5 SEPA State Tourney Games to Watch This Week

[caption id="attachment_1206529" align="alignleft" width="199"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Josiah-Jordan-2023.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1206529" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Josiah-Jordan-2023-300x297.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1379441" first="Josiah" last="Jordan"] (C/O 2023) of Berks Catholic.[/caption] <p>Below is a preview of five southeastern Pennsylvania games we are looking forward to watching the week of March 6th, 2022. This week’s slate features five opening round games from PIAA state tournament action.</p> <p><strong>Tues., Mar 8^th…Archbishop Carroll at Berks Catholic:</strong> This 4A opening round contest will pit Archbishop Carroll (12-10) out of the Philadelphia Catholic League against District 3-4A champion Berks Catholic (23-4). It was a roller coaster season at Carroll, but with sensational scoring lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="991425" first="Moses" last="Hipps"] (18.3 ppg; 2^nd Team All-PCL) at the helm, anything is possible -- including a deep state tourney run. Hipps has a fantastic running mate in [player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"] (14 ppg. &amp; 6.5 rpg.), who is an elite combo guard with a speedy first step. Berks Catholic has an outstanding duo of its own. [player_tooltip player_id="1379441" first="Josiah" last="Jordan"] (15.4 ppg.) is an ultra-quick, dribble drive threat who gets to the tin at will. Senior point-forward Aidan Sands (11.6 ppg.) is a unique prospect we have been tracking all season.</p> <p><strong>Tues., Mar 8^th…Allentown Central Catholic at West Philadelphia: </strong>Allentown CC (21-5) is the defending PIAA 4A state champions and this season’s roster returns the all-state duo of [player_tooltip player_id="1200803" first="Liam" last="Joyce"] and [player_tooltip player_id="991200" first="Tyson" last="Thomas"]. That pair has been getting significant help from interior standout [player_tooltip player_id="1130840" first="David" last="Fridia"]. Fridia also added a dependable 3-point shot this season and can now operate as a stretch-4. West Philly (19-5) had their best regular seasons in recent history and made a post season run to the District 12-4A finals where they lost to Imhotep. The Speedboys roster features two of the Philadelphia Public League’s top players in [player_tooltip player_id="991265" first="Deyishon" last="Miller"] (21 ppg.; 5.5 apg. &amp; 8.5 rpg.) and [player_tooltip player_id="991392" first="Elijah" last="Hester"] (8 ppg. &amp; 4 apg.). How a prospect with Miller’s size, quickness and skills remains uncommitted is a complete mystery.</p> <p><strong>Tues., Mar 8^th…West York at Archbishop Ryan:</strong> For this 5A first round game, West York (24-4; YAIAA Tournament Champs) travels to Northeast Philadelphia to take on Philly Catholic League runner up Archbishop Ryan (18-7). If West York is going to pull off the upset, the Bulldogs will need a huge night from their standout players Jaden Walker and Braedyn Detz. This season Archbishop Ryan rode big man [player_tooltip player_id="1213553" first="Thomas" last="Sorber"] to the PCL championship game, and they will do the same here in the state tournament. Sorber averaged a double-double (16.5 pts &amp; 10 rebs per) during the regular season and was a 1st Team All-PCL selection. On the perimeter Ryan has a pair of prospects who shot over 34% from three this season -- [player_tooltip player_id="991324" first="Luke" last="Boyd"] (15.3 ppg.) and [player_tooltip player_id="1192641" first="Darren" last="Williams"] (13 ppg.).</p> <p><strong>Wed., Mar 9^th…Downingtown West at Reading: </strong>Downingtown West (16-9) faces the defending state champions, Reading (25-3), in this 6A opener. D-West’s dynamic 2023 duo of point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1116019" first="Dylan" last="Blair"] (1st Team All Ches-Mont League; 1,000-point scorer) and “stretch-4” [player_tooltip player_id="1279644" first="Jake" last="Warren"] (6’10”) have faced a brutal schedule this season. So, they are battle tested and ready to take on 6A juggernaut Reading. Reading captured the District 3-6A championship again this season and their roster is filled with DI prospects. Heading that list is 2021-22 Berks Conference POY [player_tooltip player_id="1378453" first="Ruben" last="Rodriguez"] as well as elite two-way player [player_tooltip player_id="1116036" first="Daniel" last="Alcantara"] and 3-point sniper [player_tooltip player_id="1382975" first="Myles" last="Grey"]. Reading will go nine deep and look to rattle D-West with their intense full court press.</p> <p><strong>Wed., Mar 9^th…Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Archbishop Wood: </strong>Plymouth Whitemarsh (18-8) is an underrated suburban Philadelphia public-school program that each year has significant talent on their roster and plays an extremely tough schedule. The 2021-22 PW squad is led by [player_tooltip player_id="1188211" first="Qudire" last="Bennett"], [player_tooltip player_id="1116013" first="Jaden" last="Colzie"] and Marshall Baker. Bennett (1st Team All-Suburban One League selection) is a junior who is comfortable playing at the 1 through 4 spots and can splash threes from anywhere on the floor. Colzie is one of top 2024-point guards in the area, while Baker is another high percentage three-point shooter. Archbishop Wood (17-7) is traditional PCL power that imposes its up-tempo pace of play on opponents. Wood’s up and down style is pushed by 1^st Team All-PCL guard [player_tooltip player_id="991202" first="Justin" last="Moore"] (16 ppg.; Drexel commit). Class of 2024 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="1189096" first="Jalil" last="Bethea"] (6’3”; 12.6 ppg.) provides lethal three-point shooting for Wood. Junior power forward [player_tooltip player_id="1013075" first="Carson" last="Howard"] (9 pts &amp; 8 rebs per game) is a solid prospect who scores at will in the paint with his jumper and via the offensive glass. This opening round 6A game is can’t miss streaming action.</p>