Girls' Basketball Game Summaries

By Randy Gore

For the ninth time in the last nine seasons, North Allegheny and Upper St. Clair dueled in a postseason game. The Tigers had won seven of the previous eight playoff meetings with the Panthers, including WPIAL championship victories in 2021 and 2023. However, in Friday night’s WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinal contest, USC topped NA, 41-33, to advance to face the Norwin Knights in the next round.

The night began with a 3-pointer by freshman Macy Sundgren to help the Tigers take a 5-4 lead in the early going. The Panthers answered with a 9-0 run thanks to a well-balanced offense to open up a 13-5 lead. Just when it appeared that third-seeded Upper St. Clair might take control of the game, North Allegheny responded with a 9-2 run that was bookended by 3-pointers from senior Maddie Williams, cutting the deficit to 15-14 midway through the second quarter.

Later in the second period, another shot from beyond the arc, this time from senior Vange Balouris, knotted the score at 17-17. A layup by USC sophomore Kat Polstyanko helped the Panthers gain a 19-18 lead at intermission.

In the first half, North Allegheny kept pace with Upper St. Clair with its 3-point shooting prowess, pouring in four treys. However, USC, which did not make a perimeter jumper in the first half, connected for three 3-pointers in the third period alone to gain the upper hand. With the game tied 28-28 midway through the third period, senior Ryan Prunzik delivered a 3-pointer that put the Panthers ahead to stay. Caroline Barnard and Audrey Brown also made shots from 3-point land to help USC construct a 38-30 lead in the fourth quarter. Prunzik finished with a game-high 14 points as the Panthers hung on for a 41-33 victory. Barnard, who fouled out in the final stanza, netted 10 points.

Senior forward Rae Shanahan led NA in scoring with 10 points, followed by Williams with nine points. For her two critical 3-pointers in the first half, Williams was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game. Balouris also totaled eight points, including a pair of treys.

North Allegheny’s season concludes with a 10-12 overall record, while Upper St. Clair improves to 12-11. Congratulations to head coach Jill Halapin-Capozzi and the entire North Allegheny girls’ basketball team for reaching the playoffs for a 19th consecutive season and another memorable year for the black and gold.

Girls Basketball Summary at Upper St. Clair, 2-20-26

SCORE BY QUARTERS	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	FINAL
North Allegheny	10	8	12	3	33
Upper St. Clair	13	6	17	5	41

North Allegheny traveled to Mt. Lebanon High School to take on the Blue Devils in a non-section matchup on Saturday afternoon. In a matchup between teams that will be in the WPIAL 6A playoffs, the Blue Devils rallied in the fourth quarter to upend the Tigers by a score of 49-41.

NA got off to a great start getting eight points and two three-pointers from Vange Balouris to jump out to a 12-7 lead after a quarter of play. Mt. Lebanon responded in the second quarter outscoring the Tigers, 10-8, but North Allegheny still led 20-17 at halftime.

The Blue Devils continued to methodically get back into the game trailing 32-30 going into the final frame. In the fourth quarter, Mt. Lebanon exploded to outscore NA, 19-9, and the Tigers fell 49-41.

Balouris finished the game with 22 points. Rae Shanahan added 12.

North Allegheny falls to 10-11 overall. Mt. Lebanon improves 6-14. The Tigers now await their playoff fate. The WPIAL Basketball Committee will meet and release the brackets on Monday.

Girls Basketball Summary at Mt. Lebanon, 2-7-26

SCORE BY QUARTERS	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	FINAL
North Allegheny	12	8	12	9	41
Mt. Lebanon	7	10	13	19	49

By: Jared Barton

The North Allegheny girls’ basketball team hosted Butler for Senior Night at UPMC Court on Thursday. After a close first quarter, the NA offense pulled away and secured a critical 49-30 win with postseason implications.

Both teams came out scoring in the first stanza, with seniors Vange Balouris and Maddie Williams each dropping three pointers early. Butler was paced by Eva Stutz, who had two treys and another basket in the quarter. Both teams were tied at 16 at the end of one.

