SEPA Prodigal Sons Report
In the last two years, several elite basketball prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania have transferred to out of state schools. While we were disappointed to see these players leave the Keystone state, we knew their high-level skills would lead to success…
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Continue ReadingIn the last two years, several elite basketball prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania have transferred to out of state schools. While we were disappointed to see these players leave the Keystone state, we knew their high-level skills would lead to success no matter where they played.
So today, we are going to check in on a few home-grown talents and review how their seasons are going in places such as Florida, Georgia, and Connecticut
Ty Burton – 5’10” / Junior / IMG Academy (FL) / Philly Pride National / Point Guard: Burton is a high energy, relentless scoring point guard. His feathery jumper, stop and pop game and his blow by dribble drives have made Burton impossible to stop. In 2021-22 he averaged 20.5 ppg. for Lampeter-Strasburg. Burton’ scoring prowess has continued at IMG, but he has also developed as a facilitator. Burton is posting 11 points, 4.5 assists and 3 rebs per game while shooting 53% from the field and 43.8% from behind the arc. In his standout performance of the season Burton poured in 25 points and dropped 7 dimes. He holds an offer from Manhattan College.
Moses Hipps – 6’4” / Junior / McEachern (GA) / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard: The former Philadelphia Catholic League star (Archbishop Carroll) is still torching the nets from deep and scoring in transition. In January he recorded games of 26 points (6 threes), 24 points (7 triples) and 21 points (5 threes). Hipps is averaging 18 ppg. this season and just cracked the 1,000-point mark for his high school career. He holds a slew of DI offers. Hipps tell us that Georgia Tech, Washington, Pitt, and Rice are among the schools showing him the most interest.
Elmarko Jackson – 6’3” / Senior / South Kent School (CT) / We R1 / Point Guard: One of the top “big guards” in the country, Jackson was an All-Friends League and all-state player at Academy of New Church before transferring to South Kent during summer 2022. This winter the Kansas commit has been a transition phenom, laced jumpers and at times bullied smaller guards to the tune of 19 points per night. He is also handing out 6 assists per game. Jackson was recently named as a McDonald’s All-America selection and a Naismith High School POY candidate.
Toby Ojukwu – 6’2” / Junior / Norcross (GA) / Philly Pride National / Point Guard: A rising star at Roman Catholic last season, Ojukwu moved to Georgia during late summer 2022. He is now using his high IQ, change of pace skills and tight handles to contribute as a starter for Norcross, the defending 7A state champion. The multi-skilled Ojukwu has helped Norcross to a 19-4 record this season with only one of those losses coming in state. This season Ojukwu (11 ppg.) has posted games of 17 points (3 threes); 13 points and 4 steals; and 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Shawn Simmons – 6’7” / Senior / Hillcrest Prep (AZ) / Team Durant / Wing: This Philadelphia native and Sant Joe’s commit spent time at Monsignor Bonner, Friends Central and Life Center (NJ) before heading out west to Hillcrest Prep. He is an extremely athletic and long wing with ridiculous hops. With those physical assets, he obviously thrives in transition. In the half-court, Simmons can knock home shots from any spot on the floor. In 2021-22, Simmons posted 13 points and 8 rebounds per contest. Simmons’ high point that season was a 28 point, 14 rebound, 4 steals and 5 blocks performance against the Park School. For 2022-23, Simmons decided to bypass his final season of high school basketball and enrolled at SJU for the spring 2023 semester. He will be allowed to practice with the team but will not play in any games this season.
Jake Warren – 6’10” / Senior / Calvary Christian Academy (FL) / Philly Pride National / Power Forward: Warren (formerly of Downingtown West)is a physical, hardnosed interior prospect who appears to have added significant muscle to his frame for 2022-23. In the paint he can execute several different fakes and then score with either hand. Warren owns a smooth shooting touch out to 15 feet. Plus, he is a monster on the glass at both ends and respected shot blocker. Calvary Christian plays a “national” level schedule and Warren has held his own vs. that competition (6 ppg. & 6 rpg.). In early January, this big fella registered a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds vs. IMG Academy.