The PIAA state basketball playoffs begin on Friday, and three area teams will be in action.

Two of the teams — the Northwestern and Weatherly boys — will be hosting first round games, while the third — the Marian girls — will be traveling to Philadelphia to begin its quest for a state title.

Winners on Friday will advance to Tuesday’s second round games, while the losers will see their season come to an end.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

PIAA Class 2A First Round

Marian (14-11) vs. Vaux Big Picture (12-7)

Friday, Mar. 6 at Philadelphia HS for Girls, 6 p.m.

LEADING OFF

After falling short to Williams Valley in the District 11 championship game, Marian looks to write a new script as it enters the PIAA state tournament for the fifth consecutive season. The Fillies’ first test will be Vaux Big Picture, who in its young history has reached the state playoffs for the first time since its inauguration in 2017. Marian’s journey to the state playoffs has been rocky. After beginning the season 2-3 and losing its head coach, interim coach Jeff Onushco has brought the program back into a position where many didn’t believe that it would be. For the Cougars, they won five of their last six games before falling 53-40 to MaST Charter ll in their most recent game two weeks ago. Marian has faced MaST ll in two of its past three state playoffs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marian - Addy Marek (16.17 ppg, 42 three-pointers), Deanna Pugh (11.00 ppg), Hailey Minzola (5.45 ppg), Brooke Hannis-Miskar (5.00 ppg), Katie Knock (4.20 ppg).

Vaux - Valerie Sams (9.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 6.5 spg), A’Niyiah Reed (8.7 ppg, 13.4 rpg, 5.1 bpg), Zaniyah Warren (7.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 6.8 spg), Talona Cato (4.5 ppg), Juliana Un (2.9 ppg).

BY THE NUMBERS

2 - The number of state championships Marian has won, the first coming in 1984 and the second in 2008.

33 - This is the 33rd season in program history that the Fillies have qualified for the state playoffs, including the last four years in a row.

71 - The number of wins Marian has earned in state playoff history, including at least one win in each of the past four seasons.

2021 - The last year Marian failed to qualify for the state tournament.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

“We are certainly excited to be playing in the state playoffs and representing the Schuylkill League. Our players understand the tradition of Marian Fillies Basketball and what’s at stake. We are proud to represent Marian and all the great players who put this uniform on previously. From the ones who played under the legendary Elsie Tolan, to the ones who played more recently.”

“Vaux has some athletes, and they run two people at the ball full and half court. They have some athletic forwards, with one averaging 13.4 rebounds a game. We are working on different press offenses against their trapping pressure.” — Marian head coach Jeff Onushco

BOYS BASKETBALL

PIAA Class 4A First Round

Dallas (19-4) vs. Northwestern Lehigh (21-6)

Friday, Mar. 6 at Northwestern, 7 p.m.

LEADING OFF

The Dallas Mountaineers are going to need a good stretch when they arrive in New Tripoli Friday night. The bus ride from Dallas High School is about an hour and 15 minutes. It was almost another Scranton Prep versus Northwestern battle, but the Mountaineers fell to Scranton Prep in the District 2 finals. Northwestern lost at home to Scranton Prep in the first round of last year’s PIAA tournament. Dallas comes to town with a young team that features six sophomores who have all played 10 games or more and two of them — Tyce Mason and Joey Nocito — are among the top four scorers on the team. Lately, Northwestern has had to face a number of teams who like to run the court and use speed, which the Mountaineers can do, but they can also just stay outside and make it rain three-pointers. Defending threes was an issue for Northwestern early in the season, but it closed that hole pretty well and finished with a 140-138 edge over their opponents in three-point baskets. Dallas, on the other hand, has hit 175 three-pointers this season so the Tigers will have to be aware of those outside abilities.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dallas – Pat Flanagan (Jr, 14.3 ppg), Kael Berry (Sr, 13.0 ppg), Joey Nocito (So, 13.0 ppg), Tyce Mason (So, 12.0 ppg).

