Pittsburgh Christmas Wish List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Friday games in the WPIAL being cancelled due to it being as cold as it is in Murmansk right now, we've reached the point of December where we can put together our Christmas wish list for Pittsburgh basketball...Oh, by the way, with the sub zero temperatures, coal doesn't seem like such a bad gift this year! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without further delay, we hope that ol' Saint Nicholas brings some good gifts this Christmas...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116023' first='Connor' last='Spratt']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991365' first='Dante' last='DePante']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991354' first='Keondre' last='DeShields']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395834' first='Makhai' last='Valentine']</strong>, that college coaches at the scholarship level will recognize that all three are backcourt leaders capable of getting the job done at the next level in a variety of ways. Valentine is the pure scorer, Spratt is the shooter, Dante is the master facilitator and DeShields may be the most complete of them all. The scholarship programs in this region are asleep at the wheel on these four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Eden Christian senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991350' first='Damon' last='Astorino']</strong>, a return to the floor at 100% to see out a promising season for Eden Christian. Astorino has put in a ton of work rehabbing an injury, with nearly a year of it behind him--an opportunity to return to the court and showcase his talents for 15 games prior to the playoffs would be the best gift he could receive, even moreso than the 10 points he needs to get to 1,000. Here's hoping we see him back on the court in January. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staying in the family, that WPIAL hoops fans learn the name <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406902' first='Jared' last='Astorino']</strong>. Damon's not-so-little, little brother is a 6'2" freshman guard having a great start to his HS career at Ambridge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That Allderdice gets the respect it deserves from the local basketball fans and media. Devin Crummie has a very talented lineup led by guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1518798' first='Logan' last='Golle']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1436504' first='Ethan' last='Anish'] </strong>and <strong>Jack Segall</strong>, plus a deep frontcourt powered by 6'5" senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991387' first='Sam' last='Kelly']</strong>, who may be the best all around player in the City, 6'4" athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1187923' first='Major' last='Rainey']</strong> and 6'6" big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186477' first='Antwone' last='Ward-Thurman']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186068' first='Bryson' last='Kirschner']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186067' first='Rocco' last='Spadafora']</strong> and OLSH, to be able to press the reset button after having their state record 74 game winning streak broken at the hands of Deer Lakes last night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991371' first='Madden' last='Clement']</strong> and Butler, and <strong>Isaiah Boice</strong> and New Castle to power through Christmas tournaments and collide on January 6th in one of the biggest games the northern portion of the WPIAL will have seen in some time as both "city" teams are now in 6A in the same section and can collide in the first of what could well be the two games that decide the divisional title. NC is undefeated as of today and Butler is one basket by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham']</strong> from also being undefeated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That we get more games with tight defense to prepare teams for the postseason, as opposed to track meets...Much like we saw last night with Bishop Canevin vs Carlynton. While <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186057' first='Shea' last='Champine']</strong> has been a scoring machine, he got help from the other Crusaders in a win where they had to play at 110% for all 32 minutes in a methodical, defensive battle--So much so that Champine cramped up late in the 4th quarter not once, but twice, and fought through it each time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That coaches in the area who have top tier talent find ways to schedule each other more regularly. You become the best by playing the best, both at home and outside of the area. North Catholic is doing an excellent job of prepping <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186069' first='Andrew' last='Maddalon'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186070' first='Max' last='Rottman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188004' first='Max' last='Hurray']</strong> for the next level with their non-divisional schedule featuring one of the toughest slates in the WPIAL. Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 'Dice, Seton and a few others have done the same, including Upper Saint Clair, who took a flight out west. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lastly, that a more intimate venue is found for the WPIAL Championships. The Palumbo Center used to rock for all the finals. The Pete just doesn't bring the same atmosphere. A return to "The Coop" would be a great atmosphere--and RMU also can make a strong case with their facility. Bigger isn't always better--See the football finals, Hershey, Bryce Jordan etc... </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->