Cody W. Pattison: Column by WPIAL section action in hoops is wrapping up

Feb. 8—My new neighbors moved in around November, which was probably a good idea.

November has the autumn winds turning to winter gusts, my windows are typically closed and the music blaring out from the second story is muffled. If they moved in during the summer, I'd probably have several noise complaints by now.

But it is only February, and Feb. 9 is closer than you think, folks.

Friday marks the final WPIAL section date for action on the hardwood and it's been an odd regular season, to say the least. The end goal right now for most Lawrence County teams is to claim a section championship and/or enter the playoffs.

The seedings will be released for playoff action on Monday. But, for now, let's dive into the odds and ends around Lawrence County basketball.

ODDS: CASTLES MADE OF SAND

One song that my neighbors would've heard one too many times since moving in would probably be "Castles Made of Sand" by Jimi Hendrix.

The New Castle High boys basketball team is desperately trying to avoid making that track, despite how good of a jam it is, their 2023-24 anthem and it all comes down to Friday.

After defeating Pine-Richland, 65-62, in a WPIAL Section 1-6A battle on Tuesday, the last obstacle for New Castle to make the playoffs comes Friday.

The Red Hurricane has to defeat Seneca Valley to qualify for the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs. Since Ralph Blundo took over as head coach, the 'Canes have made it to the state playoffs for 13 consecutive years.

If Seneca Valley defeats New Castle, year No. 14 under Blundo's command doesn't even have a postseason.

If the 'Canes are defeated, as the song ends, "Castles made of sand slips into the sea."

ENDS: I'M COMING HOME

R&B, soul and funk music have been nonstop at Hotel Pattison, especially bands like Parliament, Funkadelic, the Valdons, the Sylvers and the Spinners.

On the girls' end of Lawrence County basketball, Shenango, New Castle and Laurel will not have a postseason. On the boys' side, Laurel is the lone team out of the postseason.

For those teams, like a great Spinners track title, "It's a shame."

ENDS: I'LL BE AROUND

I'll be around ... That's another good Spinners' track too.

Those teams that will be around and have clinched a playoff spot so far for the girls' teams are Neshannock, Ellwood City Lincoln, Mohawk and Union.

Five boys teams, Mohawk Neshannock, Ellwood City, Union and Shenango, will also be around in the postseason.

ODDS AND ENDS:

LIVE FROM THE MOON

The final thing the new neighbors would have heard over a hundred times (no exaggeration) by now if they moved in during the summer is Action Bronson performing at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.

When Bronson's oddly hypnotizing track "Live From The Moon" starts up I end up yelling out the opening lyrics "Ten-time champ, it's about to be 11. Just understand that I would die for this leather belt."

Speaking of champs ... Union's girls team, the defending PIAA Class 1A champs, were the first to clinch a section title in Lawrence County. After already becoming outright Section 1-1A champions, the Lady Scots look to wrap up and remain undefeated in section action against Eden Christian on Thursday.

One of the more interesting section champions comes in the form of the Lady Lancers' squad. The relatively young team is on the brink of becoming outright Section 1-3A champions if they can end up defeating Beaver Falls on Friday.

The Mohawk boys basketball team claimed the outright Section 1-3A title on Tuesday after defeating New Brighton, 68-26, on Tuesday. Now, they're looking to finish strong — and undefeated for that matter — if they can beat section and Lawrence County rival Neshannock on Friday.

(Cody W. Pattison is a sports reporter for the New Castle News.)