It was a successful week for WPIAL teams as they marched towards Hershey in the PIAA playoffs.
Throughout the rest of the 2021-2022 high school basketball season, KDKA Radio will recognize some of the top boys and girls basketball players from the WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League.
At the end of the season, along with a fan vote, the KDKA Radio high school sports staff will name the winners of the prestigious Super 7 Basketball awards.
Today, we salute a trio of boys basketball players who had exceptional performances in the state playoffs, as well as one of the top girls players in Beaver County.
Mike Wells, New Castle
Wells has led the Red Hurricanes for the last couple of year. But he saved his best for one of the biggest stages of his career, dropping in 41 points in a 85-33 win over Central Mountain in the PIAA second round.
During the regular season, the senior averaged over 21 points per game.
Wells is also a standout football player committed to play at Youngstown State.
New Castle meets Penn Hills in the PIAA quarterfinals Tuesday.
Shaye Bailey, Freedom
Bailey scored 27 points, nearly singlehandedly outscoring her opponent, Greenville, in a 56-28 win Friday in the PIAA second round.
This season Bailey averaged over 16 points per game, as Freedom lost to North Catholic, 48-43, in the WPIAL 3A championship game. She is also a strong soccer player for the bulldogs.
Freedom, which has won 12 of its last 13 games, next plays River Valley in the PIAA quarterfinals Tuesday.
Jordan Kolenda, Avonworth
Kolenda has had a strong 2021-2022 season, scoring around 19 points per game.
On Saturday, in the PIAA second round, Kolenda put up as he performance, scoring 23 points to lead the Antelopes to a 66-50 win over Ellwood City.
While a standout on the basketball court who helped Avonworth to the WPIAL finals, Kolenda is an even better baseball player, as he is committed to Kent State.
The Antelopes play Aliquippa in the PIAA quarterfinals Wednesday.
Bryce Epps, South Allegheny
It’s been an impressive season so far for the South Allegheny boys basketball team, but the team’s biggest win occurred Saturday. And Bryce Epps led the way.
Epps scored 29 points to knock off WPAL 3A champion Shady She Academy, 68-59, in double overtime of a PIAA second round game.
This season, Epps is averaging over 21 points per game and the Gladiators are 19-7. They will next play Bishop Guilfoyle Wednesday in the PIAA quarterfinals.