SEPA Preseason Top 10 “Private’ School Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2024-25 PIAA season set to tip off next week, now seems like a suitable time to present our Top 10 southeastern Pennsylvania “private” school teams for the start of this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>Father Judge:</strong> The Judge roster is absolutely loaded with gifted prospects for 2024-25. [player_tooltip player_id='1611959' first='Derrick' last='Morton-Rivera'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197608' first='Kevair' last='Kennedy'] (Merrimack commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='2194372' first='Nazir' last='Tyler'] form one of the best perimeter scoring trios in the region. Power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1460634' first='Everett' last='Barnes'] (Loyola commit) is a dominating and versatile interior presence. Elite 3-point shooters like [player_tooltip player_id='1608273' first='Max' last='Moshinski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2525533' first='Rocco' last='Westfield'] will stretch opposing defenses. [player_tooltip player_id='1188649' first='Kiev' last='Rucker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2427336' first='Rahkiy' last='Mason'] are two other scoring guards who college coaches need to scout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>Roman Catholic:</strong> Roman's success in 2024-25 will depend heavily on the play of the Jackson brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1188620' first='Shareef' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1406768' first='Sammy' last='Jackson']. Shareef (Lafayette commit) is a power forward with a polished interior scoring game. Sammy is one of the top wing prospects in SEPA's Class of 2026. Running with those two will be point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2195052' first='Tyler' last='Sutton'] who is the No. 1 ranked 2027 prospect in the state. Seniors Sebastain Edwards, [player_tooltip player_id='2235976' first='Hunter' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2242447' first='CJ' last='Miller'] will have major roles this season too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3<strong>. St. Joe's Prep:</strong> The electric three guard lineup of [player_tooltip player_id='1197607' first='Jaron' last='McKie'] (Dayton commit), [player_tooltip player_id='1460800' first='Jordan' last='Ellerbee'] (FGCU commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='1188621' first='Olin' last='Chamberlain'] (host of offers) returns for their senior season. That group of backcourt prospects can score in transition and produce points at every level in the half-court. McKie and Ellerbee should both make a run at the Philly Catholic League POY award. Flying under the radar on this squad is shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2251710' first='Will' last='Lesovitz'] as well as 6'8” freshman sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2563334' first='Julian' last='McKie']. Lesovitz is a 2026 with a highly accurate three-point stroke and the ability to score on straight line drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>Bonner &amp; Prendergast:</strong> Bonner lost several key starters from last season, but they return a host of players who saw significant varsity minutes last year and are ready to take over. Scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id='1460793' first='Devon' last='Nelson'] will be the No. 1 option. Nelson is a waling bucket with impressive athleticism. In the backcourt with Nelson will be dribble drive wizard [player_tooltip player_id='2398422' first='Korey' last='Francis'] as well as combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id='2419608' first='Kam' last='Jackson']. Senior floor general [player_tooltip player_id='2426173' first='Kaleem' last='Hargrove'] is one of the fasters end-to-end guards in the PCL. He will keep this team playing at ridiculously up-tempo pace. 6'5” senior Kenny Gatling will provide an interior presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>Archbishop Wood:</strong> This is going to be an intriguing season at Wood. Their rotation will feature a blend of upper classmen as well as 2027s and freshman phenom. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1188627' first='Milan' last='Dean'] (PG) and Mike Green (SG) will provide a fantastic one-two perimeter scoring punch. Class of 2026 prospects [player_tooltip player_id='2121579' first='Brian' last='Donahue'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2247394' first='Brady' last='MacAdams'] are wings / shooting guards with size and the skills to score at all three levels. Small forward Jadyn Jenkins is the No. 3 ranked 2027 in the state and will see major minutes this season. Freshman sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2450782' first='Rowan' last='Phillips'] will also see significant run in 2024-25. This fall Phillips proved he is one of the top 2028s in Pennsylvania and that he is ready for the varsity stage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Archbishop Ryan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Devon Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Allentown Central Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Berks Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Holy Ghost Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->