The WPIAL boys’ basketball playoff brackets were released this past Monday, and here’s everything you need to know about them.
Class 6A
Top Seed: Upper St. Clair
Upper St. Clair dominated the regular season posting an impressive 21-1 record. Their only loss came to Central Catholic, another top seed in class 6A. The Panthers have one of the best duos in the WPIAL in senior Jake Foster and junior Ryan Robbins. Between Foster’s limitless range and the dominance Robbins brings on the interior, the Panthers are a force to be reckoned with.
Contenders: Upper St. Clair, New Castle, Central Catholic
Just like last year, the New Castle Hurricanes are the #2 seed. If it were any other classification, they would probably be #1. The Hurricanes are led by sophomore Kai Cox and his 22.5 points per game. Pairing Cox with senior Damian Harrison, who also averages over 20 points per game, New Castle posted a 21-1 record in the regular season. The Central Catholic Vikings have also had a very impressive season. Led by senior Enzo Khalil, the Vikings are going into the playoffs red hot. The Vikings are coming off of a 30 point win against rival North Catholic who holds the #2 seed in class 4A.
Dark Horse: Pine Richland
Don’t let the Rine Richland Rams holding the #10 seed fool you, they are legit. Senior Grant Spacciapolli leads the Rams in scoring. Just two weeks ago Pine Richland upset New Castle in a thrilling 2 point win. If Pine Richland beat New Castle, they can beat anyone in 6A.
My Pick: New Castle
The Hurricanes are led by veteran head coach Ralph Blundo, who is no stranger to winning. Blundo is one of the best coaches in the WPIAL, and this year further proves it. New Castle also has four players that average double figures; sophomore Kai Cox, senior Damian Harrison, freshman Mario Graham and sophomore Jermaine Walker. This is the most complete roster in the entire WPIAL.
Class 5A
Top Seed: Chartiers Valley
The Chartiers Valley Colts posted an impressive 19-2 record with impressive wins coming against Pine Richland and Moon. The Colts are battle tested having played multiple playoff teams from multiple classifications. Sophomore Luca Federico led the Colts in scoring this season. Federico holds one DI offer from La Salle University. The sophomore looks to lead Chartiers Valley to their second consecutive WPIAL title.
Contenders: Chartiers Valley, Lincoln Park, Moon
Class 5A is pound for pound the deepest and most talented classification in the entire WPIAL. Lincoln Park has had some struggles this year, but their roster is capable of getting it done when it matters. Senior Columbia commit Joshua Pratt is the #1 ranked point guard in Pennsylvania. Pratt is a human highlight reel who seems to play his best when the lights are the brightest. But the Moon Tigers have also been red hot to end the regular season. Jackson Bauman is a contender to win 5A player of the year and is a lights out shooter. Moon battled Chartiers Valley and Lincoln Park in one of the toughest sections in the entire WPIAL.
Dark Horses: Shaler, Indiana, Penn Hills
All three of these teams come out of the same section. Penn Hills won the section title behind the strong efforts of senior Amon Hawthorne. Hawthorne is one of the most underrated players in the WPIAL, and the depth of Penn Hills could lead them to the Peterson Event Center. The Shaler Titans also had a very impressive season. Senior Jordan Epps leads the Titans with his 22.4 points per game. Pairing Epps with senior Deron Nixon and junior Nick Perez gives the Titans a chance to make a run at a championship. Indiana struggled throughout the season, but the Little Indians are anchored by junior, three star prospect, Aaron Webb. Webb has had multiple 40 point games in just the last month. Junior Will Olson also provides Indiana with exceptional three point shooting.
My Pick: Moon
Moon is just such a complete team. Jackson Bauman is a true three level scorer and can defend just as well as anyone. Senior AJ Buford is also a big contributor to the Moon Tigers. Buford attacks the basket and is great at finishing at the rim. Buford is also just as good of a defender as Bauman. Head coach Gino Palmosina has Moon playing at a very high level, and Moon is my pick to claim another WPIAL title.
Class 4A
Top Seed: Quaker Valley
I’m not sure if I agree with having the Quakers atop of 4A. Although senior Zachary Washington has been very good for Quaker Valley, they don’t have any very impressive wins in the regular season. They struggled against top competition, and they didn’t play great in the few wins that came against these teams.