Northwestern Lehigh – Mason Bollinger (Sr, 13.6 ppg), Malachi Coleman (Sr, 11.1 ppg), Brady Krimmel (Jr, 11.0 ppg), Cannon Fitch (Sr, 8.9 ppg,), Brady Zimmerman (Jr, 7.9 ppg).

BY THE NUMBERS

0 - The combined number of appearances in the PIAA Boys’ Basketball finals by both schools.

38 - The number of three-pointers made by senior Cannon Fitch to lead Northwestern Lehigh. Classmate Malachi Coleman is right behind him with 37. Brady Krimmel has hit 23 to give the Tigers three players with 20 or more threes, but Brady Zimmerman (18) and Mason Bollinger (17) are just off the 20-or-more mark.

46 - The number of three-pointers made by Dallas senior Kael Berry this season to lead the team. Tyce Mason (36), Joey Nocito (27), and Pat Flanagan (23) give the Mountaineers four players with 20 or more successful three-pointers. Brady Mizzer has 16.

66.9 - Per game scoring average for Dallas. Northwestern stands at an average of 57.3 points per game on the season. Opponents average 43.9 points per game against the Mountaineers, while Northwestern’s opponents have scored an average of 47.9 points per game.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

“It’s nice for our guys, especially the seniors, to get one more game on their home court. I’m sure the place will be pretty full, and the fans will be loud and that always helps us. We had getting back to states as a definite goal for this season, but we were hoping we would be there as District 11 champions, but we are still there, so that feels good. It’s not just a matter of getting there. We want to take an extra couple of steps this time around and go deeper into states. If you get hot and play your best basketball anything can happen.” — Northwestern Lehigh coach Pat Wanamaker.

PIAA Class 1A First Round

Plumstead Christian (10-14) vs.

Weatherly (16-8)

Friday, Mar. 6 at Weatherly, 7 p.m.

LEADING OFF

Weatherly ran into the buzz saw that is Bethlehem Christian in the District 11 Class 1A title game, losing 86-56. Plumstead Christian defeated Upper Bucks Christian, 67-36 in the District 1 Class1A consolation game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Weatherly - Ian McKeegan (Sr., 20.2 ppg), Corbin Wagner (Sr., 14.1 ppg), Nico Saldukas (Sr., 12.3 ppg), Dominic Kokinda (Jr., 11.0 ppg); Plumstead - Drew Mandia (Sr.), Julian Desiato (Jr.)

BY THE NUMBERS

1 - Weatherly and Plumstead have had one common opponent. Both teams defeated Lincoln Leadership Academy during the regular season. Plumstead posted a 53-45 victory over the Lions on Dec. 12, while the Wreckers edged LLA by a 61-57 margin on Jan. 7.

18 - McKeegan led the way for the Wreckers with 18 points against Bethlehem Christian. Wagner added 16, and Saldukas chipped in with 12.

19 - It’s been a team effort on the boards this season for the Wreckers. On the season, Saldukas (6.8 rpg), Matt Adler (6.2 rpg), and Kokinda (5.8 rpg) have combined for 19 rebounds per game.

91 - McKeegan (38), Wagner (29) and Saldukas (24) have combined for 91 three-pointers made on the season.

948 - Saldukas is closing in on 1,000 points, with 948 points entering the game against Plumstead Christian. McKeegan and Wagner have both surpassed the 1,000-point mark for the Wreckers.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

“Plumstead is a well-coached team, and they’re a disciplined team. They have some guards that can shoot it, and they have a big man down low that we’re going to need to contend with and make sure we keep him off the boards. They like to mix in both a man-to-man defense and a 2-3 zone, so we will need to be ready for that. We’re going to look to pressure them when the opportunity presents itself. We just need to come ready to play, and everyone needs to crash the boards and then we need to get out and play our game. When we do that, the game seems to work in our favor and when we don’t, things don’t work in our favor.” — Weatherly head coach Luke Medico.