WPIAL Early Week Notes
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As the week hits its turning point on Wednesday, it’s time to look back at some news, notes and top performers of the week thusfar in the Ptitsburgh area. Tuesday night’s biggest shocker came when North Allegheny dominated Pittsburgh Central…
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Continue ReadingAs the week hits its turning point on Wednesday, it’s time to look back at some news, notes and top performers of the week thusfar in the Ptitsburgh area.
Tuesday night’s biggest shocker came when North Allegheny dominated Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Junior forward Joey Dopirak Joey Dopirak 6'5" | SF North Allegheny | 2024 State PA , a versatile player who can fight under the basket but also has the ability to draw defenders towards the perimeter to keep them honest, led the way for the Tigers with 15 points. The Vikings were led in defeat by 6’3″ star senior Dante DePante Dante DePante 6'3" | PG Central Catholic | 2023 State PA , scoring 14. DePante has expanded his skillset quite a bit and has shown leadership abilities to facilitate to his teammates, which will be valuable at the next level, but also an expanded offensive arsenal. 6’10” junior big man Ty Iwonankiw added 14 for NA in the victory.
North Hills outlasted Chartiers Valley in a 78-74 barnburner…Who else led the way but the top player in Allegheny County at any graduating class— Royce Parham Royce Parham 6'8" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State #53 Nation OH . It was a career night for the 6’8″ junior big man, scoring 39 points and grabbing nearing 20 boards in the marquee win. Parham has extended his range beyond the three point line and is also showing an ability to put the ball on the floor while facing up defenders this year. Char Val’s sophomore sensation Jayden Davis Jayden Davis 5'10" | CG Chartiers Valley | 2025 State PA tossed in 24 as they came up just short. Freshman guard Julian Semplice Julian Semplice 5'11" | CG Chartiers Valley | 2026 State PA added 13 in defeat. The youngster will be a name to remember in the area the next few years.
North Catholic scored an impressive victory over Beaver Area on Tuesday and were led by senior guard Andrew Maddalon Andrew Maddalon 6'2" | SG North Catholic | 2023 State PA with nearly 25 points. Maddalon is committed to Roanoke and is a big bodied guard and a leader for the Trojans as a multi-year starter. Junior guard Max Hurray Max Hurray 6'2" | SG North Catholic | 2024 State PA scored 15 in the fourth quarter and also recently picked up a D1 offer from U-Mass Lowell.
Uniontown Area ended Laurel Highlands impressive sectional winning streak at 24 games with a hard fought 61-57 double OT win. In spite of big performances from their masterful senior duo of Keondre DeShields Keondre DeShields 6'3" | CG Laurel Highlands | 2023 State PA and Rodney Gallagher Rodney Gallagher 6'0" | CG Laurel Highlands | 2023 State #176 Nation PA , who went over 20, the Mustangs fell to their local rivals.
Seton LaSalle has been finding better results after the return of high scoring senior guard Connor Spratt Connor Spratt 6'3" | PG Seton LaSalle | 2023 State PA . He had 28 in a victory over Sto-Rox last night. The Rebels had lost a number of big matchups without Spratt in the lineup but are benefitting from his ability to score from anywhere on the floor.