Suburban One League: Players To Watch in 2020-21
In 2019-20 the Suburban One League in southeastern, PA boasted four teams that participated in the PIAA state tournament, three teams that won 20 or more games and a Cheltenham squad that played in the District 1 6A Championship game.…
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Continue ReadingIn 2019-20 the Suburban One League in southeastern, PA boasted four teams that participated in the PIAA state tournament, three teams that won 20 or more games and a Cheltenham squad that played in the District 1 6A Championship game.
If you think the Suburban One League’s success last season was a blip or a one year wonder, think again. The SOL is stacked for 2020-21 with talented ballers who will be difference makers at the college level. Below are profiles of a few Suburban One League players to watch in 2020-21.
James Ashford IV – Bensalem 6’3” Senior Combo Guard: A nagging hip injury wrecked Ashford’s sophomore season, but the skilled combo guard came back with a vengeance in 2019-20. Running at mostly PG last season, he was the leading scorer for Bensalem (18 ppg.) and no one will forget when he dropped 36 on Abraham Lincoln (PA) back in December of 2019. Ashford is a shot maker, plain and simple. Still, he is extremely poised as a primary ball handler and owns great court vision. If needed, he can easily convert into a distributor at the next level. Ashford was a 1st team all SOL National Conference selection.
Derrick Cosenza – William Tennent 6’4” Senior Wing: Cosenza was a major contributor for Tennent as a sophomore and he used that as a springboard for a tremendous season in 2019-20 that landed him as a 1st Team All SOL National Conference selection. A long (6’9” wingspan), quick, super athletic and high energy player, Cosenza averaged 15 points per-game last year and posted numerous double-doubles (9.9 rpg.). Cosenza can put the ball on the floor to get by his defender and finish with either hand. As a bonus, he is an elite rim protector. In October of 2019, Cosenza (Philly Heat AAU) was the Pittsburgh Jam Fest MVP. A two-sport athlete, he is a D-I recruit in football as a defensive end and wide receiver.
Joe Jackman – CB East 5’11” Senior Combo Guard: Jackman is an outside threat who as the kids say has “in the gym” range. His text book mechanics allow Jackman to drain threes from the stand still, on the secondary break or off screen action. In 2019-20, Jackman scored 17 ppg. on 39% shooting from deep (60 3PM). Still, if a defender closes out too hard or off-balance, Jackman has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Those of you who witnessed his 25 point outburst vs. Pennridge saw all the elements of his game at work. In December of 2019 Jackman posted two 30+ point games in one week. Jackman was a 1st team All-Area as well as a 1st team All SOL Continental Conference selection.
Michael Farley – CB South 6’7” Junior Center: Farley (11 ppg.) is a high level post player who can score close in with a quick power dribble or off his mid-range jumper. Additionally, he owns an arsenal of ball fakes that allow him to get past a defender and score at the rim with both hands. A nice flip hook is also part of Farley’s bag of tricks. The wiry big man has a developing pick-n-pop / pick-n-roll game. Farley is a solid rebounder (6.8 rpg.), who isn’t afraid to move an opponent with a strong box out. He runs the floor very well and is an elite shot blocker (1.3 bpg.). In 2019-20 he showed a glimpse of ability to stretch the floor with the occasional 3-ball. If that element of his game becomes consistent, this sky is the limit for this kid. Farley’s sophomore season was highlighted by a 25-point night vs Souderton.
Matt Compas Matt Compas 6'3" | CG Wissahickon | 2021 State PA – Wissahickon 6’1” Senior Combo Guard: A slasher type player who can really score the ball, in 2019-20 Compas was a 1st team All SOL American Conference selection. When you walk in the gym, you notice that Compas is a ridiculous athlete who plays above the rim. When you study his tape one can see that Compas excels in transition and has enough skills to score off isolation play in the half-court. In March 2020, he cooked Upper Moreland for 26 points. His offensive output is complimented nicely by the fact that Compas is an excellent on ball defender.
Justin Moore Justin Moore 6'1" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2022 State PA – Cheltenham 6’1” Junior Point Combo Guard: In 2019-20 Moore slid over to the PG spot when a knee injury forced senior starter Zahree Harrison (St. Francis of PA commit) to miss the season. As the “fill-in” lead guard, all Moore did was push Cheltenham to a 14-0 record in SOL and an appearance in that PIAA 6A state tourney. With his speed, Moore can really push the ball in transition. In the half court, that same speed combined with ball-on-a-string-handles allows Moore to attack defenses off the dribble. In January his 17 points and 7 dimes stat line vs Abington turned some heads. Moore then canceled any doubters when he scored 19 points in the District-1 6A semi-final game. He plays with the poise and composure of a veteran. He holds offers from a number of D-I schools.
Other Notables:
Aaron Sanders – Bensalem 6’1” Junior Guard.
Matt Drapkin – Neshaminy 5’11” Junior Guard.