Trib HSSN 2024-25 WPIAL Class A boys basketball preseason breakdown

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, November 28, 2024 | 8:18 PM

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Realignment really did a job on the district’s smallest classification in boys basketball.

This class isn’t just small, it’s minuscule.

Two-time defending district and state champion Imani Christian went all the way up to Class 6A over the next two- year cycle, and Carlynton went from Class A to 3A.

Plus, seven other schools that have been Class A mainstays in recent years all moved on up to Class 2A.

The changes shrunk Class A from three sections to two and from 18 teams to only 12 schools.

Here is a rundown of players to watch, the preseason top 5 teams and other notables in WPIAL Class A boys basketball this season.

Preseason Player of the Year

Courtney Wallace, Neighborhood Academy

6-3, senior, guard

24.3 ppg last season

Players to watch

Owen Dumbroski, Serra Catholic

6-0, Sr., G, 15.0 ppg

Will Evans, Nazareth Prep

6-8, Sr., C, 13.0 ppg

Jacob Guillen, Aquinas Academy

6-3, Sr., G, 20.6 ppg

Devontae Robinson, Monessen

5-9, Sr., G, ppg

Shamer Simpson, Neighborhood Academy

6-1, Sr., G, 13.0 ppg

Preseason Top 5

1. Neighborhood Academy (19-7 last season)

Imani Christian dominated Class A the last couple of years with back-to-back WPIAL and PIAA championships. The Saints have left for bigger pastures in 6A, thus leaving last year’s district runner-up Neighborhood Academy ready to truly make it a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The Bulldogs have plenty of talent back from a runner-up team a year ago, led by 6-foot-3 senior guard Courtney Wallace, who averaged more than 24 points per game. Backcourt mate Shamar Simpson scored 13 points per game as a junior in 2023-24.

2. Nazareth Prep (6-13)

The Saints started last season with three straight wins, but life in Class 2A got tough after that, and Nazareth Prep won only three out of its final 16 games, including a loss in the first round of the 2A playoffs to eventual champion Aliquippa. However, the program is moving back to Class A and is one of the favorites in Section 1 thanks to the senior Will Evans. The 6-8 center, who can be a force on both ends and on the glass, averaged 13 points per game a year ago.

3. Monessen (20-6)

The Greyhounds have big shoes to fill after the graduation of Lorenzo Gardner, who averaged over 25 points per game in helping the ‘Hounds win 20 games and the Section 2 crown. At Monessen though, the cupboard is rarely bare as senior guard Devontae Robinson and junior Rodney Johnson are ready to do their part to pick up the scoring loss. Also back with some varsity experience are juniors Tayvin Craggette and TyVaughn Kershaw and sophomore Dennis Hawkins.

4. Serra Catholic (18-10)

The Eagles are looking to fly high on their return to Class A. Serra Catholic won 18 games last season and finished in third place in its section after winning 10 of its last 12 games. The Eagles lost in both the Class 2A district and state quarterfinals. Senior guard Owen Dumbroski returns after averaging 15 points per game last season. Joining him as returning starters are senior forward Mekhi Underwood and sophomore Brayden Graham.

5. Aquinas Academy (15-10)

What would happen to the tiny private school in Gibsonia after the WPIAL’s all-time leading scorer graduated? Well, the post-Vinny Cugini era at Aquinas Academy got off to a positive start last season with a third-place finish, a playoff berth, a postseason victory and a 15-win season. Some of the sting of replacing a player who averaged over 43 points per game was eased by Jacob Guillen, who averaged over 20 points per game last season as a junior. His return should keep the Crusaders in contention.

Notable

• Of the 12 teams that make up Class A, only three are public schools. Avella, Cornell and Monessen are all trying to become the first boundary school to win the WPIAL Class A boys basketball title since Monessen did it in 2017. The last time a public school not nicknamed the Greyhounds won Class A gold on the hardwood was Leechburg in 2007.

• While eight district schools moved up in classification this cycle, one moved completely out of the WPIAL. After a short stint in the district, Hillel Academy left after making the playoffs a year ago. However, a new school has emerged this season in Environmental Charter. The small K through 12 charter school is located in the East End of Pittsburgh.

• There were 18 teams in Class A boys basketball last season and only eight of them had winning records. In fact, six teams with overall losing records earned playoff berths. The three teams that tied for fourth place in Section 3, and all qualified, were Summit Academy, Hillel Academy and St. Joseph, which were a combined 14-43 overall.

• The first WPIAL Class A boys basketball winner was Mapletown when it was crowned champion in 1972. Here are some of the anniversaries for Class A boys hoops:

• 50 years ago, St. John of Uniontown defeated Edgewood to win the 1975 title.

• 40 years ago, Lawrenceville Catholic defeated Midland to win 1985 gold.

• 30 years ago, Monessen ended Duquesne’s three-year title run by beating the Dukes in 1995.

• 25 years ago, Cornell edged Duquesne, 53-51, to win the first championship of the new millennium in 2000.

• 20 years ago, Duquesne won what would be its final boys basketball title before the school closed, beating St. Joseph, 54-52.

• 10 years ago, Monessen cruised past Jeannette, 73-57, to win gold in 2015.

Alignment

Section 1: Aquinas Academy, Avella, Beaver County Christian, Cornell, Nazareth Prep, Summit Academy

Section 2: Environmental Charter, Geibel Catholic, Monessen, Neighborhood Academy, St. Joseph, Serra Catholic

Tags: Aquinas Academy, Avella, Cornell, Mapletown, Monessen, Nazareth Prep, Neighborhood Academy, Serra Catholic, St. Joseph, Summit Academy