Which SEPA Teams Can Win 5A State Title?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of four teams from southeastern Pennsylvania that we believe have a legitimate chance at winning this year's PIAA 5A state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have also noted a potential “roadblock” for each of these 5A bracket teams that could dash their title dreams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Archbishop Ryan (12-2):</strong> This season Ryan posted a 10-3 record in the PCL and loss to Imhotep Charter in the District 12-5A championship game. So, you know they are battle tested. Plus, Ryan's lineup is loaded with DI talent. Ryan's offense starts in the middle with big man [player_tooltip player_id='1213553' first='Thomas' last='Sorber'] (20 &amp; 11 per; several DI Offers). Sorber's ability to score through double and triple teams is impressive. Supplying the perimeter production for Ryan are DI guard prospects [player_tooltip player_id='1192641' first='Darren' last='Williams'] (16 ppg.) and [player_tooltip player_id='1202211' first='Michael' last='“Zaire” Paris'] (11 ppg.). For Ryan also keep an eye on combo guard Rocco Marabito and slashing wing [player_tooltip player_id='1173991' first='Jaden' last='Murray'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roadblock to a ‘Chip</strong>: potential Quarterfinal matchup with Radnor; Potential Final Four game against Imhotep Charter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Imhotep Charter (12-1): </strong>Imhotep (25-3; Philly Public League &amp; D12 champions) is the heavy favorite to win the 5A state title. One look at their lineup and it is easy to see why. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='991341' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] (No. 1 ranked 2023 in the nation; Kentucky commit), [player_tooltip player_id='1281786' first='Ahmad' last='Nowell'] (No. 2 ranked 2024 in PA) and [player_tooltip player_id='991339' first='Rahmir' last='Barno'] (FGCU commit) form an elite guard trio. Wings [player_tooltip player_id='1173985' first='Jeremiah' last='White'] (top ranked 2024) and [player_tooltip player_id='1186010' first='Baasil' last='Saunders'] (top uncommitted 2023) are transition phenoms and dominate the glass at both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='1835830' first='Yahmir' last='Satterfield'] (several DII offers) is one of the most skilled “glue guys” in the region. It is difficult to imagine Imhotep not repeating as PIAA 5A champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roadblock to a ‘Chip</strong>: NONE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pocono Mountain West (11-2):</strong> This year's version of Pocono Mountain West (21-6) is not the basketball juggernaut of 2021-22, but they are still a dangerous team. Kutztown University (D3) commit Julian Pagan (20 ppg.) is option No. 1 for PMW. He is a three-level scoring prospect who notched several 30-spots this season. Running in the backcourt with Pagan is standout freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1608319' first='KJ' last='Coles'] (12.6 ppg.; 62 3PM). Coles has developed into one of the top 2026 prospects in the region. Sophomore sensation Adrian Brito (12.6 ppg.) is PMW's third option who routinely posts double-doubles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roadblock to a ‘Chip</strong>: potential Quarterfinal matchup with Imhotep Charter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Radnor (1-1): </strong>Over the last couple of weeksRadnor (27-0) has added some serious hardware to their trophy case -- Central League regular season and tournament champions as well as District 1-5A champions. Still, Radnor's decorated Class of 2023 is not satisfied. Shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1119137' first='Jackson' last='Hicke'] (20 ppg.; Princeton commit) and wing [player_tooltip player_id='1212678' first='Charlie' last='Thornton'] (11 ppg.) will lead their quest for yet another trophy. Their '23 classmates, point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1200819' first='Danny' last='Rosenblum'] (Rochester commit), combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1200791' first='Cooper' last='Mueller'] (Princeton lax commit) and 6'6” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1812532' first='Jackson' last='Gaffney'] complete one of the most balanced lineups in southeastern Pennsylvania.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roadblock to a ‘Chip</strong>: potential Quarterfinal matchup with Archbishop Ryan; Potential Final Four game against Imhotep Charter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->