5 Western PA Players Primed for Huge Senior Seasons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five seniors have all the tools for exceptional seasons during their senior years with their high school teams. Here's why:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Ben Fischer","_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":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grove City","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-689b2a5c75ab0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ben Fischer is entering his senior season as one of the most impact-ready and underrated frontcourt players in Western Pennsylvania. A multi-sport athlete with a long, physical frame, Fischer has earned a reputation for relentless effort, interior toughness, and defensive presence. During Grove City's 2024–25 campaign, Fischer emerged as the team's most frequent double-digit rebounder. He quietly set career highs as a junior behind the scenes as a go‑to presence in the post, showcasing footwork on 12-foot turnaround jumpers and smart positioning to draw fouls and finish through contact. On defense, Fischer has developed into a true rim protector for Grove City. His motor sets the tone, elevating teammates and making him one of the region's most respected seniors.With continued weight-room development and refinement in half‑court scoring, Fischer is positioned for a breakout senior campaign. Expect him to anchor Grove City as the primary interior force, lead in leadership, and emerge as one of District 10's best unsung senior bigs.</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":"Cormac Thunell","_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":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cathedral Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-689c641e4aed2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heading into his senior season, Cormac Thunell has firmly positioned himself as one of Western Pennsylvania's most impactful and versatile upperclassmen. At 6'5″, Thunell provides elite positional size on the perimeter. He emerged from a role player into a key contributor, earning Region 7 Second-Team honors last year. Thunell's jumper is a standout. He knocks down spot-up threes, can rise on the wing off screens, and even steps into mid-range pull-ups when pressured. He navigates screens exceptionally well, creating space to fire or explode downhill. His handle and vision allow him to drive into the lane, collapse defenses, and either finish or facilitate. On defense, Thunell is tenacious. His length and timing generate deflections and steals, while his rebounding is consistently strong.&nbsp; What has stood out this spring is how much his game has matured. Stepping into his final high school campaign, Thunell is poised to excel as the leader of Cathedral Prep's roster. His combination of size, perimeter skill, defensive versatility, and leadership makes him an ideal target for Division II or scholarship-minded Division III programs. Observers expect him to pile up all-purpose counting stats, earn team captaincy, and finish his high school career as one of Erie's most complete two-way performers. College coaches who appreciate size plus polish are already beginning to take notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406910"],"_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-689d93a4c1281"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1406910' first='Jake' last='Foster'] enters his senior season as a rising leader in one of the state's top 6A programs. He already boasts high-level experience, helping Upper St. Clair secure back‑to‑back WPIAL Class 6A titles. He scored a career‑high 22 points in their second‑round PIAA playoff win over Governor Mifflin, showing his ability to rise up when it matters most. A quick decision-maker with elite vision, Foster knows when to shoot, pass, or penetrate. His spot-up shooting is consistent. Off the ball, he constantly moves. He dives on the floor and boxes out well. Defensive leadership is a cornerstone of Foster's game. He competes hard, stays in front of players, and anticipates passing lanes to create steals. Some coaches I spoke with highlight his ability to guard bigger wings and his relentless work ethic. [player_tooltip player_id='1406910' first='Jake' last='Foster'] is ready to be a leader, and he should be on the radar of DII and DIII coaches.<br></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":"Jordan Epps","_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":"6'1u0022","_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":"Shaler","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-689f2d085e62b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a returning starter for Shaler along with upperclass leadership transitions, Jordan Epps is positioned for a breakout senior season in Class 5A. He is a multi-dimensional guard ready to lead the Titans. Jordan averaged 17.5 points per game last season, ranking among the WPIAL's top scorers. He lights it up when he gets his feet set from deep and can also explode downhill with a quick first step. Epps plays with a competitive edge by aggressively diving for loose balls and fighting through screens. &nbsp;His quick hands contribute to higher turnover creation, and he has proven capable of defending multiple backcourt positions. Jordan Epps enters his final high school season as a proven scorer, a high-IQ decision-maker, and a rising two-way guard with strength, shooting, and positional versatility. Expect him to deliver career-best numbers and establish himself as one of District 7's most polished and competitive senior guards.</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":"Nick Santoro","_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":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mars","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Caveman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-68a32e4f77556"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nick Santoro is shaping up as one of Western Pennsylvania's most intriguing seniors. He boasts a deep shooting range and knocks down threes with a confident release. Beyond his jumper, Santoro is a physical player. He attacks closeouts to initiate contact, finishes through defenders with power, and isn't afraid to mix it up in traffic. That same grit fuels his defensive effort. Santoro's work ethic and coachability also stand out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->