Bicentennial Athl League (SEPA): Players to Watch in 2020-21
People often sleep on the Bicentennial Athletic League in Southeastern, PA because it is comprised of schools that have smaller student enrollment numbers. But if you didn’t catch any Bicentennial games last winter I am here to tell you that…
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Continue ReadingPeople often sleep on the Bicentennial Athletic League in Southeastern, PA because it is comprised of schools that have smaller student enrollment numbers. But if you didn’t catch any Bicentennial games last winter I am here to tell you that you missed out on some fantastic high school basketball action. In 2019-20 the BAL produced two teams that won 20+ games and had four teams that made an appearance in the PIAA state tournament. Furthermore, the league is stacked with college basketball prospects.
Next season I expect that high level basketball will continue to be played in the BAL. So I assembled a list of players from the Bicentennial Athletic League for you to keep an eye on during the 2020-21 season and possibly at the next level.
Will Anozie – Valley Forge Military Academy 6’2’’ Junior Combo Guard. Anozie is the most complete offensive player returning to the BAL and if you catch him live, you will quickly realize that fact. He is an exceptional athlete who thrives in the transition game. Additionally, this combo guard can shoot the 3 ball off screen action or the stand still. Anozie is also capable of getting to the rim off the dribble where he can absorb contact while scoring the ball. He’ll then convert the AND 1 at the free throw line because he is automatic at the charity stripe. Back in January Anozie posted 34 pts vs Academy Park (Sharon Hill, PA) and 28 pts vs Holy Ghost Prep (Bensalem, PA).
Devon Jainlett Devon Jainlett 6'6" | SF Rocktop Academy | 2022 State PA – Dock Mennonite 6’5’’ Senior Shooting Guard / Small Forward. Jainlett was a key player in Dock’s 2019-20 season for the ages. Last winter Jainlett and the Pioneers ran up a 15-1 BAL record (24-5 overall), captured the District 1 2A title and had advanced to the PIAA 2A state tournament Elite 8 before the post season was canceled thanks to Covid-19. Jainlett is a defensive force who uses his extreme length to block shots and get a hand in the passing lanes for deflections / steals. These stops trigger Dock’s feared transition game. At the other end, Jainlett excels at using the dribble to score from the block extended area as well as the baseline. Plus he owns a nice mid-range jumper and is an improving three point shooter.
Jackson Mott – Plumstead Christian 6’2’’ Junior Combo Forward. Mott is a gifted athlete who is powerfully built and extremely active. Thus he is a force to be dealt with on the offensive and defensive ends at the forward spot. On offense his specialty is putting the ball on the floor for strong drives to the hole. In 2019-20 Mott averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds per game and improved noticeably as his sophomore season progressed. A developing jump shot should bolster those numbers in 2020-21. Mott’s 16 pts and 15 rebs effort vs Coventry Christian (Pottstown, PA) last season provided a glimpse of his long range potential. At the defensive end, he is a solid rebounder, defender and shot blocker.
Reggie Phifer – Church Farm School 6’0’’ Senior Combo Guard. Phifer will be one of the most potent scoring options to take the floor in the BAL for 2020-21. Last season he dropped 37 on New Hope-Solebury (PA) and posted 25 points vs Lower Moreland (PA). I expect more big nights from Phifer during his senior year. Phifer can score in a variety of ways, but he is most feared for his ability to knock down the 3-ball. The combo-guard is simply a lights out shooter from deep. It doesn’t matter if Phifer is on the break out or in the half-court, once his pure stroke releases the ball, its cash money. Phifer’s shooting skills earned him 1st team All-League as well as an honorable mention All-Area selections. He pushed Church Farm to the District 1 2A championship game and an appearance in the PIAA 2A state tournament. Phifer is a two sport star who also excels at baseball.
Nicholas Phillips – Plumstead Christian 6’1’’ Senior Point Guard. Plumstead Christian’s on court leader and starting point guard owns excellent handles and passing skills as well as tremendous court vision. Thanks to his elite level perimeter shooting, Phillips led the Panthers in scoring at 12.9 ppg. Phillips also has a superior basketball IQ which is a major asset to a program that is young and rebuilding. He is listed at 6’1”, but with his a long and rangy body, Phillips plays much bigger than that measurable.
Trevor Tipton Trevor Tipton 6'5" | PF Phil-Mont Christian | 2021 State PA – Phil-Mont Christian 6’3” Senior Combo Guard. A varsity starter since the half way point of his freshman year, Tipton had a breakout season in 2019-20. Using a liquid jump shot as his primary weapon, Tipton posted 19 ppg. on 43% shooting from deep (86 3PM). The PMC 3-point ace routinely hit for 5 or more threes in a contest, including 7 made threes (28 pts total) vs String Theory (Phila., PA) and 6 treys in a 34 point outburst vs. Jenkintown (PA). Tipton owns a high basketball IQ and solid handles, thus he can slide to the point guard spot when needed and provide a steady hand. As a bonus, he led the Falcons in steals last season (39). It should come as no surprise that Tipton was a 1st Team All-BAL Constitution Conference selection.
Alex Walinski – New Hope-Solebury 6’4’’ Senior Shooting Guard. A 6’4” athlete with a long wingspan who can drain threes from all over the gym, Walinski is every NBA scout’s dream. His ability to hit the three is complimented by a nice mid-range game. A standout on the Central Bucks Elite AAU (PA) squad, this natural shooting guard has enough quickness, court vision and handles to move to the lead guard spot in a pinch. Walinski averaged 18 ppg. last winter and will be the Lions No. 1 option on offense again in 2020-21.
Dinero Washington Dinero Washington 5'10" | PG Collegium Charter | 2022 State PA – Collegium Charter 5’10’’ Junior Combo Guard. An electric slashing style guard, Washington kills opponents in transition, but can also dice up opposing defenses in the half-court via the dribble-drive. He has a beautiful floater in his bag or ticks as well as the ability to kiss the ball of the glass from different angles. When the defender sags off to prevent penetration by Washington, he will absolutely drain the open three point shot. All of his scoring ability (16.6 ppg.), doesn’t keep Washington from being an unselfish player as he will promptly deliver the rock to an open teammate (4 apg.).