Pittsburgh Games To Watch Through Friday

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season heats up and Christmas tournaments are on the horizon, some teams begin sectional play this week while others continue to find themselves playing high level non-divisional games in the Pittsburgh Region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thursday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>North Catholic vs Ambridge: </em>The Trojans are guard heavy--North doesn't have a "big man" per se---but their guards are solid. They're led into this one by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186070' first='Max' last='Rottman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186069' first='Andrew' last='Maddalon']</strong>, both headed to Roanoke next year, along with junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188004' first='Max' last='Hurray']</strong>. Ambridge features freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406902' first='Jared' last='Astorino']</strong>, who has turned in several nice outings to start his HS career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brashear vs Cornell:</em> It's a little off the radar for most basketball fans in Pittsburgh but <strong>Titus Gillett</strong> is worth the price of admission as he carries the Bulls on his shoulders in the absence of several injured players. Gillett is on fire to start the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Kiski vs Mars:</em> The Planets are out the gate undefeated while Kiski Area has faced some tough competition to start the season. Mars senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991376' first='Tasso' last='Sfanos']</strong> is the player to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Friday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lincoln Park Charter vs Beaver Area:</em> LPC features electric national recruit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas']</strong> and are heavy favorites to win the WPIAL and go deep into the state tournament. Beaver is also off to a fast start, beat South Fayette last night and features <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185952' first='Sawyer' last='Butler']</strong> and 6'3" forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395899' first='Aiden' last='Townsend']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Steel Valley vs Seton LaSalle: </em>While Steel Valley has struggled to adjust from football to basketball, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395834' first='Makhai' last='Valentine']</strong> is out the gate hot. He's hitting towards 30 every night. If <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116023' first='Connor' last='Spratt']</strong> doesn't play(He missed the Char Val game) then it could be a close game. <strong>Hayden Merchant</strong>, a 6'5" junior, stepped up with a career night with Spratt out and got help from 6'4" junior <strong>Nick Sikorski.</strong> SLS senior guard <strong>Cole Starrett</strong> and 6'0" sophomore guard <strong>Patrick Weldon</strong> could be the X-Factors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Serra vs Jeannette</em>: The Jayhawks are seemingly finding their way after a few years of struggles in all major boys sports. Serra comes in battle tested and will be led by senior<strong> Joey DeMoss</strong> and sophomore guard <strong>Owen Dumbroski</strong>, who has be very impressive this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bishop Canevin vs Avonworth</em>: In a battle of backcourts, promising <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188639' first='Rowan' last='Carmichael']</strong> leads the Antelopes to tangle with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186057' first='Shea' last='Champine']</strong> and the Crusaders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Butler vs Franklin Regional:</em> The Panthers are making noise in Murrysville and are out the gate with several impressive performances but they face a tough test in Butler on Friday. Butler is led by senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991371' first='Madden' last='Clement']</strong>, a multi sport athlete who has been on fire to start the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Mt. Lebanon vs Chartiers Valley: </em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991389' first='Michael' last='Pfeuffer']</strong> and his teammates welcome the guard heavy Char Val Colts to town on Friday, led by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188607' first='Jayden' last='Davis']</strong> and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1454309' first='Julian' last='Semplice']</strong>. CV also features a talented senior in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991373' first='Drew' last='Sleva']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->