The offense was limited on both sides in the second period, but NA took advantage, outscoring Butler 7-0 in the frame. The Tigers had a 23-16 advantage at the half, with Williams connecting on another three-pointer and Balouris and fellow senior Cate Pingpank adding a shot each.

NA dictated terms in the third quarter, outscoring Butler 12-5. Balouris added another triple along with a two-point shot and four foul shots. Pingpank sank a three-ball as well. In the fourth quarter, Williams and Balouris each had another three, while senior Rae Shanahan scored four points.

Balouris took home Wright Automotive Player of the Game laurels with her 23-point display.

NA improves to 10-10 on the season and has clinched a playoff spot with a third-place finish in the section. The Tigers take on Mt. Lebanon Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in non-conference action from the South Hills.

GIRLS BASKETBALL SUMMARY VS. BUTLER, 2-5-26

SCORE BY QUARTERS	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	FINAL
Butler	16	0	5	9	30
North Allegheny	16	7	12	14	49

North Allegheny traveled to North Hills High School to take on the Indians in a very important Section 1-6A contest on Monday night. Both teams started slow offensively but a big third quarter from the Tigers was all they needed to come away with a 39-26 victory. The win clinched a playoff berth for North Allegheny.

Neither team could get any offense going early as no one scored in the first two minutes and there were three total field goals in the opening period with NA leading 4-2. There was more scoring in the second quarter but things remained tight as the Tigers led 13-9 at halftime.

North Allegheny got two three-pointers in the third quarter and outscored North Hills, 18-9 to create some separation and led 31-18 going into the final frame. The fourth quarter was dead even, which was good for the Tigers as they came away with the 39-26 win.

Rae Shanahan led all scorers with 14 points. Cate Pingpank added 11.

North Allegheny improves to 9-10 overall and 4-5 in the section. North Hills falls to 6-12 overall and 3-6 in section play. The Tigers return to action on Thursday when they host the Butler Golden Tornado at UPMC Court. This will be Senior Night and tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. This game will be broadcast on the North Allegheny Sports Network.

Girls Basketball Summary at North Hills, 2-2-26

SCORE BY QUARTERS	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	FINAL
North Allegheny	4	9	18	8	39
North Hills	2	7	9	8	26

By: Jared Barton 

The North Allegheny girls’ basketball team hosted Pine-Richland for a section clash Saturday night from UPMC Court. Despite a back-and-forth battle, the Rams prevailed with a 33-30 win.

The first half was a low-scoring affair, as senior Maddie Williams hit a triple for the Tigers, giving NA a brief 3-2 lead. Pine-Richland led 8-5 after one quarter of play. The Tigers added seven points in the second quarter, thanks to strong play from senior Cate Pingpank, who contributed a block and a long two-pointer in the late minutes of the stanza. A Pine-Richland technical foul led to two free throws from senior Vange Balouris, while freshman Macy Sundgren added another foul shot as NA only trailed 13-12 at the half.

The second half started strong for North Allegheny as Pingpank fed fellow senior Rae Shanahan in the post for a layup and the lead. NA led 16-13 before a scoring drought set in, and Pine-Richland junior Mia LeDonne stepped up, scoring 12 of her game-high 17 points to put PR in a comfortable spot. The Tigers outscored the Rams 12-11 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough. NA had a chance late as Balouris was fouled on a three-pointer to bring the score to 32-29, but ultimately ran out of time.

Balouris paced the Tigers with nine points. Shanahan earned Wright Automotive Player of the Game laurels for her eight-point performance and solid work in the post on both offense and defense.

NA falls to 8-10 on the season and 3-5 in section play. The Tigers are back in action Monday night at North Hills for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

GIRLS BASKETBALL SUMMARY VS. PINE-RICHLAND, 1-31-26

SCORE BY QUARTERS	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	FINAL
Pine-Richland	8	5	9	11	33
North Allegheny	5	7	6	12	30