Philly Live II Preview: Key Player Match Ups

Chad Graham June 24, 2022 @ 08:17 AM

The weekend number two of Philly Live 2022 is here and it might be better than the first. Session 2 features a host of teams from the DMV, namely the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). They’ll face top programs from Philly and South Jersey. There are also some talented teams from other parts of NJ and PA. Below are some key match ups you don’t want to miss. Downingtown West vs Executive Education - Friday 3:30pm Versatility to the calling card for 6’10 F/C ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="1279644" first="Jake" last="Warren"]. He’s just as effective operating from the perimeter as he is in the post. But 6’10 C ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="1472577" first="Moustapha" last="Sanoh"] is long and athletic enough to give Warren a good challenge in either spot. On the other end, Moustapha’s ability to handle Jake’s physicality and get his usual lobs and put-backs will be key. Warren already had the St. Joe’s offer. Sanoh recently picked up offers from Rider & Del St. Even more college coaches will be all the way queued in for this match up. Roselle Catholic (NJ) vs Imhotep (PA) - Friday 8:10pm The Tep needs little to no introduction. 6’7 W ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] is a consensus top 10 player. 6’0 G ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="991339" first="Rahmir" last="Barno"] their lightning fast point guard and 6’1 G ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1281786" first="Ahmad" last="Nowell"], who shares the backcourt with him, is a gifted scorer. Roselle will be led by scoring sensation and UNC-commit 6’4 G ‘23 Simeon Witcher. 6’8 F ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="850753" first="Akil" last="Watson"] & 6’8 F ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1050391" first="Tarik" last="Watson"] return and will hold it down at the forward spots. Their rosters are filled out with an excellent mix of young and experienced who should all get a shot at playing college ball. And if we’re lucky, we might see the debut of some new additions to the Roselle program. St. Joe’s Metuchen (NJ) vs Parkland (PA) - Saturday 12:30pm 6’4 G ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="1206549" first="Joshua" last="Ingram"] and 6’1 G ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1123885" first="Nick" last="Coval"] may not be assigned to one another, but they bring similar skills to their respective teams. Josh has a smooth catch & shoot jumper he’ll use to space the floor as an off-guard. But the finesse kid is improving as a slasher and showing the ability to dunk over and around defenders in the half court. Nick will shoot the cover off the ball and be Parkland’s primary playmaker. He also brings toughness on defense. Their team’s success is anchored by how well these two play. Gonzaga (DC) vs Neumann-Goretti (PA) - Saturday 2:50pm Gonzaga’s backcourt (6’4 G ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id="1370496" first="Derek" last="Dixon"] & 6’0 G ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id="1370498" first="Nykolas" last="Lewis"]) and NG’s (5’11 G ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1123910" first="Khaafiq" last="Myers"] & 6’0 G ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1116063" first="Robert" last="Wright III"]) will have their hands full with one another. And with no 6’8 F ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="1279647" first="Sultan" last="Adewale"] for the Saints (traveled back home to the UK), the key match up will be between 6’6 W ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="957041" first="Thomas" last="Batties II"] and 6’6 W ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1123886" first="Amir" last="Williams"]. Thomas will be a threat as the screener and short roller, plus can show or edge as the low man in PNR on defense. Amir is a top tier defender - on & off ball - with feel as a cutter and a rapidly improving shot from three. These diverse wings could decide the outcome of this WCAC/PCL match up. Sidwell Friends (DC) vs Archbishop Wood (PA) - Saturday 8:40pm This will be a battle of trios. For Sidwell, 5’10 G ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="957022" first="Cam" last="Gillus"] will set the table for everyone, 6’5 G ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id="1370500" first="Jalen" last="Rougier-Roane"] will score and defend, and 6’7 W ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1127314" first="Caleb" last="Williams"] will do a little of everything. On the Wood side, 6’4 G ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1189096" first="Jalil" last="Bethea"] will set the tone as their primary initiator, 6’3 G ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1483181" first="Josh" last="Reed"] will get it done as their ball stopper with offensive upside, and 6’8 C ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="1013075" first="Carson" last="Howard"] will close out possessions on defensive and extend them on offense. The x-factors will be each squad’s fourth option. 6’3 G ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id="1225257" first="Acaden" last="Lewis"] should fill that role for SF. But between 6’3 G ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id="1188627" first="Milan" last="Dean"] Jr, 6’2 G ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id="1382983" first="Deuce" last="Maxey"], and newcomer 6’4 G ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1045684" first="Jacob" last="Cummiskey"] for Wood, someone will have to emerge. St. John’s College (DC) vs Camden (NJ) - Saturday 8:40pm 7’0 C ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="992524" first="Aaron" last="Bradshaw"] aka Top Shelf continues to take on a variety of big men in the live period and 6’9 F ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id="1127309" first="Donavan" last="Freeman"] is up next. More of a combo forward, Freeman can bring Bradshaw away from the basket and stretch the floor from deep if and when 6’0 G ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="957026" first="Malik" last="Mack"] & 6’2 G ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="1089572" first="Daquan" last="Davis"] kick it out to him. He anchors their defense too. When 6’3 G ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="850751" first="Dajuan" last="Wagner Jr"]. gets loose on the perimeter or 6’0 G ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id="850757" first="Cian" last="Medley"] gets to the paint at-will and Freeman has to help off, Aaron will live up to his nickname. How well he protects the rim while guarding Freeman will be telling as well. For more live period coverage, follow me on twitter/IG @Cgraham_sports