HG Summer Finale: 5 SEPA Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five southeastern Pennsylvania based predictions for this coming weekend's Hoop Group Summer Finale (Manheim, PA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) NJ Scholars Elite 15s Keep Rolling</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The youngest Scholars team was extremely impressive over the first five days of July live period as they put together a 7-1 record. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1613878' first='RJ' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1608257' first='Ian' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1406770' first='Nasir' last='Ralls'] were fantastic last week. Slasher wing [player_tooltip player_id='1888747' first='Latief' last='Lorenzano-White'] showcased his multi-faceted scoring skills. [player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'] was a high-flying crowd pleaser in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='1454269' first='Marcus' last='Richardson'] was a beast on the interior with his old school power forward style game. We expect this weekend that Scholars 15s will keep the wins rolling in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) The 17U “Showcase” Games Will Be Popular with College Coaches</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hoop Group has brought together most of the top 17u grassroots teams in the region for this event and placed them all in a “Showcase” grouping. The following elite teams from the Delaware Valley will be competing in that pool: [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA, [program_tooltip program_id='2078682' first='K-Low' last='Elite'] 3SSB, NJ Shoreshots Rio UAA, BW Elite HGSL, NJ Scholars EYBL (2024s &amp; 2025s), Philly Revolution HGSL, We R1 UAA, [program_tooltip program_id='2078678' first='East' last='Coast Power'] HGSL, PA Hoops Academy and more. We believe college coaches will be standing two-deep to watch these highly competitive “Showcase” contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] E16 (2025) Will Run the Table</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week TF 16s compiled a 6-1 record and added the Atlantic City Jam Fest trophy to their already impressive collection. We predict the [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] 16s squad will bring home more Hoop Group hardware this weekend. Electric combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1382983' first='Deuce' last='Maxey'] and smooth shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1136565' first='Jake' last='West'] are walking buckets. Bouncy wing [player_tooltip player_id='1188626' first='Keon' last='Mtume-Long'] is a transition phenom. 6'7” forward Khalid Ousmane can score on the low blocks or with his face up game. Seven-foot center [player_tooltip player_id='1589088' first='Justin' last='Houser'] does all the dirty work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) A Slew of College Coaches Will Be Watching Penn Warriors HGSL 17u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Penn Warriors have quietly assembled a deep and talented roster for their 17u team. Thus, they should get plenty of attention from college coaches at the Summer Finale. Elusive point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1136566' first='Kaydin' last='Ford'] and extraordinary shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1130829' first='Kirby' last='Mooney'] area a lethal backcourt. On the interior this squad boasts the talents of [player_tooltip player_id='1477838' first='Jake' last='Bolyn'], Miles Demby, and [player_tooltip player_id='1192642' first='Sean' last='Murphy']. All three of them will play at the next level. College coaches will also want to watch combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id='1850322' first='Jeremiah' last='Lee']. He is one of the best kept secrets in SEPA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] Select 16s (2025) is Going to Surprise Opponents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone knows that [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride']'s UAA 16u team has an absolutely loaded roster, but people are sleeping on the [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] Select squad in the same graduate year. Their skilled guard quartet of [player_tooltip player_id='1874234' first='Nasir' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2047551' first='Isaiah' last='Muhammad'], [player_tooltip player_id='1188649' first='Kiev' last='Rucker'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1379431' first='Asim' last='Hardy'] present serious match-up issues. Stretch-4 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1601176' first='Jaden' last='Banner'] is one of the biggest stock risers in SEPA's Class of 2025. Versatile forward [player_tooltip player_id='2056714' first='Ryan' last='Warren'] can control the paint at both ends of the floor. They should put together an impressive run at Summer Finale. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->