WPIAL Class 5A POY Watch List

These five players are making a name for themselves early in the season, and their stocks are rising on the WPIAL Class 5A POY watch list.    Mikey Santicola, following a huge summer with Wildcat Select AAU, has seen his stock soar. He recently committed to Nova Southeastern. What sets Santicola apart is his rare combination of size and length. Offensively, he attacks the rim relentlessly, using his strength, athleticism, and body control to finish through contact. He can also stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting. Defensively, Santicola's quickness, lateral mobility, and wingspan enable him to guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes. Whether it's contesting shots at the rim or defending on the perimeter, he displays a willingness to embrace physical play. His presence on the boards, especially on the offensive end, creates second-chance opportunities. He has shined in high-exposure events and early this high school season, proving his ability to stand out against other elite prospects.     Nate Wesling has a quick first step and strong frame. He excels at both penetrating the lane and creating his own shot off the dribble. Wesling's ball-handling skills and basketball IQ stand out. He never turns the ball over and always makes smart decisions when the ball is in his hands.  Wesling boasts elite athleticism and a versatile scoring arsenal—he's averaging close to 30 points per game in the early weeks of the season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1406952' first='Owen' last='Proskin'] is a dominant presence on the boards and double-double machine — he truly is an aggressive rebounder with a knack for anticipating where the ball will come off the rim. Owen turns rebounding into instant offense by making great outlet passes and quickly igniting the fast break. His ability to run the floor gets him plenty of transition points. What truly sets Owen apart is his athleticism. Also a standout track athlete, he harnesses his overall speed, strength, and agility to seriously outspeed his opponents. His natural physicality makes him a tough matchup inside the paint. This blend of size, athletic ability, and skill translates into a versatile game—he can dominate close to the basket and still contribute when stepping away from the paint. With his combination of work ethic, athleticism, and proven performance, it's no surprise that he's garnered attention as a POY candidate in WPIAL Class 5A.     Coming off a 2nd Team All-Conference selection last year, [player_tooltip player_id='2949804' first='Amon' last='Hawthorne'] is an excellent spot-up shooter with impressive range. His ball-handling and first step are elite. Known for his athleticism, quickness, and crafty finishing at the rim, he can play either guard position. Amon's unselfish nature and sharp court vision make him a true floor general. Hawthorne's commitment to offseason work is evident in his refined fundamentals, making him a guard with tremendous upside who consistently impacts the game on both ends of the floor and justifies the buzz.     [player_tooltip player_id='1454184' first='Logan' last='Helfrick'] is an elite shooter. He has a quick release, deep range, and is always ready to catch-and-shoot. Defenses just can't let him get open. That said, it's Logan's commitment on the defensive end that sets him apart. He takes pride in his defense, playing aggressively without fear. He has a knack for reading passing lanes. Logan's decision-making in transition and on the fast break is noteworthy. He makes smart reads, whether it's pushing the tempo for an easy look at the rim, pulling up for an open jumper, or finding the open teammate. This poise and control in fast-paced situations reflect a high basketball IQ.

These five players are making a name for themselves early in the season, and their stocks are rising on the WPIAL Class 5A POY watch list.