5 SEPA Games to Watch This Week

Robert Wright III (2024) from Neumann-Goretti.

Carey Smith

February 14, 2022 @ 12:23 PM

[caption id="attachment_1358577" align="alignleft" width="236"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_20211223_201849168_BURST000_COVER_TOP-e1643554771362.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1358577" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_20211223_201849168_BURST000_COVER_TOP-e1643554771362-295x300.jpg" alt="" width="236" height="239" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1116063" first="Robert" last="Wright III"] (Class of 2024) from Neumann-Goretti.[/caption] Below is a preview of five southeastern Pennsylvania games we are looking forward to watching the week of February 13th, 2022. This week’s slate features several league/conference playoff contests. Mon., Feb. 14th…Lower Merion vs. Radnor: This Central League championship game will pit archrivals against each other as first place Lower Merion (18-3; 14-2) takes on second place Radnor (19-2; 14-2). Lower Merion’s [player_tooltip player_id="991216" first="Demetrius" last="Lilley"] (6’9”; Penn State commit) continues to dominate on the interior. After missing seven games because of an ankle injury, LM’s elite scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id="991391" first="Sam" last="Brown"] (three DI offers) is back to form and recently scored 27 points in the CL semis. Watch LM floor general [player_tooltip player_id="1382972" first="Justin" last="Poles"]. He does an excellent job of dictating the tempo to suit LM’s game plan. Radnor is paced by a strong 2023 Class that features shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"], combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1200791" first="Cooper" last="Mueller"] and wing [player_tooltip player_id="1212678" first="Charlie" last="Thornton"]. Hicke was tremendous in the CL semis, posting 21 points & 15 rebs against a solid Haverford squad. Also keep an eye on Radnor senior [player_tooltip player_id="1382937" first="Pierce" last="Justice"] who is a 3-point sniper. Tue., Feb. 15th …Methacton vs. Pope John Paul II: The 2021-22 PAC title game is filled with college prospects. Methacton (20-2; 9-1) will lean heavily on their dynamic duo of small forward [player_tooltip player_id="991198" first="Cole" last="Hargrove"] (15.5 ppg.) and combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1200797" first="Brett" last="Byrne"] (13.2 ppg.). Hargrove is one of the most dynamic players in suburban Philly. Additionally, expect Methacton’s [player_tooltip player_id="1200783" first="Cam" last="Chilson"] to have a significant role in this game. Chilson knocks down threes and is fantastic in pick and roll action. PJP is led by scoring point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1116044" first="JP" last="Baron"] who was the PAC’s regular season scoring champion at 18 points per night. Baron can get buckets off the bounce and knock home triples (40 3PM). [player_tooltip player_id="1275992" first="Jaden" last="Workman"] (13 ppg.) is Baron’s top running mate. Workman is an outstanding combo-guard prospect who owns a solid 3-point stroke, and he can get to the rim whenever he wants. Tue., Feb. 15th…Penn Charter at Springside CHA: The outcome of this game could determine who eventually gets crowned as the Inter-Ac regular season champion. But more importantly, this matchup is stocked with high level college prospects. Penn Charter (7-2 in Inter-Ac) has a slew of players getting attention from college coaches. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id="991383" first="Mark" last="Butler"] (POY candidate) and combo guard Keith Gee are as good as any backcourt in the region. Combine those two with scoring machine [player_tooltip player_id="1116056" first="Trey" last="Shinholster"], 6’4” wing Isaiah Grimes as well as impressive freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1271429" first="Kai" last="Shinholster"] and you have a formidable starting five. SCHA is having an excellent season (6-3; in Inter-Ac) thanks to an exceptionally talented roster. [player_tooltip player_id="1188210" first="Alassane" last="Amadou"] (numerous DI offers) is one of the top 2023 prospects in the region. Junior floor general Darius Isaac is a DI prospect as well. In recent weeks SCHA’s [player_tooltip player_id="1200762" first="Camden" last="Burns"] has emerged as one of most prolific scorers in the area. Tue., Feb. 15th…Cheltenham vs. Bensalem/Upper Dublin winner: We predict this contest will take place in the Suburban One League championship game. Cheltenham owns a 22-0 record and is a lock to compete for the SOL ‘chip. A large part of that that perfect record is because of the outstanding play of three prospects: 3-point ace Rasheem Dearry, slashing wing Justin Savage and freshman phenom [player_tooltip player_id="1379428" first="Josiah" last="Hutson"]. Dearry is 6’3” and in addition to splashing triples, he can score using the dribble-drive. Hutson grabbed headlines earlier this season when he threw up back-to-back 20 point runs and splashed home 6 threes in a game. Whether they face Bensalem or Upper Dublin is a coin toss, but Cheltenham will be the favorite against either team. Fri., Feb. 18th…LaSalle CHS vs. Neumann-Goretti: In the first round of the PCL playoffs, Neumann-Goretti (10-3 in PCL; #4 seed) will host a Lasalle team (8-5 in PCL; #5 seed) that won 5 of its last seven games. NG’s headliner is electric point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1116063" first="Robert" last="Wright III"] who led the PCL in scoring this season at 19.3 ppg. Wright III is one of the most sought-after recruits in southeastern PA’s Class of 2024. Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="991316" first="Masud" last="Stewart"] (11.4 ppg.; 40% on threes) and interior force [player_tooltip player_id="1279647" first="Sultan" last="Adewale"] (12.4 ppg.) will have his back. LaSalle’s trio of [player_tooltip player_id="991391" first="Sam" last="Brown"] IV, [player_tooltip player_id="1200800" first="Horace" last="Simmons"], and Nix Varano will be looking to pull off the upset. They have the talent to do it. Brown (15.8 ppg) owns filthy handles and is a corner three ball specialist. Simmons (13.6 ppg.) is a super athletic wing who can score in transition. Varano (14 ppg.; Committed to Army) has logo range on his jumper.