Photo by Phil Grove
AAA Boys | North Allegheny goes for 12 straight
D7-AAA Boys Preseason Team Rankings
We noted in our individuals preview the high amount of seniors in the top ten and beyond in D7-AAA last year. That signals there is plenty of room for breakout individuals and any number of teams could be earning the coveted state spots. But just who?
The presumed favorite until they prove anyone otherwise is North Allegheny. They'll be shooting for WPIAL title number 12 in a row this year. They return four of seven from last year's team that took second in the state behind the brilliant Downingtown West team. It just so happens the three they lose were their top three. So the question is, who will step up? There's a lot of talent there for NA and surely at some point this year, we'll find out.
The other two state qualifying teams from last year---Mount Lebanon and Seneca Valley---also lost a good deal of firepower from last year. Both teams have solid pieces, but they'll need some individuals to make some big jumps to make the top three.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic is a group that has some motivation after just missing out on a states spot last season. They return all but one from their top seven. Sam Gatti and Tucker Helms went to states last year, but they'd surely appreciate five more on the line with them. They had a 27 second 1-5 gap and they should be able to get close to that this season.
Canon-McMillan, Norwin, Kiski Area, and Franklin Regional will all look to be in the mix for the top three in a wide open year in the WPIAL.