Friends League Preview: Title Contenders & MVP Candidates

Team camps are underway and the high school season is quickly approaching. For PAISSA teams, the state championship runs through the Friends Schools League, featuring Westtown who won it all in 2022. But a few other programs are contending for the 2023 title too. I also share potential MVP candidates from each contender.   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">George School</h2>   The Cougars finished third in the league last season, featuring a new roster. Heading into 22-23, they have a talented veteran group with chemistry. Xavier-commit ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='1119114' first='Onyekachi' last='Nzeh'] could be the centerpiece of what they try to do on both ends. His ability to close out games at the FT line enhances his value in the PNR. With the high upside ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id='1153953' first='Luke' last='Bevilacqua'] protecting the rim at the 5, GS can let Nzeh be more disruptive as a 4-man. The Cougar's perimeter players can stretch the floor and will be really good defensively. ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='901991' first='Dante' last='Weise'] orchestrates the offense with his vision and feel. Being able to make plays without holding the ball too long opens up their offense. ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1285466' first='Christian' last='Bliss'] spear-heads the defense and is a playmaker on that end, getting steals and deflections. Throw in his ability to score without or without the ball, Bliss could be their leader in points too. A sleeper in his own right, ‘23 Carson Mastin adds another dimension to this team as a versatile marksman from deep. They'll have their work cut out for them but the Cougars should be the preseason favorites to win the Friends League.   MVP Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='1119114' first='Onyekachi' last='Nzeh']   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Westtown</h2>   There's no replacing the consensus #1 player in the 2022 class and a potential one-and-done lottery pick (Lively II/Duke) after league and state (PAISSA) titles. However, Westtown does bring back two seniors who will stabilize a jost of newcomers. ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='1200771' first='Matt' last='Mayock'] is slated to head to American University, but before then he'll elevate the Moose as a help-side wing defender who's an automatic shooter off-the-catch. ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='1393685' first='Seyphon' last='Triplett'] was already a key player on defense who used his burst and instincts to get stocks. Now he gets to use them to create paint touches. Their only true big man, ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1173984' first='Matt' last='Gilhool'] has the responsibility of anchoring them in the low post, but has some point-forward skills and can play above the rim too. ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1477774' first='Malik' last='Rasul'] gives them versatility as a forward who can play the 5 for stretches and switch on the perimeter players. ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id='1369805' first='Jayden' last='Kelsey'] is a big wing who can dribble, pass and shoot. Lastly, Westtown has two young guards with plus positional size who will play critical roles for them in ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id='1383005' first='Cameron' last='Wallace'] and ‘25 Jayden Forsythe. Wallace and really score the ball, especially from three, and Forsythe can initiate advantages and facilitate. Despite the lack of experience right now, this team could easily be in champion-level form by February.   MVP Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='1173984' first='Matt' last='Gilhool']   <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Friends Central </h2>   The Phoenix go from the youngest in the league to one of the most experienced. They can do a bit of everything and play different styles. ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='1281940' first='Colin' last='Bowman'] and ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1173986' first='Fazl' last='Oshodi'] are their most dynamic scorers - Bowman in isolation and Oshodi off-the-catch. ‘23 Joe Green with his quickness and the two-way ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1176360' first='Muhsin' last='Muhammad'] with his length get to the basket with ease. Lock-down defender ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1192647' first='Reid' last='Belcher'] and the crafty ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id='1195818' first='Gabe' last='Moore'] can create for others. Their trio of bigs/forwards - ‘23 Liam Foley, ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1123937' first='Isaac' last='Moore'], and ‘25 Nigel Pierman - allow them to play different styles. Foley is strong enough to play the 5 alongside I. Moore or Pierman when they want to go “big”, without sacrificing spacing. Moore and Pierman can shoot it from mid-range and guard just enough in space when they want to play fast. And they collectively give the team coverage versatility as lowmen in the PNR. If FCS wants to knock off any of the other contenders, they'll have to lean into their depth while Bowman and/or Oshodi throw haymakers offensively. With this many talented pieces on the roster,  the Phoenix could absolutely win it all themselves.   MVP Candidate: [player_tooltip player_id='1281940' first='Colin' last='Bowman'] or [player_tooltip player_id='1173986' first='Fazl' last='Oshodi']    <h2 class="has-medium-font-size">Dark Horse: Academy of the New Church </h2>   ANC was the Friends League runner-up and made the PAISSA semi-finals in 2022. Then they lost all but two regular rotation players. But that's not enough to count them out. The Lions will get after it with their aggressive defense and that effort will be led by ‘23 Jarell Keel. He generates turnovers on defense and kicks it to open teammates from there. ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='1119156' first='Deywilk' last='Tavarez'] is a good defender and second-side playmaker, but his greatest contribution will be his mid- and long-range jumper. ‘24 Nolan Waldon is one of four additions who will make an impact right away. He's another guard who can make decisions on-ball for them. ‘24 Bahsil Laster is a pass-first, two-way player too, but they'll need him to be assertive getting to the rim. His ability to create advantages - as well as shutdown opposing ball-handlers - with his length could tilt matchups in their favor. ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1550115' first='Justin' last='Bobb'] and ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1608494' first='Dior' last='Carter'] are two cubs that will play vital roles for them. At 6'6, Bobb gives them some size in the paint who can knock down mid-range shots. Carter shows determination attacking down hill offensively and tenacity guarding wings and rebounding. Once they find their rhythm, Coach Givens's unselfish, guard-heavy roster can out-pace their opponents and make their way back to the league title game.   MVP Candidate: Bahsil Laster   Additional Friends League Players to Watch   ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='1279645' first='Ife' last='West-Ingram'] | Abington Friends   ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1136566' first='Kaydin' last='Ford'] | Abington Friends    ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='1202039' first='Christian' last='Kirkland'] | Friends Select   ‘23 Isaiah Marshall | Friends Select   ‘23 Amir Staten | Germantown Friends   ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1608275' first='Jordan' last='Dill'] | Germantown Friends   ‘23 [player_tooltip player_id='933733' first='Darrien' last='Grady'] | Shipley   ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='1589406' first='Matt' last='Lange'] | Shipley   ‘26 [player_tooltip player_id='1611931' first='Kody' last='Colson'] | Shipley   For more hoops coverage, follow me on social media @ CGraham_Sports

Team camps are underway and the high school season is quickly approaching. For PAISSA teams, the state championship runs through the Friends Schools League, featuring Westtown who won it all in 2022. But a few other programs are contending for the 2023 title too. I also share potential MVP candidates from each contender.