PIAA State Tournament: 2023 Stock Risers

[caption id="attachment_1415401" align="alignleft" width="251"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Dean-Coleman-Newsome-2023-crop-786x517-1648483649.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1415401" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Dean-Coleman-Newsome-2023-crop-786x517-1648483649-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="251" height="165" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"] from Archbishop Carroll. Photo: Archbishop Carroll Athletics[/caption] Now that the 2022 PIAA State Tournaments trophies have been handed out, it is time for Part II in our series of posts that recognize prospects who played extraordinarily well during those events. Today we look at the Class of 2023. Below is a review of six 2023 prospects who improved their recruiting stock with remarkable play during the PIAA state tournaments. [player_tooltip player_id="991334" first="Xzayvier" last="Brown"] – 6’2” / Junior / Roman Catholic / K-Low Elite / Point Guard: Over the last nine months this extremely skilled point guard has seen his recruiting stock rocket to the top of the 2023 class. After he played tremendous basketball during 2021’s summer grassroots circuit, Brown kept his foot on the gas pedal throughout this high school season. Brown (14 ppg.; 4.5 rpg. & 6 apg.) is a highly skilled and versatile lead guard who does everything but drive the team bus for Roman. His most impressive regular season stat could have been his 2.64 A/TO ratio. Brown helped push Roman to the 6A state championship by posting 13.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4 assists per game. In the 6A title contest Brown notched a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds (4 dimes as a bonus.). [player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"] – 6’4” / Archbishop Carroll / Gibbs Elite / Combo Guard: Coleman-Newsome possesses a super quick first step so he can get to the rim off the dribble from any spot on the floor. Once at the rim, Coleman-Newsome can finish through contact. However, if the coach needs his point guard to run the team and distribute, Coleman-Newsome can play that role as well. When he runs at the two-guard spot, Coleman-Newsome will splash the 3-ball all night. His stretch of extraordinary 4A state tournament play included a 14 & 10 double-double, a near triple double (13/10/9) and a ridiculous 18 points, 9 boards, 6 assists and 2 steals performance in the quarterfinals. Coleman-Newsome’s stat line for the 4A tourney was an impressive 14.5 ppg., 9.25 rpg. and 6.3 apg. [caption id="attachment_1178091" align="alignleft" width="228"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Jacen-Holloway-3-e1619389346517.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1178091" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Jacen-Holloway-3-e1619389346517-277x300.jpg" alt="" width="228" height="247" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1178095" first="Jacen" last="Holloway"] from Devon Prep. Photo: Devon Prep Athletics[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1178095" first="Jacen" last="Holloway"] – 6’3” / Devon Prep / Prim3 Tim3 / Small Forward: This versatile small forward’s ability to produce buckets on the interior and the perimeter helped Devon Prep capture the school’s first ever 3A state title. Holloway is a big and physical player, so he can shoot / score over most guards from anywhere on the floor. His athleticism, quickness, handles and high percentage 3-point shooting enable him to embarrass bigs that dare to defend him on the perimeter. Over the 2021-22 regular season Holloway supplied DP with 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Across Devon Prep’s five state tourney contests Holloway increased his production to 16.4 points along with 7.2 boards per night. He posted two doubles-doubles during states – 21 & 10 vs. Dock Mennonite (1st Rd) as well as 16 & 12 in the championship game against Aliquippa. Holloway flew under the radar throughout the PCL regular season, but the state tournament served as his breakout stretch of play. College caches should keep a close eye on Holloway this spring / summer. [player_tooltip player_id="991386" first="DJ" last="Walker"] – 5’11” / Aliquippa / Caveman / Combo Guard: “DJ” Walker is an elite athlete (Holds 9 DI football offers.) who averaged 13 ppg. this season as a scoring combo guard for the Quips. He is a dead eye shooter from deep with a quick trigger. Additionally, Walker owns next level speed and solid handles, so he thrives in Aliquippa’s fast break game. His ability to put the ball on the floor, fight through contact and score at the rim is impressive. Walker’s stats jumped up several notches during Aliquippa’s journey to the 3A state final. Thanks to lights out 3-point shooting and a super aggressive approach, Walker’s scoring average surged to 18.4 point per game. In three of Aliquippa’s five state games Walker posted 20+ points. Whether it is basketball or football, Walker is a prospect to watch going forward. Nasir Washington – 6’2” / West Philly / SK Elite / Shooting Guard: Washington is a lightning-fast end to end player who thrives in the Speedboys’ transition game. He will not hesitate to finish a fast break with a slam on an opponent’s head. In the half court, Washington drains threes and pull up, mid-range jumpers. Washington plays with a swagger that really stands out. Across West Philly’s three contests in the 4A tournament Washington averaged 22.6 ppg. on the strength of 4 made threes per night. Washington’s outstanding play in states peaked with a 27-point (5 threes) performance in their 2nd round win over Trinity. West Philly Head Coach Adrian Burke says that Washington is hearing from several D2 programs. With his elevated play during states, we bet DI schools will start jumping into the mix. Sam Wright – 6’1” / Lower Merion / LM Wildcats / Shooting Guard: Wright is a prototype “three and D” player who will be a terrific addition to any college program. A high basketball IQ, good court awareness and continuous off ball movement allow Wright to find the open spots on the floor. His secure hands, textbook mechanics and quick trigger make Wright a high percentage catch and shoot 3-point threat. Wright averaged 12.3 ppg. during the state tourney and recorded a personal high of 15 points (along with 4 steals) against vs. Scranton Prep. Opposing players and coaches from the Central League know Wright is a menacing defender, but in the 6A state semifinals he proved he could lockdown elite scorers like Philadelphia Catholic POY [player_tooltip player_id="901951" first="Daniel" last="Skillings"].