Never Forget Classic: 5 Games to Watch
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With Labor Day Weekend in the rearview mirror, it is time for the fall ball grind to tip off. The basketball action in southeastern Pennsylvania begins this coming weekend with the 3rd Annual Never Forget Classic. Event directors Ross Romanello…
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Continue ReadingWith Labor Day Weekend in the rearview mirror, it is time for the fall ball grind to tip off. The basketball action in southeastern Pennsylvania begins this coming weekend with the 3rd Annual Never Forget Classic.
Event directors Ross Romanello (Archbishop Carroll / East Coast Power ) and Dan Hoff (Boyertown) have assembled a highly competitive slate of games for September 9th and 10th. This year’s contests will take place at three locations: Competitive Edge, Archbishop Carroll, and Archbishop Ryan.
Below is a preview of five games from the Never Forget Classic that we are looking forward to watching.
Reading vs. Devon Prep: This intriguing contest will feature two talented teams that are looking to find their identities. Reading’s all-world guard Ruben Rodriguez (2 state championships) has moved on to Rider University. Filling in the hole left by Rodriguez’s departure will be a host of skilled 2024s including wing Yadiel Cruz, guards Nick Chapman Nick Chapman 5'10" | CG Reading | 2024 State PA and Nico Sosa as well as forward Malik Osumanu Malik Osumanu 6'5" | PF Reading | 2024 PA . Devon Prep’s roster has also undergone significant changes. DP’s loaded Class of 2023 graduated and three-year starter Ty Mishock Ty Mishock 5'10" | PG Spring Ford | 2024 PA transferred. Still, Devon Prep’s lineup boasts a pair of hybrid forwards in Zane Conlan and Ben Costello who were impressive this summer. Head Coach Jason Fisher also added two transfers who can score in Mason Thear Mason Thear 5'11" | CG Devon Prep | 2025 State PA and Calvin Smith Calvin Smith 6'3" | SG Devon Prep | 2025 State PA . Tip-off is Saturday at 10:00 AM at Archbishop Carroll
Pope John Paul II vs. Upper Dublin: Two of the region’s stock rising floor generals will go mono-y-mono in this run, as PJP’s Dom Demito faces off against Upper Dublin’s Kobe Bazemore Kobe Bazemore 5'10" | PG Upper Dublin | 2026 State PA . Running with Demito will be 6’5” forward Caleb Zavertnik Caleb Zavertnik 6'5" | SF Pope John Paul II | 2024 State PA and sophomore guard Terron Davis Terron Davis 5'11" | CG Plymouth Whitemarsh | 2026 State PA . Back in June Green was a breakout star at Philly HS Live. Of course, taking the court with Bazemore for UD will be dynamic scoring guard Ryan Mulroy Ryan Mulroy 6'3" | SF Upper Dublin | 2025 State PA . For UD also keep an eye on big man Idris Rines Idris Rines 6'5" | PF Upper Dublin | 2025 State PA . He can score from multiple spots on the floor and is an excellent passer out of the high post. Tip-off is Saturday at 10:40 AM at Competitive Edge.
Cardinal O’Hara vs Unionville: Aasim Burton Aasim Burton 6'3" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (Rider commit) and Pearse McGuinn Pearse McGuinn 6'8" | PF Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (Stonehill commit) lead an O’Hara lineup that could contend for the PCL title. Running with those two will be versatile guard Anthony Hobbs Anthony Hobbs 6'0" | CG Cardinal O’Hara | 2024 State PA and under the radar forward Miles Johnson. Additionally, O’Hara’s roster includes electric 2026 backcourt prospect Tygee Clark Tygee Clark 5'10" | PG Cardinal O'Hara | 2026 State PA . The 2024 trio of Charlie Kammeier, James Anderson, and Ryan Brown Ryan Brown 6'3" | CG Unionville | 2024 State PA will lead Unionville. Plus, the ‘Ville lineup features one of the top 2026s in the area in James Brenner James Brenner 6'7" | SG Unionville | 2026 State PA . Tip-off is Saturday at 3:00 PM at Archbishop Carroll.
Coatesville vs SCH Academy: A deep and talented Coatesville squad is paced by the senior backcourt tandem of Zuri Harris Zuri Harris 5'11" | CG Coatesville | 2024 State PA and Dior Kennedy Dior Kennedy 6'2" | CG Coatesville | 2024 State PA . These two prospects grabbed the attention of college coaches during the summer circuit. Classmate Marquis Peoples provides a third perimeter threat. As a bonus Coatesville has two 6’7” forwards in highly acclaimed 2026s Larry Brown Larry Brown 6'6" | PF Coatesville | 2026 State PA and Jonas Chester Jonas Chester 6'7" | PF Coatesville | 2026 State PA . Amon Fowlkes Amon Fowlkes 5'8" | CG Coatesville | 2025 State PA will contribute heavily for Coatesville too. Spearheading the SCH attack will be 2024s Camden Burns Camden Burns 6'0" | CG SCH Academy | 2024 State PA and Ron Brown III Ron Brown III 5'11" | CG SCH Academy | 2024 State PA . Both players are receiving significant DI interest. Three level scoring point guard Keni Williams Keni Williams 6'2" | PG SCH Academy | 2025 PA , high percentage shooting guard Kam Waters and wing Owen Kelly Owen Kelly 6'3" | SG SCH Academy | 2026 State PA round out the Blue Devils lineup. Flying under the radar on this team is guard Ryan Kull. Tip-off is Saturday at 4:00 PM at Archbishop Carroll.
Episcopal Academy vs. Camden Catholic: Episcopal’s new and improved lineup gets thrown into the fire this weekend against NJ powerhouse Camden. EA returns Kevin McCarthy Kevin McCarthy 6'4" | SG Episcopal Academy | 2024 State PA (several DI offers) as well as forward Calvin Szoradi Calvin Szoradi 6'7" | C Episcopal Academy | 2024 State PA . Joining those two via transfer are dead-eye shooter Matt McCarthy Matt McCarthy 6'2" | SG Episcopal Academy | 2025 State PA and elusive floor general Keron Booth. Both prospects are accomplished bucket getters. The addition of those two gifted guards should open the floor for and create easier scoring opportunities for everyone. It will be interesting to witness how EA chooses to defend Camden superstar Billy Richmond (multiple DI offers). Tip-off is Saturday at 9:00 PM at Archbishop Carroll.