WPIAL 6A Pre Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WPIAL 6A landscape is shaping up to be an intriguing one, with plenty of talent and storylines to follow as teams prepare for another season. Several established names are looking to build on productive campaigns, while a number of younger players are poised to take on expanded roles and make their mark. With experienced seniors chasing strong finishes to their high school careers and emerging prospects looking to capitalize on new opportunities, there should be no shortage of compelling matchups throughout the section. Here's a look at some of the players and teams to keep an eye on heading into the 2026-27 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projecting the Playoff Standings</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Upper St. Clair</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Pine-Richland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Peters Twp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Fox Chapel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Central Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Hempfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. North Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Mt. Lebanon </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Seneca Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. North Allegheny </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. Canon-Mac</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside looking in: Norwin, Baldwin, Butler, and Connellsville<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Pre-Season Section Teams</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Pre-Seaon All Section 1 First Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='2721476' first='Nathan' last='Schanbacher'] </em></strong>(North Hills)--Preseason Player of the Year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3266193' first='Brooklyn' last='Becker']</em></strong> (Pine-Richland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3035875' first='Amaizen' last='Straughters'] </em></strong>(Pine-Richland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3033942' first='Brandon' last='Pickett'] </em></strong>(Central Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3598575' first='Tommy' last='Wilkinson']</em></strong> (Fox Chapel)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3424443' first='Jack' last='Stoessel'] </em></strong>(Central Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3165801' first='Joey' last='McGivney'] </em></strong>(Fox Chapel)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2874741' first='Jahlil' last='Archer']</em></strong> (North Allegheny)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2721476' first='Nathan' last='Schanbacher'] enters his final season looking to become North Hills' all-time leading scorer. He is a prolific scorer who can find the bottom of the net in the blink of an eye and will once again be a focal point for the Indians. [player_tooltip player_id='3424443' first='Jack' last='Stoessel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3165801' first='Joey' last='McGivney'] do a nice job managing the game and should step into important leadership roles for their respective programs. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='3033942' first='Brandon' last='Pickett'], who put together an eye-opening freshman campaign at North Catholic last season, has transferred to Central Catholic, where he will get his introduction to 6A basketball. Swiss-army knife Jahili Archer looks to lead a North Allegheny squad continuing to rebuild. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em> Pre-Seaon All Section 2 1st Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 C <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2486493' first='Ryan' last='Robbins'] </em></strong>(Upper St. Clair/Penn State Football) --Preseason Player of the Year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 F <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3676046' first='Lucas' last='Simmons']</strong></em> (Hempfield)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 C <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2967005' first='Jake' last='Wetzel'] </em></strong>(Peters Twp.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2960280' first='Jacob' last='Zaber']</em></strong> (Mt. Lebanon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3598566' first='Greyson' last='Sayler']</em></strong> (Upper St. Clair)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong><em>Evan Golvash</em></strong> (Baldwin)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> 2030 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3778623' first='Parker' last='Smith']</em></strong> (Seneca Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2916450' first='Jude' last='Ausi'] </em></strong>(Upper St. Clair)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2486493' first='Ryan' last='Robbins'] should once again be an unstoppable force in section play, using his stout frame and swift footwork on the interior to create problems for opposing defenses. He and Upper St. Clair will look to make a deep postseason run in his final year. [player_tooltip player_id='2960280' first='Jacob' last='Zaber'] is poised to step into a larger role in year three following the departure of several seniors from last season's Mt. Lebanon squad. EJ Golvash's scoring pop should be on display for a Baldwin team looking to establish a new identity under a coaching change. [player_tooltip player_id='2967005' first='Jake' last='Wetzel'] has shown improvement over the last several months, and I think he will be a difficult matchup to game plan for on a nightly basis because of the different ways he can impact the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>All 6A Breakout Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3771798' first='Lucien' last='Miller']</em></strong> (Pine-Richland) (Pre Season Breakout POTY)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3501931' first='King' last='Carver']</em></strong> (Norwin)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 