The New Castle boys basketball team became the first WPIAL team in 31 years to win a state championship with an undefeated record. The Red Hurricanes also were the 13th team from the WPIAL overall to go undefeated.
But did you ever wonder how many teams around the state have gone undefeated? Well, we have the list, thanks to our records and also Dave Burman, who is sort of an unofficial Pennsylvania basketball historian and Chester High historian.
New Castle is actually the 32nd team to go undefeated. That may seem like a lot. But remember, the PIAA started staging championships in 1921 and they have had four classifications since 1984. Darby-Colwyn is the only team to go undefeated in back to back years. Here is the list of perfect teams, with a little note or two about some of the teams.
2014 New Castle (“AAAA”) 31-0
2012 Chester (“AAAA”) 32-0 - Had Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who now plays for the University of Arizona.
2006 Elk County Catholic (“A”) 33-0
2003 Lancaster Catholic (“AAA”) 35-0
2003 Trinity (District-3) (“AA”) 33-0
1993 Carbondale (“AA”) 30-0
1990 Girard (“AA”) 32-0 - Had guard Marc Blucas, who went on to play at Wake Forest and then became an actor.
1988 Carlisle (“AAAA”) 33-0 - Had the legendary Billy Owens (pictured in the state final). If you asked me who was the best high school player I ever saw in person in a "high school" game, not an all-star game, I'd say definitely LeBron James. Next would be BIlly Owens. He was incredible. He stood 6-6 or 6-7 and could play point guard or center. He started on four consecutive state championship teams at Carlisle (that also is an incredible feat) and he was an All-American at Syracuse. He had the unforgettable state championship game in 1988 when he scored 53 points. I still remember him rebounding the ball, making the outlet pass, and beating every Central Catholic player up the court to dunk. I remember him dribbling on his knees at one point. He made 19 of 22 shots from the field and 14 of 16 from the free-throw line and also grabbed 12 rebounds. Owens, Alonzo Mourning and Shawn Kemp were widely regarded as the top three players in the country that season.
1987 York Catholic (“AAA”) 34-0
1984 Williamsport (“AAAA”) 30-0
1983 Northwest Area (“A”) 33-0
1983 Sto-Rox (“AA”) 31-0 - Coached by Dick Cetrone. Mark Beavers was the star player and he went on to play at Duquesne.
1978 Geibel Catholic (“A”) 26-0 - Coached by Ken Misiak.
1977 Elk Lake (“A) 36-0 - Elk Lake's Bob Stevenson, a prolific scorer, scored a state championship record 55 points in that game, making 24 of 34 shots and also pulling down 18 rebounds and handing out 10 assists. He averaged 38 points that season and scored 1,276 points.
1976 FIfth Avenue ("AAA") 15-0 - Due to a teachers strike, Fifth Avenue had some games canceled. That's why this team played only 15 games. It was a legendary City League team, coached by Elmer GUckert and led by Sam Clancy, who went on to star at Pitt. It also had BIll Clarke, David "Puffy" Kennedy and Warner Macklin. Macklin is pictured on the left with Clancy in the middle and Kennedy on the right.
1967 Ambridge ("AAA") 27-0 - Considered one of the best teams in WPIAL history. Check this out. Four 
starters went to Division I college - and big-time colleges. Dick DeVenzio went to Duke (pictured), Dennic Wuycik to North Carolina and Frank Kaufman to Purdue. The team was coached by DeVenzio's father, Chuck.
1966 Mercer (“AA”) 28-0 - Coached by legendary John Swogger.
1966 Williamsburg (“A”) 25-0
1965 Midland (“AAA”) 28-0 - Another one of the all-time great teams from the WPIAL. One of the few teams in Western Pennsylvania history to have two players go on to the pros. Norm Van Lier played in the NBA and Simmie Hill in the ABA. Team was coached by Hank Kuzma.
1964 Uniontown (“AAA”) 28-0 - This team had a future NBA player and two future NFL players. The Raiders were featured in our Post-Gazette "legacy series" a few weeks ago. Team was coached by Abe Everhart.
1964 Montrose (“AA”) 26-0
1963 Plymouth-Whitemarsh (“AAA”) 24-0
1963 Darby Colwyn (“AA) 25-0
1962 Darby Colwyn (“AA) 25-0
1959 Kutztown (“AA) 29-0
1957 Sharon (“AAA”) 28-0
1955 Wampum (“AA”) 31-0 - This team crushed most opponents and was coached by legendary Butler 
Hennon and its star player also was legendary. Don Hennon was Butler's son and was the WPIAL's all-time leading scorer until Valley's Tom Pipkins broke his record in 1993. Hennon averaged 33 points a game and he along with Chartiers Valley's T.J. McConnell are believed to be the only players in WPIAL history to score 1,000 points in a season.
1952 Avalon (“AA”) 29-0 - Two players both made all-state on this team. Ron Mayer and Dan Tobin. In old newspaper stories they are called "Rompin" Ron Mayer and "Dump-em-in" Dan Tobin.
1949 Aliquippa (“AAA”) 29-0 - Sam Milanovich was perfect in his first year as coach. Mickey Zernich, Jerry Montini, James Frank, Joe Richards and Clarence "Bud" Shaw were the starters on that team.
1929 Hazleton (“AAA”) 21-0
1928 Uniontown (“AAA”) 31-0
1921 McKeesport (“AAA”) 24-0