Way Too Early: SEPA Top 5 Private School Teams

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.

We know it is only the second week of October, but below we assembled our “Way Too Early” 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.

1. Neumann-Goretti – The No. 1 ranked 2024 prospect in Pennsylvania, Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'1" | PG Montverde Academy | 2024 State #33 Nation FL (Baylor commit), will lead the Saints 4A state title defense. Wright (pic above) will get tremendous support on the interior from 6’8” wing Sultan Adewale Sultan Adewale 6'8" | SF Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State #205 Nation PA (holds numerous DI offers) as well as 6’5” transfer Larenzo Jerkins Larenzo Jerkins 6'5" | PF Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA . Jerkins posted a monster July period with SK Elite. On the perimeter Bruce Smith, Khaafiq Myers Khaafiq Myers 5'10" | PG Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA and Stephon Ashley-Wright Stephon Ashley-Wright 5'11" | PG Neuman-Goretti | 2026 State PA will make major contributions.
2. Archbishop Wood – Wood’s success begins and ends with Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #91 Nation PA (multiple DI offers), who is one of the most feared scoring threats in the region. Shooting guard prospect Josh Reed Josh Reed 6'3" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State PA was the Class of 2024 breakout star from this past summer. Small forward Carson Howard Carson Howard 6'7" | PF Archbishop Wood | 2023 State PA is a double-double machine. Plus, this roster boats a slew of ultra-talented Class of 2025 backcourt prospects in Mike Green, Milan Dean Milan Dean 6'2" | SF Archbishop Wood | 2025 State PA and Deuce Maxey Deuce Maxey 6'1" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2025 State PA .
3. Archbishop Ryan – Ryan brings back a truck load of talent from last year’s squad that went to the state tournament. 2024 Thomas Sorber Thomas Sorber 6'9" | C Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State #62 Nation PA (multiple DI offers) is the most polished interior prospect in the region. Junior guard Darren Williams Darren Williams 6'4" | SG Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA (12 ppg. in 2021-22) is practically unstoppable. Senior combo guard Michael “Zaire” Paris Michael “Zaire” Paris 5'11" | CG Archbishop Ryan | 2023 State PA is a DI prospect who is flying under the radar. 2024 talent Jaden Murray Jaden Murray 6'7" | PF Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA was super impressive during the July grassroots circuit. As a bonus to all the returners, two significant transfers were added – Christian Durham Christian Durham 6'5" | SG Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA and Rocco Morabito Rocco Morabito 6'3" | SG Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA . Both will step in and contribute immediately.
4. Roman Catholic – Roman lost a host of talent to graduation and transfer, but senior standout Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #233 Nation PA (St. Joe’s commit) and sophomore big man Shareef Jackson Shareef Jackson 6'7" | PF Roman Catholic | 2025 State PA are two returning stars for RC. Plus, two major impact players transferred into Roman — Anthony Finkley Anthony Finkley 6'6" | SF Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA and Jermai Stewart-Herring Jermai Stewart-Herring 6'5" | CG Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA . 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 Sammy Jackson Sammy Jackson 6'6" | PG Roman Catholic | 2026 State PA and Bryce Hillman Bryce Hillman 6'2" | SG Roman Catholic | 2026 State PA .
5. Cardinal O’Hara – Senior Izaiah Pasha Izaiah Pasha 6'4" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2023 State PA (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 Pearse McGuinn Pearse McGuinn 6'8" | PF Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (offer from NJIT) is a three-point sniper. Combo guard Josh Coulanges Josh Coulanges 5'9" | PG Cardinal O'Hara | 2023 State PA (10 ppg.) excels at getting into the paint for buckets or for drive and kick assists. Junior transfer Aasim Burton Aasim Burton 6'3" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (a.k.a. “Flash”) brings more electric guard play to the mix. Zuri Harris and Carey Cunningham Carey Cunningham 6'0" | CG Cardinal O’Hara | 2024 State PA will also be key contributors.

Others receiving consideration: West Catholic and Cristo Rey-Philadelphia