Central Pennsylvania Standouts to Watch this Season

Because Central Pennsylvania is a large region and often rural, too often, some of its best players get overlooked. So, here is a list of “can't miss” hoopers to watch this season.    [player_tooltip player_id='2335973' first='Nick' last='Dressick'] enters his senior year looking every bit like a Central PA riser thanks to a confident perimeter game and on the court decision-making. He has grown more comfortable hunting threes off movement. His sharpshooting pairs with real court vision. Dressick keeps his head up, moves the ball early, and makes the extra pass. He's physically and mentally tough, always willing to mix it up on drives, absorb contact, and compete on the glass.Add in good handles, willingness to dive on the floor, and active hands in passing lanes, and you get a guard who helps win possessions at both ends. With a productive AAU offseason behind him and a bigger on-ball role ahead at Bishop McCort, Dressick truly is a player to watch this winter.     [player_tooltip player_id='1163399' first='Grant' last='Craig'] is a confident point guard and shooter. Last season he logged multiple 20-plus outings. What separates him is his composure and feel for the game. Add in the mid-range excellence and a willingness to take contact at the rim, and Craig profiles as a three-level scorer. He has junior-college interest already and sources tell me that he will be going on some mid-major visits in the coming months. [player_tooltip player_id='1163399' first='Grant' last='Craig'] enters 2025–26 as one of Central PA's most complete junior point guards.     [player_tooltip player_id='2897404' first='Jack' last='Wesner'] was a third-team Pennsylvania all-state selection as a junior, and shows both high-end production and leadership. He's a quick-trigger spot-up threat who can also convert tough pull-ups off the bounce. When he gets downhill, he can finish with either hand and knows when to give the ball up when help drops. Wesner takes pride in his defense, and exhibits multiple intangibles. Wesner projects as a senior who will drive Westmont's ceiling and play like one of Central PA's most complete guards this winter.     At 6'5 with length and coordination, [player_tooltip player_id='2842801' first='Dylan' last='Stohon'] blends a smooth catch-and-shoot perimeter stroke with polished footwork on the block, letting him score inside-out and punish switches.<a href="https://www.dailyamerican.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2024/12/13/conemaugh-township-forest-hills-boys-basketball-cruise-in-mountain-cat-tournament-openers/76961097007/?utm_source=chatgpt.com"> </a>His perimeter shot and face-up game are both above average. Defensively, Stohon is a true rim deterrent.<a href="https://tribhssn.triblive.com/aliquippa-rolls-past-forest-hills-in-piaa-class-3a-quarterfinals/?utm_source=chatgpt.com"> </a>Stohon profiles as one of Central PA's most intriguing 2027 forwards.     Johnny Galarza projects as a point guard that can score but also facilitate the entire game. The first thing that jumps out is his tempo control, finding his spots, his teammates, and scoring opportunities for the entire team without forcing the action. He's already a three-level scorer and finishes well through traffic for such a young player. He shows mature decision-making, minimizing live-ball turnovers and making the right decision depending where the defense positions itself. Defensively, he competes at the point of attack, slides well laterally, and reads the next pass. Intangibles round out the profile. Galarza has clearly put in work on skill development, embraces big-moment responsibility, and already carries himself like a lead guard who sets standards for teammates.

Because Central Pennsylvania is a large region and often rural, too often, some of its best players get overlooked. So, here is a list of “can't miss” hoopers to watch this season.