Philly HS Live (Session II): Teams That Impressed

[caption id="attachment_1220168" align="alignleft" width="219"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Justin-Moore-2022-2-e1624293127649.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1220168" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Justin-Moore-2022-2-e1624293127649-274x300.jpg" alt="" width="219" height="239" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991202" first="Justin" last="Moore"] (C/O 2022) from Archbishop Wood. Photo: @PhillyHSLive[/caption] <p>Below is a glimpse at several of the high school teams from southeastern Pennsylvania that impressed us with their high level of play at the Philly HS Live (Session II) event.</p> <p><strong>Allentown Central Catholic: </strong>At Philly HS lIve (Session II), PIAA 4A 1st Team All-State players [player_tooltip player_id="991200" first="Tyson" last="Thomas"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1200803" first="Liam" last="Joyce"] got a great deal of support from Team Final Red 15U interior standout [player_tooltip player_id="1130840" first="David" last="Fridia"]. With rising sophomore Fridia in the mix, ACC can attack you at all three levels. Thomas is an elite perimeter player who can stroke the three-ball. With his old school game Joyce can dominate the mid-range and Fridia scores in the post or via the offensive glass. A repeat as state 4A champs is a definite possibility for Allentown Central Catholic in 2021-22.</p> <p><strong>Archbishop Wood:</strong> Senior superstar guard [player_tooltip player_id="991202" first="Justin" last="Moore"] has been playing lights out basketball since April and he did not disappoint at Philly HS Live (Session II). 6’5” Mike Knouse scores from everywhere on the floor (hit for 20 points this weekend vs. Lower Merion) and rebounds at a high level. Basil Laster is a rising junior who has developed his game to the point where he is now attracting attention from DI schools. 2024s [player_tooltip player_id="1189096" first="Jalil" last="Bethea"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1181867" first="Josh" last="Reed"] contributed heavily this weekend and are DI prospects for certain. Keep an eye on Judah Hidalgo, the rising freshman showed impressive flashes.</p> [caption id="attachment_1097664" align="alignleft" width="280"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/mike-walz-2022-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1097664" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/mike-walz-2022-2-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="280" height="184" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1119123" first="Michael" last="Walz"] (C/O 2022) from Conestoga. Photo: Conestoga HS Athletics[/caption] <p><strong>Conestoga:</strong> The ‘Stoga roster will not have the depth it boasted in 2020-21, but sometimes one star level player is all you need. Big fella [player_tooltip player_id="1119123" first="Michael" last="Walz"] (24 &amp; 13 vs. SJP at session II of Philly HS Live) has developed into an extremely effective No. 1 option on offense and has become a high major prospect. We are betting that he can carry the Pioneers far this coming season. When defenses collapse on Walz, smooth shooting point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1122121" first="Ryan" last="Mackey"] (already a two year starter) will punish opponents with the 3-ball or via the dribble drive. Fellow senior Matt Malarkey appeared to be the highly valuable glue guy for this team. He is a two-sport athlete who is also the quarterback of Conestoga’s football team. Rising sophomore Brendan Styer is an extremely talented guard with tremendous upside.      </p> <p><strong>Downingtown West:</strong> All everything guard [player_tooltip player_id="1116019" first="Dylan" last="Blair"] has a very good supporting cast and it showed at Philly HS Live (Session II). Archbishop Carroll (PA) transfer Jake Warren (6’10”) provided a mid-range / interior offensive threat, served as quality rim protector and dominated the glass. Warren is still raw, but his upside is tantalizing. 2023 shooting guard Joey Suarez provides a perimeter threat who can space the floor for both Blair and Warren. Rising sophomore Ryan Howard showed he can contribute at the varsity level.</p> [caption id="attachment_1150024" align="alignleft" width="181"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Daniel-Skillings.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1150024" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Daniel-Skillings-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="181" height="240" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="901951" first="Daniel" last="Skillings"] (C/O 2022) from Roman Catholic.[/caption] <p><strong>Roman Catholic: </strong>The fact that this group impressed us should come as no surprise considering Roman’s lineup features three high DI recruits in [player_tooltip player_id="991212" first="Khalil" last="Farmer"], [player_tooltip player_id="901951" first="Daniel" last="Skillings"] and [player_tooltip player_id="991334" first="Xzayvier" last="Brown"]. However, let’s dig a little deeper and look at the under the surface reasons why Roman impressed us so much. One reason is the growth in Brown’s game the spring /summer. After an outstanding stretch of play from April through June, Brown has gone from a mid-major recruit to a high DI prospect. If he continues to improve at this pace, by the time the high school season comes around, Brown he will be one of the elite 2023s in the state. The second reason is the supporting cast – [player_tooltip player_id="1128376" first="Matija" last="Radunovic"] and 2024 star in the making Toby Ojukwu – have proved they are ready for prime time in the PCL. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1118635" first="Chris" last="Stanford"] was solid this weekend as well. Lastly, rising freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1188620" first="Shareef" last="Jackson"] (6’6”) could also have a positive impact this winter. Roman’s ceiling for 2021-22 season is scary high.</p>