Catholic League Preview: X-Factors
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“Basketball is a team game.” We know who the best players and/or primary options are for most of the teams in the league, but it players 3-6 who put them over the hump. Here are some of the X-Factors who…
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Continue Reading“Basketball is a team game.” We know who the best players and/or primary options are for most of the teams in the league, but it players 3-6 who put them over the hump. Here are some of the X-Factors who could swing games and the season for a few top contenders and dark horses in the PCL:
Jake West Jake West 6'1" | PG William Penn Charter | 2025 State #193 Nation PA | G ‘25 Archbishop Carroll
West came on late in the ‘21-22 season for the Patriots, starting their last 11 games. Overall, he averaged 7.6 ppg, 2.5 apg, and 43.5% from 3 (30 of 69). His facilitating and shot-making over the summer and fall showed that he’s ready to be the full-time starter at point guard. As seniors Dean Coleman-Newsome Dean Coleman-Newsome 6'2" | PG Archbishop Carroll | 2023 State PA and Blake Deegan Blake Deegan 6'6" | SF Archbishop Carroll | 2023 State PA carry the scoring load, West will be able to set them up with easier shots and play off of them to hit threes of his own. If he does that at a consistent level, Carroll could be scary in the playoffs.
Reggie Selden, Jr. Reggie Selden, Jr. 6'2" | CG Bonner-Prendergast | 2024 State PA | G ‘24 Bonner-Prendie
The transfer from Bishop Eustace (NJ) is tasked with organizing a new-look Friars squad with a ton of length and athleticism. Seldon starts alongside 6’4 Brady Eagan, 6’6 Touari “Deuce” Ketner Touari “Deuce” Ketner 6'7" | PF Bonner-Prendergast | 2024 State PA , 6’5 Kevin Rucker Kevin Rucker 6'5" | SG Bonner-Prendergast | 2024 State PA Jr, and 6’8 Nelson Lamizana Nelson Lamizana 6'9" | PF West Chester Henderson | 2024 State PA . His quickness with the ball in-hand and potential to collapse the defense could be the missing ingredient in their halfcourt offense. On the opposite end, they’ll need him to prevent opposing guards from doing that to them. The Friars will have some growing pains early, but if Seldon can steady the ship, they could be the team no one wants to see in February.
Khaafiq Myers Khaafiq Myers 5'10" | PG Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA | G ‘24 Neumann-Goretti
Myers was a signature piece in their triple crown a season-ago (9.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, and 2.7 spg) and they’ll need him to be more than that in ‘22-23. The Saints can and will bank on his ability to turn defense into offense with steals and deflections. And with Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL and Sultan Adewale Sultan Adewale 6'8" | SF Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State #205 Nation PA as their primary perimeter and interior threats offensively, he’ll have to be their number three option. Myers’s progress as a shooter from deep will be key as NG tries to repeat as PCL, district and state champs.
Jermai Stewart-Herring Jermai Stewart-Herring 6'5" | CG Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA | W ‘23 Roman
Roman had a deadly trio that earned them the 1 seed and a final four appearance in the 2022 PCL playoffs. Now, without Skillings (Cincinnati) and Farmer (Hofstra) off to college, Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #233 Nation PA is the only one who remains. Stewart-Herring came in from St. Elizabeth’s (DE) and made an instant impact as a defender. Additionally, he has the potential to replace some of what Skillings gave them as a cutter and slasher. With Brown, Anthony Finkley Anthony Finkley 6'6" | SF Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA , and Shareef Jackson Shareef Jackson 6'9" | C Roman Catholic | 2025 State #249 Nation PA as good passers and all-around players, Stewart-Herring could make them a quartet with great odds to return to the Palestra.
Tristen Guillouette Tristen Guillouette 6'9" | C George School | 2024 State PA | C ‘24 St. Joe’s Prep
SJP was the youngest team in the league in ‘21-22 with freshmen Jordan Ellerbee Jordan Ellerbee 6'2" | CG St. Joseph’s Prep | 2025 State PA , Jaron McKie Jaron McKie 6'2" | SG St. Joseph's Prep | 2025 State #74 Nation PA , Olin Chamberlain Olin Chamberlain 6'0" | PG St Joseph's Prep | 2025 State PA Jr, and sophomore Jalen Harper Jalen Harper 6'4" | PG St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA as key pieces in their rotation. Guillouette was dinged up early on but still managed 11.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, and 3.2 bpg while they took their lumps. The Jersey-native passes well from the high post and can put a lid on the rim defensively. They’ll still be very young this season, but if Guillouette can become a more dominant low-post scorer, the Hawks have a chance to double their previous win total.
Shemar Wilbanks-Acqui Shemar Wilbanks-Acqui 6'0" | CG West Catholic | 2023 State PA | G ‘23 West Catholic
The lefty combo guard shifts from sixth man to full-time starter coming off their semi-finals run. Rolling with returners Adam “Budd” Clark and Temple-commit Zion Stanford Zion Stanford 6'5" | SF West Catholic | 2023 State PA , it wasn’t hard for the equally talented “Whop” to operate on the second-side and capitalize on the advantages they created (11.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 37.7 3P% [20-53] in ‘21-22). If Wilbanks-Acqui is able to be their secondary option on offense, which includes reps as their primary initiator and increasing his 3 point efficiency, the Burrs can go the distance this season and he could get the D1 options he’s been waiting on.
More X-Factors
Jaden Murray Jaden Murray 6'7" | PF Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA | F ’24 Archbishop Ryan
Josh Reed Josh Reed 6'3" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State PA | G ’23 Archbishop Wood
Josh Coulanges Josh Coulanges 5'9" | PG Cardinal O'Hara | 2023 State PA | G ’23 Cardinal O’Hara
Aidan Mondragon | G ’24 Conwell Egan
Ty Mishock Ty Mishock 5'10" | PG Spring Ford | 2024 PA | G ’24 Devon Prep
Anthony Lilly | F/C ’24 Father Judge
Cameron Smith | F ’25 La Salle
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