The Central Catholic Varsity Basketball team (Pittsburgh, PA) will be playing a home conference game against Upper St. Clair (PA) today at 7:30 PM.

Matchup Details:

• Teams: Upper St. Clair High School vs. Central Catholic High School
• Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM
• Location: Pittsburgh Central Catholic
• Live stream: Watch Here

Upper St. Clair vs. Central Catholic: A Clash of Basketball Titans in 2024-2025

As the 2024-2025 basketball season continues to unfold, one matchup stands out among the highly competitive teams in Pennsylvania: the rivalry between Upper St. Clair and Central Catholic. Both teams have shown dominance in their respective conferences, with Upper St. Clair boasting an impressive 14-1 overall record and Central Catholic holding a solid 9-3 mark. With several notable victories and a shared set of common opponents, this rivalry is one to watch as both squads strive for supremacy.

Upper St. Clair’s Dominance

Upper St. Clair (24-25) has been a force in their league, with a stellar 14-1 overall record and an 7-1 conference record. The team has demonstrated their offensive and defensive prowess, averaging an impressive 62.1 points per game, led by their exceptional performances across all quarters: 23 points in the first, 11 in the second, 21 in the third, and 14 in the fourth. Their solid 9-1 home record further reinforces their dominance, as they continue to show why they’re considered one of the top teams in the state. Upper St. Clair has consistently been a step ahead of their competitors, including a notable win over Central Catholic just last month. On December 13, 2024, they defeated Central Catholic by a score of 46-31.

Central Catholic’s Resilience

Central Catholic (24-25), while not as dominant as Upper St. Clair in terms of their overall win percentage, has still been a highly competitive team with a 9-3 overall record. They also sport a strong 6-2 conference record, showing that they are no strangers to the pressure of tight conference matchups. With an average of 57.3 points per game, Central Catholic remains a tough opponent, particularly in the second and third quarters where they score 20 and 15 points, respectively. Their recent 55-52 victory over Imani Christian Academy on January 14, 2025, further proves their resilience under pressure.

Recent Head-to-Head Showdown

In their most recent meeting on December 13, 2024, Upper St. Clair proved their strength with a commanding 46-31 victory over Central Catholic. With Central Catholic struggling to get their offense going, Upper St. Clair capitalized on their defensive plays and offensive flow. This loss marks Central Catholic’s lone setback in their season against a team of similar caliber, making the upcoming rematch on January 17, 2025, even more intriguing.

A Closer Look at Common Opponents

Both Upper St. Clair and Central Catholic share several common opponents this season, and interestingly, they have both emerged victorious in every matchup against these teams. Notable wins for both teams include triumphs over schools like Norwin, Canon-McMillan, Connellsville, Imani Christian Academy, and Hempfield Area, showing that both schools excel against tough competition. However, with the same 6-0 record against common opponents, the true difference between these two teams lies in their head-to-head matchup.

What’s Ahead: A Key Rematch

The next clash between Upper St. Clair and Central Catholic is set to take place on January 17, 2025, at Central Catholic’s home court. This game is crucial for both teams, with Upper St. Clair looking to maintain their dominance and Central Catholic aiming for redemption after their earlier loss. With both teams posting strong conference records, this game will have significant implications for playoff seeding and future matchups.

Conclusion

As the 2024-2025 season progresses, both Upper St. Clair and Central Catholic continue to solidify their positions as two of the best teams in Pennsylvania. Their upcoming rematch on January 17 promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle, showcasing the fierce rivalry between these two talented squads. Whether it’s Upper St. Clair’s unstoppable offense or Central Catholic’s resilience in the face of adversity, basketball fans are in for a treat as these two teams face off again.