CoBL Interstate Classic: Matchup Previews
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
Saturday, September 10 at Friends Central
2:30pm – Court 2: Devon Prep (PA) vs. Saint Peter’s Prep (NJ)
Lucas Orchard Lucas Orchard 6'4" | SF Devon Prep | 2023 State PA (6’5 W ’23) & Jacen Holloway Jacen Holloway 6'4" | SF Devon Prep | 2023 State PA (6’4 F ’23) vs Jackson Tindall Jackson Tindall 6'7" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2024 New E (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 Mikai Klintman Mikai Klintman 6'0" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2023 State NJ 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, Terry Copeland Terry Copeland 6'8" | PF Legacy Early College | 2024 State SC (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 Judd Holt Judd Holt 6'2" | SG Cherokee | 2025 State NJ (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)
Thomas Sorber Thomas Sorber 6'9" | C Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State #58 Nation PA (6’9 C ‘24) vs Luke Bevilacqua Luke Bevilacqua 6'10" | C George School | 2025 State #68 Nation PA (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. Izaiah Pasha Izaiah Pasha 6'4" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2023 State PA (6’5 G/W ‘23) is the biggest name for CO. But they’ve got Josh Coulanges Josh Coulanges 5'9" | PG Cardinal O'Hara | 2023 State PA (5’11 G ‘23), Christian Cerverello (6’2 G ‘23), Zuri Harris (6’0 G ‘24), and Pearse McGuinn Pearse McGuinn 6'8" | PF Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (6’7 F ‘24) with recent additions Aasim Burton Aasim Burton 6'3" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (6’2 G ‘24) and Jalen Chiles Jalen Chiles 6'1" | PG Friends Select | 2025 State PA (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 Luke Brown (6’8 F ‘24), Robbie Johnson (6’5 W ‘25), Christian Baynes (6’4 G/W ‘26), and Anthony Smith Anthony Smith 5'10" | SF PA (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 Josiah Hutson Josiah Hutson 5'9" | PG Cheltenham | 2026 State PA (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. Emmanuel Joe-Samuel Emmanuel Joe-Samuel 6'4" | SG Camden | 2025 State #308 Nation NJ (6’5 F ‘25) led them in scoring as a freshman, with Cairo Rivera (6’2 G ‘23) third in that category. Judah Hidalgo Judah Hidalgo 6'4" | PG Paul VI | 2025 State NJ (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, Danny Rosenblum Danny Rosenblum 6'0" | PG Radnor | 2023 State PA (6’0 G ‘23) has no shortage of weapons with Princeton-bound Jackson Hicke Jackson Hicke 6'5" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA (6’5 W ‘23), Charlie Thornton Charlie Thornton 6'4" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA (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 Chris Stanford Chris Stanford 6'7" | PF Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA (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.