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The playoff paths of Penn Hills and Chartiers Valley intertwined twice last season, and the results couldn't have been more different.

The first faceoff was an 84-49 blowout in favor of Penn Hills, which went on to win the WPIAL Class AAAA championship. Chartiers Valley pulled a 34-31 upset in the PIAA quarterfinals.

The Indians and Colts are once again linked, this time as the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in Quad A to start the 2003-04 season. Where they end up in a deep and talented classification will be interesting.

"It's loaded," Chartiers Valley coach Tim McConnell said. "I think there's a lot of teams that could be in the top 5. You're going to see a lot of changes in the rankings throughout the year."

Penn Hills has the WPIAL's top player in 6-foot-7 forward Akida McLain, a Boston College recruit who averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds a game last season. The Indians also return 5-8 point guard Devon Knight and 6-2 shooting guard Matt Ionadi, who averaged 14 points per game.

Chartiers Valley also returns three starters. The Colts have a pair of 6-3 sharpshooters in senior Brian Hindt and junior Stephen Profeta, who will need to provide as much of a threat inside as they do on the perimeter. Senior Travis MacKenzie will run the point for the Colts.

Section 1

Hempfield returns only point guard Torrey Sochacki, a talented 5-11 senior who averaged 14.8 points, 3.5 assists, from a team that went 23-3 overall and undefeated in section play.

Norwin (12-11) is led by 5-9 senior Josh Mazzoni, and Latrobe (8-15) features junior guards Eric Mueseler (18 ppg) and Jeff Garcia (9 ppg).

Section 2

Connellsville has one of the most athletic players in the WPIAL in 6-3 senior guard James Hairston, who averaged 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.6 blocks per game last season to lead the Falcons to a 24-3 record.

Contenders should include Canon-McMillan, which returns 6-2 forward Eric Taylor, and Ringgold. The Rams feature Troy Yonkers, a 6-8 senior forward who averaged 15 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season.

Section 3

New Castle boasts the frontcourt of 6-5 Devin Taylor (10 points, 12 rebounds), 6-6 Chris Cain and 6-5 Brian Bober, and should contend for its ninth title in the past 10 years.

North Allegheny returns 3-point threat in 6-3 senior E.J. Kusnyer (15.3) and sophomore point guard Ryan Tiesi. Pine-Richland coach Dave DeGregorio believes he has the WPIAL's top point guard in Kyle Opitz, and the Rams return one of the WPIAL's top athletes in Neil Walker, who will miss time because of the PIAA football playoffs. Both averaged 18 points per game last season.

North Hills has a new coach in Joe Falletta, and Shaler is led by junior guard Nick Sefscik, who averaged 18.3 points per game last season.

Section 4

Central Catholic's excellence won't be confined to football this year. The Vikings should challenge Penn Hills for the section title, as they return seven lettermen, including 6-1 Ross Watson (12.1), 6-3 Daniel Waajid (9.5) and point guard Demarcus Simmons (9.0) from a 14-10 team.

Fox Chapel features 6-2 guard Pat Brannigan (14.4).

Section 5

Mt. Lebanon is led by 5-11 senior guard Bill Babe, who averaged 19 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game last season and is one of the top shooters in the WPIAL. He teams with junior Geoff Kestler (10 ppg) in the backcourt.

Upper St. Clair reached the WPIAL finals last season, but lost Division I signees in Dale Meinbresse (Quinnipiac) and Andrew Atman (Buffalo). The Panthers return one starter in Sean Lee, a 6-3 junior, but another (Pat Shepard) has decided not to play.

Baldwin and Bethel Park, which has a new coach in Mike Mastroianni, formerly of Quaker Valley, should contend.

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