2010-2011 WPIAL Boys Basketball Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, December 9, 2010 | 12:00 AM

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Change is the big theme this year in WPIAL boys' basketball.
A number of strong teams from last year have changed classifications. Some moved up and some moved down. For example, WPIAL Class AAA champ and PIAA finalist Chartiers Valley moved up to AAAA.

In other major changes:

· PIAA Class AA champ moved up to Class AAA

· WPIAL champ North Catholic moved down to Class A.

· Rochester, which lost to North Catholic in the title game, also moved down to Class A.

Here is a look at the 2010-2011 WPIAL boys hoops season.

CLASS AAAA:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Shakim Alonzo, Woodland Hills

Zach Barker, Kiski Area

Nolan Cressler, Plum

Devon Cottrell, Gateway

Anthony Dallier, North Allegheny

Kionte Davis, Canon-McMillan

Lincoln Davis, Pittsburgh Central Catholic

Christian Durbin, Seneca Valley

Luke Hagy, Mount Lebanon

Barnett Harris, Gateway

J.C. Howard, North Allegheny

Aaron Johnson, Moon

Paul Lang, Mount Lebanon

Johnny Leonard, Connellsville

Steve Limberiou, Upper St. Clair

J.T. Schwartz, Shaler

Tyler Scott, Gateway

Nate Snodgrass, Butler

Bobby Swartwout, Butler

Geno Thorpe, Shaler

SECTION 1

ONE TO BEAT:

Norwin – This section is balanced and a few different teams have a shot at the section title. Andy Carter returns after leading Norwin in scoring last year.

ONES TO WATCH:

Kiski Area

Hempfield

Latrobe

Penn-Trafford

SECTION 2

ONE TO BEAT:

Gateway – The Gators were a WPIAL finalist last year and return three key players – 6-7 senior forward Devon Cottrell, 6-10 junior center Barnett Harris and 6-6 junior guard Tyler Scott. All three have at least one Division I college scholarship offer. Scott and Cottrell were the team's leading scorers a year ago. Finding a point guard will be a key for the Gators.

ONES TO WATCH:

McKeesport

Plum

SECTION 3

ONE TO BEAT:

North Allegheny – The Tigers made it to the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals a year ago, and feature one of the WPIAL's top juniors in 6-6 guard-forward Anthony Dallier. Junior guard J.C. Howard also could have a big year. Senior guard Anton Constantino is a returning starter and senior guard Steve Ferringer will provide depth (he is still playing football).

ONES TO WATCH:

Butler

Shaler

Pittsburgh Central Catholic

SECTION 4

ONE TO BEAT:

Mount Lebanon – Although the Blue Devils lost some key players from last year's WPIAL championship team, they still have two of the best in Class AAAA in senior forward Paul Lang and senior point guard Luke Hagy. Lang, a Michigan State football recruit, was the team's second-leading scorer last season. Hagy has been a starter since his freshman year. Their supporting cast will be the key.

ONES TO WATCH:

Chartiers Valley

Upper St. Clair

Moon

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CLASS AAA:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Leondrae Cobbs, West Mifflin

Nick Delisio, Central Valley

Geoff Fuquay, Valley

C.J. Hester, West Mifflin

Mike Lamberti, South Fayette

Christian Locher, Mars

Micah Mason, Highlands

Cory Ostach, Blackhawk

Lou Simon, Elizabeth Forward

Josh Valentic, Trinity

Devin Wilson, Montour

Pat Zedreck, South Fayette

SECTION 1

ONE TO BEAT:

Valley – The Vikings have a new coach in Anthony Cheatham, and he inherits five returning starters. Geoff Fuquay, a 6-3 senior guard, averaged 17 points a game last season. The Vikings also have some size. But it certainly won't be a cakewalk to the section title for this team.

ONES TO WATCH:

Highlands

Mars

SECTION 2

ONE TO BEAT:

Blackhawk – Cory Ostach averaged 16 poionts a game last season and senior forward Tyler Demazo 10 for a team that was co-section champs. A freshman to watch is Chandler Kincaide, who also started as quarterback on the football team.

ONES TO WATCH:

Central Valley

New Castle

Hopewell

SECTION 3

ONE TO BEAT:

Greensburg-Salem – The Lions don't have a star player like they had in recent year s with Chris Klimchock and Jake Matthews. But the Lions still have enough talent to win this section. Senior guard Casey Hope and senior forward Raevann Mottley are two of the top returnees.

ONES TO WATCH:

Indiana

Uniontown

SECTION 4

ONE TO BEAT:

West Mifflin – This team has experience, talent and size. Many are pegging the Titans as the team to beat in all of Class AAA. Senior guard-forward C.J. Hester averaged 21 points a game last season and is one of the best players in the WPIAL. Leondrae Cobbs is one to watch on the inside. The Titans also have some young players with size and talent, which bodes well for the future.

