Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Player of the Week for March 4, 2024
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Monday, March 4, 2024 | 8:44 PM
Aliquippa’s Josh Pratt smiles after scoring against Greensburg Central Catholic during the WPIAL Class 2A championship game Saturday.
Trib HSSN boys basketball player of the week: Josh Pratt
School: Aliquippa
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-foot-1
Position: Guard
#Earned: Pratt has led Aliquippa in scoring in each of their four WPIAL playoff victories. In the first round, he and senior Cameron Lindsey and junior Tikey Hayes each scored 11 points in a 13-point win over Nazareth Prep, then he scored 24 points in a quarterfinal victory over Serra Catholic by 26 points. On Tuesday, Pratt scored 26 points as the Quips rolled past Fort Cherry by 19 points in the semifinals. He then capped off his torrid district postseason performances with a WPIAL record seven 3-pointers in the 2A finals. Pratt ended up shooting 13 of 20 from the field and 7 of 9 from the line in scoring 33 points in leading Aliquippa past Greensburg Central Catholic for a successful repeat, 69-32.
What coach says: “He was pretty phenomenal on Saturday,” Aliquippa coach Nick Lackovich said. “All the hard work he puts in during the offseason. His scoring ability has been huge, and he has really elevated his game on the defensive side of the ball.”
What captain says: “It was just how we expected him to play,” Aliquippa senior Quintin Goode said about Pratt. “He hoops all year, so we didn’t expect anything less. Plus he makes every shot in practice.”
Background: If there was an MVP handed out for the WPIAL playoffs, Pratt would be at or near the top of the list after scoring 94 points in four playoff wins, an average of 23.5 points per game for a team dripping with athletic ability. This is the second straight gold medal earned by Pratt, although he was much more of a factor in producing a title this season. Last year, the Aliquippa resident began his high school career at Lincoln Park and was a role player for a Leopards team that won both WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A crowns. Pratt is one of the few members of the Aliquippa basketball team that did not play for the Quips football team this fall that also swept district and state 4A gold.
2024 Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Players of the Week
Week 8 – Bobby Fadden, Mohawk
Week 7 – Jacob Guillen, Aquinas Academy
Week 6 – Michael Plasko, South Fayette
Week 5 – Lorenzo Gardner, Monessen
Week 4 – Joe Roth, Ellwood City
Week 3 – Jay Wrona, Mohawk
Week 2 – Peters Kramer, Hampton
Week 1 – Joey Dopirak, North Allegheny
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