WPIAL Finals Friday 4A Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4A final is set to be one of the higher profile matchups of the weekend at The Pete as Lincoln Park takes on North Catholic. Who should fans be watching?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas']</strong> | G | Lincoln Park Charter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most coveted recruits in the entire country, Thomas is an electric player who can score with confidence from anywhere inside half court. He gets to the rim with force and can pull up from range off the dribble. He's a part of the USA Basketball youth national team pool for good reason and it will be on full display under the brightest lights in Pittsburgh hoops. His reputation is far reaching--We covered the Roselle Catholic-St Thomas Aquinas game in Jersey earlier this week and fans in the gym we spoke to knew about Meleek and the Lincoln Park Charter program. He's got eyes on him all over the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991401' first='Brandin' last='Cummings']</strong> | G | Lincoln Park Charter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'4" junior has given a verbal to Pitt and has a smooth game that Coach Capel clearly fell in love with. He's a ballhandler who can break down defenders off the bounce and get to the rim Like Thomas, he's also got next level scoring ability all over the floor. He brings a leadership ability that separates him from other players in the region. He has all the tools to contribute early when he gets to Oakland. He's the first of a trio of players that Capel needs to land locally to have a bigtime buzz come back to Pitt basketball--They're good right now but a few kids from town staying home could bring the program back further. Thomas and North Hills big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham']</strong> are the other two "must haves" in the region right now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188004' first='Max' last='Hurray']</strong> | G | North Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hurray is a rising prospect in the Pittsburgh basketball scene. Recently got his first D1 offer from U-Mass Lowell in America East. He's a well built guard who can score in bunches and can light it up from beyond the arc. Scoring has been a priority this year for him on a balanced team but with two senior guards graduating, he'll be expected to pick up more of the leadership role next year. He'll have to get buckets to keep NC in it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186069' first='Andrew' last='Maddalon']</strong> | G | North Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddalon is the type of kid that most defenders loathe playing. His fitness level is on point and he can simply run opponents into the ground--Not because he's lightning quick--He's got some pep in his step---but it's because he can just outwork you...He runs....and runs....and for a change, he can run some more.. He's got a solid build on his frame and his game is well rounded. A good facilitator in the half court, a leader for the team and a ballhandler who can score. Roanoke has a good one in him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mat Rottman</strong> | G | North Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NC deploys a 5 guard set with little size but Rottman is another of their stereotypes--about 6'1" and pesky. He's a scrappy defender who creates turnovers and offensively, he's a shooter first and foremost. We saw him a few times over the last two years and he's a capable guard who will contribute at the next level. He's also going to Roanoke. If the pace favors LPC, Maddalon, Hurray and Rottman will need to hit for about 60-65 to have NC in the game and then the rest of the team will need to find 15-20 if they're going to win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->