Way Too Early: SEPA Top 5 Private School Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the last month we have watched an extraordinary number of high school games at showcase events and fall leagues. So, we wanted to make a bold (or stupid depending on your view) statement regarding the best SEPA “private” school teams we have witnessed play recently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We know it is only the second week of October, but below we assembled our <em>“Way Too Early”</em> Top 5 southeastern Pennsylvania “private” school team rankings for the upcoming 2022-23 season. Obviously, we reserve the right to be flat our wrong here or change the rankings prior to the start of the high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"type":"1"} --> <ol type="1"><li><strong>Neumann-Goretti – </strong>The No. 1 ranked 2024 prospect in Pennsylvania, [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] (Baylor commit), will lead the Saints 4A state title defense. Wright (pic above) will get tremendous support on the interior from 6'8” wing [player_tooltip player_id='1279647' first='Sultan' last='Adewale'](holds numerous DI offers) as well as 6'5” transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1187959' first='Larenzo' last='Jerkins']. Jerkins posted a monster July period with SK Elite. On the perimeter Bruce Smith, [player_tooltip player_id='1123910' first='Khaafiq' last='Myers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1576719' first='Stephon' last='Ashley-Wright'] will make major contributions.</li><li><strong>Archbishop Wood –</strong> Wood's success begins and ends with [player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] (multiple DI offers), who is one of the most feared scoring threats in the region. Shooting guard prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1483181' first='Josh' last='Reed'] was the Class of 2024 breakout star from this past summer. Small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1013075' first='Carson' last='Howard'] is a double-double machine. Plus, this roster boats a slew of ultra-talented Class of 2025 backcourt prospects in Mike Green, [player_tooltip player_id='1188627' first='Milan' last='Dean'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1382983' first='Deuce' last='Maxey'].</li><li><strong>Archbishop Ryan –</strong> Ryan brings back a truck load of talent from last year's squad that went to the state tournament. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1213553' first='Thomas' last='Sorber'] (multiple DI offers) is the most polished interior prospect in the region. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1192641' first='Darren' last='Williams'] (12 ppg. in 2021-22) is practically unstoppable. Senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1202211' first='Michael' last='“Zaire” Paris'] is a DI prospect who is flying under the radar. 2024 talent [player_tooltip player_id='1173991' first='Jaden' last='Murray'] was super impressive during the July grassroots circuit. As a bonus to all the returners, two significant transfers were added – [player_tooltip player_id='1589091' first='Christian' last='Durham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1477717' first='Rocco' last='Morabito']. Both will step in and contribute immediately.</li><li><strong>Roman Catholic –</strong> Roman lost a host of talent to graduation and transfer, but senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='991334' first='Xzayvier' last='Brown'] (St. Joe's commit) and sophomore big man [player_tooltip player_id='1188620' first='Shareef' last='Jackson'] are two returning stars for RC. Plus, two major impact players transferred into Roman -- [player_tooltip player_id='1116024' first='Anthony' last='Finkley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1577636' first='Jermai' last='Stewart-Herring']. Finkley (St. Joe's commit) is a unique point-forward prospect. Stewart-Herring was the 2021-22 Diamond State Conference (DE) Player of the Year. Be sure to watch for Class of 2026 studs [player_tooltip player_id='1406768' first='Sammy' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1608251' first='Bryce' last='Hillman'].</li><li><strong>Cardinal O'Hara</strong> <strong>– </strong>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1281811' first='Izaiah' last='Pasha'](Delco POY; several mid-major offers)is a downhill style guard with an elite stop and pop game. High DI schools are sleeping on this dribble drive wizard. 6'7” wing [player_tooltip player_id='1190330' first='Pearse' last='McGuinn'] (offer from NJIT) is a three-point sniper. Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='933049' first='Josh' last='Coulanges'] (10 ppg.) excels at getting into the paint for buckets or for drive and kick assists. Junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1187956' first='Aasim' last='Burton'] (a.k.a. “Flash”) brings more electric guard play to the mix. Zuri Harris and [player_tooltip player_id='1589268' first='Carey' last='Cunningham'] will also be key contributors.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others receiving consideration: </strong>West Catholic and Cristo Rey-Philadelphia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->