The WPIAL quarterfinals, as well as some semifinals, are in the books as teams continue to punch their ticket to this weekend’s title games at the Petersen Events Center. On the paths there, we saw several strong individual performances.
This season, we will nominate four players (two boys, two girls) to the KDKA Radio Super 7 Basketball Watch List each week. At the end of the year, KDKA Radio will name one player from each WPIAL boys and girls classification, plus the Pittsburgh City League, as the prestigious KDKA Radio Super 7 Player of the Year Award winner.
Here is a look at the four players who had big weeks during Week 11 of our coverage:
Julia Mohrbacher, Freedom
Over the last couple of years, the Mohrbacher name has become synonymous with Freedom basketball… and with winning.
On Saturday, Julia Mohrbacher scored 33 points, hauled in 11 rebounds, had eight steals and four assists as Freedom topped Aliquippa 47-44 in the WPIAL Girls 2A semifinals.
Julia’s sister, Renae, was a finalist for the Super 7 Girls Basketball Award last year and now plays soccer at Robert Morris.
With the win, the Bulldogs next face Shenango on Thursday at the Petersen Events Center.
Tyree Turner, Greensburg Central Catholic
Also a talented football and baseball player, Turner has turned into one of the more versatile threats on the hardwood.
On Thursday, the junior put up a triple-double in a 73-54 win over Eden Christian in the WPIAL boys 2A quarterfinals.
Turner scored over 21 points per game during the regular season this year, and has Greensburg Central Catholic in the semifinals, where it meets Aliquippa Tuesday.
Jocelyn Bielak, Highlands
While Bielak deserves credit for what she was able to do on the offensive end of the floor in Friday’s WPIAL girls 4A quarterfinal win over Elizabeth, what she — and her teammates — did defensively is what’s landed her on the Super 7 Watch List.
Bielak led Highlands with 15 points, but was part of a defensive effort that limited one of the WPIAL’s most potent offenses to just 27 points in a 43-27 win at Gateway.
Bielak, who also plays volleyball, and the Golden Rams next take on perennial power North Catholic for a chance to go to the WPIAL title game.
Riley Farabaugh, Mt. Lebanon
With the game on the line, Mt. Lebanon turned to Farabaugh. Time and time again.
The junior scored 18 points and went perfect on all six free throw attempts down the stretch as Mt. Lebanon took down Butler, 55-50, in the WPIAL 6A quarterfinals Thursday.
With the win, the Blue Devils advanced to the semifinals, where they face No. 1 New Castle Tuesday in a game you can hear on KDKA Radio.
The high school basketball season continues Tuesday as New Castle meets Mt. Lebanon. You can hear the games on 100.1 FM and 1020 AM KDKA Radio. And be sure to follow KDKA Radio’s social media accounts throughout the night for updates, photos and videos of the action.