SEPA Fall Ball Prospect Report: Week 3 Standouts

[caption id="attachment_1208063" align="alignleft" width="285"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Edwards-Justin-crop-3226x2118-1622819996.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1208063" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Edwards-Justin-crop-3226x2118-1622819996-300x197.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="285" height="187" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] from Imhotep Charter.[/caption] The number of “fall ball” events that took place in southeastern Pennsylvania this past weekend is astonishing. To be honest, it was a bit insane, and prospects from the region had must have been exhausted on Sunday night. Area grassroots teams were in New Jersey for The Challenge tournament. High School squads from SEPA were either at the Haverford School for the Post and Pivot Fall Team Camp or at Imhotep Charter participating in Philly-USA All City Classic’s “The Warmup” event or over in Jersey for the Front Office Fall Invite (Union, NJ). Below is a review of SEPA prospects who performed well this weekend at the various events taking place in the region. [player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] – 6’5” / Junior / Imhotep Charter / Team Final EYBL / Point Guard: The electric floor general who has become one of the most sought-after recruits in the region began his weekend by posting two standout performances at “The Warmup” event. There he scored at all three levels, but repeatedly impressed with his ability to find an open teammate. Then Edwards and his Imhotep teammates traveled up the turnpike to the Front Office Fall Invite (NJ) for their highly anticipated contest vs. Hudson Catholic (NJ). Edwards’ play and the game were off the charts. In this one Edwards was especially effective at driving the ball to the rim and finishing with authority. But to keep Hudson Catholic on their toes, Edwards also drained several threes and controlled the flow of the game with his point guard play. Unfortunately, Imhotep lost the game. Earle Greer, Jr. – 6’5” / Senior / Rocktop Academy / BW Elite / Combo Guard: The former Delaware County Christian (PA) standout (In 2020-21 he averaged 16 ppg. & 9 rpg. and was Bicentennial League MVP.) was fitting in nicely with his new team at the Post & Pivots event. Greer is a long and bouncy prospect who can score at all 3-levels. However, he is an especially talented catch and shoot player. As a bonus, Greer moves very well without the rock. That combination makes him extremely difficult to guard. Occasionally, Greer will throw a pump fake and then put the ball on the deck to get to the mid-range or the all the way to the cup. [caption id="attachment_1152840" align="alignleft" width="266"]<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="266" height="175" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991216" first="Demetrius" last="Lilley"] from Lower Merion. Photo: Lower Merion Athletics[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="991216" first="Demetrius" last="Lilley"] – 6’9” / Senior / Lower Merion / Philly Pride National / Power Forward: In 2020-21 Lilley averaged a double-double with 20 & 12 per contest and was a 6A 2nd Team All-State selection. This weekend at the Post and Pivots runs the big fella’s physique looks slimmer and more muscular and his game showed no signs that a letdown is coming this winter. Lilley hit for 33 points vs. Archbishop Ryan on Sunday and was simply dominate across four games at this event. Lilley’s deep bag of low post and mid-range tricks was on full display. He scored through contact and knocked down the resulting And 1’s. Additionally, he even sprinkled in a few threes. It will be interesting to watch how much longer Lilley can surprise defenders with is ability to hit the three ball. He is committed to Penn State. Jalil Schenck – 5’11” / Senior / Executive Education CA / Philly Pride Gold / Combo Guard: Two weeks ago, Schenck made headlines by posting 25 points (5 made threes) in a win over St. Joe’s Prep (PA) at the Big 64 Showcase (PA). This past weekend at the Post and Pivots event he proved that performance was no fluke buy scoring the ball at all three levels. Along with his ability to get buckets, Schenck owns electric ball handling skill which allow him to create scoring opportunities for himself as well as his teammates. Quick lateral movements and fast hands make Schenck a solid on-ball defender. With EEAC superstar Jevin Muniz having moved on, Schneck will be the Raptors No. 1 option this winter. He appears ready for that challenge. [player_tooltip player_id="1121755" first="Aleks" last="Smith"] – 6’6” / Senior / Souderton / Philly Pride Aces / Small Forward: Smith averaged 16 ppg. and led the squad in rebounding as the Philly Pride Aces captured the 17U championship at The Challenge tournament. Smith did the bulk of his scoring damage with his back to the basket. His excellent footwork and nice shooting touch make Smith a tough matchup down low. Smith scores through fouls and once at the free throw line, he converts at a high percentage. Smith can also score in the mid-range off screen action. For an interior player of his size Smith runs the floor well. At the other end Smith provides solid help defense and shot blocking. [player_tooltip player_id="1122111" first="Kaseem" last="Watson"] – 6’6” / West Catholic / K-Low Elite / Combo Guard: West Catholic was one of the programs that played in all three high school events this weekend and Watson made the most of his significant court time. His 43-point performance vs West Philly HS at the Post and Pivots Team Camp only served to solidify Watson’s reputation as one of the most unstoppable offensive threats in the region. Kaseem is automatic from outside the arc, and he is not too shabby off dribble penetration either. Obviously, his ability to score is something special. However, Watson also possesses a good feel for when to distribute the rock. This combo allows him to run at the point guard spot for stretches. At the Front Office event (NJ) he scored 22 points in a win over St. Peter’s Prep (NJ) and took home game MVP honors. [player_tooltip player_id="1116063" first="Robert" last="Wright III"] – 5’11 / Sophomore / Neumann-Goretti / Team Final EYBL / Point Guard: The Saints played in two events across three days and Wright from put on a show. The 2024 guard attacks the basket with a purpose and can finish through contact. Wright shoots the ball well from distance which stretches the floor for NG. In the half court Wright can direct the team’s offensive sets effectively and distribute to the correct option. Wright’s ability to make plays in the lane was something that stood out in Neumann-Goretti two loses at the Front Office Fall Invite. His defense is highly underrated, and he fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor