SEPA ’23s Primed for a Monster Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of nine prospects from the Class of 2023 who we suspect, for one reason or another, are primed to have a monster senior season this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188211' first='Qudire' last='Bennett'] </strong><strong>– 6'4"/ Plymouth Whitemarsh / Small Forward:</strong> Whether Bennett is playing a regular season game for PW or running at the Donofrio Classic, we all know he is a walking bucket. Still, with the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1123895' first='Chase' last='Coleman'] and the development of [player_tooltip player_id='1116013' first='Jaden' last='Colzie'], opponents will no longer be able to double team Bennett. Thus, we expect he will abuse defenders one on one and post an epic senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adam “Budd” Clark </strong><strong>– 5'9" / West Catholic / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] National UAA / Point Guard: </strong>The Burrs graduated a significant amount of their scoring talent, so in 2022-23 Clark (pic above) will need to be more than just a floor general style point guard. The good news is with his deep bag of tricks and jaw dropping quickness, Clark (12 ppg. &amp; 6 apg. last season) is ready for those increased scoring responsibilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Gaffney </strong><strong>– 6'5″ / Radnor / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Black / Shooting Guard: </strong>After transferring from St. Joe's Prep (8 ppg. in 2021-22), Gaffney will step into Radnor's first five. He is an athletic and smooth prospect who will thrive in Radnor's transition game. Plus, he is an automatic three-point shooter who will get plenty of open looks because of the attention [player_tooltip player_id='1119137' first='Jackson' last='Hicke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1212678' first='Charlie' last='Thornton'] demand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186043' first='Nayeem' last='Johnson'] </strong><strong>– 6'2" / Math, Civics, &amp; Sciences / BW Elite / Shooting Guard: </strong>With the graduation of three major contributors, Johnson ascends to the No. 1 option at MCS. He is also now fully healthy. So, Johnson's three-level scoring game is primed for a monster year. He will benefit from the presence of transfer Naseem Wright as well. Wright is a dynamic offensive threat who will prevent opponents from doubling Johnson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1382963' first='Jake' last='Kapp'] – 6'3" / Boyertown / Eastern PA Elite /</strong> <strong>Small Forward:</strong> For years Kapp has remained one of the most underrated prospects in the area. With his now expanded offensive skills, Kapp is armed for a senior season to remember. He has always been comfortable with his back to the basket, scoring with either hand. Now Kapp can operate on the perimeter as well, shooting threes and getting to the cup off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116056' first='Trey' last='Shinholster'] </strong><strong>– 6'2" / William Penn Charter / [program_tooltip program_id='2078682' first='K-Low' last='Elite'] /</strong> <strong>Shooting Guard:</strong> PC's roster is loaded with DI prospects, but they share the ball well. So, we expect Shinholster to use the momentum from a standout July to produce an extraordinary senior season. Shinholster is a high motor athlete who turns defense into offense. As a bonus, he can shoot the lights out and finish at the rim with both hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119156' first='Deywilk' last='Tavarez'] – 6'2" / Academy of New Church / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] National UAA / Combo Guard:</strong> After battling the injury bug last season, Tavarez is finally healthy. Superstar guard Elmarko Jackson transferred. A host of other skilled prospects graduated. That trifecta means this season is Tavarez's time to shine. Tavarez's versatile skill set enables him to be a threat in transition and the half-court. His 3-point shooting is off the charts too. It looks like ANC has its next star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1382964' first='Jaylon' last='Williams'] </strong><strong>– 6'0" / Wissahickon / Rebels BA / Combo Guard: </strong>In 2022-23 Williams will be option No. 1 for the Trojans and he appears ready for that challenge. Williams is an extremely capable three level scoring threat. He typically uses his elite 3-point shooting to set up his dribble drive game. Last year Williams posted a season high of 26 points (5 made threes). So, evidence exists that he can carry a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1472576' first='Sam' last='Wright'] </strong><strong>– 6'2" / Lower Merion / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] 302 / Shooting Guard:</strong> With the graduation of Demetrius Lilley (Penn State) and opponents double teaming current superstar [player_tooltip player_id='991391' first='Sam' last='Brown'] (Penn commit), in 2022-23 this former “three and D” style role player will step into the spotlight. On the July circuit, Wright proved he is ready for the that challenge. There he exhibited an improved ability to attack the rim, scoring through contact with a lay-in of floater.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->