WPIAL Class 4A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A may be one of the most talented across the board in the WPIAL and is home to a host of college players that should make it a very exciting season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lincoln Park Charter(18-8)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Bariski has two of the top players in Western Pennsylvania in junior <strong>Brandon Cummings</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas']</strong>, who is one of the top players in the country for his class. They've got a very deep backcourt and will be looking to make a deep run in states.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Laurel Highlands(27-1)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning titles recently in 5A, Laurel Highlands drop to 4A and will be among the favorites yet again. Electric guard<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='991329' first='Rodney' last='Gallagher']</strong>, a top football prospect who once held a basketball offer from Florida, will drive the bus as a senior. He'll be joined by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991354' first='Keondre' last='DeShields']</strong>, who averaged over 20ppg. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991336' first='Brandon' last='Davis']</strong> transferred out but with two D1 basketball prospects in the backcourt, Laurel's mindset will still be to make the WPIAL final and a deep run in states.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>In The Mix</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>North Catholic(18-4)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North returns its entire backcourt, led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186069' first='Andrew' last='Maddalon']</strong> and <strong>Max Rottmann</strong>, both heading off to play college basketball next year. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188004' first='Max' last='Hurray'] </strong>will also be asked to contribute in the backcourt. Their guards are capable of competing with most teams in the WPIAL regardless of classification. If they can find some muscle in the post, they could jump into the contender section.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Highlands(19-8)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams had a breakout season last year and bring back most of the team that surprised last year. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991347' first='Jimmy' last='Kunst']</strong> is a multi sport athlete who could play college basketball if he wasn't a sought after baseball player as well and 6'8” forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1187999' first='Brayden' last='Foster']</strong> is a scholarship level prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->