WPIAL Championship Saturday 6A Players to Watch

Alex Fydryszewski

March 4, 2023 @ 10:31 AM

The Main Event of the Path To The Pete is the 6A Final. Expect a large crowd to appear for the final game of the weekend as Pittsburgh Central Catholic takes on New Castle. While Vikings fans have a short drive to the Pete and should bring a good contingent with them, New Castle is one of the programs in the region that travels the best for big games. Who are the players to watch in the marquee game?   [player_tooltip player_id='991365' first='Dante' last='DePante'] | G | Central Catholic   The 6'3" senior guard battled some injuries this season but has turned it on come playoff time. He's been fantastic in the Vikes wins to get to the Pete. Combining rock solid ball handling skills with a steady shooting performance each night, his stock is rising at the right time. He's displaying a fire that we all knew was there and its coming to the surface right when the Vikes need him at his best. If they're going to win the big one, he has to perform at the elite level once again and his teammates have to trust his leadership abilities, give him space to operate off the dribble, not force up "my turn" shots and let him go inside-outside with Tshiebwe and Sullivan.   [player_tooltip player_id='1284792' first='Debaba' last='Tshiebwe'] | F | Central Catholic   The 6'6" bruiser has also been improving as his senior year has gone forward in terms of his leadership, specifically on the defensive glass. We've seen him in the last month playing with a renewed confidence on both ends of the floor but he's been fantastic on the boards. He can get his points when called upon but the emergence of Sullivan as a major offensive weapon has taken some of that pressure off the senior. Hitting the boards and limiting second chance points for New Castle will be important tonight.   Isaiah Boice | G | New Castle   There is no player more important to New Castle right now than the 6'0" senior. The team didn't miss a step without him thanks to Anderson's leadership but Boice is one of the top guards in the region and proves it night in night out. A great ballhandler who can create his own shot, he's also one of their top "hustle players" with an improved defensive game from his junior year. He's also got the leadership mentality on and off the floor. He battled back from a broken bone in his foot much earlier than expected. If they win tonight, he'll be the major reason why.   Jonathan Anderson | G | New Castle   Anderson may be a touch undersized, but he's tough as nails. The 5'9" guard has been a perfect backcourt mate for Boice and delivered in the clutch period when Boice was out rehabbing his injury. A tenacious on ball defender, he's also got the ability to run the offense in the halfcourt and score the ball on top of it. A four year varsity veteran, Anderson has experience that most 6A coaches dream of having out there. It's his squad and he and Boice will drive the bus for them tonight.   [player_tooltip player_id='1483892' first='Tommy' last='Kristian'] | G | Central Catholic   TK stepped up his game while DePante was out and has had several big games as a senior, including in the road win at New Castle. He's a scrappy defender who can shoot the ball and is confident bringing it up against the press. He, along with fellow senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1186402' first='Randy' last='Wilkerson'], could be difference makers for Central tonight. If DePante hits like he has been for 25+, Sullivan or Debaba have a big game then TK and Wilkerson combine for 15, it could be enough for Central to claim the title.

The Main Event of the Path To The Pete is the 6A Final. Expect a large crowd to appear for the final game of the weekend as Pittsburgh Central Catholic takes on New Castle. While Vikings fans have a short drive to the Pete and should bring a good contingent with them, New Castle is one of the programs in the region that travels the best for big games. Who are the players to watch in the marquee game?