Southern Jam Fest Preview

[caption id="attachment_1179188" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Dereck-Lively-1-crop-2910x1911-1619544031.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1179188 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Dereck-Lively-1-crop-2910x1911-1619544031-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991185" first="Dereck" last="Lively II"] of Westtown &amp; Team Final EYBL.[/caption] <p>This weekend a large number of the top grassroots teams from southeastern Pennsylvania will travel to Hampton Roads, Virginia to participate in the Hoop Group / Boo Williams Southern Jam Fest. Widely considered one of the marquee East Coast events of the spring grassroots season, the Southern Jam Fest boasts an extremely competitive field that includes powerhouse regional and national teams.</p> <p>Below is a glance at the SEPA grassroots squads participating in this event as well the how the bracket could play out for each of the teams.  </p> <p><strong><u>17U (2022)</u></strong><strong>:</strong></p> <p><strong>Team Final EYBL: </strong>So far this spring Jalen Duren, [player_tooltip player_id="991185" first="Dereck" last="Lively II"], [player_tooltip player_id="991188" first="Jameel" last="Brown"] and the TF crew have been the talk of the 17U grassroots scene. If you don’t believe us, check out their highlight reels on Instagram for further evidence. Now we understand that Class of 2022 megastar Emoni Bates is joining the roster. That’s just not fair! On Saturday they will matchup against the Virginia Playmakers in the 1^st round. After they win that game, this absolutely stacked roster will then will face the winner of Team Richmond HGSL (VA) vs. Flint’s Finest HGSL (MI). We expect this collection of stars will be playing late into Sunday afternoon.</p> <p><strong>Philly Pride National UAA</strong>: Two weeks ago, this roster won the 17U division at the Big Shots / Philly Pride event. Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="991317" first="Naji" last="Reid"] will be a problem for defenders down in Virginia. Center Mike Walz is having a breakout spring and now holds multiple DI offers. Reid, Walz and the rest of Philly Pride will be a heavy favorite against Virginia Premier in the opening round. In Round 2 they would get the winner of Team Final Red (PA) vs. World Smash HGSL (GA).</p> <p><strong>East Coast Power-Rap: </strong>This squad is receiving a ton of publicity right now and it’s well deserved. Westtown’s [player_tooltip player_id="1200771" first="Matt" last="Mayock"] (2023) has become more than just a three point ace. Methacton’s [player_tooltip player_id="1200797" first="Brett" last="Byrne"] is a physical combo guard who overpowers smaller players. Devon Prep guard Allen Cieslak is shooting the rock at an elite level. Those three headline the ECP 17s group that will take on the Fairfax Stars (VA) in the 1^st round. If they win that game, they move on to play Team Richmond Black (VA) or Strong Mature Minds (DE).</p> <p><strong>Team Final Red: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991200" first="Tyson" last="Thomas"] (PIAA1^st Team 4A All-State player) and [player_tooltip player_id="1116036" first="Daniel" last="Alcantara"] (3^rd Team 6A All-State selection) are backed by versatile wing player [player_tooltip player_id="1121750" first="Donovan" last="Hill"] as well as other high level prospects. Should TFR defeat World Smash HGSL (GA) in their opener, they will most likely take on Philly Pride National UAA.</p> <p><strong><u>16U (2023)</u></strong><strong>:</strong></p> <p><strong>Team Final EYBL: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"], a 6’7” wing player who was a 1^st Team 5A All-State selection, elite floor general [player_tooltip player_id="991339" first="Rahmir" last="Barno"] (3rd Team 5A All-State) and their Team Final EYBL teammates were granted a 1^st round bye. So they await the winner of Virginia Playmakers against Team 757 Loaded (VA). Once they advance to the 2^nd round, they get New World 3SSB (DMV) or Global Squad-HGSL (MD).</p> <p><strong>Philly Pride National UAA</strong>: This Philly Pride group needs to have their big boy pants on from the jump. The team opens up with Team Loaded 804 (VA) which features elite backcourt player Davien Banks and 6’8” interior dominator Keyontae Lewis. The reward for defeating Team Loaded 804 is most likely a round two game against the ultra-talented Team Durant EYBL (DMV) squad. Philly Pride standouts [player_tooltip player_id="1200800" first="Horace" last="Simmons"], [player_tooltip player_id="1116019" first="Dylan" last="Blair"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1119156" first="Deywilk" last="Tavarez"] should be up to the task this weekend.</p> <p><strong>Team Final Red: </strong>The hottest squad in the Team Final Red family will face a basketball gauntlet at the Southern Jam Fest. After helping Loyolasock to the PIAA 3A state championship this winter, wing prospect [player_tooltip player_id="1200775" first="Saraj" last="Ali"] (1^st Team 3A All-State selection) continues to play excellent basketball. [player_tooltip player_id="991331" first="Davion" last="Hill"] (1^st Team 1A All-State selection) is a prospect on a meteoric rise. Both players will need to be playing at a high level if TFR 16’s are to defeat Team Loaded NC 3SSB. A win in the 1^st Round means Team Final Red takes the court in Round 2 against national power Team Melo EYBL.