SEPA Scouting: Recent College Commitments – Part III

[caption id="attachment_1366638" align="alignleft" width="272"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/sam-brown-crop-504x331-1642341052.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1366638" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/sam-brown-crop-504x331-1642341052-300x196.jpg" alt="" width="272" height="178" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991391" first="Sam" last="Brown"] from Lower Merion.[/caption] <p>Recently several prospects that we have been scouting and writing about for years announced which program they will play for at the next level. So, we thought we would take a minute to acknowledge the dedication and skills that led to this life changing achievement for these ballers.</p> <p>Below is a rundown of five prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who recently committed to play college ball.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991197" first="Jaheim" last="Bethea"]</strong> <strong>– 6’2” / Senior /</strong> <strong>Math, Civics &amp; Sciences </strong><strong>/ Team Final EYBL / Point Guard: </strong>A dribble drive wizard with a high basketball IQ, Bethea led the Elephants to consecutive District 12 titles as well as an appearance in the 2020-21 3A state semifinals. Bethea can score at all three levels, but has great feel for when to distribute the rock to an open teammate. He excels at pushing the ball on the fast break and is very capable of orchestrating a team’s half court sets. In 2021-22 he averaged 5.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 dimes per game. Bethea is committed to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (DII in PA).</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991391" first="Sam" last="Brown"] – 6’3” / Junior / Lower Merion / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard: </strong>Last week this elite combo guard committed to the University of Pennsylvania. The Quakers are bringing in a prospect whose skill set has shown tremendous growth in the last year. Brown could always shoot the three from anywhere on the floor. Then prior to his his junior season he added creative dribble drive moves to his game and more muscle to his frame. His much-improved ability to attack the rim off the dribble made Brown impossible to defend. In 2021-22 Brown averaged an impressive 17 ppg., posted nights of 30 and 27 points, and was a 1^st Team All-Central League selection. He helped guide LM to the District 1-6A title as well as the 6A state semis.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991264" first="Matt" last="Johnson"]</strong> <strong>– 5’10” /</strong><strong> Senior /</strong> <strong>Germantown Friends </strong><strong>/ Philly Pride Gold / Point Guard: </strong>Johnson is dynamic floor general who can score and distribute. When he is scoring the rock (8 ppg.) Johnson uses the dribble to get to his mid-range jumper or his floater game. On the fast break, Johnson gets downhill quickly and will go coast to coast. As a facilitator, Johnson (2.6 apg.) is excellent at driving the ball into the paint, drawing the help defense, and then dropping a dime on a waiting big man. The multi-skilled Johnson is now committed to Widener University (DIII in PA).</p> <p><strong>Gestin</strong><strong> Liberis</strong> <strong>– 6’10” </strong><strong>/ Senior /</strong> <strong>George School </strong><strong>/ Philly Pride Gold / Power Forward: </strong>Liberis is a powerful athlete who can finish a fast break, a dribble drive, or a put back with authority. Additionally, he is a quick and crafty prospect who can slash from the elbows for a catch and lay-in. A big fella who runs the floor well, Liberis posted a season high 23 points in a win over GFS. In the half-court, he is a solid passer out of the high post. His wingspan, instincts and jumping ability make Liberis a phenomenal rebounder at both ends and an elite shot blocker. Liberis is committed to St. Francis University (DI in PA).</p> <p><strong>Matt Tiernan</strong> <strong>– 6’5” </strong><strong>/ Senior /</strong> <strong>Upper Moreland </strong><strong>/ PSB-Philly / Center: </strong>Tiernan is a 200-pound, three sport athlete (also played football and lacrosse) who was a four-year varsity basketball player at Upper Moreland. As a senior, Tiernan posted 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists per game while shooting 64% from the field. Tiernan is a prospect who did the bulk of his damage on the interior via solid low post moves. However, he can step out to the arc and bury the occasional three ball. Tiernan possesses an unselfish nature and tremendous basketball instincts, so he is an excellent passing big. After considering several offers, Tiernan committed to Juniata College (DIII in PA).</p>