Weekly SEPA Scouting IV: 6 Prospects Who Impressed

[caption id="attachment_1225365" align="alignleft" width="197"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Thomas-Sorber-2024-e1624887521230.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1225365" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Thomas-Sorber-2024-e1624887521230-278x300.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="213" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1213553" first="Thomas" last="Sorber"] (C/O 2023) of Archbishop Ryan &amp; Team Final EYBL.[/caption] <p>Covid protocol cancellations / postponements continue to wreak havoc on the high school basketball schedule here in southeastern Pennsylvania, but we still managed to witness several contests recently that featured noteworthy college basketball prospects.</p> <p>Below is a quick review of six prospects we saw in-person or via online streams who impressed us with their high-level of play over the last week. </p> <p><strong>Saraj Ali </strong><strong>– 6’4” / Senior / Loyalsock / Team Final Red / Wing: </strong>In 2020-21 Ali was a PIAA 1^st Team 3A All-State selection after he averaged 18 and 11 per game. So far this season he has shown no signs of letting up. A long, athletic prospect with plenty of energy and bounce, this past week Ali posted a triple double in a win over Notre Dame-Green Pond – 12 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1116019" first="Dylan" last="Blair"] </strong><strong>– 5’10” / Junior / Downingtown West / Philly Pride National / Point Guard: </strong>Widely considered one of the best three-point shooting lead guards in the region, Blair is off to a fast start here in 2021-22. In early December he posted 27 and 6 dimes vs Coatesville. Most recently Blair notched 20 points in a win over Avon Grove and then 27 points in a loss to Archbishop Wood.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"] </strong><strong>– 6’4” / Junior / Archbishop Carroll / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard:</strong> In Carroll’s three contests over the last week, Coleman-Newsome averaged 16 points and 5 boards per game. This stretch of extraordinary play from this combo guard was highlighted by his 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists performance in a victory over Hightstown (NJ). With his super quick <em>first step</em> Coleman-Newsome can get to the rim where he is an excellent finisher<em>. He can also stroke the 3-ball. As a PG </em>Coleman-Newsome<em> can really run the show.</em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1121756" first="Christian" last="Fermin"] </strong><strong>– 6’10” / Senior / Pocono Mountain West / PSA Cardinals / Power Forward:</strong> It is hard to believe this prospect only started playing basketball in 9^th grade. His athleticism and ability to run rim to rim are elite. His shooting storke continues to improve. Fermin’s potential as a college stretch-4 is intriguing. This past week at the Reading (PA) Christmas Tournament he simply went off -- 32 points; 20 boards and 5 blocks -- in a win over an extremely talented Parkland team. Fermin is committed to VCU.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1116055" first="Lucas" last="Orchard"] </strong><strong>– 6’4” / Junior / Devon Prep / SJ Hoops Elite-Gray / Wing:</strong> Before this season Orchard was known a Swiss army knife style of player and that versatility made him one of the top wing prospects in the PCL. This past summer we noticed that Orchard had significantly improved his ability to score the rock and that he was taking a much more aggressive approach at that end of the floor. Still, we had no idea this type of breakout season was coming for him. Early on Orchard in averaging 22.3 ppg. and shooting 56% from the field. In the past week he recorded 17 points in a win over Parkland and then 25 points (3 threes) as well as 9 rebounds in an upset of Reading. The upside for this 2023 prospect is tremendous.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1213553" first="Thomas" last="Sorber"] </strong><strong>– 6’9” / Junior / Archbishop Ryan / Team Final EYBL / Power Forward: </strong>Sorber is quickly becoming one of the top interior players in the region. His low post bag of tricks is extensive and this season he has displayed an improved jump shot. He tipped of the week with 17 points and 7 rebounds against Mt. St. Joe (MD). Then he notched back-to-back twenty-point efforts, including 20 points, 10 rebounds at 6 blocks against Carmel. Sorber is averaging 16 ppg. this season. He holds numerous offers -- Georgetown, Richmond and LaSalle are among the latest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>