2010-2011 WPIAL Boys Basketball Preview
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Thursday, December 9, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Change is the big theme this year in WPIAL boys' basketball.
A number of strong teams from last year have changed classifications. Some moved up and some moved down. For example, WPIAL Class AAA champ and PIAA finalist Chartiers Valley moved up to AAAA.
In other major changes:
· PIAA Class AA champ moved up to Class AAA
· WPIAL champ North Catholic moved down to Class A.
· Rochester, which lost to North Catholic in the title game, also moved down to Class A.
Here is a look at the 2010-2011 WPIAL boys hoops season.
CLASS AAAA:
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Shakim Alonzo, Woodland Hills
Zach Barker, Kiski Area
Nolan Cressler, Plum
Devon Cottrell, Gateway
Anthony Dallier, North Allegheny
Kionte Davis, Canon-McMillan
Lincoln Davis, Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Christian Durbin, Seneca Valley
Luke Hagy, Mount Lebanon
Barnett Harris, Gateway
J.C. Howard, North Allegheny
Aaron Johnson, Moon
Paul Lang, Mount Lebanon
Johnny Leonard, Connellsville
Steve Limberiou, Upper St. Clair
J.T. Schwartz, Shaler
Tyler Scott, Gateway
Nate Snodgrass, Butler
Bobby Swartwout, Butler
Geno Thorpe, Shaler
SECTION 1
ONE TO BEAT:
Norwin – This section is balanced and a few different teams have a shot at the section title. Andy Carter returns after leading Norwin in scoring last year.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 2
ONE TO BEAT:
Gateway – The Gators were a WPIAL finalist last year and return three key players – 6-7 senior forward Devon Cottrell, 6-10 junior center Barnett Harris and 6-6 junior guard Tyler Scott. All three have at least one Division I college scholarship offer. Scott and Cottrell were the team's leading scorers a year ago. Finding a point guard will be a key for the Gators.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 3
ONE TO BEAT:
North Allegheny – The Tigers made it to the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals a year ago, and feature one of the WPIAL's top juniors in 6-6 guard-forward Anthony Dallier. Junior guard J.C. Howard also could have a big year. Senior guard Anton Constantino is a returning starter and senior guard Steve Ferringer will provide depth (he is still playing football).
ONES TO WATCH:
Butler
Shaler
Pittsburgh Central Catholic
SECTION 4
ONE TO BEAT:
Mount Lebanon – Although the Blue Devils lost some key players from last year's WPIAL championship team, they still have two of the best in Class AAAA in senior forward Paul Lang and senior point guard Luke Hagy. Lang, a Michigan State football recruit, was the team's second-leading scorer last season. Hagy has been a starter since his freshman year. Their supporting cast will be the key.
ONES TO WATCH:
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CLASS AAA:
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Leondrae Cobbs, West Mifflin
Nick Delisio, Central Valley
Geoff Fuquay, Valley
C.J. Hester, West Mifflin
Mike Lamberti, South Fayette
Christian Locher, Mars
Micah Mason, Highlands
Cory Ostach, Blackhawk
Lou Simon, Elizabeth Forward
Josh Valentic, Trinity
Devin Wilson, Montour
Pat Zedreck, South Fayette
SECTION 1
ONE TO BEAT:
Valley – The Vikings have a new coach in Anthony Cheatham, and he inherits five returning starters. Geoff Fuquay, a 6-3 senior guard, averaged 17 points a game last season. The Vikings also have some size. But it certainly won't be a cakewalk to the section title for this team.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 2
ONE TO BEAT:
Blackhawk – Cory Ostach averaged 16 poionts a game last season and senior forward Tyler Demazo 10 for a team that was co-section champs. A freshman to watch is Chandler Kincaide, who also started as quarterback on the football team.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 3
ONE TO BEAT:
Greensburg-Salem – The Lions don't have a star player like they had in recent year s with Chris Klimchock and Jake Matthews. But the Lions still have enough talent to win this section. Senior guard Casey Hope and senior forward Raevann Mottley are two of the top returnees.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 4
ONE TO BEAT:
West Mifflin – This team has experience, talent and size. Many are pegging the Titans as the team to beat in all of Class AAA. Senior guard-forward C.J. Hester averaged 21 points a game last season and is one of the best players in the WPIAL. Leondrae Cobbs is one to watch on the inside. The Titans also have some young players with size and talent, which bodes well for the future.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 5
ONE TO BEAT:
Montour – All five starters return from last year's team that made the PIAA playoffs. The Spartans might get off to a slow start as all five starters also were players on the football team that made it to the WPIAL finals. Sophomore Devin Wilson showed plenty of promise last season. Austin Heter, a 6-5 senior, is back on the inside.
ONES TO WATCH:
South Fayette
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CLASS AA:
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nate Bellhy, Fort Cherry
Darius Brown, Jeannette
Jaisen Irwin, Monessen
Sheldon Jeter, Beaver Falls
Tyler Pavan, Burgettstown
P.J. McLaughlin, Greensburg C.C.
Zac Rorick, Riverside
Shawn Smith, Sto-Rox
Davon Washington, Wilkinsburg
SECTION 1
ONE TO BEAT:
Freeport – Things were absolutely perfect for the Yellowjackets in section play last year as they had a 12-0 record. They are certainly the favorite to win another crown. Jake Campbell and Shawn Liberto are two of the top returnees.
ONES TO WATCH:
Ford City
SECTION 2
ONE TO BEAT:
Riverside – The Panthers might have the best player in the section in senior guard Zac Rorick. Overall, there is not an overly strong team in this section and it could be a real battle for the title. Ellwood City moved down from Class AAA and Neshannock moved up.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 3
ONE TO BEAT:
Wilkinsburg – Things are looking up for the Tigers as they return four starters. Davon Washington averaged 14 points a game last season.
ONES TO WATCH:
Seton-LaSalle
SECTION 4
ONE TO BEAT:
Greensburg Central Catholic – Many are picking the Centurions as the team to beat in the entire WPIAL. Jesse Reed is one of the best senior guards in Class AA. P.J. McLaughlin can be a force on the inside. Jake Swan and Ben Klimchock, whose brother Chris was a standout at Greensburg Salem two years ago, return at the guard spots. And on top of all that, the Centurions this year also have the Stepoli brothers – Josh and Terrance, who will certainly make a difference.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 5
ONE TO BEAT:
Sto-Rox – Bill Minear is in the first year of his second stint at Sto-Rox. He won WPIAL and PIAA titles the first time around. A number of experienced players are back from last season. The leader is senior guard Shawn Smith, who averaged 17 points last season.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 6
ONE TO BEAT:
Beaver Falls – The Tigers played a lot of non-seniors last year, and that will pay off this year as four starters return. However, the team's top player, 6-7 junior Sheldon Jeter, will be out for possibly a month with a broken hand.
ONES TO WATCH:
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CLASS A:
PLAYERS TO WATCH
John Barker, Bentworth
E.J. Blackwell, Rochester
John Bray, Vincentian Academy
Giovanni Ellis, Rochester
Desimon Green, Clairton
Brian Heinle, St. Joseph
B.J. Lipke, Lincoln Park
Martin Long, North Catholic
Carrington Motley, Sewickley Academy
Chaquille Pratt, Lincoln Park
John Tyler, California
Devontae Watson, Lincoln Park
SECTION 1
ONE TO BEAT:
Lincoln Park – The Leopards are the class of not only this section, but many believe also the entire WPIAL. A WPIAL finalist last season, Lincoln Park has two standout players returning. Senior guard-forward Chaquille Pratt averaged 27 points a game last season and 6-10 junior center averaged near a triple double. The Leopards also got B.J. Lipke, a transfer who last season led Cornell in scoring. But it won't be totally easy for the Leopards to win the section because Rochester is in this section and the Rams have a lot of returning players from last year's Class AA finalist.
ONES TO WATCH:
Rochester
SECTION 2
ONE TO BEAT:
Sewickley Academy – Standout player Tom Droney is now a starter at Davidson, and will be sorely missed from last year's WPIAL and PIAA champion. But the cupboard is not totally bare. Look for Carrington Motley to develop into one of the top forwards in Class A. Danny Timpona is back at the guard spot.
ONES TO WATCH:
North Catholic
Vincentian
SECTION 3
ONE TO BEAT:
Bentworth – This section doesn't have a powerhouse team, but has three that could battle for the title – Bentworth, Avella and Carmichaels. Bentworth went undefeated in section play last year and and senior guard John Barker, who averaged 14 points, is one of the reasons for optimism.
ONES TO WATCH:
SECTION 4
ONE TO BEAT:
Serra Catholic – It will seem strange to not see Bob Rozanski on the Eagles' bench. He retired after 32 seasons. Vince Gibbons takes over. He has a big front line to go along with senior point guard Matt Loftis. Brandon Camic was a standout at South Allegheny last year and transferred, but he was ruled ineligible by the WPIAL and PIAA for transferring with athletic intent.
ONES TO WATCH:
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