So there's a WPIAL sophomore averaging 40 PPG

[Sean Miller Fan]

Vinnie Cugini from Aquinas Academy, a tiny 1A school in Hampton is averaging 39.3 PPG and was the fastest player ever to reach 1000 in WPIAL history, doing it in 29 games. I mean I'm sure he shoots a million times per game and the competition is terrible but nobody's ever done this.

The kid lives in Morningside. I'd like to see what he'd do in the City League or at Central Catholic. Would that be Allderdice?

 

[Protes]

Vinnie Cugini from Aquinas Academy, a tiny 1A school in Hampton is averaging 39.3 PPG and was the fastest player ever to reach 1000 in WPIAL history, doing it in 29 games. I mean I'm sure he shoots a million times per game and the competition is terrible but nobody's ever done this.

The kid lives in Morningside. I'd like to see what he'd do in the City League or at Central Catholic. Would that be Allderdice?

Vinnie Cugini? Ehh, fuhgeddaboutit!! 😆🏀😆🏀

 

[Drew1208]

Vinnie Cugini from Aquinas Academy, a tiny 1A school in Hampton is averaging 39.3 PPG and was the fastest player ever to reach 1000 in WPIAL history, doing it in 29 games. I mean I'm sure he shoots a million times per game and the competition is terrible but nobody's ever done this.

The kid lives in Morningside. I'd like to see what he'd do in the City League or at Central Catholic. Would that be Allderdice?

Yeah.....lol he really needs to convince his family, i played with his dad, to move up in competition. He's playing in the worst shit and it's not proving anything

 

[Drew1208]

Yeah.....lol he really needs to convince his family, i played with his dad, to move up in competition. He's playing in the worst shit and it's not proving anything

From what i hear they like him playing him against mediocre comp right now.
They love showing his big numbers.
His family was always above average athletes.

 

[pittchagg]

Morningside would be Obama, pretty sure.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

I was an assistant on Vinny's St Raphaels team a few years ago, he played with 12 year olds when he was 9. He is supremely skilled especially as a ball handler and shooter, a great kid, and that will translate well somewhere at the college level. His shooting percentage is good, this isn't just some gimmick thing.

 

[wbrpanther]

Vinnie Cugini? Ehh, fuhgeddaboutit!! 😆🏀😆🏀

We got to follow this kid if only for the name.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I was an assistant on Vinny's St Raphaels team a few years ago, he played with 12 year olds when he was 9. He is supremely skilled especially as a ball handler and shooter, a great kid, and that will translate well somewhere at the college level. His shooting percentage is good, this isn't just some gimmick thing.

He is 6'1. If he can get to 6'3 or 6'4, he'd be NEC at worse. I mean I've never seen him play but if he's going to average 40 even at that low a level, he's gotta be able to play for at least St. Francis. SFU had a kid from Laurel Highlands who I never heard of that lit us up

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I am not even sure the kid is a Micah Mason, let alone a TJ McConnell.

Got to be careful about these single A schools. Unless it is like a Lincoln Prep, the competition is really lousy. My senior year there was a kid (name redacted to protect the innocent) from a local Catholic school who was Single A. He lived in my neighborhood. He averaged like 21 points a game. He was like the 3rd or 4th best kid that would play in our neighborhood games. I mean he didn't suck, but he was no way a college BB player.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I am not even sure the kid is a Micah Mason, let alone a TJ McConnell.

Got to be careful about these single A schools. Unless it is like a Lincoln Prep, the competition is really lousy. My senior year there was a kid (name redacted to protect the innocent) from a local Catholic school who was Single A. He lived in my neighborhood. He averaged like 21 points a game. He was like the 3rd or 4th best kid that would play in our neighborhood games. I mean he didn't suck, but he was no way a college BB player.

Nobody is saying he is Mason or McConnell but if he gets to 6'3 or 6'4, he will play D1 at some level.

 

[Drew1208]

Morningside would be Obama, pretty sure.

Yeah they're a Morningside

He is 6'1. If he can get to 6'3 or 6'4, he'd be NEC at worse. I mean I've never seen him play but if he's going to average 40 even at that low a level, he's gotta be able to play for at least St. Francis. SFU had a kid from Laurel Highlands who I never heard of that lit us up

Yeah him getting to like 6 5 would be awesome.
I'm rooting for him and really want to see him do well.
He comes from a good family

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Yeah they're a Morningside
Yeah him getting to like 6 5 would be awesome.
I'm rooting for him and really want to see him do well.
He comes from a good family

Is it in the genetics? Because usually by now, there is some hint as to a growth.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Is it in the genetics? Because usually by now, there is some hint as to a growth.

6'1 as a sophomore is pretty tall.

