PIAA Playoff Preview: Class 5A

By Josh Verlin & Michael Bullock

Though it’s not quite the “big school” classification that is 6A, there’s no doubt that this new 5A classification has quite a bit of talented programs and players all throughout. One standout program from the southeastern part of the state looks to be the favorite heading into play, but there are several notable contenders from all over Pennsylvania who will vie for spots in Hershey at the end of the month.

Here’s a look at the Class 5A bracket:

Favorites
Archbishop Wood (23-3)
If we had to pick one solitary favorite heading into the state playoffs, it would be John Mosco’s Vikings, who are currently in the midst of the Warminster school’s best season in program history. Wood’s first Catholic League championship run was spearheaded by senior guard Collin Gillespie (22.3 ppg), who came out of complete anonymity a year ago to become a Villanova commit in January. Tough, talented and with a never-say-quit attitude, Gillespie sets the tone for a group that also features 6-4 senior Matt Cerruti (12 ppg), a D-II target, plus D-I juniors Tyree Pickron (12.6 ppg), Andrew Funk and Seth Pinkney. Fellow senior Keith Otto, a 6-0 Moravian commit, plus 6-6 junior Karrington Wallace, round out Mosco’s top seven.

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