WPIAL Weekend Hot Shots

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday saw a host of showcase games around the region featuring WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League teams. Tonight we give credit where it is due to the teams and players who performed at a high level in these matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup of the weekend saw Imani Christian defeat Central Catholic 81-66. In a game that was more guard focused than normal for Imani, who played without elite prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188606' first='Alier' last='Maluk']</strong>, it was fellow sophomore<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1621402' first='RJ' last='SLEDGE']</strong> who stepped up on both ends of the floor. Sledge is a tough defender and he knows how to attack the rim on offense but can also create his own shot from deep if left open. He had 19 to lead the Saints to victory but it was Vikings senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991365' first='Dante' last='DePante']</strong> who stole the show, going off for a game high 29. DePante has shown an expanded skillset as a senior and a willingness to be a leader on both ends of the floor--He's one of the most under-recruited players in the state. For Imani, their second big man, 6'8" junior <strong>Virgil Hall</strong>, added in 13 points to shoulder some of the work under the basket with Maluk out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlands took a huge victory back to Natrona Heights with them after they took care of Noth Hills 69-52. After going for nearly 50 vs Pine Richland, North Hills junior star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham']</strong>, an elite national recruit, was "held to only" 19 points by<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1187999' first='Brayden' last='Foster']</strong> and company--Foster led all scorers with 25 and is a scholarship level big man prospect himself with a high ceiling. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991347' first='Jimmy' last='Kunst']</strong>, a multi sport athlete who gets it done at a high level in both baseball and basketball added 18 in the win. Kunst is a solid ballhandler and if he wanted to, he could easily be college basketball player--though most searching of his name leads baseball to be his potential sport of choice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allderdice, who may be the best team in the Pittsburgh metro, completed a clean sweep of WPIAL opponents on the year, running themselves to 7-0 vs suburban competition with a 71-59 win over Upper Saint Clair. Devin Crummie is blessed to have up to ten legit college basketball prospects on his team(Though some will play football, like <strong>Azerick Jetter</strong>)..and his backcourt of senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1436504' first='Ethan' last='Anish'],</strong> junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1518798' first='Logan' last='Golle']</strong> and sophomore <strong>Jack Segall</strong> are as good a trio as any in the region. All three will be high academic recruits. The frontcourt is bolstered by its own trio: High flying junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1187923' first='Major' last='Rainey'], a scholarship level guard; 6'5" senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991387' first='Sam' last='Kelly']</strong>, who is one of the best all around athletes in the city--He's a top shelf volleyball player as well and we joked during football season with Jerry Haslett that if Sam decided to put on the pads and show up to one of his practices that he'd immediately be the best wide receiver in the city too; and 6'5" <strong>Antwone Thurman-Ward</strong>, who provides the muscle on both ends of the floor under the basket...and some great photography skills as well--He's a rising star in that realm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Allegheny, like Imani, showed that when it comes to basketball, the enrollment of a school is irrelevant. If you have 5-10 kids, you can play with anyone...and play they did with New Castle, one of the top teams in Western Pennsylvania. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991349' first='Bryce' last='Epps']</strong>, a high scoring senior guard who is shooting for the South Al record books, led them with 23, though they came up just short, 61-56, in double OT. With <strong>Isaiah Boice</strong> injured of late, <strong>Jonathan Anderson</strong> has picked up the slack and scored 26 in the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->