Trey’s PIAA 2A Pre-Season Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My pre-season top five teams in the PIAA 2A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>5. Church Farm</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Church Farm is coming off a disappointing season, however they are my dark horse pick in the 2A class. If they are going to reach their full potential, [player_tooltip player_id='2500733' first='Deng' last='Mabior'] will have to shoulder the load. He averaged a double-double and showed massive defensive upside with two steals and blocks a game. [player_tooltip player_id='2710249' first='Carl' last='Raymond'] and Jayden Green are also reliable scorers for the Griffins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>4. Neshannock</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neshannock quietly had a really good season a year ago, losing to a very talented Greensburg Central Catholic team in the state playoffs. Although they graduated five seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='1454203' first='David' last='Kwiat'] steps into a larger role which should bode well for the Lancers. If he is able to produce at a higher rate while being asked to do more, Neshannock will be looking to reach the state semifinal round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>3. Jeannette</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hard-nosed Jeannette team also lost to Greensburg Central Catholic in the state playoffs last season, however they are the reigning WPIAL champions. Their best overall player is just a junior in [player_tooltip player_id='2877435' first='Markus' last='McGowan']. Xavier Odorisio-Farrow can be a nightly double-double as he enters his senior year. [player_tooltip player_id='3033184' first='Kymone' last='Brown'] and Jayce Powell return as athletic lead guards for a talented Jayhawk team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2. Linville Hill Christian</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although Linville Hill Christian are the reigning champs, they did lose four starters from that championship team. [player_tooltip player_id='3033344' first='Drew' last='Tibbins'] returns to the starting lineup as their point guard as the other four players previously came off the bench. [player_tooltip player_id='3033337' first='Emerson' last='Westfall'] is a big forward who will be crucial to the Monarchs success this year. Can they repeat as the champions with so much turn around?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>1. Sewickley Academy</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sewickley Academy lost by one point last season in the state championship and now enters this year as the likely favorite. They are led by sensational big men [player_tooltip player_id='2809899' first='Adam' last='Ikamba'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2809891' first='Mamadou' last='Kane']. They make it nearly impossible to score inside the paint for opposing teams. [player_tooltip player_id='2793278' first='Drew' last='Steals'] recorded a team-high 17 points in the championship game as a freshman. Lucas Grimley and [player_tooltip player_id='2729533' first='Jamere' last='Guyton'] will round out the starting five for my pre-season favorite to avenge their silver medal from last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->