So Obama Academy has a geographic district? I thought they were an academy for the whole city. Someone give me the run down on how city schools work.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

6'1 as a sophomore is pretty tall.

So Obama Academy has a geographic district? I thought they were an academy for the whole city. Someone give me the run down on how city schools work.

Yeah, it's the left side of the city.

 

[pittchagg]

6'1 as a sophomore is pretty tall.

So Obama Academy has a geographic district? I thought they were an academy for the whole city. Someone give me the run down on how city schools work.

Upper part of the east end is Obama, eastern part of the east end is Westinghouse, lower part of the east end is Allderdice. Obama is basically just Peabody.

 

[Drew1208]

Is it in the genetics? Because usually by now, there is some hint as to a growth.

Lol not really. But i don't know his moms family which could determine alot.

 

[HOF Coach]

Vinnie Cugini? Ehh, fuhgeddaboutit!! 😆🏀😆🏀

 

[sonofabit]

6'1 as a sophomore is pretty tall.

So Obama Academy has a geographic district? I thought they were an academy for the whole city. Someone give me the run down on how city schools work.

Yeah, Blair was 6’8” as a soph...pretty tall for that age...whatever.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Are we sure this kid isn't simply the next version of the girl's player (whose name is right on the tip of my tongue but I can't remember it) from a few years ago who as a freshman could have been the sixth man on the 6A team that won the WPIAL championship and made it to the state semifinals but whose father decided that he'd rather she be the star, so she went to one of these itty-bitty private schools and averaged 40 points a game as a freshman but whose team couldn't beat anyone even decent? She ended up transferring to a school in Maryland and then transferred back to somewhere in the WPIAL but never really panned out as the sort of star you'd expect from a 40 point per game scoring freshman.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Are we sure this kid isn't simply the next version of the girl's player (whose name is right on the tip of my tongue but I can't remember it) from a few years ago who as a freshman could have been the sixth man on the 6A team that won the WPIAL championship and made it to the state semifinals but whose father decided that he'd rather she be the star, so she went to one of these itty-bitty private schools and averaged 40 points a game as a freshman but whose team couldn't beat anyone even decent? She ended up transferring to a school in Maryland and then transferred back to somewhere in the WPIAL but never really panned out as the sort of star you'd expect from a 40 point per game scoring freshman.

She plays for Charlotte. I'm not sure anyone expected her to be Swin Cash just like this Cugina kid isn't the next McConnell but he'll play D1 somewhere. If he could get to 6'5 or 6'6 then that would change everything.

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[Slick Manager of Champs]

I was an assistant on Vinny's St Raphaels team a few years ago, he played with 12 year olds when he was 9. He is supremely skilled especially as a ball handler and shooter, a great kid, and that will translate well somewhere at the college level. His shooting percentage is good, this isn't just some gimmick thing.

Morningside & a St. Raphael's grad? That's right in PCC's wheelhouse, old school feeder system. What the heck is he doing in Hampton?

 

[Drew1208]

Morningside & a St. Raphael's grad? That's right in PCC's wheelhouse, old school feeder system. What the heck is he doing in Hampton?

That's the great question.
I've talked to many people that know them.
And i know the dad well.
He was on my CYO team.
It doesn't make sense to keep him there.
But apparently they like it the way it is right now.

 

[PeetWeet1]

That's the great question.
I've talked to many people that know them.
And i know the dad well.
He was on my CYO team.
It doesn't make sense to keep him there.
But apparently they like it the way it is right now.

Aquinas is a unique school. Small. Not at all sports focused. Conservative Catholic. Member of the at least one of the Winchester Thurston/ SSA type private school organizations. Great reading list.

If the school is a good fit, he isn’t likely to find better alternative for him. For BB, the AAU circuit ought to suffice.

 

[deepelemblues]

6'1" as a sophomore you dont know if he has another growth spurt in him or not. But you'll find out lol

 

[Protes]

More like:

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Yeah, Blair was 6’8” as a soph...pretty tall for that age...whatever.

Did he shrink? Because when he left Pitt he was 6'6"

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Are we sure this kid isn't simply the next version of the girl's player (whose name is right on the tip of my tongue but I can't remember it) from a few years ago who as a freshman could have been the sixth man on the 6A team that won the WPIAL championship and made it to the state semifinals but whose father decided that he'd rather she be the star, so she went to one of these itty-bitty private schools and averaged 40 points a game as a freshman but whose team couldn't beat anyone even decent? She ended up transferring to a school in Maryland and then transferred back to somewhere in the WPIAL but never really panned out as the sort of star you'd expect from a 40 point per game scoring freshman.

Yes! I remember. She played for some school named Imani Prep. Cali Konek! Whatever happened to her?

