Philly HS Live (Session II): Teams That Impressed
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[player_tooltip player_id="991202" first="Justin" last="Moore"] (C/O 2022) from Archbishop Wood. Photo: @PhillyHSLive 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…
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Continue ReadingBelow 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.
Allentown Central Catholic: At Philly HS lIve (Session II), PIAA 4A 1st Team All-State players Tyson Thomas Tyson Thomas 6'1" | PG Allentown Central Catholic | 2022 State PA and Liam Joyce Liam Joyce 6'6" | PF Allentown Central Catholic | 2022 State PA got a great deal of support from Team Final Red 15U interior standout David Fridia David Fridia 6'6" | PF Allentown Central Catholic | 2024 State PA . 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.
Archbishop Wood: Senior superstar guard Justin Moore Justin Moore 6'1" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2022 State PA 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 Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #5 Nation PA and Josh Reed contributed heavily this weekend and are DI prospects for certain. Keep an eye on Judah Hidalgo, the rising freshman showed impressive flashes.
Conestoga: 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 Michael Walz Michael Walz 6'11" | PF Conestoga | 2022 State PA (24 & 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 Ryan Mackey Ryan Mackey 6'0" | PG Conestoga | 2022 State PA (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.
Downingtown West: All everything guard Dylan Blair Dylan Blair 5'10" | PG Downingtown West | 2023 State PA 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.
Roman Catholic: The fact that this group impressed us should come as no surprise considering Roman’s lineup features three high DI recruits in Khalil Farmer Khalil Farmer PG Roman Catholic | 2022 State PA , Daniel Skillings Daniel Skillings 6'5" | SG Roman Catholic | 2022 State PA and Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #233 Nation PA . 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 – Matija Radunovic Matija Radunovic 6'7" | PF Roman Catholic | 2022 State PA and 2024 star in the making Toby Ojukwu – have proved they are ready for prime time in the PCL. 2023 Chris Stanford Chris Stanford 6'7" | PF Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA was solid this weekend as well. Lastly, rising freshman Shareef Jackson Shareef Jackson 6'9" | C Roman Catholic | 2025 State #249 Nation PA (6’6”) could also have a positive impact this winter. Roman’s ceiling for 2021-22 season is scary high.