Spring Grassroots: Top 10 SEPA 17u Teams…Week 2

After a well-deserved “bye week”, teams from southeastern Pennsylvania were back out on the spring 2023 grassroots circuit this weekend participating in events all over the country. So, it is time to assemble and reveal the second edition of our Top 10 rankings for southeastern Pennsylvania’s 17u grassroots teams.

1. Team Final EYBL: After going 3-1 this past weekend at Nike EYBL Session 3 (Dallas, TX), Team Final ‘s EYBL circuit record now stands at 10-2. Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #91 Nation PA averaged 20 points per game and posted a monster 32-point effort on Friday night. Combo guard phenom Ahmad Nowell Ahmad Nowell 6'1" | CG Imhotep Charter | 2024 State #54 Nation PA (17.8 ppg.) and Baylor commit Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'1" | PG Montverde Academy | 2024 State #33 Nation FL (5.7 apg.) were outstanding as well. Big fella Thomas Sorber Thomas Sorber 6'9" | C Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State #62 Nation PA (11.5 ppg. & 7.5 rpg.) dominated the lane at both ends.

2. Brad Wanamaker Elite: BW Elite 17s jump up one spot this week after they downed the No. 2 ranked Philly Revolution at the Post & Pivots Spring Fling (Phila., PA). Larenzo Jerkins Larenzo Jerkins 6'5" | PF Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA continues to destroy the competition. He was tremendous again this this past weekend, especially in the win over Philly Rev. Zachary Campbell from Dobbins was a major contributor across all three games. Facilitating lead guard Jaden Colzie Jaden Colzie 6'0" | PG Plymouth Whitemarsh | 2024 State PA and scoring point man Jay Chiles Jay Chiles 6'1" | CG Friends Select | 2025 State PA (2025 playing up) provided a fantastic one-two punch in the backcourt. Downhill style guard Max Portnoy has been a breakout player for this team.

3. Philly Revolution HGSL: Revolution 17u jumped out to an 11-3 record in April. But they started May down a key player as wing scoring machine Kevin McCarthy Kevin McCarthy 6'4" | SG Episcopal Academy | 2024 State PA was on the sideline because of ankle injury. Still, standout combo guard Josh Reed Josh Reed 6'3" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State PA , floor general Ron Brown III Ron Brown III 5'11" | CG SCH Academy | 2024 State PA and athletic wing Jaden Murray Jaden Murray 6'7" | PF Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA pushed this Revolution squad to a 2-1 record at Post & Pivots Spring Fling. Their two “under the radar” prospects Connor Taddei and Rocco Morabito Rocco Morabito 6'3" | SG Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA played solidly as well.

4. York Ballers HGSL: This squad assembled a solid 8-8 overall in April against extremely tough competition. Now this past weekend at the Marquee Hoops Hershey Spring Clash they posted a 2-1 record. Athletic wing Thaddeus Lee Thaddeus Lee 6'7" | PF Mercersburg Academy | 2025 State PA (2025 “playing up”) continued his outstanding spring circuit. Point guard Carter Horst Carter Horst 6'0" | CG Warwick | 2024 State PA was rock steady as always. 6’5” small forward prospect Joe Sedora put his name on the recruiting map with a breakout weekend.   

5. East Coast Power HGSL: This loaded 17u squad had the weekend off, but they still managed to make headlines with the news that 2023 prospect Andrew Phillips Andrew Phillips 6'3" | SF Malvern Prep | 2023 State PA committed to Lafayette. Going forward, lightning fast and skilled point guard Aasim Burton Aasim Burton 6'3" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA , combo guard Fazl Oshodi Fazl Oshodi 6'3" | CG Friends Central | 2024 State PA and wing Nyle Ralph-Beyer Nyle Ralph-Beyer 6'4" | SG West Chester Henderson | 2024 State PA will be top options on offense. Connor Fleet Connor Fleet 6'0" | CG West Chester Henderson | 2024 State PA , Alasan Njie-Morgan Alasan Njie-Morgan 6'6" | SF Phelps School | 2024 State PA , and Matt McCarthy Matt McCarthy 6'2" | SG Episcopal Academy | 2025 State PA (highly ranked Delaware prospect) are prospects on this roster who can also fill it up. Next for this group is the Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest (VA).

6. Philly Pride UAA

7. We R1 UAA

8. PA Coalition

9. K Low Elite 3SSB              

10 (Tie). Team Final Red HGSL & PA Hoops Academy

Others receiving consideration: Penn Warriors; NEPA Elite