Pittsburgh Schools to Watch Football Version

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, we're a basketball group, right? Yeah. We like the 94 feet of hardwood. However, Pennsylvania is one of those states where often times, specifically in Western PA, that top football programs impact basketball programs at their schools. Today we look at several teams to watch now that football season is wrapping up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Steel Valley </em>is up first. Don't worry that they're off to such a rocky start. The football team was playing last week in the state semifinals. They'll get nearly the ENTIRE team back now that football is over. D1 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395834' first='Makhai' last='Valentine']</strong> is an electric scorer who comes off the football field and trades his wide receiver spot for a leading role as guard. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395937' first='Cruce' last='Brookins']</strong> is an elite football prospect who now joins Valentine as a key piece to the Ironmen basketball team. These two could lead them to a deep run in the playoffs and plenty of other football players join in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Union Area</em> finds themselves in a similar situation with <strong>Kaden Fisher</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991361' first='Matt' last='Stanley']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185925' first='Mark' last='Stanley']</strong> having played football just 3 days ago in the state final. Give them through Christmas Tournament time to find their legs and you can bet the Scotties are going to make a run at a WPIAL title this winter. As a small school, they, like many, see players racing to basketball shape after competing in soccer, football or cross country in the fall--Class A and AA schools platoon as they have to--It's almost "expected" that kids there play two or more sports. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Westinghouse</em> is forgotten about in the City League and much of their football team doesn't dabble in basketball, but there's always the chance a few of them decide to give it a go. We won't name anyone, as they just finished and many may spurn hoops to lift for college if they're seniors, while juniors may focus on trying to get back to Cumberland Valley in football. If several elect to play, their athleticism could be the ticket and they could give 'Dice some competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lastly, but possibly the group with the most expectations on them, is <em>Aliquippa</em>. They made a run to the state final last year and will look to their roster coming back--Nearly everyone played football this season--<strong> Donovan Walker</strong> and <strong>Cameron Lindsay</strong>, two elite football recruits, are also keys to the basketball team. Both can play inside or outside, are physical defenders and hit the boards hard. Aliquippa is once again playing up and Class AA has some talented teams in it. They'll be a favorite with their football stars on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->