Class AA Boys Team Preview - PIAA State Championships
Lewisburg Area will look to bring home the gold back home this weekend. This group didn't lose anyone from last year's squad that took fourth at states, and has added some strength. Jacob Hess could very well put up one point, while a number of others, including Peter Lantz, will battle for medals or at least spots in the top 40. L'Burg was dominant in District 4, scoring just 30 points and putting five in the top ten at Bloomsburg.
A run to the top won't come without a challenge, though.
Grove City Area was third last season at states, but this team enters as a strong unit and capable of taking the top spot in the state. Tobias Jones, along with Joseph Somora and Gabe Nichols are a very strong 1-2-3 and then 4-5 have progressed nicely. Closing the gap has been huge for this team and they should make a run at the win. They cruised to the District 10 title -- no small feat -- and is clicking at the right time heading into Hershey.
York Suburban is back in the spotlight again this season. YS won yet another District 3 crown this past week and it's been another strong fall for the boys in orange. After winning the state title in 2014, YS took second each of the next three year before taking ninth last season. But this team has retooled in a big way. Led by a strong sophomore in Cole Adams, York Suburban has some great depth; they put three in the top ten of D3. They won at Foundation and seem poised for another big Hershey run. Look for them to battle for another high finish.
New Castle was second to YS at Foundation and has brings another quality team to Hershey that should be able to improve upon its seventh place finish from last year. Anthony Litrenta is a solid No. 1 and NC took home the WPIAL title last week with 79 points.
South Fayette and Indiana Area, who were second and third at WPIALs, respectively, are strong as well. The Lions have good balance, while Indiana has retooled nicely after taking second in the state last season. District 10 runner-up North East has been solid all season, performing well in a number of in-state and out-of-state contests. Look for NE to be a top five contender.
Central Cambria easily took care of business in District 6, scoring just 33 points to win by 68. They have a slim 1-5 spread and should make some noise once again in Hershey.
Other District 3 qualifiers Kennard-Dale and Susquehannock have the potential to surprise some. KD's top three isn't separated by much and should be up there competing for high places, while Susquehannock has some solid depth across the board. District 4 runner-up Milton Area is riding some good momentum narrowly getting the second state spot out of their district meet.