Top Available WPIAL Seniors

The WPIAL has several seniors who are yet to make a college decision that were key players or outright stars for their teams in 2021-2022. Today we look at a featured five who are yet to make a commitment or are flying under the radar deep into their senior year.     [player_tooltip player_id="991203" first="Adou" last="Thiero"] | 6’6”| G | Quaker Valley<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/IMG_0510.jpeg"><img class=" wp-image-1402525 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/IMG_0510-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="208" height="156" /></a> Coming from a basketball pedigree, it was simply a matter of “How high does he go?” Well, as a senior, Adou found another gear that separated him from the rest of the region. Already known as a scoring machine, the 6’6” and growing Thiero became a man among boys. He dominated the glass, was excellent at all aspects of his offensive game and was able to use his ever maturing body to play inside-and-out. He led Quaker Valley to the state final and has now received offers from the likes of Kentucky, Indiana and others. His potential could take him to that elite level.   [player_tooltip player_id="991215" first="Eli" last="Yofan"] | 6’2” | G | Fox Chapel(#2 in the image) Leader. Gritty. Tough. Born Winner. All words that are appropriate to descr<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_4922.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1368588 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_4922-300x157.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="157" /></a>ibe Fox Chapel’s senior leader. When Fox Chapel needed a big shot in 2021-2022, Yofan stopped up. When Fox Chapel needed a stop, Yofan stepped up. When they needed an emotional lift, Yofan really stepped up. Example? Sure. Yofan spent a portion of the divisional title deciding game at Pittsburgh Central Catholic on the bench trying to work out a leg injury. He limped, he stretched, he wore his frustration on his sleeve as Central Catholic made its move with him off the floor. He loosened it up enough to argue his way back into the game and then sealed the deal. He carried them deep into the state tournament. Excellent ballhandler, good outside shooter, fantastic first step to the basket, tough-on-ball defender, his movement off the ball in offensive sets drove opponents crazy and you could tell Eli had fun running them into the ground. He’s got offers from Army and Navy, as well as interest from a host of schools. If Adou is the “must have” in the WPIAL class of 2022, [player_tooltip player_id="991215" first="Eli" last="Yofan"] is the “Absolute Steal” for the class of 2022. There’s a college coach out there who will be VERY satisfied.   [player_tooltip player_id="991235" first="Markus" last="Frank"] | 6’5”| F | Quaker Valley Adou’s partner in crime at QV. Frank was dominant at both ends of the floor and took on many of the toughest defensive assignments. He’s a very good post player with a strong body and good footwork. He was one of the most impressive players in Western PA this year. He played a big role in their wins over a loaded Lincoln Park Charter team, averaged a team leading 28PPG and has been rewarded with an offer from Shippensburg and a PWO spot at hometown Robert Morris. A prep year could see more interest come his way, but that’s purely speculation from a scout and writer’s perspective and there’s no indication right now of that being in play.   [player_tooltip player_id="1188543" first="Jaden" last="Gales"] | 6’6”| F | Bishop Canevin It’s not too often that a player at a Class A school in Pennsylvania is listed among the top available players in a region, especially when you’re talking Philly, Lehigh Valley or Pittsburgh. Gales is an exception. Having seen him in person several times against the top WPIAL teams, Gales is one of the most under-recruited players in the region. A muscular post player who can also attack the basket on offense. He’s got jump out of the gym athleticism. Imposing figure, not just against class A competition, but against everyone, especially on defense. Gales has upside and would be a marquee, program altering land for any of the regional D3s and a guy who can be a good four year player at a PSAC or WV D2. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSm7HowpfQo[/embed] [player_tooltip player_id="1403766" first="Alex" last="Smith"] | 6’4”| G | North Hills North Hills enjoyed a legendary season this winter and Smith was the unquestioned leader of a very talented starting lineup. With much of the light being shined on super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1173989" first="Royce" last="Parham"], Smith quietly put together one of the best senior seasons that a player could ask for, leading North Hills deep into the state tournament. A big bodied lead guard. He can shoot from deep and break down defenders on his way to the basket. Unafraid of contact and good on the FT line. He also hits the boards on defense when needed but gets at his best when he’s out in transition. Watched him play almost a dozen times this winter and he was consistent in every single contest. He falls in line with Yofan as a “steal” out of the WPIAL in 2022.