Competitive Edge Fall League Preview - Part II

[caption id="attachment_1069960" align="alignleft" width="200"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/JP-Baron-2022-3.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1069960" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/JP-Baron-2022-3-264x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="227" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1116044" first="JP" last="Baron"] of PJP. Photo: Tri County League[/caption] The 2021 Competitive Edge High School Fall League tips off on September 11th. After a month off from 5on5 hoops, the intense varsity action out in King of Prussia will be a welcome event for prospects and hoops heads in southeastern Pennsylvania. Below is Part II of our preview of the teams that will be participating in the Competitive Edge High School Fall League. Methacton: Senior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="1200797" first="Brett" last="Byrne"] and senior big fella [player_tooltip player_id="991198" first="Cole" last="Hargrove"] will be asked to carry the load this fall and winter for traditional basketball power Methacton. Byrne is a hard-nosed kid with great court awareness who can really fill it up from three. Hargrove owns great footwork, can finish in traffic and is a workhorse on the glass. As a bonus, the kid can bury mid-range and baseline Js. Hargrove holds offer from St. Peter’s and Drexel. Junior point guard Jason Lagana played at a very high level for Team Final Red this summer and we expect him to have a major role this fall for the Warriors. Phoenixville: The Phantoms lost two key seniors from a team that won the program’s first district playoff game since 2016, but expectations remain high for this fall/winter. That’s because in summer 2021 this roster turned heads -- as both individuals and as a team (3-0 at Allentown Throwdown event). Long (6‘4”) and athletic guard [player_tooltip player_id="1275989" first="Zavier" last="Mayo"] will be the engine that drives Phoenixville’s offense. Mayo is too quick to be defended by bigs and he can shoot/score over most guards, so he presents significant matchup problems for opponents. He is coming off an excellent run on the summer circuit with PSB-Philly where he proved to be capable of playing both guard spots at a very high level. On the interior the Phantoms will look to [player_tooltip player_id="1275990" first="Gabe" last="Massenburg"] to provide scoring in the mid-range and around the rim. He too turned in a great summer including being named as a standout performer at the Hoop Group Elite Camp. Massenburg (6’6” / 240) will not hesitate to finish with authority on someone’s head. Look for Jackson Kuranda’s nearly automatic perimeter shooting to space the floor for this squad. Pope John Paul II: [player_tooltip player_id="1116044" first="JP" last="Baron"] is a combo-guard who can score at all 3 levels, but after two straight season of shooting 38% or more from deep his reputation as a 3-point ace proceeds him. Baron’s high basketball IQ, excellent court vision and ability to run at both guard spots will help PJP greatly this fall. Versatile guard Kevin Green is an ideal running mate for Baron. His ability to stretch the floor and create space for others with his jumper is underrated. Green can also slide over to lead guard spot which allows PJP to attack opposing defenses in a variety of different ways. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id="1275992" first="Jaden" last="Workman"]. This exciting combo guard prospect exploded onto the recruiting scene this summer while playing for PSB Philly. His extensive scoring repertoire must be respected and won’t allow opponents to double team Baron. [caption id="attachment_1208071" align="alignleft" width="160"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Jackson-Hicke-2023-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1208071" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Jackson-Hicke-2023-2-211x300.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="227" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"] of Radnor HS.[/caption] Radnor: The lineup this fall for Radnor features several high-level Class of 2023 players. We have written about decorated shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"]; rock steady point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1200819" first="Danny" last="Rosenblum"]; and athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id="1212678" first="Charlie" last="Thornton"] on numerous occasions. Thornton’s offensive game took a major step forward this summer and it will be interesting to watch if his level of play continues to trend upward this fall. Add in super athletic combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1200791" first="Cooper" last="Mueller"] as well as skilled forward Nick Monty and you have a very solid junior class. Smooth shooting wing Pierce Justice will be a major contributor this fall and winter as well. Rising sophomore floor general Mike Savadove should see some minutes. With this group leading the way, Radnor could be factor in the Comp Edge Fall League and in the Central League this winter. Reading: The 2020 Comp Edge Fall League runners-up went on to win the PIAA 6A state title this past March and they return a host of DI prospects for 2021-22. Reading will be piloted by [player_tooltip player_id="1116036" first="Daniel" last="Alcantara"] who is one of the top all around players in the region. He is an elite scorer who can get buckets at all three levels. Despite his scoring prowess, Alcantara is very patient and willing to get teammates involved. This long, super athlete can also dominate a game defensively and put in serious work on the boards. Running with Alcantara will be rocky steady point guard Ruben Rodriguez, who had 12 points in the 6A state title game as well as Aris Rodriguez, a knock down shooting guard who can drain threes and pull up mid-range jumpers all day. Combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id="1121782" first="Joey" last="Chapman"] posted a monster summer grassroots circuit and will be an excellent scoring option for this lineup. Senior wing Xavier Davis is the “glue guy” who provides scoring, rebounding, energy and tenacious defense. Small forward [player_tooltip player_id="1200778" first="Jedaya" last="Ortega"] will supply interior and mid-range scoring for this group. We like Reading’s chances of winning the Comp Edge Fall League. Upper Merion: Pacing the Vikings attack this fall is [player_tooltip player_id="1116047" first="Madison" last="Tatom"], one of the most highly touted juniors in the area. After the 2020-21 season the superb combo guard earned 1st Team All-Pioneer Athletic Conference honors. Tatom is an outstanding catch and shoot three-point specialist. In addition to being a lethal perimeter shooter, Tatom owns the dribbling skills and court vision to be a very effective primary ball handler. He is an excellent rebounding guard too. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="1202388" first="Ty" last="Jones"] will be Tatom’s backcourt mate. Jones excels at every facet of the game and although he is undersized, he plays a fearless style of ball. He was also a 1st Team All-PAC selection after the 2020-21 season. Fellow seniors Khalil Lawson and Kareem Abdussamad are expected to be major contributors as well.