WPIAL Class 6A boys basketball breakdown
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Saturday, December 2, 2017 | 6:54 PM
Preseason Player of the Year
Ethan Morton
Butler
6-5, So., point guard
14.0 ppg in 2016-17
Players to watch
Carson Cohen
Fox Chapel
6-2, Sr., G, 16.2 ppg
Reed Fenton
Latrobe
6-3, Jr., G/F, 14.0 ppg
Phil Jurkovec
Pine-Richland
6-5, Sr., F, 16.5 ppg
Luke Nedrow
Central Catholic
6-7, Sr., F, 18 ppg
Seth Younkin
Connellsville
6-4, Sr., F, 17.3 ppg
Preseason Top 5
1. Pine-Richland (28-2)
The defending WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Rams lost all-state guard Andrew Petcash to graduation but return a trio of starters, including Division I football players Phil Jurkovec and Andrew Kristofic in the paint.
2. Butler (19-10)
Last season’s WPIAL runner-up, Butler again should challenge Pine-Richland and will be led by Morton, who has numerous Division I offers, including Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Penn State.
3. Fox Chapel (19-7)
After sharing the Section 3 title last season, the Foxes return a talented backcourt of all-section point guard Carson Cohen, a Tufts (Mass.) recruit, and sharp-shooting junior Ben Kelly.
4. Mt. Lebanon (14-9)
Senior all-section guard Antonio Garofoli (11.6 ppg) leads the Blue Devils, who won the Section 2 title last season but graduated guard Mark Lamendola (14.1 ppg).
5. Woodland Hills (16-10)
Led by senior guard Amante Britt (924 career points), Woodland Hills reached the PIAA playoffs last season.
Tags: Butler, Central Catholic, Connellsville, Fox Chapel, Greensburg C.C., Latrobe, Mt. lebanon, Pine-Richland, Woodland Hills
More High School Basketball
• Latrobe basketball coach Brad Wetzel steps down after 24 seasons• Greensburg Salem hires Mankins, Nese to coaching positions
• WPIAL championship basketball coaches Matt Clement of Butler, Jim Rocco of North Catholic step down
• Pittsburgh Basketball Academy founder Ron McNabb inducted into PBC hall of fame
• Former Monessen, Belle Vernon coach Joe Salvino to receive Ferrante Memorial Award
