Pittsburgh Top Performers For 12\14

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The basketball season is heating up and tonight saw quite a few eye popping performances from players throughout the region. We look at several now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Aquinas Academy</em> senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991346' first='Vinnie' last='Cugini'],</strong> one of the most prolific scorers in PA basketball history, scored 48 points in a wild win over <em>Leechburg </em>that saw both teams go over 90. Cugini is committed to UPJ. <strong>Owen McDermott</strong> hit for 30 and <strong>Braylan Lovelace</strong>, a top football recruit headed to Pitt, scored 24 in the loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the losses of graduation, coupled with outbound transfers or <strong>Amari Evans</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621402' first='RJ' last='SLEDGE']</strong>, someone had to lead <em>Bishop Canevin</em>--That player was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186057' first='Shea' last='Champine']</strong> tonight. The senior guard continued his hot start by scoring 41 points in a victory over <em>Belle Vernon</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Steel Valley</em> is working out the ring rust from football season but 6'3" senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395834' first='Makhai' last='Valentine']</strong> is out the gate swinging--He dropped 35 points in a loss to <em>Thomas Jefferson</em>. Valentine has a few D1 offers and a big senior year could see more come in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham'] </strong>scored 26 points in a 72-71 <em>North Hills</em> victory over <em>Butler</em>, but none more important than a free throw with 6 seconds left to win the game. Parham has over a dozen offers from Mid Major and Power Conference programs and is one of the most sought after recruits in the class of 2024. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403743' first='Braylon' last='Littlejohn']</strong> had 26 for Butler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brashear</em> scored a nice win for the City League by downing <em>West Allegheny</em> 61-59 and <strong>Titus Gillett</strong> led the way once again for the Bulls. The senior guard is one of the top players in the City this season and he's doing heavy lifting due to football injuries to other players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Serra Catholic</em> sophomore guard <strong>Owen Dumbroski</strong> had another impressive outing vs quality opposition. He followed up a good performance vs Seton LaSalle with a 21 point night in a tight loss at <em>Sto-Rox</em>. Multi-sport athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186446' first='Josh' last='Jenkins']</strong> scored 20 in the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of the City League, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991387' first='Sam' last='Kelly']</strong> scored 20 to lead <em>Allderdice</em> past <em>West Mifflin.</em> The 6'5" senior forward is a versatile multi-sport athlete who can break defenders down off the dribble or play in the post with his back to the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->