ONES TO WATCH:

Thomas Jefferson

Belle Vernon

South Park

SECTION 5

ONE TO BEAT:

Montour – All five starters return from last year's team that made the PIAA playoffs. The Spartans might get off to a slow start as all five starters also were players on the football team that made it to the WPIAL finals. Sophomore Devin Wilson showed plenty of promise last season. Austin Heter, a 6-5 senior, is back on the inside.

ONES TO WATCH:

South Fayette

Washington

Trinity

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CLASS AA:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nate Bellhy, Fort Cherry

Darius Brown, Jeannette

Jaisen Irwin, Monessen

Sheldon Jeter, Beaver Falls

Tyler Pavan, Burgettstown

P.J. McLaughlin, Greensburg C.C.

Zac Rorick, Riverside

Shawn Smith, Sto-Rox

Davon Washington, Wilkinsburg

SECTION 1

ONE TO BEAT:

Freeport – Things were absolutely perfect for the Yellowjackets in section play last year as they had a 12-0 record. They are certainly the favorite to win another crown. Jake Campbell and Shawn Liberto are two of the top returnees.

ONES TO WATCH:

Ford City

Shady Side Academy

Springdale

SECTION 2

ONE TO BEAT:

Riverside – The Panthers might have the best player in the section in senior guard Zac Rorick. Overall, there is not an overly strong team in this section and it could be a real battle for the title. Ellwood City moved down from Class AAA and Neshannock moved up.

ONES TO WATCH:

Neshannock

Ellwood City

SECTION 3

ONE TO BEAT:

Wilkinsburg – Things are looking up for the Tigers as they return four starters. Davon Washington averaged 14 points a game last season.

ONES TO WATCH:

Monessen

Steel Valley

Seton-LaSalle

SECTION 4

ONE TO BEAT:

Greensburg Central Catholic – Many are picking the Centurions as the team to beat in the entire WPIAL. Jesse Reed is one of the best senior guards in Class AA. P.J. McLaughlin can be a force on the inside. Jake Swan and Ben Klimchock, whose brother Chris was a standout at Greensburg Salem two years ago, return at the guard spots. And on top of all that, the Centurions this year also have the Stepoli brothers – Josh and Terrance, who will certainly make a difference.

ONES TO WATCH:

Jeannette

Beth-Center

California

SECTION 5

ONE TO BEAT:

Sto-Rox – Bill Minear is in the first year of his second stint at Sto-Rox. He won WPIAL and PIAA titles the first time around. A number of experienced players are back from last season. The leader is senior guard Shawn Smith, who averaged 17 points last season.

ONES TO WATCH:

Fort Cherry

Carlynton

Burgettstown

SECTION 6

ONE TO BEAT:

Beaver Falls – The Tigers played a lot of non-seniors last year, and that will pay off this year as four starters return. However, the team's top player, 6-7 junior Sheldon Jeter, will be out for possibly a month with a broken hand.

ONES TO WATCH:

Aliquippa

Quaker Valley

New Brighton

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CLASS A:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

John Barker, Bentworth

E.J. Blackwell, Rochester

John Bray, Vincentian Academy

Giovanni Ellis, Rochester

Desimon Green, Clairton

Brian Heinle, St. Joseph

B.J. Lipke, Lincoln Park

Martin Long, North Catholic

Carrington Motley, Sewickley Academy

Chaquille Pratt, Lincoln Park

John Tyler, California

Devontae Watson, Lincoln Park

SECTION 1

ONE TO BEAT:

Lincoln Park – The Leopards are the class of not only this section, but many believe also the entire WPIAL. A WPIAL finalist last season, Lincoln Park has two standout players returning. Senior guard-forward Chaquille Pratt averaged 27 points a game last season and 6-10 junior center averaged near a triple double. The Leopards also got B.J. Lipke, a transfer who last season led Cornell in scoring. But it won't be totally easy for the Leopards to win the section because Rochester is in this section and the Rams have a lot of returning players from last year's Class AA finalist.

ONES TO WATCH:

Rochester

Cornell

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

SECTION 2

ONE TO BEAT:

Sewickley Academy – Standout player Tom Droney is now a starter at Davidson, and will be sorely missed from last year's WPIAL and PIAA champion. But the cupboard is not totally bare. Look for Carrington Motley to develop into one of the top forwards in Class A. Danny Timpona is back at the guard spot.

ONES TO WATCH:

North Catholic

Vincentian

SECTION 3

ONE TO BEAT:

Bentworth – This section doesn't have a powerhouse team, but has three that could battle for the title – Bentworth, Avella and Carmichaels. Bentworth went undefeated in section play last year and and senior guard John Barker, who averaged 14 points, is one of the reasons for optimism.

ONES TO WATCH:

Avella

Carmichaels

SECTION 4

ONE TO BEAT:

Serra Catholic – It will seem strange to not see Bob Rozanski on the Eagles' bench. He retired after 32 seasons. Vince Gibbons takes over. He has a big front line to go along with senior point guard Matt Loftis. Brandon Camic was a standout at South Allegheny last year and transferred, but he was ruled ineligible by the WPIAL and PIAA for transferring with athletic intent.

ONES TO WATCH:

Clairton

St. Joseph