Open Gym Series: Bonner-Prendie & West Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With high school programs hosting open gyms for college coaches and scouts, I'm visiting 2-3 programs a week in September to check on teams in the Philadelphia area. I visited Bonner-Prendie and West Catholic this week to get an early look into their programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9/6 Monsignor Bonner - Archbishop Prendergast</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading into his first season at the helm, Bonner's Coach Cassidy has a talented mix of youth and experience. They can go 7 or 8 deep with a diversity of skill sets at each spot. Their upperclassmen guards can all create off the bounce and, without a true center, they have a cadre of interchangeable wings and forwards. As they integrate their 3 newcomers, the Friars should be a fun team to watch this Fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Guards:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1051495' first='Reggie' last='Selden Jr.'] (6'2 G ‘24) comes in from Bishop Eustace (NJ) and steps in as a lead ball-handler who can get 2 in the paint to play-make for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='991423' first='Jamal' last='Hicks'] (6'1 G ‘24) is a two-way spark-plug and a knock-down shooter. He can get it done as a starter or off-the-bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randy Cooper-Mukoro (6'0 G ‘23) gets buckets. He creates spaces with his handle to get to the rim. Randy can be an additional ball-handler as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wings:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brady Eagan (6'4 W ‘23) can play the 3 through 5 for the Friars on offense because of his feel and passing ability. His contribution on defense at the wing will be invaluable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1477716' first='Kevin' last='Rucker'] Jr (6'5 W ‘24) spent his first two seasons at Chester. He has the athleticism to be a versatile scorer and the passing chops to be a secondary playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Touri “Deuce” Ketner (6'6 W/F ‘24) continues to refine his skills on the offensive end and is&nbsp; growing into an impact defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Forwards:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1118630' first='Nelson' last='Lamizana'] (6'8 F ‘24) is the newest addition to the team and is making his presence felt already. Known more as a rim-runner and shot-blocker, Nelson is developing as a shooter too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mylachi Williams (6'5 F ‘24) was at football practice, so he didn't participate. But he should get some minutes at the 5 come basketball season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9/7 West Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning a ton of experience from their PCL Final run, the Burrs should be one of the preseason favorites to return to the Palestra. But as much as they'll be led by their seniors, they have some intriguing underclassmen, hungry to touch the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1121735' first='Adam' last='“Budd” Clark'] (5'10 G) should be one of the premier PGs in the area with the improvements he's made as scorer in the half-court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='991381' first='Shemar' last='Wilbanks-Acqui'] (6'3 G) is their X-factor. "Whop" always plays the right way but is their most dynamic scoring threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1121734' first='Zion' last='Stanford'] (6'5 W), simply put, should be able to take over games on both ends. He's an early MVP candidate to watch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1279626' first='Marcus' last='Branker, Jr.'] (6'5 F) will step into the starting lineup this year and add “floor spacer” to his role as small-ball big.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amyr Walker (6'0 G) is new to varsity but he will win them games with his toughness and energy off the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tariq Jennings (6'4 W) is the lone junior at West. His hustle and defensive impact will make it hard to keep him out of the rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2025 &amp; 2026:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This cadre will be one to watch for the next 3 years. With his growth as a ball-handler, Isaac Cole aka “Ice” (6'6 W ‘25) figures to bring his 3&amp;D skillset to the starting lineup. Naseem Perez (5'8 G ‘25), [player_tooltip player_id='1188625' first='Micah' last='Waters'] (6'0 G ‘25), and CJ Cook (5'9 G ‘25) each have the potential to run the point one day. Jaden Banner (6'6 F ‘25), Israel Cole (6'4 F ‘25), and Isaiah Muhammad (6'4 F ‘25) are all talented enough to contribute in the front court this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1576722' first='Kingston' last='Wheatley'] (6'5 F ‘26) is still a pup but he should be able to hunt soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter/IG @CGraham_Sports</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->