City of Basketball Love

By Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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While the two largest classifications draw the most significant buzz, there’s plenty of excitement and intrigue in the PIAA 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A boys tournaments. Here’s a quick look at some of the top teams that could make runs:

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4A

Brandin Cummings (Sr. | G | Lincoln Park )
The 6-foot-3 guard is headed to Pittsburgh next season. He’s the younger brother of former Colgate and Pitt star Nelly Cummings. He’s a nationally ranked recruit, considered one of the top prospects in the state and one half of probably the most talented backcourt in the PIAA.

Larenzo Jerkins (Sr. | F | Neumann-Goretti)
The West Chester commit has been arguably the Saints’ best player this season. A bit undersized as a forward at 6-5, but Jenkins plays harder than anyone and is able to thrive in any matchup. A third team all-state selection on a state semifinal team at Chester as a sophomore, it will be fun to see how far he can help the Saints go this season.

Peter Kramer (Sr. | G | Hampton High)
The 6-foot-5 guard is a Lehigh commit averaging more than 23 points per game this season. Kramer is a strong shooter and good driver with good size to score in multiple ways with the ball in his hands.

Max Hurray (Sr. | G | North Catholic)
The 6-foot-2 guard committed to D-II Coker University is a flamethrower from beyond and way beyond the arc. A second team all-state selection last season, he’s someone who can get going in a hurry.

Meleek Thomas (Jr. | Lincoln Park)
The 6-foot-4 guard is the real deal up there with the top talents in the state and the country, currently ranked in the Top 10 of the Class of 2025. The big time prospect can light it up from deep and handle and finish with some length and athleticism at the guard to impact/take over games.

Donte Tisinger (Jr. | G | Greater Johnstown)
The District 6 back-to-back champions are a bit of an unknown but they enter with some star power in Tisinger. The 6-foot-3 guard is a Division I prospect with offers from North Carolina A&T and Saint Francis.

Jahrel Vigo (Jr. | G | Allentown Central Catholic)
Vigo is one of the most fun players to watch in the open court, able to rattle rims. He’s ACC’s top scorer, able to go get buckets in traffic as well as create for himself and others.

Carter Wamsley (Jr. | F | Eastern York)
Walmsley has great size at 6-foot-7 but he plays the role of a point forward, able to make plays out on the perimeter. The Division I recruit is a playmaker, scorer, rebounder and a matchup nightmare for opponents.

Ian Williams (So. | G | Archbishop Carroll)
The 5-foot-9 point guard was an All-Catholic League second team selection. He runs the show as the “vet” on an extremely young Carroll team but plays with maturity, blending his ability to put the ball through the hoop with his ability to run the offense and set up his teammates.

3A

Zane Conlon (Jr. | G/F | Devon Prep)
After playing a complimentary role on last season’s PIAA quarterfinal squad, Conlon has starred for the Tide this season, earning second team All-Catholic League honors. The 6-foot-5 wing can shoot and drive and has a low post game. His passing is up there among the best parts of his game. He’s a real stat sheet stuffer who is fun to watch.

Jude Haigh (Jr. | G | Bishop Guilfoyle)
Haigh nearly had 1,000 points in his first two seasons and has upped that scoring pace even more as a junior. The 6-foot-5 guard, who has offers from Saint Francis and Youngstown State, is a lethal outside shooter and playmaker with length. 

Rylan Muniz (Sr. | G | Executive Education)
The 5-foot-11 guard is a player who deserves to be talked about way more than he does. He puts on a shooting clinic nearly every time out, piling up an astounding 97 long balls already this season, which makes him a real game changing threat.

Owen Schlager (Jr. | G | Trinity)
In case his name sounds familiar, Schlager put up 40 points in a state game last season. The 6-foot-3 combo guard is a Division I recruit who plays with Philly Pride in the summer. He’s posted multiple 30-point outings during the postseason already, including 35 in a district title game loss.

2A

Franco Alvarez (Sr. | F | Greensburg CC) + Tyree Turner (Sr. | G | Greensburg CC)
The 1,000-point duo are returning all-state selections sure to make plenty of noise once again. Turner is a 6-foot guard and four-year starter likely to play college football, while Alvarez is a 6-foot-5 forward who can dominate inside.

Kyree Latimer (Sr. | G |  Constitution)
The 6-foot-4 guard is averaging over 20 points per game this season, earning first team All-Public League honors. He’s got a unique game, able to slither his way through space and use his athleticism to finish inside and help the General rebound.

Cam Lindsey (Sr. | F | Aliquippa)
The 6-foot–2, 190-pound running back and linebacker is committed to play football at Pitt. His athleticism certainly translates to the hoops court, as seen with a viral putback dunk earlier this season. He’s the only first team all-state returner.

AJ Washington (Sr. | G | Dock Mennonite)
Washington, a 6-foot guard, has helped fill the role left by the program’s all-time scoring leader Nathan Lapp. He can make shots from the midrange and perimeter but is best driving to the hoop.

Nasir Williams (Jr. | G | Sankofa Freedom)
The 6-foot-1 junior guard, who has some long arms, was a second team All-Public League selection. He’ll try to lead the Warriors on a deep run as he playoffs off the team’s point guard Asim Hardy and bouncy sophomore wing Nafise Dubose.

1A

Jabryl Bennett (Sr. | G | Chester Charter)
The 5-foot-9 guard finished fourth on the team in scoring last season but upped his game as both a scorer and passer this season to help the Sabers win a second straight District 1 title.

Kendall Bratten (Jr. | F | Phil-Mont Christian)
The 6-foot-5 forward was averaging nearly 20 and 10 before going down Jan. 26. Junior guard Jameer Zachary and senior guard Peter Haviland have had some big outings in his absence.

Pace Prosser (Sr. | G | Berlin Brothers)
The 6-foot-2 guard committed to Gannon has been filling it up for years, eclipsing 2,000 career points this season. You won’t find many more impressive overall stat lines either as he averages 8.2 rpg, 7.2 apg and 3.1 spg to go along with 25.1 ppg

RJ Sledge (Jr. | G | Imani Christian)
Teammates Nate Brazil and Avery Wesley are right up there as two of the best players in the 1A class. They’re the explosive scorers, while Sledge is a shifty point guard with a handful of Division I offers who can also put together some highlights of his own.