The WPIAL basketball season is officially in full swing, as KDKA Radio's coverage began this past weekend with a pair of games. While the majority of games being played are still non-section contests, there were nevertheless some big time wins, and great individual showings.
Throughout the season, KDKA Radio will put together a watch list of some of the best boys and girls basketball players in the region.
At the end of the year, the top performer from each WPIAL classification, and one member of the Pittsburgh City League, will receive the prestigious KDKA Super 7 Award.
Here are the top performers from last week:
Elijah Guillory, Moon
Guillory is leading a Moon team that many people feel is the squad to beat in WPIAL Class 5A. And early returns seem to back up those projections.
The senior twice went for 30 points last week against Class 6A program. He scored 30 in a 76-60 win over North Allegheny Tuesday, and dropped another 30 points in a 62-50 triumph over Pine-Richland Friday.
The Tigers are now 3-2 to begin the season.
Guillory has a Division I offer from Drexel.
Nadia Davis, Canon-McMIllan
Canon-McMillan had quite a week, securing a trio of noticeable victories.
Davis was a huge component of their success.
She went for 24 points in 71-68 win over North Hills Monday and 23 points against Mt. Lebanon in 53-42 win Friday. The Big Macs also beat West Allegheny 61-48 Saturday.
Canon-McMillan is now 5-1 and has won five straight games.
Davis, a senior, has an offer from Division I New Orleans.
Liam Sheely, Mt Lebanon
It's been a hot start for Mt. Lebanon, which has quickly established itself as a contender in an open Class 6A in the WPIAL.
And while the Blue Devils have found contributions from all over the floor early on, it was Sheely who had a monster weekend.
The sophomore dropped 21 points in an impressive 69-48 win over Chartiers Valley Friday. He then added another 16 points, including four 3-pointers, in a 55-44 win over defending Class 2A WPIAL and PIAA champ Aliquippa Saturday.
Mt. Lebanon is now 5-0 to start the year.
Lydia Betz, North Allegheny
It appears that North Allegheny will be a team to be reckoned with yet again.
Despite losing Pitt recruit Jasmine Timmerson after a run to the WPIAL title, the Tigers have found their next leader in Betz.
She scored 25 points last Sunday in 68-34 win over Stow-Munroe Falls in the Hoban (Ohio) Hoopfest – her second 25-point game of the event.
She then went for 11 more points in a gritty win over rival North Hills, on the road, 54-47 on Saturday.
Betz, a senior, is committed to Goldey-Beacom College.
KDKA Radio's high school basketball coverage begins this week. On Thursday, you can hear Aliquippa at Chartiers Valley air on 100.1 FM and 1020 AM KDKA Radio. Follow @KDKARadio on X (Twitter) and Instagram for updates throughout the games.
