WPIAL Weekend Hot Shots
In this article:
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. The…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSaturday 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.
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 Alier Maluk Alier Maluk 7'0" | PF Long Island Lutheran | 2025 State #62 Nation NY , it was fellow sophomore RJ Sledge RJ Sledge 5'11" | PG Imani Christian Academy | 2025 State PA 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 Dante DePante Dante DePante 6'3" | PG Central Catholic | 2023 State PA 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 Virgil Hall, added in 13 points to shoulder some of the work under the basket with Maluk out.
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 Royce Parham Royce Parham 6'8" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State #53 Nation OH , an elite national recruit, was “held to only” 19 points by Brayden Foster Brayden Foster 6'8" | C Highlands | 2024 State PA and company–Foster led all scorers with 25 and is a scholarship level big man prospect himself with a high ceiling. Senior guard Jimmy Kunst Jimmy Kunst 6'2" | CG Highlands | 2023 State PA , 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.
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 Azerick Jetter)..and his backcourt of senior Ethan Anish Ethan Anish 6'1" | CG Taylor Allderdice | 2023 State PA , junior Logan Golle Logan Golle 6'1" | PG Taylor Allderdice | 2024 State PA and sophomore Jack Segall 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 Major Rainey Major Rainey 6'3" | SG Allderdice | 2024 State PA , a scholarship level guard; 6’5″ senior Sam Kelly Sam Kelly 6'5" | PF Allderdice | 2023 State PA , 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″ Antwone Thurman-Ward, 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.
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. Bryce Epps Bryce Epps 6'0" | PG South Allegheny | 2023 State PA , 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 Isaiah Boice injured of late, Jonathan Anderson has picked up the slack and scored 26 in the win.