C<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='3037618' first='Dan' last='Forst'] </em></strong>(Seneca Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3163608' first='Taycen' last='McLain'] </em></strong>(Canon Mac)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2617665' first='Matthew' last='Jasper']</em></strong> (Central Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3636887' first='Dylan' last='Shaffer'] </em></strong>(Hempfield)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 G<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='3772479' first='Sadiq' last='Anderson']</em></strong> (Baldwin)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3165722' first='Grant' last='Fenton'] </em></strong>Fox Chapel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is plenty of turnover at the varsity level, as many programs have relied heavily on senior contributions. That creates opportunities for players who have been waiting for their number to be called to step into larger roles. A couple of players I expect to make that jump and burst onto the scene are [player_tooltip player_id='3636887' first='Dylan' last='Shaffer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2617665' first='Matthew' last='Jasper']. Shaffer brings a ton of versatility to a hungry Hempfield squad that is looking to make some noise this season. Jasper put together a productive summer, which should help him build momentum heading into the winter. I also like how relentless he is when attacking the basket and putting pressure on the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Pre-Season All Underclassmen Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3266193' first='Brooklyn' last='Becker']</em></strong> (Pine-Richland) (Pre Season Underclassmen of The Year)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3035875' first='Amaizen' last='Straughters']</em></strong> (Pine-Richland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3663234' first='Austin' last='Chambers']</em></strong> (Upper St. Clair)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3778623' first='Parker' last='Smith']</em></strong> (Seneca Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3598566' first='Greyson' last='Sayler']</em></strong> (Upper St. Clair)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 G<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='3438758' first='Braylon' last='Harris']</em></strong> (Mt. Lebanon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3869203' first='Nate' last='Gilkey']</em></strong> (Butler)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3598575' first='Tommy' last='Wilkinson'] </em></strong>(Fox Chapel)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a legitimate fountain of youth brewing in the WPIAL's 6A classification, one that should keep fans on the edge of their seats over the next three to four seasons. Many of the top players across both sections are underclassmen, with several sophomores and even freshmen already making their mark. Pine-Richland, Upper St. Clair, and Fox Chapel are three programs with promising young nuclei that will serve as the foundation for their futures. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3266193' first='Brooklyn' last='Becker']</strong>, who showed some encouraging flashes as a freshman for Pine-Richland last season, should take a significant leap and establish herself as one of the top players in the entire area, regardless of class. Her backcourt mate, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3035875' first='Amaizen' last='Straughters']</strong>, gives the Rams an exciting young duo. Both gained valuable experience competing on the Nike EYBL 15U circuit this spring and summer, which should only benefit them heading into the winter. Meanwhile, rivals <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3438758' first='Braylon' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='3663234' first='Austin' last='Chambers'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3598566' first='Greyson' last='Sayler']</strong> joined forces on the AAU circuit and made a run to the 15U HGSL finals before suffering a heartbreaking loss. All three gained meaningful experience and should be in line for expanded roles within their respective programs this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Pre-Season All 6A Glue Guy Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3769460' first='Finn' last='Beggy']</em></strong> (Upper St. Clair)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3779344' first='Frank' last='Siegel'] </em></strong>(Fox Chapel) (Pre Season Glue Guy of the Year)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2990313' first='Noah' last='Koupiaris']</em></strong> (Peters Twp.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 F <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3224604' first='Max' last='Piekarski']</em></strong> (North Hills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3675797' first='Mason' last='Aquiline'] </em></strong>(Central Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='3875217' first='Michael' last='Aquiline'] </em></strong>(Central Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 G <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3451094' first='Luke' last='Rickel'] </em></strong>(Upper St. Clair)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3224604' first='Max' last='Piekarski'] </em></strong>will thrive down low with his ability to alter shots defensively and score around the blocks. <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3769460' first='Finn' last='Beggy']</strong></em> brings versatility to Upper St. Clair with his ability to play multiple positions. <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='3451094' first='Luke' last='Rickel'] </em></strong>plays with a relentless motor and consistently plays bigger than his size. The Aquiline brothers add depth to a guard-heavy Central Catholic team that has several players capable of putting together scoring runs on any given night. I liked how productive<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='3779344' first='Frank' last='Siegel'] </em></strong>was throughout the various fall leagues, showcasing a strong blend of scoring ability and playmaking for others.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->