Spring Grassroots: Preseason Top 10 SEPA 17U Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the “official” start of the spring 2024 grassroots circuit just a few weeks away, we thought now would be an appropriate time to assemble and reveal our preseason Top 10 rankings for 17U (2025) teams from southeastern Pennsylvania (and beyond).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL:</strong> The TF 2025 squad is absolutely loaded with skilled prospects on the perimeter. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1136565' first='Jake' last='West'] (1^st Team All Inter-AC), as well as combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1382983' first='Deuce' last='Maxey'] will combine with Westtown's [player_tooltip player_id='1484307' first='Jayden' last='Forsythe'] to form an elite guard rotation. Athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id='1369805' first='Jayden' last='Kelsey'] (HM All-FSL) will be another DI prospect running on the perimeter. On the interior, this TF group will feature the Twin Towers of [player_tooltip player_id='2235863' first='Matt' last='Gilhool'] (Inter-AC POY) and [player_tooltip player_id='2391362' first='Tammar' last='Brown']. Coming off a breakout 2023-24 high school season, Brown (10 ppg. &amp; 15 rpg.) is one of the biggest stock risers in SEPA.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.</strong> <strong>York Ballers:</strong> This roster boasts a trio of prospects who helped push Central York to the 6A state title – power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1271440' first='Ben' last='Rill'], point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1287319' first='Ben' last='Natal'] and combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2047667' first='JoJo' last='Woodard']. Running with those three PIAA champions will be 3-level scoring machine [player_tooltip player_id='1466625' first='Wayne' last='Fletcher II'] (18.7 ppg. &amp; 6 rpg.), stretch-4 [player_tooltip player_id='1287318' first='Carter' last='Wamsley'] (1st Team All-YAIAA; offer from Towson) and athletic forward [player_tooltip player_id='1990912' first='Elijah' last='Espinosa'] (2^nd Team All Mid-Penn Conf.; 12 ppg.). Scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id='1466599' first='Chase' last='Smucker'] (18 ppg.; 42% 3PA) is a talented prospect to watch as well.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA: </strong>Pride's top team will feature a host of decorated guard prospects who are capable of filling it up. Shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1460771' first='Jacob' last='Nguyen'] (1st Team All-PAC; multiple DI offers) is a 3-point sniper. Swiss Army knife playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='1865345' first='Owen' last='Schlager'] (24 ppg.; 1^st Team Mid-Penn Conf.) can score at all three levels. Athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id='1383005' first='Cameron' last='Wallace'] (1^st Team All-FSL; handful of DI offers) is a remarkable slasher who can score or distribute. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1197608' first='Kevair' last='Kennedy'] (17.6 ppg.; 1s Team All-PCL) was one of the top floor generals in region this winter. This group also has 6'6” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1379429' first='Donovan' last='Fromhartz'] (1^st Team All-Ches-Mont) as a mid-range threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Red EYCL:</strong> This intriguing team presents a fantastic mix of highly skilled bucket getters, developing big men and irreplaceable “glue guys”. Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1486760' first='Jahrel' last='Vigo'] (19 ppg.; 1,000+ pts.), point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1865291' first='Isaiah' last='Marshall'] (1^st Team All-FSL) and shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2047680' first='Jaden' last='Shipley'] (10 ppg.) will provide a lethal perimeter scoring attack. Meanwhile 6'10” center [player_tooltip player_id='1850279' first='Lamine' last='Sanoh'] and power forward Khalid Osumane (NJ prospect) will hold down the interior. Spring Ford small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1867331' first='Tommy' last='Kelly'] as well as 6'6” hybrid-forward Charles Yartz (9 ppg. &amp; 5 rpg.) from State College HS will provide mid-range scoring and handle the dirty work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.</strong> <strong>We R1 UAA: </strong>We R117s brings a solid blend of talented prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware to the court. On the perimeter, floor generals [player_tooltip player_id='2235889' first='Tommy' last='Vaughn, Jr'] (10 ppg.) and Gabe Tanner (several DI offers) will run the show. Impressive shooting guard Makhai Anderson (17 ppg. &amp; 4.5 rpg.) will provide scoring from the wing. Doing damage on the interior will be 7-footer [player_tooltip player_id='1589088' first='Justin' last='Houser'] (handful of DI offers). 6'8” hybrid-forward Jayden Taylor (2^nd Team Delaware All-State) will team up with Houser to dominate the paint. Standout Delaware prospect RJ Johnson (Salesianum) is also on this roster. Johnson is a 6'5”, 230-pound athlete with significant skills. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Philly Revolution HGSL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. [program_tooltip program_id='2078682' first='K-Low' last='Elite'] 3SSB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.</strong> <strong>Brad Wanamaker Elite HGSL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.</strong> <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078678' first='East' last='Coast Power'] HGSL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. [program_tooltip program_id='2245515' first='NEPA' last='Elite'] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others receiving consideration:</strong> PA Coalition; PA Hoops Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->