Updated Rankings: C/O 2022 SEPA Newcomers

[caption id="attachment_1378802" align="alignleft" width="279"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/Nick-Colucci-2022-2-crop-418x275-1643903358.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1378802" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/Nick-Colucci-2022-2-crop-418x275-1643903358-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="279" height="183" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1379477" first="Nick" last="Colucci"] from Haverford HS. Photo: Bridget Walsh (@bwsportsphotos)[/caption] <p>Earlier this week we published our <a href="https://prephoops.com/pennsylvania/rankings/2022-rankings/">updated Class of 2022 prospect rankings</a> and by now you are familiar with the names who have remained at the top list for a year or more. Names like five-star recruits [player_tooltip player_id="991185" first="Dereck" last="Lively II"], [player_tooltip player_id="991192" first="Christopher" last="Moncrief"] and [player_tooltip player_id="991188" first="Jameel" last="Brown"].</p> <p>So today we will review the Pennsylvania Class of 2022 rankings and reveal seven players who used the 2021 “fall ball” events as well as the 2021-22 high school season to break into our ranking for the first time.</p> <p>Below is a review of seven southeastern Pennsylvania 2022 prospects who made their rankings debut in our latest update. </p> <p><strong>#200…[player_tooltip player_id="1379477" first="Nick" last="Colucci"] – 6’2” / Haverford / PSB Philly / Combo Guard:</strong> Being the No. 1 option in Haverford’s 3-ball happy offense resulted in a breakout 2021-22 season for Colucci. This winter Colucci drained triples from all over the court. When defenders crowd Colucci he does a tremendous job of creating space for himself via the dribble or with his quick step back jumper. He owns a high basketball IQ and solid passing skills too. This season Colucci (13 ppg.) has posted numerous outstanding scoring performances, including a season high 27 points vs. Great Valley and 19 points (3 triples) against Garnet Valley. Colucci is committed to Scranton (DIII).</p> <p><strong>#225…[player_tooltip player_id="1382953" first="Patrick" last="Gilhool"]</strong> <strong>– 6’3” / Elizabethtown / LA Elite / Wing: </strong>Patty “McBuckets” (15.6 ppg. &amp; 6.7 rpg.) can score from anywhere on the court, but he is especially adept at hitting jumpers. His ability to use the dribble-drive to get to his mid-range spots is outstanding. Gilhool can also splash home threes as well. He is sneaky athletic. So, his ability to finish a transition break with authority often shocks opponents. This season Gilhool posted several memorable performances -- 31 points vs. Solanco; 29 points (and 11 rebs) vs. Ephrata and 24 points against Red Lion.</p> <p><strong>#227…[player_tooltip player_id="1382949" first="Isaiah" last="Milien"] – 6’0” / Academy of the New Church / Pro Level Titans / Combo Guard:</strong> In addition to a being high percentage three-point shooter with deep range, Milien (7 ppg.) is slide over to the point guard spot where he is extremely effective in pick-n-roll action. At the other end of the court, he is a menacing defender who averaged 2.4 steals per game. Down the stretch of the 2021-22 season Milien posted several solid scoring games against elite competition -- 14 points on 4 threes vs. nationally ranked Westtown School; 14 points versus George School and 11 points (3 threes) against Friends Select.</p> <p><strong>#234…[player_tooltip player_id="1382936" first="Debarrin" last="Norman"] – 6’6” / Abington Friends School / Team Final Black / Wing: </strong>Norman is versatile two-way prospect who averaged 10.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game this season. On offense he thrives in transition where his athleticism and hops allow him to play above the rim. In the half-court Norman owns decent low post skills, and a developing catch and rip game from the perimeter. Norman’s highlight of the season came against Penn Charter when he recorded an impressive double-double -- 17 points, 11 rebounds (3 blocks as well). He also possesses outstanding defensive instincts. Those instincts combined with his length and athleticism allow Norman to generate steals / deflections as well as blocks shots.</p> [caption id="attachment_1370920" align="alignleft" width="279"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Pierce-Justice-2022-crop-820x538-1642867463.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1370920 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Pierce-Justice-2022-crop-820x538-1642867463-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="279" height="182" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1382937" first="Pierce" last="Justice"] from Radnor. Photo: Bridget Walsh (bwsportsphotos)[/caption] <p><strong>#238</strong><strong>…[player_tooltip player_id="1382937" first="Pierce" last="Justice"] –</strong> <strong>6’0” / Radnor / East Coast Power / Shooting Guard: </strong>Justice is the only senior in a starting five that in 2021-22 pushed Radnor to 22 wins and the No.1 seed in the District 1-5A tournament. This season Justice made a name for himself with his timely 3-point shooting (2.5 threes made per; 42% on triples). However, it his versatility that college coaches should love. The Radnor roster lists Justice as a shooting guard, but his skill set is diverse enough that he can run as an undersized wing or even play as a primary ball handler in a pinch. Justice (7.5 ppg.) also plays with a great deal of poise and composure. He recorded a season high 18 points (3 threes) against Holy Ghost Prep.</p> <p><strong>#245…[player_tooltip player_id="1382950" first="Zaki" last="Gomez"] – 6’1” / Norristown / East Coast Power / Combo Guard:</strong> Gomez is a high energy and versatile prospect who can score at all three levels. His gift for draining threes from all over the court nicely sets up his ability to use a ball fake and then a couple dribbles to get into the lane for a floater. Stopping Gomez (11.3 ppg.) was a real problem for opponents this season. He notched 25 points (4 threes) vs. Boyertown; 17 points (5 threes) against undefeated Methacton and 17 points (3 threes) vs. Pottsgrove.</p> <p><strong>#258…[player_tooltip player_id="1382943" first="Daouda" last="Dembele"]</strong> <strong>– 6’6’’ / Perkiomen School / Inspire Elite / Small Forward:</strong> Dembele is an intriguing prospect who has length, a high motor and a nose for the ball. That combination makes him a beast on the boards and a loose ball vacuum. On offense Dembele can stretch the floor with his shooting and finish through contact on the interior. Dembele is an extremely versatile defensive player. With his size and physique Dembele can handle bigs in the post. Plus, his reach and lateral quickness allow him to guard 2s through stretch-4s. Additionally, Dembele’s length, hops and instincts make him a solid rim protector. This season Dembele posted high scoring marks of 18 points vs. Peddie (NJ) and 16 points vs. Phelps School. Dembele holds offers from Millersville University and Troy University.</p>