WPIAL Class A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The smallest classification in the state may have one of its overall top teams in Imani Christian. They're heavy favorites to roll to the WPIAL and State titles, though other WPIAL teams can make noise come playoff time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Imani Christian(17-7)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints are absolutely loaded and playing a regional schedule this year. Their first seven are as good as anyone in the state. They're lead by 6'10” sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188606' first='Alier' last='Maluk']</strong>, one of the top sophomores in the country. He's aided in the post by 6'9” <strong>Virgil Hall</strong>, another D1 prospect. The backcourt got a huge boost with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621402' first='RJ' last='SLEDGE']</strong> came from Canevin and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188604' first='Dame' last='Givner']</strong> transferred in from Obama in the City League, giving them a complete team of scholarship level starters. It's state title or bust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>In The Mix</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Union(24-4)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year after making the WPIAL final, the Scotties bring back all five starters. They'll be led by the sons of head coach [player_tooltip player_id='1185925' first='Mark' last='Stanley']: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991361' first='Matt' last='Stanley']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185925' first='Mark' last='Stanley']</strong>. Matt averaged almost 20ppg last year. If anyone is going to be able to tackle Imani, it'll have to be them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Carlynton(21-4)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars bring buzz back to Carnegie this winter with four starters back and a new coach in Jake Trombetta. He's got experience in <strong>Jaiden McClure</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186055' first='Austin' last='Milliner']</strong>, <strong>Simon Shriver</strong> and <strong>Chase Jones</strong> as they drop down from 2A to 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Geibel Catholic(18-7)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gators made the WPIAL Semis last year and will look to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395922' first='Jaydis' last='Kennedy'],</strong> an electric scorer, to lead them again this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Monsessen(19-5)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greyhounds also drop down from 2A and return their top player in junior <strong>Lorenzo Gardner</strong>, an all section player last winter who averaged 20PPG.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->