After a thrilling opening week of PIAA basketball playoffs, several local teams are still alive in the state postseason, with trips to Hershey at stake early this week in the semifinals.
This season, we will nominate four players (two boys, two girls) to the KDKA Radio Super 7 Basketball Watch List each week. At the end of the year, KDKA Radio will name one player from each WPIAL boys and girls classification, plus the Pittsburgh City League, as the prestigious KDKA Radio Super 7 Player of the Year Award winner.
Here is a look at the four players who had big weeks during Week 14 of our coverage.
Alayna Rocco, North Catholic
It was a big week for the WPIAL 4A champions and Rocco, as they search for more gold in the PIAA postseason.
Rocco scored 15 against Harbor Creek in Wednesday's 51-34 second round win, and followed that with 19 more against Wyomissing in a 60-27 quarterfinal win Saturday.
The Harvard commit has scored over 17 points per game this season.
The Trojanettes face Blackhawk in the PIAA semifinals Tuesday, a rematch of the WPIAL title game.
DJ Walker, Aliquippa
In an emotional battle Saturday, Walker did what the Quips normally do: win.
The WPIAL football and basketball champion scored 18 points Saturday, as Aliquippa dropped Bishop Canevin, 67-56, in the quarterfinals.
The Quips next meet Otto-Eldred Tuesday with a trip to the PIAA Championship Game on the line.
Walker has signed with Ohio to play college football.
Kendall Berger, Norwin
Norwin had gone 1-2 against North Allegheny this year and heading into Friday's PIAA Girls 6A Quarterfinal. Berger and the Knights wanted to even the season series. And did.
The sophomore poured in 18 points as Norwin dropped the WPIAL title winners, 50-30.
She also had 17 points in a 57-43 win over Lebanon three days prior.
Berger and the Knights next face Cedar Cliff Monday in the PIAA Semifinals.
Matt Stanley, Union
Following an impressive run to the WPIAL Boys 1A title game, Union has gotten on a tear in the PIAA playoffs. And Stanley has paced the Scotties.
The senior scored 22 points in a 51-37 win over Cameron County in Tuesday's quarterfinals. He followed that with 24 against Carlynton in Friday's quarterfinals.
The son of coach Mark Stanley, Matt has scored over 17 points per game this season for Union, which meets Imani Christian Monday night with a trip to the PIAA title game on the line.
