The first full week of section basketball in 2025 brought with it some big games and even bigger individual performances on the hardwood, as four more players earned a spot on the KDKA Radio Watch List.
This season, KDKA Radio will again nominate players each week to join the KDKA Radio Super 7 Awards watch list. Every Monday, a new crop of players will be unveiled based on their efforts that previous week. At the end of the year, KDKA Radio will announce the winners of the award for each WPIAL boys and girls classification, as well as the Pittsburgh City League.
Here are the top performances from Week 5:
Cam Epps, South Allegheny
South Allegheny grabbed three impressive wins this week, continuing their strong season.
Epps was tremendous throughout.
The senior scored 13 points in a 72-41 win over Seton LaSalle Tuesday. He then racked up 28 points in a key 81-38 blowout section win over South Park Friday. A day later, Epps hit six three-pointers and dropped 26 more points in a non-section win over a terrific Avonworth squad during the PBC Classic at La Roche College.
In addition to his work on the basketball court, Epps is also a strong wide receiver and defensive back on the football field, with a handful of Division II offers.
Rylee Kalocay, Upper St. Clair
After losing her junior year to injury, Kalocay has come back with a vengeance and helped establish the Panthers as a title contender in Class 6A.
This past week, she powered Upper St. Clair to a pair of wins by scoring 21 points against Hempfield Thursday in a 75-55 triumph and 28 points in a 57-45 win over Thomas Jefferson Friday.
The Panthers have now won six games in a row and sit at 9-2 this season.
Kalocay is committed to Kent State.
Kai Cox, New Castle
It was a hat trick for Cox and the Red Hurricanes this week, with a trio of strong victories — two in section play.
On Tuesday, the standout freshman poured in 30 points in a 65-52 win over Pine-Richland.
He followed that Friday with a 19-point performance in a 72-41 blowout of Fox Chapel, handing the Foxes their first section loss.
The following day, he again scored 19 in a 66-43 win over Mars, taking New Castle to a mark of 11-1 on the season.
Isabella Sysak, Canevin
After a bit of a slow start to the year, Bishop Canevin may be finding a rhythm at the right time.
This past week, the Crusaders scored a pair of victories with Sysak leading them in both games.
The junior racked up 26 points Thursday in a 54-37 win over Avella and 21 points on Saturday against Eden Christian in a 57-29 victory.
Sysak is also a strong track athlete, taking medals home at the WPIAL and PIAA Track and Field Championships last spring.
High school basketball broadcasts continue on KDKA Radio Friday as Thomas Jefferson takes on Peters Township. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. on 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA.
