Apr 7, 2016 5 min read

It’s been weeks since the high school basketball season came to a close, but I’ve already heard people talking about how six classifications could affect local teams next season.

The path to the postseason may be easier for some and difficult for others, but personally, I’m tired of the six classifications debate. The system is what it is – for better or for worse – so instead of looking at how the sections could take shape, let’s focus on what teams you should keep an eye on for the 2016-17 season.

We’ll start with each boys team to watch in each classification, plus I’ll add a few notes on others.

I know the Big Macs have struggled in recent years and won just three section games this season, but 2016-17 could present the perfect storm for the program. They only lost two seniors who played meaningful minutes and point guard Britton Beachy will be a four-year starter.

The team’s top four leading scorers – Beachy (16 ppg), RJ Bell (12.2), Carson Miller (11.8) and Jake Davey (8.1) – will be seniors next season and there should be some role players who take on new roles.

The section certainly isn’t easy with Peters Township, Bethel Park, Baldwin and Upper St. Clair, but I have a hunch that the returning players could guide C-M back to the postseason.

That being said, I expected the Big Macs to fare better in 2016. That’s an example of how playoff teams aren’t determined on paper.

The Hillers lack a big threat in the post, but they have one of the area’s top all-around athlete point guard Joey Koroly) and Jaden Nelson has the potential to give Trinity one of the top guard tandems in 5A. Remember that they made the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs this season and beat Mount Pleasant in a preliminary-round game without a senior on the roster.

West Mifflin will present a real challenge in the section, but the door is open for Trinity to make a run. If it can add a few depth players, watch out.

This pick is simply out of curiosity. The Raiders’ path to the playoffs got more difficult with realignment now that they’re in a section with South Fayette, Uniontown, Keystone Oaks and South Park, among others.

It helps having one of the WPIAL’s top scorers in Darton McIntire, who averaged more than 26 points per game as a sophomore. Mitch Warman, who averaged a double-double, will be a senior and is arguably the area’s most underrated player.

My biggest concern is depth and Waynesburg needs to find more secondary scoring. If an opponent strategically stops McIntire and Warman, the Raiders need options to turn to.

If that happens, I can see them being a playoff team, especially with South Fayette replacing Rich Bonnaure as head coach. Uniontown is my pick to win Section 3, but even that’s a toss up.

Can the Prexies repeat the memorable success they found this season? It’s going to be tough without Markel Pulliam, Nate Swart and Anthony Popeck. Matt Popeck is back, so Wash High will have a scorer to turn to and there is some leadership there, but secondary scoring is my biggest concern.

Look for Isaiah Robinson to continue to develop as a post player, Tariq Wilson played well during the playoffs and Jordan Swart should find a bigger role next year, but the Prexies will need another scorer. It will likely be someone who either didn’t play much this season or not at all.

Either way, they have to be one of the favorites in Section 4, but look out for Southmoreland.

Not only will the Bucs be the obvious favorite to win Section 2, but it will be one of the top five teams in 2A. Sounds crazy, but AJ Myers will be a senior and Cam Hanley is a proven scorer. Size will continue to be an issue for C-H, but the talent is there.

Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, Bishop Canevin and Neshannock will be strong teams in 2A, but you could argue that Myers will be the classification’s top player next season. Again, the Bucs are a team that could use a few more pieces, but there’s definitely potential.

The Greyhounds return Justice Rice and Jaden Altomore, but they’ll need to find a way to replace Dwight Moore and Lavalle Rush. Luckily, they have the best bench player in the area back. Lyndon Henderson is extremely athletic, could dunk as a freshman and has the potential to be Monessen’s next great player.

With Jaron Youngblood also back, I have a difficult time picturing another team hoisting the WPIAL title next season. Seriously, look at Class 1A. It would take a monumental upset or a complete surprise to change that.

The other team to watch is West Greene, which returns Craig Weaver, Kolton Rush and Nathan Brudnock. It can’t play a fast, uptempo style that many teams in the classification play, but the Pioneers have the size and defense to win a lot of games. They’ll be back in the WPIAL playoffs in 2017.