Pre-Season WPIAL “Fantastic Five” Series – Class 5A

<p>In an effort to provide the most accurate and comprehensive information possible, Prep Hoops has surveyed all 134 WPIAL Head Coaches. In addition, we have received input from Assistant Coaches, Athletic Directors, and our network of scouts. The results are being featured over six weeks.  We continue this week with the top WPIAL players in Class 5A. Class 5A consists of 26 Teams, divided into 4 sections. Out of the nearly 300 (5A) players, here are our "Fantastic Five."</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991329" first="Rodney" last="Gallagher"] I 6-0 I Laurel Highlands I @RodneyGallaghe6</strong></p> <ul> <li>Rodney is our top-rated 2023 player, regardless of classification</li> <li>He was named Class 5A, First Team, All-State last season, as a sophomore</li> <li>Rodney has numerous Power-Five offers in both basketball and football, with the list growing daily.</li> <li>Rodney’s D1 basketball offers include:  Pittsburgh, Flordia, George Mason, Hampton, Illinois, Penn State,  Rhode Island, and Wake Forest. </li> </ul> <div dir="auto"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991204" first="Michael" last="Wells"] I 6’4" I Guard I New Castle I @mike3wells</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <ul> <li dir="auto">Mike is a very physical and athletic player who can get around quick guards and power past much larger players. </li> <li dir="auto">Surpassed 1,000 career points as a Junior last season.</li> <li>Scored an impressive 18 points per contest on a New Castle team loaded with scorers last year.  </li> <li>Mike was named Class 5A Third Team All-State last season.</li> </ul> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="991332" first="Daemar" last="Kelly"] I 6’4" I Penn Hills I <strong>@DaeeKelly_3</strong></p> <ul> <li>Daemar is as comfortable on the perimeter as in the paint.</li> <li>He is a consistent shooter with a nice touch. </li> <li>Daemar is a tough athletic defender who runs the floor well and finishes well on the break.</li> <li>He scored 11 points per game last year as a sophomore</li> <li>Daemar has a D1 offers from Robert Morris and Radford</li> </ul> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1185008" first="Will" last="Kromka"] I 6-3 I Gateway I <strong>@wkromka23</strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> Will averaged 17 points last season as a junior</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1rem;">He also pulled in 7 rebounds per game </span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Will can score reliably in the paint and shot a very impressive 48% beyond the arc.  </span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1rem;">He has a D2 offer to Pitt-Johnstown.</span></li> </ul> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="991347" first="Jimmy" last="Kunst"] I 6-1 I Highlands I @ Jimmy_Kunst</p> <ul> <li>Jimmy established himself as a Freshman, as the starting point guard of Highlands, on a team that won the WPIAL championship in 2020  </li> <li>He uses his excellent court vision to distribute the ball, and keep teammates involved. </li> <li>He scored 17 points per game for Highlands as a Sophomore last season.</li> <li>Jimmy was selected First Team all section.</li> </ul> <p><strong>WPIAL Class 5A Pre-Season Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id="991329" first="Rodney" last="Gallagher"]</strong></p> <p>WPIAL Class 5A Payers to watch: [player_tooltip player_id="1169523" first="Scott" last="Bilovus"] (West Allegheny), Isaiah Boice (New Castle), [player_tooltip player_id="991376" first="Tasso" last="Sfanos"] (Mars), [player_tooltip player_id="991284" first="Brandon" last="Jakiela"] (South Fayette), Logan Yater (South Fayette), [player_tooltip player_id="991354" first="Keondre" last="DeShields"] (Laurel Highlands), [player_tooltip player_id="991336" first="Brandon" last="Davis"] (Laurel Highlands)</p> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div>