SEPA Wednesday Night State Tourney Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Wednesday night a host of PIAA State Tournament 2^nd Round games took place, so gyms all over southeastern Pennsylvania were buzzing with hoops action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is review of eight players who posted standout performances during Wednesday night's state tourney contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] </strong><strong>– 6'4” / Junior / Archbishop Wood / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL / Shooting Guard:</strong> Bethea (23 ppg.; 46% on threes) is one of the top shooting guards in Pennsylvania and last night at in the 6A 2^nd Round he continued to show why. In Wood's drubbing of Chambersburg, Bethea poured in 24 points (3 threes). Bethea had several nice finishes in transition as well. Bethea holds numerous offers including ones from Miami, Villanova, UCLA, and Rutgers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991334' first='Xzayvier' last='Brown'] </strong><strong>– 6'1″ / Senior / Roman Catholic / K Low Elite / Point Guard:</strong> On Wednesday night this St. Joe's commit stuffed the stat book. “X” scored at all three-levels on his way to 27 points (3 triples). He also recorded 7 assists and 5 steals. Included in those 5 steals was a theft in the final seconds where “X” picked the pocket of Lower Merion's [player_tooltip player_id='991391' first='Sam' last='Brown'] (Penn commit), then dashed down court for a lay-in, plus the foul. “X” was also clutch from the free throw line in the final seconds of this 6A tourney win for Roman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123885' first='Nick' last='Coval'] – 6'2” / Junior / Parkland / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL / Shooting Guard:</strong> The District 11-6A champions are advancing to the quarterfinal round of states after Coval splashed 3 triples on his way to 23 points in their win over Garnet Valley. Coval faced a variety of gimmick defenses in this contest, but his continuous off-ball movement, quick trigger and deep range made him impossible to guard. Coval grabbed 5 boards in is win too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1764304' first='Gabe' last='Hornberger'] </strong><strong>– 6'4″ / Sophomore / Executive Education ACS / NJ Panthers / Wing:</strong> Hornberger (12.7 ppg.) is one of the fastest rising 2025s in the region. On Wednesday night in Executive's 2^nd Round win in the 3A bracket, he continued to provide evidence of that fact by posting an outlandish triple-double -- 18 points (3 threes), 10 rebounds and 10 dimes. His ability to play a point-forward role for EEACS is unique.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1382970' first='Nadir' last='Myers'] </strong><strong>– 6'2” / Senior / Upper Darby / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] Select / Point Guard:</strong> After the 2022-23 regular season, this lefty scoring machine was a 1^st Team All-Central League selection. Now Myers (1,000+ point scorer) has taken his jaw dropping NBA range, smooth pull up game and filthy dribble drive skills to the 6A state tournament stage. He scored 20 points (1 three) in the 1st Round. Then last night Myers drilled 5 triples as he exploded for 31 points. Unfortunately, his amazing performance was not enough for UD to overcome a stacked Reading squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1116055' first='Lucas' last='Orchard'] </strong><strong>– 6'4″ / Senior / Devon Prep / Prim3 Tim3 / Wing:</strong> Orchard (13 ppg.; 5 rpg.; 3 apg.) was a big reason Devon Prep won the 3A state title in 2022. Now after last night's 23-point effort this long and athletic wing has DP headed to this year's 3A quarterfinals. In DP's Wednesday night win over Mid Valley, Orchard knocked home threes, turned steals into easy baskets, scored off second chance opportunities and popped mid-range jumpers. He holds an offer from Monmouth, but DI coaches are sleeping hard on this kid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matt Ray </strong><strong>– 6'2” / Senior / Parkland / Shooting Guard: </strong>This 2023 prospect was determined not to let his senior season end last night. Ray (8.5 ppg.) matched his season high of 20 points (1 three) as he helped Parkland down Garnet Valley in the 6A 2^nd Round. Ray was 5 for 5 from field and 9-11 from FT line. Additionally, he grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 5 assists. As a bonus to his offensive skills, Ray is an excellent team defender who communicates constantly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1865345' first='Owen' last='Schlager'] </strong><strong>– 6'3” / Sophomore / Trinity / Team PA / Point Guard: </strong>After the 2022-23 regular season Schlager (21 ppg.) was selected as the Mid-Penn Conference-Capital Division POY. Next, this lefty floor general pushed Trinity to the District 3-3A championship. Now Schlager is using the 3A state tournament to show all of Pennsylvania his elite offensive skill set. Last night Schlager notched 40 points in Trinity's 3A 2^nd Round win over Math, Civics &amp; Sciences. Schlager was solid in the first half (15 pts.). But after the break, Schlager came out of the locker room and simply took over. He scored 25 points in the second half, including Trinity's final 14 points of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->