Boys' Basketball: West Class AAA Preview
Last season, Montour reached the PIAA championship game after being eliminated in the WPIAL semifinals. The Spartans, led by two-time all-state selection Devin Wilson, enter the season as one of the top teams again. Wilson faces a tough decision – whether to play Division I football or basketball. The Spartans are again a favorite in Section 5-AAA while the rest of the local teams complete in Section 2-AAA.
Beaver Area had the best basketball season in the school’s history last season. Leading scorer Christian Herstine graduated but a lot of underclassmen got experience, led by Cory Nesmith and Aaron Barlow. Blackhawk was a senior-oriented team last year but Chandler Kincade will be playing this year after sitting out last year as he recovered from a football injury.
Ambridge has Malik Walker returning on the floor and alum Mark Jula returning to the bench as the head coach. No Jula team has ever failed to play intense defense and, with Walker to score, the Bridgers could surprise. Central Valley reached the state playoffs last season with a senior-oriented team. That allowed 6-6 sophomore Matt Kline to gain experience and that will pay off this year.
West Allegheny finished 10-11 last year and missed the playoffs but played an underclassmen lineup. The football team won the WPIAL with mostly sophomores in the skill positions so there is no questioning the athleticism. Quarterback Andrew Koester (6-5) will one of the key football crossover players. Hopewell is coming off a 5-16 season and will be rebuilding. Ellwood City moved up from Class AA and could face growing pains.
Beaver Area had the best basketball season in the school’s history last season. Leading scorer Christian Herstine graduated but a lot of underclassmen got experience, led by Cory Nesmith and Aaron Barlow. Blackhawk was a senior-oriented team last year but Chandler Kincade will be playing this year after sitting out last year as he recovered from a football injury.
Ambridge has Malik Walker returning on the floor and alum Mark Jula returning to the bench as the head coach. No Jula team has ever failed to play intense defense and, with Walker to score, the Bridgers could surprise. Central Valley reached the state playoffs last season with a senior-oriented team. That allowed 6-6 sophomore Matt Kline to gain experience and that will pay off this year.
West Allegheny finished 10-11 last year and missed the playoffs but played an underclassmen lineup. The football team won the WPIAL with mostly sophomores in the skill positions so there is no questioning the athleticism. Quarterback Andrew Koester (6-5) will one of the key football crossover players. Hopewell is coming off a 5-16 season and will be rebuilding. Ellwood City moved up from Class AA and could face growing pains.
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