Big 64 Showcase Preview

[caption id="attachment_1152840" align="alignleft" width="282"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Demetrius-Lilley-2022-3-crop-378x248-1616168258.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1152840" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Demetrius-Lilley-2022-3-crop-378x248-1616168258-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="282" height="185" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991216" first="Demetrius" last="Lilley"] from Lower Merion. Photo: Lower Merion Athletics[/caption] To say that the “Big 64 Showcase” has expanded, is an understatement. The once “local” hoops event had traditionally featured a slate of matchups involving 64 (give or take a few) of the best high school teams from southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2021 the ‘Big 64 Showcase” has more the doubled in size and this weekend basketball action at this fantastic event will include 130 teams from all over the Mid-Atlantic region. Typically, this event is staged at the two gyms on West Chester University’s campus. But with the expanded 2021 event field, the Glen Mills School will function as an additional location. Below is our preview of eleven “Big 64 Showcase” games featuring SEPA prospects that we have deemed “must see” contests. Saturday, Sept. 25 West Chester Univ. Rec Center Life Center (NJ) vs. Archbishop Ryan: LCA is a traditional New Jersey basketball factory which this year features 6’7” scoring wing prospect Justin Hawkins. Last year Ryan rode a senior dominated lineup to the PIAA 5A championship game. Leading the rebuild at Ryan are [player_tooltip player_id="991311" first="Jalen" last="Snead"], [player_tooltip player_id="1202211" first="Michael" last="“Zaire” Paris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1213553" first="Thomas" last="Sorber"]. Paris is a lefty backcourt player with elite speed who plays a slasher style of game. This summer at the Southern Jam Fest (VA), Paris “played up” in the 17U gold division and averaged around 24 ppg. Sorber a recent transfer from Trenton Catholic, is a highly ranked big in the Class of 2024. (9:00 AM; Court 2) Executive Education Charter vs. St. Joe’s Prep: All-State, point-forward Jevin Muniz has moved on so EEC will turn to Drexel commit [player_tooltip player_id="991217" first="Kobe" last="Magee"], wing Jeremiah Bembry and highly ranked 2024 Rylan Muniz to maintain the Raptors winning ways. Magee is one of the most underrated 2022s in the area. SJP head coach Jason Harrigan has done an excellent job of bringing in high level talent for this year and beyond. Seniors Jaiden Vargas (6’1” / Guard) and Thomas Hart (6’5” / Wing) can really shoot the rock. [player_tooltip player_id="1281772" first="Tristen" last="Guillouette"] is a tremendous interior prospect who can dominate the paint. His 2024 classmate [player_tooltip player_id="1202209" first="Jalen" last="Harper"] is an aggressive scoring combo guard. Keep an eye on SJP 2025s [player_tooltip player_id="1188621" first="Olin" last="Chamberlain"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1197607" first="Jaron" last="McKie"]. (11:00 AM; Court 1) Patrick School (N.J.) vs. Westtown: Two basketball powerhouse programs collide when nationally ranked prospects [player_tooltip player_id="991185" first="Dereck" last="Lively II"] and [player_tooltip player_id="991188" first="Jameel" last="Brown"] lead the Moose against major DI recruit Zion Cruz and the Celtics. Mike Mayock, one of this summer’s biggest 2023 stock risers should be a major contributor for Westtown as well. ‘Town guard Quinn Berger owns filthy handles and is a phenomenal 3-point shooter. (1:00 PM; Court 1) George School vs. Phelps School PG: This prep school matchup is loaded with college prospects and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. George School’s lineup features [player_tooltip player_id="1119114" first="Onyekachi" last="Nzeh"], one of the most sought after bigs in the region as well as transition game phenom [player_tooltip player_id="901991" first="Dante" last="Weise"]. The Phelps post grad roster is highlighted by mid-range assassin Daniel Lans, superb combo guard Johnny Coppolino and three-point ace [player_tooltip player_id="1012961" first="Jack" last="Collins"] (44% on threes last season). Collins recently committed to Monmouth. (4:00 PM; Court 1) Academy New Church vs. Archbishop Carroll: ANC’s [player_tooltip player_id="1119147" first="Elmarko" last="Jackson"] goes head-to-head with Carroll’s [player_tooltip player_id="991425" first="Moses" last="Hipps"] in a matchup between two of the most heavily recruited guards in southeastern Pennsylvania. In addition to Hipps, Carroll’s lineup is stocked with college talent. Be sure to keep an eye on wing scoring threat [player_tooltip player_id="1281928" first="Shawnn" last="Smith"], high level shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="1136565" first="Jake" last="West"], attack the rim style combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"] and versatile forward Blake Deegan. (7:00 PM; Court 1) Academy of the New Church vs. LaSalle CHS: The before mentioned [player_tooltip player_id="1119147" first="Elmarko" last="Jackson"] has a new running mate in transfer [player_tooltip player_id="1119156" first="Deywilk" last="Tavarez"]. Tavarez is an extremely versatile guard who is getting attention