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

Lincoln Park (District 7-1, 23-3)
The reigning state champions have two first team all-state players back in senior 6-3 guard Brandin Cummings (Pittsburgh) and junior 6-4 guard Meleek Thomas, one of the top 2025 players in the country. Lincoln Park actually lost a 2023 state title game rematch with Neumann-Goretti back on Jan. 6, but they’ll enter the tournament as favorites with the Saints shorthanded.

Neumann-Goretti (District 12-1, 22-3)
Even with St. Joe’s commit Khaafiq Myers out for the season and junior Keon Long-Mtume out due to PIAA transfer rules and senior 6-5 wing Amir Williams (Hofstra) banged up, Neumann-Goretti still has enough talent to hang with most. Senior 6-5 forward Larenzo Jerkins (West Chester) and the sophomore backcourt of Torrey Brooks and Stephon Ashley-Wright picked up wins in the Catholic League, so the rest of the state should not take the Saints lightly.

Allentown Central Catholic (District 11-1, 20-6)
The Vikings graduated a pair of starters but have plenty of talent back from last season’s state semifinalist ready to make another run. Junior 6-1 guard Jahrel Vigo is an exciting athlete with bounce and scoring ability and classmate Lucas Mushrush, a 6-3 sharpshooter, is another top scorer back. Senior 6-foot-7 forward David Fridia is the other big piece for this group, 

Archbishop Carroll (District 12-3, 17-8)
The Patriots could turn into one of the favorites in the next few seasons if they’re young core stays together. At the moment, Carroll is an inexperienced squad brimming with young talent as sophomores Ian Williams, Luca Foster, Nasir Ralls and Drew Corrao and freshmen Munir Greig and Darrell Davis could all end up as D1 players.

Hampton High (District 7-2, 22-4)
Hampton was handled by the state favorites Lincoln Park in the District 7 title game but the Talbots have a start in 6-foot-5 Lehigh commit Peter Kramer and some good size in 6-foot-9 senior forward Liam Mignogna with some quality depth and size behind them. That’s a recipe for a team capable of making a deep run.

3A

Executive Education (11-1, 21-4)
The Raptors have an impressive resume with multiple wins over Class 4A, 5A and 6A state playoff squads. Senior 6-10 forward Lamine Sanoh is the eyecatcher of the group, the younger brother of current Rider player Moustapha Sanoh. Senior 5-11 guard Rylan Muniz can light it up, and 6-4 junior guard Gabe Hornberger adds someone else who can score it in different ways. 

Devon Prep (District 12-1, 10-13)
District 12 has produced the last two 3A champions, including a Tide team in 2022 that didn’t even win the district title. Devon has a pair of transfer starters sitting out the postseason by junior wing/forward Zane Conlon (6-4) and junior guard Shane Doyle (6-2) led the charge in a dominant title game win over MCS. Junior Reece Kraft (6-5) adds some size to a group that should be able to make a good run for the next two years — but seniors Zach Orchard and Ben Costello (Washington College) certainly aren’t thinking about the future.

Deer Lakes (District 7-1, 21-4)
After winning their first WPIAL title last season, the Lancers repeated as champions. The reigning state runner-up returned just one starter in senior 6-2 guard Billy Schaeffer from last season’s historic squad, but four others are back trying to make a repeat run. Deer Lakes actually enters the state tournament with four more wins than last year’s squad.

Bishop Guilfoyle. (District 6-3, 23-4)
While the top seed in the District 6 tournament was knocked out by eventual champion Westmont Hilltop in the semifinal round, the Marauders are worthy of a mention given the size and talent on their roster, including junior 6-5 guard Jude Haigh, a D1 prospect, and classmate Trevor Rehm, a 6-foot-9 forward. District 6 has sent a team to the state semis in two of the past three seasons.

Loyalsock Twp. (District 4-1, 26-1)
A Dec. 13 loss to Holy Redeemer is the only blemish for the Lancers, who have won 23 in a row, including handing Troy its first loss of the season in the District 4 title game. Seniors Nathan Bauman, Gage Patterson and Tylee Gee were on the 2021 state title team for 50th-year coach Ron Insigner though none of them played big roles. 

2A

Aliquippa (District 7-1, 21-5)
After state runner-up finishes in football and basketball last season, several of the Quips helped Aliquippa win the title on the gridiron this year. Senior 6-foot-2 forward Cam Lindsey, a Pitt football commit, is hoping to help his team repeat that feat on the hardwood along with the likes of senior 5-foot-9 guard Quentin Goode, the quarterback of the football team, and 6-foot-2 forward Jayace Williams, a Robert Morris commit. Sophomore guard Joshua Pratt, one of the few non-football players,dropped in 33 points in the District 7 title game.

Constitution (District 12-1, 20-6)
The Generals were downed in the second round last season, one of their earliest state playoff exits in recent memory. However, the trio of senior 6-4 guard Kyree Latimer, 6-1 guard Perry Fields and 6-5 wing Amir Speights feel like the centerpieces of a contender. The Generals are eyeing a return to the PIAA title game after a runner-up finish in 2022.

Mahanoy Area (District 11-1, 27-0)
The Golden Bears are one of just two undefeated boys teams left in the state along with Abington Heights. They returned quite a bit from last season’s state quarterfinalist team, including junior 6-foot guard Tanner Zawada, an all-state selection last season. Junior 6-foot-1 guard Jade Yedsena, senior 6-foot-7 forward Brady Alansky, senior 6-foot-3 wing/forward Chris Cuff and senior 5-foot-11 point guard Kadin Styka are some of the other key contributors. A second-round matchup against Constitution could be a fun one.

1A

Imani Christian (District 7-1, 14-10)
The Saints won every game by 30+ points last season before defeating Berlin Brothersvalley by 17 in the state title game. While Imani isn’t quite the juggernaut it was last season without Alier Maluk (6-11) and Virgil Hall (6-8), the Saints still probably have the most talented and tested roster by far, led by senior 6-foot guards Avery Wesley and Nate Brazil and junior 5-10 point guard R.J. Sledge. Brazil’s the leading scorer, while Wesley was the district championship MVP.

Berlin Brothersvalley (5-1, 24-2)
The reigning state runner-ups get about 46 a game combined from senior 6-2 guards Pace Prosser (Gannon) and Craig Jarvis. They’ve been the team’s top two scorers for three seasons now, ready to make one last run together. Six-foot juniors McKelvey Foor and Hayden Hutzell are the other key returners, and they’ve stepped up this season to keep the team a state contender once again.

Linville Hill (3-1, 23-1)
Last season’s Linville team rattled off 25 straight wins before a loss to Berlin Brothersvalley in the semifinal round. The star of that team Stephen Smucker, a versatile 6-foot-1 forward, is back piling up 20-point double-doubles. Junior 5-11 guard Derian Peterseim and junior 6-1 wing/forward Giovanni Sejuste have stepped up alongside him to form another squad that looks like one of the top 1A teams in the state.