WPIAL Monday Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WPIAL playoffs are underway and the consolation rounds will begin later this week. Who stood out in Monday's games?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991401' first='Brandin' last='Cummings']</strong> | G | Lincoln Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pitt commit continues to impress. Explosive to the rim off the bounce and range that goes from here to Ohio. An electric prospect that was part of the "must have" list of hometown prospects for Coach Capel. What needs to be written about him has been written many times over...He's the real deal. He went off for a game high 34 in Lincoln Park Charter's opening round victory. His teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas']</strong> is equally talented as a national recruit and the duo make up the best backcourt in the WPIAL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ama Sow</strong> | F | Montour</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sow had to sit for a period of the season after a transfer. He's got serious raw athleticism and could grow into a very talented prospect. He's long and lean, checking in at about 6'8" and a solid 200lb. He's a strong rebounder and gets out in transition very well. He's got a spring in his step and is a skilled shot blocker already. He could morph into one of the top bigs in the region over the next two years. Had 21 in a playoff loss to North Catholic last night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188639' first='Rowan' last='Carmichael']</strong> | G | Avonworth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While he's receiving attention for his scoring at the HS level as an underclassman, the best traits Carmichael will bring to a college program down the line are the little things that the press hasn't focused on. The son of a coach(his father Hermie is the HC at LaRoche), he exhibits all the skills that a good lead guard who will facilitate a half court offense at the next level brings. Confident ballhandler, moves the rock with purpose and can score the basketball as a leader for the Antelopes. He had 24 in a loss to Uniontown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116023' first='Connor' last='Spratt']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395834' first='Makhai' last='Valentine']</strong> both did their part to set up another Steel Valley-Seton LaSalle contest. Spratt, the bus driver for the Rebels, went for 31 in a win over Wash High. He was excellent off the bounce last night--Creating his own shots from beyond the arc, pulling up off the dribble and getting to the rim. Valentine had a "quiet night" for him---He "only" scored 21. Thursday night's contest at Mt Lebanon should be electric. These two, along with Central Catholic lead guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991365' first='Dante' last='DePante']</strong>, are the top available seniors in the Pittsburgh area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the game of the night, South Allegheny survived a spirited contest against an equally talented Beaver Area team. The players who have been stars throughout the season came through..South Allegheny was led by their all time leading scorer, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991349' first='Bryce' last='Epps']</strong>, who has been an offensive machine for several years--A guard who gets it done at multiple levels and is a confident shooter. Epps had 23. For Beaver, it was a team effort in the 59-57 loss, as Franciscan commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395899' first='Aiden' last='Townsend']</strong>, fellow senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185952' first='Sawyer' last='Butler']</strong> and guard prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188638' first='Brady' last='Mayo']</strong> each went over 10pts. This matchup was the best on paper in the opening round of any bracket in the WPIAL and unfortunately, someone's season was going to end--In this case, Beaver.The WPIAL 4A bracket is loaded going forward and all 8 teams left can do damage at the state tournament level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->