5 Western PA Players Off to Strong Starts to the Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five players from Western Pennsylvania have caught our scout's eyes early in the season. Here's why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2466501"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69445daf8e09d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2466501' first='Nando' last='Mirarchi'] has opened the season playing like a true point guard. He's a knockdown shooter with NBA range, yet he's equally comfortable getting downhill to his pull-up or finishing with soft touch through contact. In the open floor he's decisive and unselfish. Early returns back it up: he dropped 26 in the opener against Harbor Creek and a double-double against Scranton Prep. Mirarchi announced his first Division I offer from Fairfield. Add in his growing reputation as a tough, lockdown defender who anticipates and turns stops into instant offense, and you've got the best kind of senior lead guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2288500"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694594b31771f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2288500' first='Michael' last='Thompson'] is the best athlete on the floor with plenty of vertical pop, polished footwork, and inside-out scoring lets him dictate matchups on both ends. He's a rangy athlete who plays above the rim and also has a nice pull-up. He stretches the floor as a catch-and-shoot threat when his feet are set and is just as comfortable attacking closeouts and finishing through contact. He has scored double digits in all of Cathedral Prep's early wins. Add in his rebounding presence and willingness to guard multiple spots, and you get a senior leader who knows how to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2492837"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6946cf312afc5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Early in the season, [player_tooltip player_id='2492837' first='Anthony' last='Abrahams'] has been a marksman from the perimeter. He's long and mobile, which shows on the glass as well as on both ends of the court. Offensively, he's also improved as a facilitator. His physicality has shown up early in the season, finishing through contact and when he gets his feet in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Messiah Armstrong","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Johnstown","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69481b496787c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Messiah Armstrong is a well‑rounded guard with athleticism and scoring ability. His perimeter game is a major strength. He has shown the ability to hit open jumpers from outside and knock down spot‑up 3‑pointers. His shot mechanics are smooth and confidence is growing. In addition to his catch‑and‑shoot ability, he has the athleticism and body control to attack closeouts, finish at the rim, and make plays off the dribble.<strong> </strong>His energy on defense, hustle on boards, and willingness to make the extra pass help sustain team momentum. This season Armstrong has taken on a more vocal and situational leadership role. His maturity on the court points to a player ready to take the next step as a focal point rather than a role contributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3229620"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694adcae2bf7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3229620' first='Charlie' last='Crummie'] looks the part of an early-season riser for Seton LaSalle because he combines a coach's floor sense with mistake-free execution. He has an excellent shot, especially when his feet are set, and he is more than comfortable driving the lane when opportunities show. Defensively, Crummie plays with discipline, taking good angles, getting a forearm on cutters, and using quick hands to disrupt without gambling. He has scored in the double digits multiple times early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->