SEPA Scouting: Recent College Commitments – Part IV

[caption id="attachment_1154856" align="alignleft" width="152"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Neel-Beniwal-2022-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1154856" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Neel-Beniwal-2022-2-201x300.jpg" alt="" width="152" height="227" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991172" first="Neel" last="Beniwal"] from Phelps School. Photo: Phelps School Athletics[/caption] <p>Recently several more of the 2022 prospects that we have been scouting and writing about for two 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 2022 prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who recently committed to play college ball.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991172" first="Neel" last="Beniwal"] </strong><strong>– </strong><strong>6’5" / Senior / Phelps School / Rhode Island Elite / Shooting Guard:</strong> Earlier this week Beniwal <em>committed to UC-San Diego</em> and Steve Lavin is getting arguably the top 2022 perimeter shooter in the region. He posted several games of 8 or more 3PM and hit 10 triples in a single game. He made over 90 treys on the season. The long and sneaky athletic Beniwal averaged 17 ppg., posted two 30-point scoring efforts and shot 40% from deep on the season. In addition to shooting, he has tremendous basketball instincts, can finish in transition, and improved his ability to score off the dribble.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991324" first="Luke" last="Boyd"] </strong><strong>– </strong><strong>6’1" / Senior / Archbishop Ryan / Team Final Black / Shooting Guard: </strong>Boyd (14.4 ppg. &amp; 2 apg.) is committed to West Chester University (DII in PA). His outstanding 2021-22 high school season landed him on the All-Philadelphia Catholic League 2nd Team as well as the PIAA 5A All-State 3^rd Team. Boyd can score at all three levels, but his elite 3-point shooting (37%) is his most effective weapon. He scored a season high 26 points (4 triples) vs. West Philly. He also recorded 21 points (4 threes), 6 rebounds and had 6 blocks in win over Central Dauphin. Boyd’s quickness, athleticism and vertical leap often catch opponents by surprise.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991198" first="Cole" last="Hargrove"] </strong><strong>– 6’8” / Senior / Methacton / K-Low Elite / Small Forward:</strong> This small forward is a force at both end of the court who is now <em>committed to Drexel University</em>. Hargrove possesses an unstoppable mid-range game and can score from the blocks as well. Additionally, Hargrove excels at grabbing offensive rebounds and converting on those second chance opportunities. On defense, Hargrove is an elite shock blocker (recorded 90 swats in 2021-22). This past winter he averaged 15.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. After the season was over Hargrove was named 1^st Team All-PAC and 1^st Team All-Area selection. He was also honored with the Mercury News All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year award.</p> <p><strong>Aidan Sands </strong><strong>– 6’3” / Senior / Berks Catholic / L&amp;L Running Rebels / Small Forward:</strong> Sands is a long and muscular forward who catches opponents by surprise with his athleticism, hops, and guard skills. On the interior Sands (11.6 ppg.) will simply overpower smaller players for a bucket and feast on the offensive glass When he is out on the perimeter Sands moves well without the ball so he can find space to drain threes (40 3PM during 2021-22) and. Additionally, he dabbles in a point-forward role by distributing to open teammates or using the bounce to drive past a defender and score at the rim. This season Sands helped lead Berks Catholic to the District 3 Class 4A championship. He recently <em>Committed to DeSales University (DIII in PA).</em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1275980" first="Justice" last="Shoats"] </strong><strong>– 6’0” / Senior / Holy Redeemer / NEPA Elite / Combo Guard: </strong>A three-sport athlete who was a state champion in track and field and played football, Shoats is <em>committed to Lock Haven University (DII in PA).</em> The Bald Eagles are bringing in a prolific scorer who netted over 1,500 points in his career and was the two-time Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 POY. After the 201-22 season, Shoats was also named to the PIAA 3A second team all-state squad. Shoats (20 ppg. &amp; 3.6 rpg.) can get buckets at all three levels. This winter he shot 36% from deep but is well known for flushing on the head of opponents. At the other end of the court, Shoats is an on-ball menace who averaged 3 steals per contest.</p>