from numerous DI programs. Tavarez excels in transition with or without the rock. In the half court, he is deadly with the three-point shot and he can put the ball on the deck to score at the rim. LaSalle has big expectations for this year because of a deep and gifted roster. Shooting guard Nix Varano posted a monster summer on the grassroots circuit. Wing player [player_tooltip player_id="1200800" first="Horace" last="Simmons"] can drain 3PAs of every variety and from every location on the court. As a bonus he can also play a slasher style of ball as well. We cannot forget about senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="991391" first="Sam" last="Brown"]. That kid can score the ball at will. (8:00 PM; Court 1) Sunday, Sep. 26 West Chester Univ. Rec Center Shipley School vs. Father Judge: Shipley has a new head coach in former Villanova star and NBA standout Alvin Williams, but what hasn’t changed at Shipley is that electric point guard [player_tooltip player_id="933733" first="Darrien" last="Grady"] is running the show. Grady and Shipley will face a reworked FJ roster that has dynamic guards in Jalen Flowers as well as [player_tooltip player_id="1123891" first="Laquan" last="Byrd"] and a recent transfer from Georgia -- Kyle Jones, Jr. Jones is fantastic in the transition game, but this combo-guard can also shoot the 3-ball at a high clip. Back in January of 2021 he drained 7 threes in a game. (10:00 AM; Court 2) Cardinal O’Hara vs. Rocktop Academy: O’Hara has built a solid squad that should compete in the PCL this winter. Leading the way for O’Hara will be 2022 guard Massai Harris and transfer [player_tooltip player_id="1281811" first="Izaiah" last="Pasha"]. Pasha is a long, super athletic slasher style prospect who thrives in the transition game. High level 2024’s [player_tooltip player_id="1190330" first="Pearse" last="McGuinn"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1123887" first="Amir" last="Speights"] will also be expected to contribute heavily. McGuinn is a knock down shooter who torched the nets all summer while playing for K-Low Elite. For Rocktop the focus will be on transfer Earle Greer, Jr. He is a 6’5”, bouncy combo guard who can score at all 3-levels. After last season, Greer was the 2020-21 Bicentennial League MVP (16 & 9 per game) and was also a nominee for Pennsylvania’s Mr. Basketball award. (4:00 PM; Court 2) Sunday, Sep. 26 West Chester Univ. Hollinger Gym Devon Prep vs. Conestoga: The word is out on Devon Prep, so they will not be underestimated by any opponents this fall/winter. However, the depth and balance of the Tide’s roster should compensate for loss of the underdog role they played so well in the past. Defenses will try key on scoring machine [player_tooltip player_id="991309" first="Argel" last="Pettit"], but he has plenty of support to keep them honest. Swiss army knife [player_tooltip player_id="1116055" first="Lucas" last="Orchard"] amped up his scoring this summer. [player_tooltip player_id="1178095" first="Jacen" last="Holloway"] is a matchup problem for opponents. The multi-skilled forward can post up smaller defenders and knock down threes. DP will get excellent contributions from perimeter players like combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1202391" first="Allen" last="Cieslak"] and high percentage three-point shooter [player_tooltip player_id="1123922" first="Ty" last="Mishock"]. (9:00 AM; Court 2) Westtown vs. Lower Merion: We previously discussed Westtown’s roster which is filled with nationally ranked prospects. Still, this game against a LM team that lost in 2021 PIAA 6A state semifinal and returns a host of players is intriguing to us. Of specific interest will be the mono-y-mono battle between big men [player_tooltip player_id="991185" first="Dereck" last="Lively II"] and LM’s [player_tooltip player_id="991216" first="Demetrius" last="Lilley"]. Lively is the No. 1 ranked 2022 prospect in the state and one top players in the nation. But Lilley (Committed to Penn State) is one hell of a player as well. In 2020-21 Lilley averaged a double-double with 20 & 12 per contest and was a 6A 2nd Team All-State selection. Lively could be caught off guard by Lilley’s ability to hit the three ball. (11:00 AM; Court 2) Rocktop Academy vs. Imhotep Charter: Rocktop is a very god team, but they will be hard pressed to keep up with this ultra-talented and very, very deep Imhotep squad. Imhotep guard [player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] posted arguably the biggest, most eye-catching summer of any prospect in Pennsylvania. He now holds DI offers too numerous to count. [player_tooltip player_id="991339" first="Rahmir" last="Barno"] (5A 3rd Team All-State) is one of the most complete floor generals in the region. [player_tooltip player_id="1121757" first="Ronny" last="Raphael"] (Committed to Gannon) shreds defenses with his dribble drive moves. [player_tooltip player_id="1287322" first="Mo" last="Abdullah"] (Committed to Rider) can drain threes as well as slash to the basket for buckets. Renowned three-point shooter [player_tooltip player_id="991317" first="Naji" last="Reid"] stretches the floor. While transfer [player_tooltip player_id="1281910" first="Chad" last="Anglin"] provides a nice interior presence. As a bonus, Imhotep has two high level 2024s in [player_tooltip player_id="1173985" first="Jeremiah" last="White"] and Makye Taylor. (2:00 PM Court 2)