Contenders: North Catholic and Knoch
These two teams are miles better than Quaker Valley. Jude Rottman and Jason Fredricks have North Catholic playing at a really high level. Although the Trojans are coming off of a tough loss to rival Central Catholic, they have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. Knoch went 18-4 overall and 11-1 in conference play. Their only loss in the conference came to fellow contender North Catholic. Senior Teegan Finucan has been the heart and soul of the Knights all season, but he doesn’t do it alone. The DeFelice brothers have been great defenders for the Knights and junior Liam Avon is another big contributor on offense.
Dark Horse: None
No team in 4A is beating one of the top three seeds.
My Pick: Knoch
I think Knoch is the most complete team in class 4A. They have been playing really good basketball all season long. Knoch has a very deep lineup, and I don’t know if anyone in 4A is able to keep up with them right now. North Catholic’s loss to Central Catholic was embarrassing. If Knoch is at the top of their game, like they have been, they should take care of business in 4A.
Class 3A
Top Seed: Mohawk
Mohawk really came out of nowhere this year. In the Warriors first game of the year, they took Central Catholic to the wire in a 4 point loss. After they dropped their opener, they never looked back, winning 20 straight games. Bobby Fadden has been outstanding all year and has a good chance to appear in Pittsburgh’s Fab Five.
Contenders: Mohawk, Aliquippa, South Park
Every year the Quips find their way to the top of their classification. Even when it seems like they’ll have a down year, they prove everyone wrong. Aliquippa will give you 32 minutes of physical basketball and wear their opponents down. South Park hasn’t played a gauntlet of a schedule by any means, but they won 19 games this year and 4 of their last 5. 6’8 senior Luke Scarff has been impressive all year. Scarff attacks the rim and looks to make plays anytime he can.
Dark Horse: None
Outside of the top three seeds, I don’t see anyone else making a run at a championship.
My Pick: Mohawk
No one in 3A has proved they can beat Mohawk. They played above their expectations all year, and it’s going to show. Like I mentioned earlier, Bobby Fadden has been a killer for the Warriors. The 1,000 point scorer can score at all three levels on the court. He also is a great defender that isn’t afraid to take a charge.
Class 2A
Top Seed: Jeannette
The Jeannette Jayhawks went 19-1 this season, and haven’t suffered a loss since early December. Junior Markus McGowan averages just over 19 points per game and senior Kymone Brown averages 12 points per game as well. The Jayhawks are excellent defensively and have held multiple opponents under 50 points this year.
Contenders: Jeannette and Sewickley Academy
I was shocked to see that Sewickley Academy wasn’t the top seed in 2A. The Panthers flirted with an undefeated season, but they dropped their final game of the season. The Panthers lost on a buzzer beater to Roselle Catholic, a top ranked team from New Jersey. Sewickley Academy dominated their competition all year with multiple 50 point wins.
Dark Horse: None
Jeannette and Sewickley Academy are just too good to lose to anyone else in 2A.
My Pick: Sewickley Academy
Mamadou Kane plays physically on both sides of the ball, sophomore Rob Southall averages a double-double, senior Lucas Grimsley can score from anywhere on the court and the Panthers are great defensively. Although they should have a battle with Jennette, Sewickley Academy should come out on top.
Class 1A
Top Seed: The Neighborhood Academy
There hasn’t been any team in class 1A that could match up with Neighborhood Academy. The Bulldogs have won 19 straight games against 1A opponents, a streak dating back to last season. Junior Kedron Gilmore averages 24.9 points per game for the Bulldogs. Gilmore is already a 1,000 point scorer and has really developed as a scorer this season. The Bulldogs also have 6’3 freshman Julius Page Jr.. Although Page Jr. has dealt with injuries this season, he is a major contributor when healthy.
Contenders: The Neighborhood Academy
The Bulldogs are a really solid team in all aspects. Although they are young, they are clearly the top team in 1A.
Dark Horse: None
The Neighborhood Academy has dominated 1A all year, and I don’t see that changing.
My Pick: The Neighborhood Academy
To be the man, you have to beat the man. In 1A, no one is beating the man in Neighborhood Academy. Serra Catholic, who has been the consensus second best team in 1A all year, dropped to the #6 seed in the bracket. The Neighborhood Academy swept Serra Catholic in the regular season. The Bulldogs should win their second consecutive WPIAL championship this season.
