PIAA Class-AAAA Playoff Preview
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Crimson's Ghost
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PIAA Class-AAAA Playoff Preview
The PIAA Class-AAAA has two teams from Philadelphia that really stick out, can someone else step up and make a run? Here are some teams, names, and games to watch when the road to Hershey begins on Friday for 32 teams.
The Favorite: Imhotep Charter
Despite a loss to Bonner-Prendie in the D-12 title game, I still think Imhotep is the team to beat in the AAAA field. The Panthers have an absolutely loaded lineup that has played a very difficult schedule. Imhotep knocked off national power Oak Hill Academy and AAAAAA-favorite Kennedy Catholic already this season. Imhotep is fronted by four-star seniors Dhamir Bishop (Xavier) and Donta Scott (Maryland). Jamil Rigginis is committed to Binghamton, and Elijah Taylor is a junior but has some good offers.
The Challenger: Bonner-Prendergast
Bonner-Prendie is led by Isaiah Wong, a 6-foot-2 point guard heading to Miami. He is ranked No. 74 nationally by Rivals. He is averaging 22.9 points a game this season. Tariq Ingraham is a fellow senior that stands in at 6’9” and he has multiple mid-major offers.
The Sleeper: Bethlehem Catholic
Bethlehem Catholic has been pretty dominant throughout the season with a 24-3 record. The Hawks feature a lineup that includes 6-foot-9 Sienna recruit, Kyle Young. Also look out for Justin Paz, a senior point guard heading to East Stroudsburg net season.
Don’t forget about: New Castle
You don’t win 6 of the past 8 WPIAL titles on accident. This is a great program that usually finds ways to win without high-end division one talent. I’m not sure if this is the best New Castle team recently, but this team can hold it’s own.
The Most Important Player: Dhamir Bishop, Imhotep Charter
Dhamir Bishop is one of the top shooting guards in the class of 2019. The four-star recruit had over 20 offers, but settled on Xavier. He really separates Imhotep from the pack and will be the reason they should win this championship comfortably.
5 other teams to remember
Berks Catholic: Berks Catholic’s top seven players are all seniors. Future Pitt football player Brandon George is in the rotation and averages 5.5 points a game.
Hickory: Hickory only has one loss this season, and it was by three points to a good Sharon team. The D-10 champs are definitely a team to monitor.
Highlands: Johnny Crise is one of the more intriguing two-sport athletes in the WPIAL. He has some Division one basketball offers, and could be an option to play football at the next level with his 6’7” size.
Huntingdon: Huntingdon is one of two undefeated teams in the state. The Bearcats return a lot from last year’s state quarterfinal team.
Scranton Prep: Prep enters the tournament with a 22-3 record, and two losses came to Abington Heights, one of the top 5A teams in the state. Leo Boyle, a 6-foot-6 wing is heading to Lafayette next year.
First Round Picks:
Bonner-Predergrast over Littlestown
Naticoke over Montoursville
Archbishop Carroll over Allentown Central Catholic
Lancaster Catholic over Northwestern Lehigh
Bethlehem Catholic over Prep Charter
Lower Moreland over John Bartram
Shamokin over Wilson
Scranton Prep over Susquehanna Townshship
Imhotep Charter over Berks Catholic
Danville over Western Wayne
Bishop McDevitt over Ringgold
Quaker Valley over Clearfield
New Castle over Titusville
Grove City over Bedford
Huntingdon over Highlands
Hickory over Ambridge
The Favorite: Imhotep Charter
Despite a loss to Bonner-Prendie in the D-12 title game, I still think Imhotep is the team to beat in the AAAA field. The Panthers have an absolutely loaded lineup that has played a very difficult schedule. Imhotep knocked off national power Oak Hill Academy and AAAAAA-favorite Kennedy Catholic already this season. Imhotep is fronted by four-star seniors Dhamir Bishop (Xavier) and Donta Scott (Maryland). Jamil Rigginis is committed to Binghamton, and Elijah Taylor is a junior but has some good offers.
The Challenger: Bonner-Prendergast
Bonner-Prendie is led by Isaiah Wong, a 6-foot-2 point guard heading to Miami. He is ranked No. 74 nationally by Rivals. He is averaging 22.9 points a game this season. Tariq Ingraham is a fellow senior that stands in at 6’9” and he has multiple mid-major offers.
The Sleeper: Bethlehem Catholic
Bethlehem Catholic has been pretty dominant throughout the season with a 24-3 record. The Hawks feature a lineup that includes 6-foot-9 Sienna recruit, Kyle Young. Also look out for Justin Paz, a senior point guard heading to East Stroudsburg net season.
Don’t forget about: New Castle
You don’t win 6 of the past 8 WPIAL titles on accident. This is a great program that usually finds ways to win without high-end division one talent. I’m not sure if this is the best New Castle team recently, but this team can hold it’s own.
The Most Important Player: Dhamir Bishop, Imhotep Charter
Dhamir Bishop is one of the top shooting guards in the class of 2019. The four-star recruit had over 20 offers, but settled on Xavier. He really separates Imhotep from the pack and will be the reason they should win this championship comfortably.
5 other teams to remember
Berks Catholic: Berks Catholic’s top seven players are all seniors. Future Pitt football player Brandon George is in the rotation and averages 5.5 points a game.
Hickory: Hickory only has one loss this season, and it was by three points to a good Sharon team. The D-10 champs are definitely a team to monitor.
Highlands: Johnny Crise is one of the more intriguing two-sport athletes in the WPIAL. He has some Division one basketball offers, and could be an option to play football at the next level with his 6’7” size.
Huntingdon: Huntingdon is one of two undefeated teams in the state. The Bearcats return a lot from last year’s state quarterfinal team.
Scranton Prep: Prep enters the tournament with a 22-3 record, and two losses came to Abington Heights, one of the top 5A teams in the state. Leo Boyle, a 6-foot-6 wing is heading to Lafayette next year.
First Round Picks:
Bonner-Predergrast over Littlestown
Naticoke over Montoursville
Archbishop Carroll over Allentown Central Catholic
Lancaster Catholic over Northwestern Lehigh
Bethlehem Catholic over Prep Charter
Lower Moreland over John Bartram
Shamokin over Wilson
Scranton Prep over Susquehanna Townshship
Imhotep Charter over Berks Catholic
Danville over Western Wayne
Bishop McDevitt over Ringgold
Quaker Valley over Clearfield
New Castle over Titusville
Grove City over Bedford
Huntingdon over Highlands
Hickory over Ambridge
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dadw/2sons
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Re: PIAA Class-AAAA Playoff Preview
I will disagree with one of your picks just because of a personal connection to one of the teams. I hope Wilson will beat Shamokin since my nephew is a senior starter and a tri-captaion for the Wilson Area Warriors. They finished in third place in District 11. I was able to see him play in person last week in Wilson's quarter-final win. I know they will not get past Scranton Prep which is their probable second math-up, but it would be nice if they won one game in the state tourney, Go Warriors!!!