SEPA Friday Night State Tourney Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a slew of PIAA State Tournament Quarterfinal games taking place on Friday night, gyms all over southeastern Pennsylvania were buzzing with hoops action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is review of six players who posted standout performances during Friday night's state tourney contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1279647' first='Sultan' last='Adewale'] – 6'9” / Senior / Neumann Goretti / Team Rio Univ. / Power Forward: </strong>The top rated uncommitted 2023 in Pennsylvania continues to impress during state tournament action. Adewale used his athleticism, quick second jump, tenacity, and low post skills to register 16 points and 16 rebounds as NG survived a 4A quarterfinal scare from Bishop Shanahan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991341' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] </strong><strong>– 6'7” / Senior / Imhotep Charter / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL / Combo Guard:</strong> The No.1 ranked senior in the country pushed Imhotep one step closer to a second consecutive 5A state title with a 31-point performance on Friday night. This Kentucky commit splashed threes, flushed on defender's heads, dropped dimes, and applied ridiculous defensive pressure as ‘Tep advanced to the 5A semis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1812532' first='Jackson' last='Gaffney'] – 6'5″ / Senior / Radnor / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Black / Shooting Guard: </strong>On Friday night Gaffney came off the bench to score a team high 21 points. The uncommitted senior splashed 5 triples (5/6 shooting from deep) and rebounded the ball like a beast. However, the multi-skilled Gaffney's efforts were not enough, as Radnor lost to Archbishop Ryan in the 5A quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kevin Saenz – 6'4” / Junior / Exeter / PMT Warriors / Combo Guard: </strong>Saenz is a smooth operator who can score off the dribble or via spot up threes. Last night he was extremely clutch for Exeter as he scored the team's final 13 points across the 4^th quarter and overtime. Included in that amazing streak was an And-1 that tied the game with less than 2 minutes remaining, a 3-ball that sent the game to overtime and a follow up bucket that gave Exeter the lead with twenty seconds remaining in OT. Saenz finished with 19 points and Exeter advanced to the 5A semis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192641' first='Darren' last='Williams'] – 6'4” / Junior / Archbishop Ryan / [program_tooltip program_id='2078682' first='K-Low' last='Elite'] / Combo Guard:</strong> Last night this 1st Team All-PCL selection scored in transition and drained threes of every variety as he piloted Ryan's 5A quarterfinal win over previously undefeated Radnor. Williams finished with 28 points on the strength of 5 made triples. However, it was his constant off ball movement and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch (7-7) that were most impressive, Thanks to Wiliams efforts, Ryan advanced to the 5A semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] </strong><strong>– 5'11” / Junior / Neumann-Goretti / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL / Point Guard:</strong> Earlier this week Wright III (Baylor commit) was named Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year. The dynamic scoring point guard celebrated that award by pouring in 29 points (1 three; 12 pts. in 4Q) to go along with 8 assists in NG's 4A quarterfinal win over Bishop Shanahan. To say Wright can score at all 3-levels in an understatement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->