team.

Kedron Gilmore

A top player for the Neighborhood Academy boys basketball team, the defending WPIAL champions.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

These WPIAL basketball playoff preview capsules highlight the intense competition and high-level talent on display as teams compete for district championships and a chance to advance to the PIAA state playoffs. The matchups feature several standout players who have committed to play at the collegiate level, adding to the excitement and significance of these semifinal showdowns.