Trey’s PIAA 3A Pre-Season Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My pre-season top five teams in the PIAA 3A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>5. Warrior Run</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing to the eventual state champions in last years second round, Warrior Run has great potential to come out of the 3A class, resting on the shoulders of big man [player_tooltip player_id='2781188' first='Aiden' last='McKee']. The traditional starting center and Gannon University commit will be a huge reason for any success that the Defenders can have this season. They graduated some key players and will look for others to step up if they want to compete for a championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>4. Trinity</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even after the graduation of Owen Schlager to Sienna, in addition to multiple key transfers, Trinity still figures to compete for a 3A title as they seemingly always do. Under the direction of longtime head coach Larry Kostalic, [player_tooltip player_id='2427375' first='Andre' last='Steele'] will take over as the next great Shamrock guard. [player_tooltip player_id='2514000' first='Marcus' last='Yeager'] will spend his college years at Richmond for football, however not before one more season on the court as a utility player who can do it all. Factor in the potential of [player_tooltip player_id='2506065' first='Nike' last='Craig'], and this team should be right back where they normally are, competing for district and state championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>3. Landsdale Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders enter 2025-26 after a disappointing season where they lost in a tough first round state playoff game against Lancaster Mennonite. I predict a huge leap out of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2450682' first='Chase' last='Stevens'], who will handle the ball more in addition to his already excellent slashing and rebounding. [player_tooltip player_id='2542735' first='Brayden' last='Martin'] factors to be a primary playmaker entering his junior year. Other sophomores who will be crucial to their success are Eric Green and [player_tooltip player_id='2853435' first='Ayden' last='Lewis']. If the young core of players can grow up quickly, Landsdale Catholic figures to be a 3A serious threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2. West Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Catholic is the reigning state champion, however their former head coach Miguel Bocachica is now coaching the City Reapers of OTE. [player_tooltip player_id='1576722' first='Kingston' last='Wheatley'] headlines an impressive group of upperclassmen along with Nyeire Farlow, [player_tooltip player_id='2145489' first='Xavier' last='Fauntroy'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2427981' first='Eric' last='Scott']. Freshman forward Mekhi Graves already holds a Division I offer and will see more come in as he begins his high school career. Their new coach, James Lewis, has over 20 years of experience, but will it be enough to lead these Burrs to a repeat gold medal?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>1. Riverside</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside made a deep playoff run in 2024-25, only to be topped by eventual state champion West Catholic in the quarterfinals. [player_tooltip player_id='2643837' first='Nico' last='Antoniacci'] is why I have the Vikings as my pre-season favorite, as the sophomore guard is a sure fire Division I prospect whose best is yet to come. Factor in [player_tooltip player_id='2427260' first='Brayden' last='Rose'] and Mikey Schimelfenig and you've got a complete roster, capable of bringing home the state gold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->