PIAA state basketball matchups

By Ben Magnotta and Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association is expected to release first-round state basketball tournament matchups Sunday.

The predetermined bracket and collection of results from around the state, however, allow for much of it to be determined in advance of that announcement.

PIAA president of the board of directors and District 2 chairman Frank Majikes confirmed Saturday that first-round games in this year’s tournament are being played on the home court of one the teams, provided that team’s gym is deemed adequate to host the game.

The team that hosts is predetermined by its placement on the bracket. All District 2 champions and selected second-place teams have a chance to host.

The PIAA determines which schools have enough capacity to handle anticipated crowds in deciding if the school can host. If the team cannot play in its home gym, it still gets to play at a neutral site somewhere in its own district of the PIAA.

All opponents were determined by Saturday night except for the team the Scranton Prep girls will host in the first round.

Lewisburg, the third-place finisher from District 4, and Northwestern Lehigh, the third-place team from District 11, will play in a pigtail game to finalize the 32-team bracket.

Teams are listed with their district and the place in that district, then their record in parentheses.

Starting times will also be part of the bracket announcement.