CoBL Interstate Classic: Matchup Previews

The City of Basketball Love retuns with another <a href="https://www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article/show/1238163">Interstate Classic</a> full of quality basketball programs from PA, NJ, and DE. Last year's classic had 5 stars and diamonds in the rough who went on to shine during the season. And this year's classic will be no different. What makes the 2022 edition extra special is that the event is spread across 2 venues - Friends Central School and Haverford School. Here are some games and players you might want to see from both locations.   Saturday, September 10 at Friends Central   2:30pm - Court 2: Devon Prep (PA) vs. Saint Peter's Prep (NJ)   [player_tooltip player_id='1116055' first='Lucas' last='Orchard'] (6'5 W '23) & [player_tooltip player_id='1178095' first='Jacen' last='Holloway'] (6'4 F '23) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1206534' first='Jackson' last='Tindall'] (6'7 F '23) & Matthew Kinzler (6'7 F '23)   The Tide and the Marauders should be evenly matched because they both trot out 2 D1 seniors at the forward spots. Army-commit Jacen and Lucas have the advantage on the perimeter as they shot 40% and 36.9% respectively from three on a good volume. Jackson and Matthew have the advantage on the interior where they each average over 6 rebounds as juniors. Both duos have versatility on defense.   3:25pm - Court 1: Academy of the New Church (PA) vs. Bergen Catholic (NJ)   Compared to their teams a season ago, ANC and Bergen Catholic are rolling out a few guys who are still trying to make names for themselves. ANC will likely play through a combination of guards that include Deywilk Tavares (6'2 ‘23), Jarell Keels (6'1 ‘23), and Bahsil Laster (6'5 ‘24). Deywilk can fill it up as a scorer, Bahsil is a distributor and defender, while Jarell will get to showcase more of what he can do as a senior. BC welcomes [player_tooltip player_id='1553658' first='Mikai' last='Klintman'] to run the show in place of his countryman - Elliot Cadeau. Chidi Nwigwe (6'6 W ‘26) is only a freshman but already looks like an elite wing prospect. And with no established post presence to oppose him, [player_tooltip player_id='1050396' first='Terry' last='Copeland'] (6'8 C ‘24) could be the difference in this one.   7:10pm - Court 1: Upper Merion (PA) vs. Cherokee (NJ)   Devon Nelson (6'1 G ‘25) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1456845' first='Judd' last='Holt'] (6'1 G ‘25)   With all the star power and powerhouse programs that'll be in the gym, UM and Cherokee are two smaller schools who feature some under the radar sophomores. Devon is a quick point guard who likes to drive & kick. Judd is more of a shooting guard who can hit the three ball and play-make a bit. This should be a sneaky good matchup to end the day where both kids put their names on the map.   Sunday, September 10 at Friends Central   9:55am - Court 1: Archbishop Ryan (PA) vs. George School (PA)   [player_tooltip player_id='1213553' first='Thomas' last='Sorber'] (6'9 C ‘24) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1153953' first='Luke' last='Bevilacqua'] (6'10 C ‘25)   Sunday kicks off with some titans going at it in the paint. Thomas and Luke were teammates last summer with Team Final 15U. Though Sorber's recruitment has taken off with his supreme physically inside and tough from distance, Bevilacqua has the length, mobility and toughness to go at him. This is a must see pairing because of the matchup and the overall talent on both sides.   2:30pm - Court 2: Cardinal O'Hara (PA) vs Salesianum (DE)   This game is just loaded with college prospects from all levels.  [player_tooltip player_id='1281811' first='Izaiah' last='Pasha'] (6'5 G/W ‘23) is the biggest name for CO. But they've got [player_tooltip player_id='933049' first='Josh' last='Coulanges'] (5'11 G ‘23), Christian Cerverello (6'2 G ‘23), Zuri Harris (6'0 G ‘24), and [player_tooltip player_id='1190330' first='Pearse' last='McGuinn'] (6'7 F ‘24) with recent additions [player_tooltip player_id='1187956' first='Aasim' last='Burton'] (6'2 G ‘24) and [player_tooltip player_id='1460781' first='Jay' last='Chiles'] (6'0 G ‘25). Salies is led by Isaah Hynson (6'3 G ‘24) and Kareem Thomas (6'4 G/W ‘24). Ethan Hinds (6'5 F ‘24), Quinn O'Hara, (5'10 G ‘24), and “Deuce” Mutts (6'4 F ‘24) are key returners too, while [player_tooltip player_id='1281789' first='Luke' last='Brown'] (6'8 F ‘24), Robbie Johnson (6'5 W ‘25), Christian Baynes (6'4 G/W ‘26), and [player_tooltip player_id='1406786' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] (6'0 G ‘26) are newcomers finding their niche in the rotation. Another must see.   Sunday, September 11 at Haverford   10:50am - Court 2: Cheltenham vs Paul VI (NJ)   Coach Pat's Cheltenham squads are always gritty - getting in your chest on defense and out on the break for high percentage buckets. Their guard-heavy attack features Brandon Bush (6'2 G), Kamani Healy (6'3 W ‘24), Kevin Addison (6'3 W ‘24), and [player_tooltip player_id='1379428' first='Josiah' last='Hutson'] (5'9 G ‘25) who could be the POY in the Suburban One. On the other hand, PVI is a bit of an unknown for folks on this side of the Walt Whitman bridge. [player_tooltip player_id='1411401' first='Emmanuel' last='Joe-Samuel'] (6'5 F ‘25) led them in scoring as a freshman, with Cairo Rivera (6'2 G ‘23) third in that category. [player_tooltip player_id='1271427' first='Judah' last='Hidalgo'] (6'4 F ‘25) will have to step up too when the Eagles rumble with the Panthers.   3:25pm - Court 2: Radford (PA) vs Sanford (DE)   Running point, [player_tooltip player_id='1200819' first='Danny' last='Rosenblum'] (6'0 G ‘23) has no shortage of weapons with Princeton-bound [player_tooltip player_id='1119137' first='Jackson' last='Hicke'] (6'5 W ‘23), [player_tooltip player_id='1212678' first='Charlie' last='Thornton'] (6'5 W ‘23), and newby Jackson Gaffney (6'5 G/W ‘23). All of that length and playmaking will be put to the test against an equally experienced Warriors squad. Dayon Polk (6'0 G ‘23) is the floor general, Sean Forrest (6'5 W ‘23) is the marksman, and [player_tooltip player_id='1118635' first='Chris' last='Stanford'] (6'7 F ‘23) is their inside man. I expect their sophomore trio of Jayden Taylor (6'5 W/F ‘25), Stephen Conway (6'3 G/W ‘25), and Nico McNeil (5'9 G ‘25) to flash as well.   5:15pm - Court 3: Coatesville (PA) vs Caravel (DE)   Dior Kennedy (6'3 G ‘24) vs John Clemmons (6'5 F ‘23)   Kennedy of Coatesville made some noise during his sophomore and 16U campaigns with his crossover and pull up J. Caravel's Clemmons is starting to turn heads in Delaware with his tools and shooting ability. Both players and their teams should draw some unexpected fans as they go head-to-head and compete in their other matchups this weekend.   For more on the City of Basketball Love's event, follow them on twitter @HoopLove215 and me on at @CGraham_Sports on twitter/IG.

The City of Basketball Love retuns with another Interstate Classic full of quality basketball programs from PA, NJ, and DE. Last year's classic had 5 stars and diamonds in the rough who went on to shine during the season. And this year's classic will be no different. What makes the 2022 edition extra special is that the event is spread across 2 venues - Friends Central School and Haverford School. Here are some games and players you might want to see from both locations.