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Before we get to the quarterfinal predictions, a mention of Dan Bradley's eventful night on Wednesday.
Bradley is Avonworth's boys basketball coach. As he was guiding Avonworth to a victory against Frazier for the Antelopes' first playoff win since 2001, Bradley's football coaching future was changing drastically.
Bradley also has been the football coach at Sto-Rox the past two seasons (Bradley is pictured at a Sto-Rox practice last season). But Wednesday night, during his Avonworth game, Bradley was hired as the new football coach at Ambridge.
It will certainly be a challenge for Bradley at Ambridge. The Bridgers haven't finished above .500 since 2004.
Basketball predictions
Boys
So far in the postseason, record is 35-12 (.745 pct.)
CITY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Allderdice at Obama - Allderdice gave undefeated Obama all it could handle a few weeks ago. This one should be close, too. Expect a big, loud crowd at Obama, like the old City League days. It's not a title game at the Civic Arena or Pitt Field House like the olden days, but I suspect the atmosphere will be great. Winner: Obama
WPIAL QUARTERFINALS
Class AAAA - North Allegheny over Hempfield (A big part of me believes Hempfield can win, but only if it can handle North Allegheny's pressure. It will be interesting to see if Hempfield plays man-to-man); Gateway over Kiski Area; Hampton over Franklin Regional (Franklin Regional is good enough to keep it close); New Castle over Bethel Park (New Castle's defense will be the difference).
Class AAA - Central Valley over Montour (although it's tough to go against Montour coach Adam Kaufman in the playoffs); Chartiers Valley over Mars; Uniontown over Elizabeth Forward (Uniontown must overcome a size disadvantage); Thomas Jefferson over Blackhawk (TJ is good enough to win it all).
Class AA - Seton-LaSalle over Summit Academy (Note that has nothing to do with the game, but 28 years ago Summit Academy coach Adam Petrosky was a standout guard for a Kiski Area team that made it to the WPIAL AAAA final. No. 1 seed Seton-LaSalle better be careful. Summit Academy is capable of giving the Rebels problems); Beaver Falls over Neshannock (or does Neshannock beat Beaver Falls for the third time this season?); Aliquippa over Avonworth.
Class A - Linconl Park over Western Beaver (for the third time this season); Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart; Monessen over Wilkinsburg; Vincentian over Clairton.
GIRLS
So far in the postseason, record is 35-11 (.760 pct.)
CITY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Obama vs. Allderdice - This game is tonight at Allderdice. I originally was going with an Obama sweep in the City League championships, but I've changed my mind. Sierra Fordham will be the difference for Allderdice. Winner: Allderdice
WPIAL QUARTERFINALS
Class AAAA - North Allegheny over Shaler (for the third time this season); Bethel Park over Hempfield (or does Hempfield knock off another Section 4 team. Upper St. Clair went down Tuesday); Mt. Lebanon over Penn-Trafford; Fox Chapel over Norwin.
Class AAA - Blackhawk over Mount Pleasant; West Mifflin over Ringgold; Elizabeth Forward over Central Valley (there is a chance that the EF boys and girls will both be in the semifinals. That has never happened. EF boys have never made it to the semifinals); South Park over Trinity.
Class AA - Seton-LaSalle over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (I don't know if people realize that Seton-LaSalle is still very good. First-year coach Spencer Stefko seemed to make a point of not running up scores this season); Bishop Canevin over Neshannock (Neshannock's record is good, but Bishop Canevin is playoff tested); Burrell over McGuffey; Greensburg Central Catholic over Carlynton.
Class A - Vincentian over Frazier; St. Joseph over Quigley; Serra over Aliquippa; Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic over California.