</p> [caption id="attachment_1151226" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Darrien-Grady-Shipley-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1151226 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Darrien-Grady-Shipley-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="933733" first="Darrien" last="Grady"] of Shipley School &amp; WeR1. Photo: Shipley Athletics.[/caption] <p><strong>WeR1 UAA: </strong>Of course you know about backcourt superstar [player_tooltip player_id="933733" first="Darrien" last="Grady"] who has already been featured on this site numerous times, but keep an eye on unique combo forward [player_tooltip player_id="991194" first="Christian" last="Kirkland"]<strong>. </strong>The lefty has turned a lot of heads this spring with his athleticism and scoring<strong>. </strong>That dynamic duo and their WeR1 teammates will tip this event off with Team Wall (DMV). Then in their second game, Grady, Kirkland and company will most likely play NJ Scholars EYBL.</p> <p><strong>NJ Scholars EYBL:</strong> Speaking of NJ Scholars…Ordinarily we would not cover a grassroots team from New Jersey, but Philly native [player_tooltip player_id="991400" first="Ahmad" last="Nowell"] (One of the best C/O 2024s in the country!) is “playing up” with NJ Scholars EYBL 16s this weekend. So we will want to keep an eye on their results. The squad received a 1st round bye and will take on either Team BBC (MD) or Team Push HGSL (VA) in their opener. A potential 2^nd round game against WeR1 UAA (DE) or Team Wall (NC) is sure to draw big crowds.  </p> <p><strong><u>15U (2024)</u></strong><strong>: </strong></p> <p><strong>*Note:</strong> Five of the Top 10 teams in our weekly southeastern Pennsylvania 15U rankings will be in action at the Boo Williams/ Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest this weekend. If they can advance through the championship bracket, some of these SEPA squads could even cross paths down in Virginia.</p> <p><strong>Team Final EYBL: </strong>The No. 1 team in our SEPA 15U rankings are white hot -- 7-1 in their last eight games. For openers, [player_tooltip player_id="1116063" first="Robert" last="Wright III"], [player_tooltip player_id="1173991" first="Jaden" last="Murray"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1123886" first="Amir" last="Williams"] will take on New World 2025 (DMV). After the opening round, they face whichever team survives the Team Loaded 3SSB (VA) against Team Takeover (DMV) contest. We expect this group to make a deep run this weekend.</p> [caption id="attachment_1168128" align="alignleft" width="240"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Ty-Burton-2024.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1168128 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Ty-Burton-2024-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1173982" first="Ty" last="Burton"] of Lampeter-Strasburg &amp; Philly Pride. Photo: Liam Brennan (@leprechaunfilms)[/caption] <p><strong>Philly Pride National UAA</strong>: Coming off their Big Shots / Philly Pride event championship the No. 2 team in our SEPA 15U rankings will look to maintain their winning ways at the Southern Jam Fest. This team was off last weekend and spent a lot of time in the gym practicing. So you know prospects like [player_tooltip player_id="1173986" first="Fazl" last="Oshodi"], [player_tooltip player_id="1173982" first="Ty" last="Burton"] and Reggie Selden, Jr. will be rested and ready when they take the floor vs. Castle Athletics (NYC) in opening round play. Once Philly Pride is victorious, they will most likely play Team Melo EYBL. Y the way, at The Scrimmage event (DE) earlier this spring Team Melo EYBL defeated Team Final EYBL. So that will be an excellent test for these Philly Pride 15’s.</p> <p><strong>Team Final Red:</strong> The squad currently sitting at No. 4 in our weekly 15U rankings is plagued by a string of injuries and has an absolutely brutal draw this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="1130840" first="David" last="Fridia"], [player_tooltip player_id="1136565" first="Jake" last="West"], Khalil and Khalid Sanders as well as the rest of TFR tip off with the always stacked Team Takeover EYBL (DMV). If they survive that contest, TFR would get the winner of Team Thrill 2025 (MD) vs. Team Loaded Virginia 3SSB.</p> <p><strong>Philly Revolution: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1189096" first="Jalil" last="Bethea"] (17.5 ppg. at the Big Shots / Philly Pride tourney), [player_tooltip player_id="1191280" first="Josh" last="Reed"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1191281" first="Joe" last="Shields"] have pushed the Revolution up to the No. 5 spot in our 15U rankings. They will look to keep things rolling in their opener vs the Virginia Playmakers. Win that one and it’s on to a 2^nd Round contest with either Team New England or Wave Basketball Club (VA).</p> <p><strong>Prep Select:</strong> Based on their solid play of late, Prep Select has surged to No. 7 in our standings. This weekend it will be interesting to witness how this team led by [player_tooltip player_id="1188621" first="Olin" last="Chamberlain"] manages against national grassroots circuit squads like their Round 1 opponent, Team Melo MD23. If they survive that test, then Virginia Havoc or Impact Elite (MD) would be next on their schedule.</p>