Four SEPA Takeaways From the State Championship Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of four takeaways from state championship games that were held in Hersey over the weekend which are connected to prospects or teams from southeastern Pennsylvania.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Neumann-Goretti is the Early Favorite For the 5A State Championship in 2025-26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints won the 5A state title in impressive fashion and they only graduate one starter -- combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1188626' first='Keon' last='Long-Mtume']. Point guard extraordinaire [player_tooltip player_id='1576719' first='Stephon' last='Ashley-Wright'] (25 pts. in championship game) is back to run the show in 2025-26. Elite stretch-4 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2352449' first='Alassan' last='N'Diaye'] also returns. N'Diaye is a double double machine. The dynamic 2026 guard duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1608258' first='DeShawn' last='Yates'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1611931' first='Kody' last='Colson'] made significant contributions during this state title run. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2450662' first='EJ' last='Stanton'] Jr. was outstanding during states too. Plus, up and coming prospects [player_tooltip player_id='2420129' first='Cain' last='Van Noden'] (2027) and [player_tooltip player_id='2450699' first='EJ' last='Green'] (2028) appear ready for primetime. In short, next year Neumann-Goretti will be the heavy favorite to repeat as 5A state champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hershey's James Campbell IV Will Have an Immediate Impact in College</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James Campbell IV poured in 20 points (3 triples) in Hershey's 5A title game loss to Neumann-Goretti. That outburst was yet another example of how this high IQ 2025 prospect can score at every level. This athletic and quick guard averaged 12 points per night during his senior campaign. Campbell possesses solid handles and excellent finishing skills. Thus, he can generate points off the bounce in that half-court as well as in transition. On half-court possessions, Campbell does an impressive job of using his watery 3-point stoke to set up his dribble drive attacks on the rim. Campbell also possesses all the intangibles college coaches obsess over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>College Coaches Should be Blowing Up [player_tooltip player_id='1608248' first='Nafis' last='Dubose']'s Phone</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across Sankofa's five game run to the 1A final, [player_tooltip player_id='1608248' first='Nafis' last='Dubose'] registered 16.6 points and 4 rebounds per game. The highlights of Dubose's stretch of extraordinary play during states included 18 points and 6 rebounds in the championship game loss as well as a 22-point effort (1 three) during Sankofa's quarterfinal win over Chester Charter. This athletic junior has flashed the 3-point shooting touch needed to be a stretch-4 at the next level. But there is no doubt that Dubose owns the length, muscular frame, polished footwork, and aggressiveness needed to produce points on the interior in college. Dubose can score on post ups over either should as well as via dives to the rim and the offensive glass. He can also pop face up jumpers from in close. Plus, Dubose can use his quick burst to score from the elbows off one or two dribbles. At the other end of the court, Dubose is a beast on the boards and an intimidating rim protector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='2427981' first='Eric' last='Scott'] is the Real Deal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Catholic's Class of 2027 is an extraordinarily talented group. They are by combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id='2424028' first='Jayvon' last='Byrd'], whose accomplishments have been well chronicled on this site. Running with Byrd this season as option No. 2 was point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2427981' first='Eric' last='Scott']. Scott is a floor general with a tremendous feel for the game and the ability to score at all three levels. He does an impressive job of balancing his own scoring opportunities with spreading the rock around to his talented teammates. In the 3A state tournament Scott averaged 12 points and 4 assists per game. He scored a tourney high 14 points (2 3PM) in the Burrs 3A state title game victory over South Allegheny. Scott owns an accurate 3-point shot and the ability to get into the paint for lay-ins. His distribution skills are next level. Specially, Scott's live dribble passing on the fast break as well as in pick-n-roll action separate him from the pack of top point guards in the Class of 2027. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->