High School Hoops -  The Butler boys basketball team took it on the chin last night at home as North Allegheny whipped the Tornado 92-64, handing new head coach Matt Clement his worst defeat of his young coaching career.  The Tornado have now lost three of their last four games after an amazing 13-0 start to the season.  NA has five players score in double figures, while the Tornado's Nate Snodgrass led the home team with 21.  Brian Jendesky, Bobby Swartout and Cody Herald also scored in double figures with 13, 12, and 10 points respectively.  The Tornado will travel to Fox Chapel on Friday night and face Montour on Saturday.

The Knoch boys kept their playoff hopes alive with an exciting 55-51 win over host Deer Lakes last night.  Knoch's Andrew Wirtz netted 15 points and Chris Cetnar added 11 as the Knights moved into a tie for fifth in the conference with Valley - a team they face next Tuesday - while Deer Lakes remains in the fourth and final playoff spot just one game ahead of Knoch.  Knoch will face Highlands on Friday night.

Speaking of Highlands, the Mars Planets moved into second place in the conference with a 61-51 win over the Golden Rams last night.  Christiam Locher had a game high 29 points and Ian Hindley added 21 for the Planets who have already clinched a playoff berth in class AAA.

Elsewhere in High School basketball last night Seneca Valley fell to Shaler by one 46-45, Christian Durbin had 16 for the Raiders.  Freeport dropped Riverview 65-47, Summit Academy lost to New Brighton 68-60, it was Portersville Christian  over Cheswick Christian 52-45.  In girls action Mars beat Center 53-37, Moniteau beat Union 44-41, and Karns City fell to Keystone 59-34.

In other sports Butler knocked off Bethel Park in rifle, while the Tornado swimmers fell to Gateway.

In College basketball tonight it’s the hardwood version of the Backyard Brawl as the Pitt Panthers travel to Morgantown to take on West Virginia - the Mountaineers are ranked 6th while the Panther s come in at #24.  Elsewhere tonight Slippery Rock travels to California University while Westminster hosts Waynesburg.