Pittsburgh Scorers To Watch In The Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WPIAL has become a hotbed for fast paced, high scoring basketball over the last few years. As a result, scoring records are being broken at schools throughout the region. Who are some players to watch as we enter the district tournament?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991346' first='Vinnie' last='Cugini']</strong> | G | Aquinas Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What is there left to write about the young man who has re-written WPIAL record books? Cugini, a master scorer at multiple levels, has been a dominant force for tiny Aquinas Academy. He's currently leading the WPIAL(and most likely the entire state) in scoring at over 44PPG. He's broken the WPIAL scoring record and recently crossed a ridiculous 3,000 points for his career. Aquinas will be a tough out in the Class A playoffs because of his scoring ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395834' first='Makhai' last='Valentine']</strong> | G | Steel Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior is on a mission to prove he's among the elite players in Western Pennsylvania and is accomplishing that. He's got a quick release on his jump shot and is dangerous anywhere across half court. One of the best athletes the WPIAL has seen on the floor in some time, he can get above the rim and also break down defenders. He's over 35PPG and has taken Steel Valley to the doorstep of a divisional championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186057' first='Shea' last='Champine']</strong> | G | Bishop Canevin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After spending last year's state title run as a role player, Champine burst on the scene as a senior leader and has been rewarded with scholarship offers. He's a confident ballhandler who can break down defenders and get at the rim but also a multi-level scorer. He's got solid court vision and is a game changer at both ends of the court. He's at 30PPG and if Canevin is going to make a run in Class AA, he's going to drive the bus. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham']</strong> | F | North Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parham has gone from "solid" as a sophomore to "elite" as a junior. He's added improved ballhandling skills to his game, has extended his range beyond the arc and additional moves in the post to catapult him to the level of national level recruit. He's kept the standard high at North Hills and with another year to go is capable of having his name listed among the top players to ever come out of Western Pennsylvania. He's the only big man we're featuring on the list, but for good reason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116023' first='Connor' last='Spratt'] </strong>| G | Seton La Salle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The walking TikTok reel of WPIAL basketball continues to put on a show every night. In Tuesday's big divisional win over Sacred Heart, Spratt had a lights out fourth quarter and helped Seton seal the deal in overtime. His duel with Valentine was one of the top matchups of the season that we've seen. Spratt missed the playoff last year after transferring in. He'll be on a mission to make a run as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->