Boys high school basketball preview
Class 4A
1. Quaker Valley (26-2) — After losing in the WPIAL title game to New Castle the past two years, this could be the year that Quaker Valley gets over the top and wins only its second title in school history. Coletrane Washington, now at Drexel, was a P-G Fab 5 pick last year and this team will certainly be different without him. But the Quakers still have two of the best players in 4A in 6-5 senior guard-forward Ryan Stowers (15 ppg) and 6-5 senior forward Danny Conlan (14 ppg). Stowers was an all-section pick a year ago.
2. Ambridge (13-10) — Ambridge’s only WPIAL title came with the legendary 1967 team. Don’t get the wrong impression. These Bridgers are nowhere near that team, but they could challenge for only the second title in school history. Ambridge is led by 6-6 senior guard Aaron Hilzendegger, one of the WPIAL’s best shooters who averaged 19.2 points a game last season.
3. Highlands (20-6) — The Rams made it to the Class 5A semifinals before dropping down to 4A this season. This team will be centered around two juniors who had big impacts last year as sophomores. Johnny Crise is a 6-6 junior forward who is getting a few Division I looks. He averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds a game last season. Luke Cochran, a 6-1 junior, will be the lead guard after averaging 14 points last season.
4. New Castle (23-5) — Coach Ralph Blundo used the word “rebuilding” to describe his team this season. True, the Red Hurricanes don’t have a returning starter and lost their top seven players from last season. But New Castle is New Castle, meaning the Red Hurricanes will be a factor again under Blundo, who has won five WPIAL titles. This team will be small with 6-2 sophomore Sheldon Cox the tallest starter. Other starters are four seniors — Payne Prowell, Drew Cox, Donte Burnett and Isiah Carter.
5. Belle Vernon (18-7)
— The Leopards won a second consecutive section title last season and made the WPIAL semifinals for the first time since 1998. Coach Kyle DeGregorio left after the season to become the girls coach at Baldwin, and Joe Salvino has taken over. You may have heard of Salvino, who is the eighth-winningest coach in WPIAL history with a 638-256 record in 34 seasons at Monessen. Junior guard Cam Nusser is the top returnee.
Players to watch
Luke Cochran, Highlands, 61, Jr., G
Danny Conlan, Quaker Valley, 6-5, Sr., F
Johnny Crise, Highlands, 66, Jr., F
Aaron Hilzendeger, Ambridge, 6-6, Sr., G
Ryan Stowers, Quaker Valley, 6-5, Sr., G-F