When it comes to winter sports, nothing is more popular than Boys Basketball and this year, North Allegheny’s team has huge expectations. With the season coming to an end, the team’s record currently stands at 13-6 and hope to finish on a high note. 

Some of the squad’s more impressive were against Seneca Valley (75-51), Mt. Lebanon (56-48), and Pine Richland (74-70). The season kicked off at Hempfield, where Matt McDonough asserted his dominance with 41 points and lifted the Tigers to a win, 79-64. 

The Tigers went on to win the next 7 as they propelled themselves to 8-0. In that series of wins, the most memorable came against the Tigers rivals, the Pine-Richland Rams. 

Despite being the first home game, the battle was filled with great and memorable moments. McDonough did his thing, as his hot start to begin the game lifted the Tigers to a 24-12 lead. Unfortunately, the Rams stayed in the game and battled back as the rivals tied in intermission, 33-33. 

The second half started with great play from the Rams as they gained a strong lead in the third quarter, 52-44. The Tigers put themselves back in the game as they trailed 61-57, only until 3-point sniper Robby Jones sinked in a crucial three to cut the deficit to 1 with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Pine-Richland, pitching in two free throws, extended the lead to three with 23 seconds left. The game clock went down to 9.8 seconds left, but the pressure was nothing for Matt McDonough. Taking the ball out from half-court, McDonough was able to create separation off a pick and hit a three to send the rivalry to overtime. 

From then on, it was a Tigers show. Joey Dopirak, finishing with 13 points, kicked off overtime with the first two points and his rebounds were key to the Tigers success. At the end, the Tigers were able to win against their biggest competition, 74-70. 

After beginning the season 8-0, the Tigers have not been able to maintain the same level as dominance. Their first loss came against Butler (78-84) and that led to a 4-game losing streak (North Hills, Seneca Valley, Pine Richland). 

The season has been two different stories, as the Tigers Basketball team began on a great note at 8-0. With their ranking standing at third in the WPIAL Section 1-6A, they will have to propel themselves to better heights in their final stretch of the regular season. 

The team’s biggest test will be against the #1 team in the WPIAL Section 1-6A, currently undefeated North Hills. 

However, the question still stands: Will the NA boys be able to get back to what they were doing at the start of the season and establish momentum heading into playoff season?