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

SMF, I think you're always confused on PPS because there are magnet schools, neighborhood schools, and those that serve as both.

My daughter goes to Dice as our neighborhood high school, but she also would have been able to go as a pre-engineering student anywhere in the city.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Yes! I remember. She played for some school named Imani Prep. Cali Konek! Whatever happened to her?

As SMF said, she is at UNC Charlotte and isn't even good enough to play there.

Now that doesn't mean this kid at Aquinas won't end up being good enough to play at that level, or heck, even higher. But it is a red flag.

 

[BFo8]

Did he shrink? Because when he left Pitt he was 6'6"

He measured 6’6” 1/2 at the combine, which certainly did not help his cause even with the big wingspan.

 

[Upg bobcat]

Nobody is saying he is Mason or McConnell but if he gets to 6'3 or 6'4, he will play D1 at some level.

I agree wit this ... Mason and McConnell both started their NCAA careers in the Atlantic 10, with McConnell ending his in the Pac 12. There are a lot of conferences below the A10 that are still D1.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Morningside & a St. Raphael's grad? That's right in PCC's wheelhouse, old school feeder system. What the heck is he doing in Hampton?

I don't know but if he stays at Aquinas, he will likely break the WPIAL scoring record held by Tom Pipkins and could challenge for the state record. Maybe they'd rather have him do that and figure AAU ball is where he can play against good talent. I dont think that's the right approach but whatever.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

I don't know but if he stays at Aquinas, he will likely break the WPIAL scoring record held by Tom Pipkins and could challenge for the state record. Maybe they'd rather have him do that and figure AAU ball is where he can play against good talent. I dont think that's the right approach but whatever.

not to mention the daily commute from Morningside to Hampton when PCC is considerably closer

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Aquinas is known for academics, not sports. I don't know the family, but if the kid is smart maybe they like the academics and small setting.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Let me ask you guys (who know or have seen him) is he a "scorer" or is he a "shooter". The aforementioned Mason and McConnell were lights out shooters. I get nervous, even on kids Pitt are recruiting who can score in HS, but aren't really good shooters. X and Trey are perfect examples. Because once in college, alot of those layups and short jumped are blocked or the areas that yielded these are closed up and cut off before they can even get there. Limiting effectiveness. And if Gugini isn't throwing down dunks with ease, likely he would lack the athleticism needed to get open to score.

Again, the aforementioned Tom Pipkins was tremendously athletic and I would compare his hops in High School with Julius Page, until he tore up his knee. This enabled him to beat people and get open.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

He's a good and still improving outside shooter. Youre right to identify, as you move up the ranks, your athletic edge over your opponents goes away but youre jump shot does not.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Let me ask you guys (who know or have seen him) is he a "scorer" or is he a "shooter". The aforementioned Mason and McConnell were lights out shooters. I get nervous, even on kids Pitt are recruiting who can score in HS, but aren't really good shooters. X and Trey are perfect examples. Because once in college, alot of those layups and short jumped are blocked or the areas that yielded these are closed up and cut off before they can even get there. Limiting effectiveness. And if Gugini isn't throwing down dunks with ease, likely he would lack the athleticism needed to get open to score.

Again, the aforementioned Tom Pipkins was tremendously athletic and I would compare his hops in High School with Julius Page, until he tore up his knee. This enabled him to beat people and get open.

Pipkins had a good college career. He averaged over 16 points a game for his career and over 19 points per game his Sr. year.

 

[sonofabit]

Did he shrink? Because when he left Pitt he was 6'6"

Ya missed the last word of my post. Blair was lised 6’8” 245ibs as a soph. I was surprised how short he was after geting a peek on tv (playoffs?)

 

[dbilsky]

Pipkins had a good college career. He averaged over 16 points a game for his career and over 19 points per game his Sr. year.

Since you mentioned Pipkins ( from what your saying he did have a nice college career ), there was a kid that played for Duquesne at that time named Kevin Price. Ironically, he was from Duquesne High School. He was around 6”7 and tore up the WPIAL at the Class A level. I wonder what happened to him. ( Did he and Pipkins end up playing anywhere after that etc. )

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Since you mentioned Pipkins ( from what your saying he did have a nice college career ), there was a kid that played for Duquesne at that time named Kevin Price. Ironically, he was from Duquesne High School. He was around 6”7 and tore up the WPIAL at the Class A level. I wonder what happened to him. ( Did he and Pipkins end up playing anywhere after that etc. )

Kevin Price was really good. I don't think he went on to the NBA. As for Pipkins, like I said in another post, he got slowed down by a really bad knee injury that cost him his plus athleticism. He was never a lights out shooter, but more of a scorer.