Gym Rat Live Invite: 5 SEPA Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend's grassroots action features two of the marquee events on the spring circuit -- the Gym Rat Live Invite (Albany, NY) and the KYDA Invitational (Scranton, PA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will have a preview of the KYDA Invite later. But right now, we have assembled five predictions for the Gym Rat Live Invite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL-17U Should Run the Table</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most talented teams on the circuit tipped of the spring season by going 2-0 at the MADE Hoops East Warmup. This roster needs no introduction, but here goes. On the perimeter TF EYBL boasts [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] (PA Gatorade POY), [player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] (PCL POY), [player_tooltip player_id='1281786' first='Ahmad' last='Nowell'] (1^st Team All-PPL) and [player_tooltip player_id='1123885' first='Nick' last='Coval'] (East Penn Conference MVP). Dominating the interior for TF EYBL will be power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1213553' first='Thomas' last='Sorber'] (1^st Team All-PCL), small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1477721' first='Ma'Kye' last='Taylor'] (5A state champion) and 6'11” center [player_tooltip player_id='1402087' first='Alfredo' last='Adessa']. Yes, the field at Gym Rats Live is stacked, but we think this TF team will bring home the Gym Rat Live hardware.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) [player_tooltip player_id='1472575' first='Nasir' last='Washington'] Will Grab the Attention of College Coaches</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington (21 ppg.; 1,000+ points) remains one of the top uncommitted 2023s in the region. This spring, in an effort to attract the right college offer, he is running with [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA-17u. Washington's speed and skill set are a perfect fit for this [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] team. Thus, he should be able to display his transition game and 3-level scoring abilities as well as his ability to create opportunities off the dribble for himself and his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) PSA Cardinals EYBL-15U Will Be Tough to Beat</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week at MADE Hoops East Warm Up this loaded PSA group went 3-0. Included in their victories were wins over [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA (58-51) and [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Red (55-52). So, early own the boys from NYC appear to be a notch above the elite SEPA 15u grassroots teams. However, the good news is that the PSA-15U roster contains two highly skilled prospects from SEPA. Electric point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1608319' first='KJ' last='Coles'] and 6'9” center [player_tooltip player_id='1493183' first='Drew' last='Corrao'] are key pieces to PSA-15U's success. If you watch this PSA Cardinals team, also keep an eye on Long Island Lutheran guard Dylan Mingo. He is a special prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) [player_tooltip player_id='1123886' first='Amir' last='Williams'] Could Have His National Breakout at Gym Rat Live</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the 2022-23 high school season, Williams (9.6 ppg. &amp; 4 rpg.) flew under the radar as the 3^rd / 4^th option on a Neumann-Goretti team that lost in the 4A state championship game. Take one look at Williams and you will see that he is an athletic and speedy 6'6” wing who can catch alley-oops. So, he will thrive in grassroots circuit action with TF EYBL-17u. Still, Williams is an underrated three-point shooter (53 3PM), and this spring he should have a tremendous opportunity to showcase his outside stroke. With opposing defenses focused on stopping TF's primary ball handlers [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1281786' first='Ahmad' last='Nowell'], as well as shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'], Williams should get wide-open looks as the ball is swung to him or via drive and kicks. We are confident he will knock down those shots and post a breakout weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5)&nbsp; There is a Chance the 16U Bracket Could Feature an All-Philly Championship Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA and [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] E16/Red are on opposites ends of the 16U bracket and while neither team has an easy path the final game, we like the chances of an all-Philly title contest. The biggest hurdle would be a potential quarterfinal game for [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] E16/Red against an extremely skilled PSA Cardinals EYBL squad. If TF can survive that matchup, we like their chances of meeting [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA in the ‘chip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->