Southeastern PA Grassroots Report – Week 7
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Reading KTB Select 2023 won the 17U division at Battle of the Beach. Photo: @readingktb This weekend a significant number of the top grassroots teams from southeastern PA traveled to Oaks, Pennsylvania to participate in the Big Shots / Team…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend a significant number of the top grassroots teams from southeastern PA traveled to Oaks, Pennsylvania to participate in the Big Shots / Team Final tournament. One of the better spring grassroots events in the Philadelphia area, the Big Shots / Team Final tournament boasts an extremely competitive field of regional teams. Other area teams traveled to Long Island or Maryland for grassroots action and we have it all covered for you.
Below is a review of prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who played well on the grassroots circuit this past weekend.
17U (2022)
Jaden Workman – 6’0” / Pope John Paul / PSB Philly / Combo Guard: Workman is an exciting backcourt prospect who flew under the radar this winter on a loaded PJP squad. Now that he is out on the grassroots circuit and a No. 1 / No. 2 option on offense, his ability to score at all 3-levels has become obvious. It has also become obvious that Workman possesses slick handles and next level court vision. When you pair those skills with his unselfish approach, that trifecta makes Workman a very good point guard. He posted 13 points vs Team Final EYBL 2023 in PSB Philly’s (3-1) championship game loss.
Bernie Parent – 6’2” / Council Rock North / Philly Heat / Combo Guard: Parent was a force on both ends of the court for the Philly Heat during runs at the Big Shots / Team Final tourney. On offense he drained threes at a ridiculous clip (44%) and led the team in FG% at 56%. His high scoring game of the weekend came when he tallied 16 points against Reach 1-Teach 1. Bernie is also extremely steady when he is handling the ball and rarely commits a turnover. On defense, Bernie possesses quick hands and excellent lateral movement, so he is typically charged with defending the opponent’s best scorer.
16U (2023)
Justin Edwards Justin Edwards 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #3 Nation PA – 6’7” / Imhotep Charter / Team Final EYBL / Wing: If there is a 2023 Pennsylvania prospect having a better spring season than Edwards we haven’t heard about it. This past weekend Edwards was once again extremely impressive while leading Team Final 16’s to the 17U championship (Yes, they “played up”.) at the Big Shot Shots / Team Final event (PA). That marks the third tournament TF EYBL 16’s have won this spring (MADEHoops Midwest Mania (IN) & Southern Jam Fest (VA) were the others.). Edwards’ outstanding play (tourney MVP this weekend) has been a major reason for their success. He is an elite, lefty wing player who with his downhill style applies constant pressure on the opponents. If defenses are able to wall off the lane, he can knock down threes off the dribble or distribute to an open teammate.
Earnest Shelton – 6’4’’ / TBD / Philly Revolution / Shooting Guard: One of the best shooters in southeastern Pennsylvania’s Class of 2023, Shelton is another Bishop McDevitt prospect who is looking for a new high school program after that school’s closing. Already a much sought after talent, Shelton only boosted his stock after he “played up” at the Big Shots / Team Final event and killed foes in the 17U age group. He averaged 15 points a game and scored 26 against SK Elite (NY) as the Revolution 17U went 2-2 on the weekend.
Charlie Thornton Charlie Thornton 6'4" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA – 6’4’’ / Radnor / SJ Hoops Elite-Grey / Wing: Thornton is known as a long, wiry athlete who can run the floor, block shots and convert on second chance opportunities. This weekend he displayed an improved ability to score off the bounce and significant confidence in a progressing 3-point stroke. Thornton and his SJ Hoops Elite-Grey teammates racked up a 3-1 record at the Big Shots / Team Finale event. Their only loss was came by three points to Team Final EYBL-2024s in a hard fought 16U championship game. Thornton was outstanding (20 points) in that match-up with Team Final.
Josiah Jordan – 5’10’’ / Berks Catholic / Reading KTB Select / Combo Guard: This is two weeks in a row that Jordan’s aggressive downhill style of guard play has earned him a mention in our SEPA grassroots report. KTB Select “played up” at the Battle of the Beach (MD) tourney and Jordan dismantled foes in the 17U division. When / if a defender is able to keep Jordan out of the paint, he can slam on the brakes for a stop and pop three ball or a mid-range jumper. Jordan helped guide Reading KTB Select to a 5-0 overall record and the 17U championship at the Battle of the Beach (MD) event.
15U (2024)
Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #5 Nation PA – 6’3” / Archbishop Wood / Philly Revolution / Combo Guard: A high level 3-point shooter, Bethea posted 22 ppg. as the Revolution strung together a great run to the championship game. Unfortunately they lost that contest by one point to ESF-Dobbs (PA) and finished with a 3-1 record. Bethea continues to drain threes at a high clip (36 points in championship game). However, once again this weekend he proved that he is not a one-dimensional player by scoring in transition, handling the pill against full court pressure and playing menacing on-ball defense.
Kaydin Ford Kaydin Ford 5'10" | PG Abington Friends | 2024 State PA – 5’7’’ / Abington Friends / Philly Pride Select / Point Guard: Philly Pride Select had a tough weekend in the win / loss column (1-2), but Ford certainly made a positive impression at the Big Shots / Team Final event. When he has the rock, Ford plays with a great deal of pace which means opposing defenses are constantly under pressure. His quickness and ability to blow past defenders with the dribble allows him to score at the rim frequently. This weekend, he sprinkled in enough 3-point shooting that defenders could not sag off him. Basically, he was a nightmare to guard. A lesson S.M.M. (NJ) learned when he dropped 19 points on them.
Kirby Mooney Kirby Mooney 6'1" | SG William Tennent | 2024 State PA – 6’1’’ / William Tennent / PA Royals / Shooting Guard: Mooney has a reputation as an elite slasher who is capable of getting to, and finishing at the rim with either hand. He definitely displayed that skill set in leading the Royals (2-1) to big wins over Role Model Elite (DE) and Philly Pride Select. However, this weekend Mooney further proved he is not a one dimensional prospect. He supplemented his slashing ability by displaying a polished jumper with range out to the arc. For the entire weekend Mooney led the team in scoring with 18.7 ppg. on 55% shooting from the field to go along with 3.3 apg, and 6.3 rpg. Additionally, Mooney showed he is a very solid defender by recording numerous blocks and steals.
Fazl Oshodi Fazl Oshodi 6'3" | CG Friends Central | 2024 State PA – 5’10” / Friends Central / Philly Pride National UAA / Point Guard: At The Collision tournament out on Long Island, Oshodi was a consistent perimeter shot maker who also killed opponents in transition thanks to his off the charts speed and quickness. Oshodi hit for 15+ points during Philly Pride’s (2-1) wins over the NJ Panthers and NY Gauchos. At the other end of the court, Oshodi gives off an energy and moxy that really stands out.
Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL – 5’10” / Neumann-Goretti / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard: Wright III and Team Final 15Us “played up” in the 16U division of the Big Shots / Team Final event and still brought home the hardware. The extremely athletic Wright (23 pts in ‘chip game) certainly did his part this past weekend (age group MVP). He averaged 12 ppg. and against DBA Elite-Burch, he handed out an astonishing 12 dimes. Wright can stroke it from behind the arc and score off the dribble. Obviously he can distribute the rock as well. During the 16U championship game, one grassroots coach was overheard describing Wright as the “most electric guard in 2024s”.