Exciting times to be a hoops fan in Pennsylvania as Prep Hoops PA has finally launched their website, supplying a bevy of content during this hiatus, including the initial Pennsylvania rankings for the 2021-2024 classes. In this segment, we will dive in and take a look at the Western PA prospects involved in the top 50. We start with the class of 2021:
#20)
Michael Lucarotti
Michael
Lucarotti
6'4" | SG
Andrews Osborne (OH) | 2021
PA
| 6’4 SG Erie Cathedral Prep
Youngstown State commit and rising senior guard is a lights-out shooter off the catch. A tireless worker, Lucarotti has continued to improve his all-around floor game, adding the ability to go off the bounce and attack the rim. Look for him to become the consummate leader of his Erie Prep unit as they focus on a run at the Class 5A crown.
#21)
Peyton Mele
Peyton
Mele
6'3" | CG
Hickory | 2021
State
PA
| 6’3 G Hickory
Mele is an underrated combo guard who had a spectacular junior season for the Hickory Hornets. This long, slender, floppy-haired guard has the ability to make shots all over the floor. He has good size for his position, understands the game, and is able to make plays off the bounce and create for others. As
Exciting times to be a hoops fan in Pennsylvania as Prep Hoops PA has finally launched their website, supplying a bevy of content during this hiatus, including the initial Pennsylvania rankings for the 2021-2024 classes. In this segment, we will dive in and take a look at the Western PA prospects involved in the top 50. We start with the class of 2021:
#20)
Michael Lucarotti
Michael
Lucarotti
6'4" | SG
Andrews Osborne (OH) | 2021
PA
| 6’4 SG Erie Cathedral Prep
Youngstown State commit and rising senior guard is a lights-out shooter off the catch. A tireless worker, Lucarotti has continued to improve his all-around floor game, adding the ability to go off the bounce and attack the rim. Look for him to become the consummate leader of his Erie Prep unit as they focus on a run at the Class 5A crown.
#21)
Peyton Mele
Peyton
Mele
6'3" | CG
Hickory | 2021
State
PA
| 6’3 G Hickory
Mele is an underrated combo guard who had a spectacular junior season for the Hickory Hornets. This long, slender, floppy-haired guard has the ability to make shots all over the floor. He has good size for his position, understands the game, and is able to make plays off the bounce and create for others. As he continues to get stronger, expect more D2 programs to be all over Mele this season.
25.)
Tanner Colflesh
Tanner
Colflesh
6'1" | CG
Turkeyfoot Valley | 2021
State
PA
| 6’1 G Turkeyfoot Valley
Colflesh is an interesting case study. While he plays for a smaller school off the beaten path, his name surfaced this past year as someone to keep an eye on because of his exorbitant scoring habits. The dead eye shooter with savvy court-awareness plays at his own pace, doesn’t let people speed him up, and gets to his spots. A lot of eyes will be on him this season.
27.)
Angelo Reeves
Angelo
Reeves
6'7" | PF
Vincentian Academy | 2021
State
PA
| 6’7 F Vincentian Academy
We touched on Reeves in a previous segment. While his numbers don’t necessarily pop out at you, he is always effective and efficient, filling up various categories on the stat sheet. A double/double machine, Reeves continues to expand his perimeter game, improving his handle and mid-range jump-shot. If he can show consistency in those areas, his stock will be on the rise.
31.)
Kymahni Bent
Kymahni
Bent
6'3" | SG
First Love Christian Academy | 2021
State
PA
| 6’3 G First Love Christian Academy
A newcomer to FLCA this past season by way of Canada, Bent had a solid year playing behind a few older, more experienced guards. An attacking, physical wing with an immense upside, Bent has proven to be a dog on both ends of the floor. He will team up with 2022 guard
Mason Manning
Mason
Manning
6'3" | SG
First Love Christian Academy | 2022
State
#123
Nation
PA
in the back-court this season, and they look to be one of the better guard tandems the state has to offer.
36.)
Dante Spadafora
Dante
Spadafora
5'11" | CG
OLSH | 2021
State
PA
| 5’11 G OLSH
The fiery combo-guard had yet another impressive season, averaging 24 points per game and leading OLSH to another WPIAL Championship. Don’t be fooled by his size, Spadafora gets it done on both ends of the floor. As he transitions to becoming a true point guard, his scoring average may actually go down this year. He has pieces around him to make shots, and with the attention he draws from defenses, it wouldn’t shock me to see him average close to 10 assists per game.
38.)
Brayden Reynolds
Brayden
Reynolds
6'2" | CG
Chartiers Valley | 2021
State
PA
| 6’2 G Chartiers Valley
This crafty, balanced guard had a fantastic junior season, averaging 20 points and handing out 6 assists. Reynolds has improved his body, adding strength and durability to his already potent offensive skill-set. The game comes easy to him, he operates under control, and make plays with the ball in his hands. When he isn’t knocking down perimeter jump-shots, Reynolds uses his tight handle to navigate his way into the lane, scoring or creating for others.
40.)
Joey Petcash
Joey
Petcash
6'2" | SG
Pine Richland | 2021
State
PA
| 6’2 G Pine Richland
Following in the footsteps of his older brothers (Andrew + Dan), the youngest Petcash looks to carry the torch this year and lead the Rams back to the Petersen Events Center. Joey is similar in many ways to Dan, patient, unassuming, but deadly. The ultra-skilled guard has a lot of tools, and if he can continue to make improvements defensively, there will be no shortage of suitors for his college services.
44.) Aaron Collins | 6’0 G Erie First Christian Academy
A strong and deceptively quick 2-way guard that can do damage in a number of ways, Collins bring his lunch-pail every time he steps on the court. He competes hard on both ends, using his superior toughness, skill, and court awareness to gain advantage over his opponents. Collins makes shots from three levels, and is a surprisingly strong rebounder from the guard spot. Look for him to have a monster senior season.
45.)
Alex Griggs
Alex
Griggs
6'2" | CG
Vincentian | 2021
State
PA
| 6’0 G Vincentian Academy
The compact lead-guard gives opponents nightmares with his stifling, full-court ball pressure. Griggs ran the show for Vincentian, helping guide them to their second WPIAL Championship win in three years. A floor general and leader, the rising senior guard handles pressure, makes good decisions, and plays under control. The next step for him is improving his perimeter jump-shot, which can only make him that much more lethal this upcoming season.
Just Outside the Top 50:
56.)
Montae Reddix
Montae
Reddix
6'5" | PF
Lincoln Park | 2021
State
PA
| 6’4 F Lincoln Park
63.)
Omarion Smith
Omarion
Smith
6'3" | SF
Sto-Rox | 2021
State
PA
| 6’3 F Sto Rox
67.)
Micah Coates
Micah
Coates
6'4" | SF
The Kiski School | 2021
State
PA
| 6’4 F Kiski Prep
69.)
Dakari Bradford
Dakari
Bradford
6'3" | PF
Lincoln Park | 2021
State
PA
| 6’3 F Lincoln Park
72.)
Sheldon Cox
Sheldon
Cox
6'2" | CG
New Castle | 2021
State
PA
| 6’2 G New Castle
74.)
Brandon Graham
Brandon
Graham
6'1" | CG
Central Valley | 2021
State
PA
| 6’1 G Central Valley
75.)
Enire Bowens
Enire
Bowens
6'9" | PF
Ambridge | 2021
State
PA
| 6’9 F/C Ambridge