Taking A Look At The Boys’ Quad-A Playoff Field
By Steve Brodzinski
#1 North Allegheny Tigers
The Tigers finished at the top of section 3 with a 10-2 record, and 20-2 overall record. Led by senior Cole Constantino (23.1 PPG), along with seniors Will Sandherr, Mike Fischer, and junior Keegan Phillips, NA has a deep roster to support their fast paced offensive and defensive attack. Their only two losses on the year came by a combined 10 points.
#2 Chartiers Valley Colts
Led by senior Matty McConnell (30.5 PPG) who has signed to play at division 1 Robert Morris, the Colts finished tied for the section championship with Mt. Lebanon at 10-2, with a 19-3 overall record. Look for junior guard Eddie Flohr (16.5 PPG) and the sharp shooting of Jake Ritson and Cole Wilkerson. Their two WPIAL losses came by a combined 7 points.
#3 Mount Lebanon Blue Devils
Tied for the section championship with #2 seed Chartiers Valley with a 10-2 record and 17-5 overall. Lost to the buzzer to #1 seed NA and #5 seed Pine Richland during season. Led by senior guard Jonny David (19 PPG) who scored his 1,000 career point, on the same night he hit a buzzer beater 3 in triple OT to defeat Chartiers Valley. They also have size in seniors 6’7” Patrick Ehland and 6’5” Matt Hoffman.
#4 Hempfield Spartans
Tied for the section championship with Latrobe in Section 2 with a 11-1 record, and 19-2 overall mark. Led by senior Kason Harrell (25.7 PPG) who signed to play division 1 basketball at IPFW. Major size advantage with 6’8” Tony Pilato (Pitt Football Signee) and 6’5” Logan Swan.
#5 Pine-Richland Rams
Young, but deep roster led by junior guard Andrew Petcash (18 PPG) and freshman Phil Jurcovec (16.8 PPG). Have big wins this season over North Allegheny, Mt. Lebanon, and Latrobe. Seniors Ben Dinucci, Paul Nussbaum provide support, along with junior Adam Alexander and Charlie Tortorice.
#6 Plum Mustangs
Finished tied for the section championship in Section 2 with Mckeeesport, at 10-2 with a 17-5 overall record. Led by junior guard James Edwards (20.5 PPG) the Mustangs have been up and down this season, but finished on a 5 game win streak.
#7 Latrobe Wildcats
Oh what could have been…. Latrobe lost it’s division 1 level recruit Matt Cullen to knee injury before the season even started, but still maintained to share a piece of the section 1 title at 11-1, with a 17-4 overall record. They are led by a young group as their leading scorer was sophomore Austin Butler (22.4 PPG) and junior Sean Graytok (17.2 PPG).
#8 McKeesport Tigers
Mckeesport quietly shared a piece of the section 3 championship with Plum, at 10-2 with an overall record of 14-6. They are led by senior Khalil Purdue (18.5 PPG), Demetrius Diggs, and Jordan Payne.
#9 Bethel Park Black Hawks
The Black Hawks finished third in section 4, with a 10-4 section record and 15-7 overall record. They are led by senior guard Joey Mascaro (19 PPG) and 6’5” junior Jake Dixon (15 PPG). They recently defeated their first round match-up McKeesport 73-64 at home to end the season.
#10 Upper St. Clair Panthers
The Panthers finished 4th in section four, with a 9-5 section record and 16-6 overall record. They had a big win over Chartiers Valley on the road earlier in the season, as well as, a 20 point win over Pine Richland. USC is led by junior Andrew Wheeler (15.6 PPG) and group of seniors that includes Marcus McGinnis, Zachary Cherup, and Garrett Dabat. Juniors Doug Wagner and Zach Pateras also contribute.
#11 North Hills Indians
North Hills came in third out of section 3 with a 7-5 record, and 11-10 record overall. They are led by sophomore Nick Smith (18.6 PPG) and senior Kindhall Taylor (17.4 PPG). The Indians had big wins over North Allegheny and Pine Richland earlier in the season.
#12 Fox Chapel Foxes
Fox Chapel is the third team coming out of section 2, with an 8-4 section record and 14-8 overall. The Foxes are led by senior guard Billy Urso (17.4 PPG), juniors Mike Zappala and Brendan Urso, and sophomore Jake Livingston.
#13 Gateway Gators
The Gators come in as the fourth team out of section 2, with a 7-5 section record, and 15-9 overall record. Gateway has 8 players listed at 6’4” or above, and are led by senior Daylon Harris (15 PPG) and Arrington Johns. They also boast 6’5” junior Aiden Howard, and 6’7” freshman John-Paul Kromka.
#14 Norwin Knights
Norwin is the third team out of section 1, with an 8-4 section record and 15-7 overall record. They are led by senior guard Curtis Perz (23.8 PPG) and Logan Deri, along with junior Gage McCracken.
#15 Butler Golden Tornado
Butler comes in as the fourth team out of section 3, with a 5-7 section record and 14-8 overall record. They are led by senior Justice Lewandowski, Keenan Krause, Andrew Paterno, and sophomore Tyler Frederick. They beat Seneca Valley in the last section game of the season to qualify for the playoffs.
#16 Penn-Trafford Warriors
The young Penn Trafford team is the fourth team out of section 1, with a 4-8 section record, and 8-14 overall record. They are led by juniors Dom Coconcelli and Sean Stinelli. The Warriors only have one senior on their roster.
*All stats taken from triblive.com