SEPA Top 10 “Independent” School Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 PAISAA season tipped off this past week, so now seems like a suitable time to present our Top 10 southeastern Pennsylvania “independent” school teams for the start of this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Westtown School:</strong> The 2024-25 ‘Town lineup will be one of the program's deepest in years and should position them for a shot at the Friends League title as well as the Pennsylvania Independent School's state tournament hardware. [player_tooltip player_id='1383005' first='Cameron' last='Wallace'] (Temple commit) is an elite perimeter prospect who can do it all on the basketball court. He is flanked by two other DI commits in guards [player_tooltip player_id='1484307' first='Jayden' last='Forsythe'] (Xavier commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='1369805' first='Jayden' last='Kelsey'] (Binghamton commit). The other talented backcourt prospects in the rotation will include [player_tooltip player_id='1271438' first='Jahmare' last='Memphis'], [player_tooltip player_id='2467306' first='Marshall' last='Bailey IV'], [player_tooltip player_id='2427312' first='Wilson' last='Udo'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2251292' first='Henry' last='Ye']. Big man (6'11”) [player_tooltip player_id='2492438' first='Adam' last='Walker'] will provide an interior presence at both ends of the court. Walker posted a breakout stretch of play during fall ball action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Phelps School:</strong> There is no doubt that [player_tooltip player_id='1865248' first='Will' last='Riley']'s early departure for Illinois, put a dent in the Phelps lineup. However, a slew of highly skilled returners and couple of transfers are ready to fill that hole so the Lions should not skip a beat. Leading the returners will be 7-foot, stretch 4 / 5 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1589088' first='Justin' last='Houser'] (Penn State commit) as well as elite wing scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1601169' first='Onyx' last='Nnani'] (Arkansas State). Running with those two will be fellow returners combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2235889' first='Tommy' last='Vaughn, Jr'], small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2047528' first='Kodi' last='Johnson'] and wing [player_tooltip player_id='2251705' first='Dionycius' last='Bakare']. Both Vaughn and Johnson are walking buckets. High level transfers [player_tooltip player_id='2478632' first='Alex' last='Collado'], [player_tooltip player_id='2478623' first='Julian' last='Phillips'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2470943' first='Moon' last='Yue'] will provide additional scoring punch.       </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Penn Charter:</strong> This deep and gifted Quakers lineup needs no introduction, but here goes. The three headed monster of point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1136565' first='Jake' last='West'] (Northwestern commit), shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1271429' first='Kai' last='Shinholster'] (Minnesota commit) and stretch-4 [player_tooltip player_id='2235863' first='Matt' last='Gilhool'] (LSU commit) cannot be contained. With those three sensational prospects on the court again in 2024-25, PC is the favorite to repeat at Inter-Ac Champions. Freshman phenom [player_tooltip player_id='2450669' first='Carter' last='Smith'] posted a breakout season in 2023-24. The three-level scorer is now primed for a monster year. Combo guards [player_tooltip player_id='1486754' first='TJ' last='Bryson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='991423' first='Jamal' last='Hicks Jr']. push the pace and bring added scoring punch. We expect that 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2254190' first='Jayden' last='Driver'], and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2397565' first='Daniel' last='Gilhool'] will make significant contributions too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Academy of New Church:</strong> The addition of transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2364681' first='Marquis' last='Newson'] (multiple offers) to the already stacked ANC lineup could have the Lions positioned for a second straight Friends League title. Newson is an unstoppable scoring guard who can explode for a 30-spot on any given night. He will be paired with returner [player_tooltip player_id='1608494' first='Dior' last='Carter'] and another high-level transfer in [player_tooltip player_id='1387096' first='Bryce' last='Rollerson'] (handful of DI offers). ANC's starting five also boasts three of the best forwards in the region in power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2056714' first='Ryan' last='Warren'] as well as stretch-4s [player_tooltip player_id='2047739' first='Caleb' last='Alston-Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1865294' first='Cameron' last='Smith']. This season we are also expecting ANC to get solid minutes from 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2056421' first='Jasin' last='Custus-Dancy'] along with 2027 hybrid-forward [player_tooltip player_id='2251709' first='Eric' last='Tati'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.</strong> <strong>Hill School:</strong> Hill's starting backcourt for the 2024-25 season will feature high IQ point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1196125' first='Jacob' last='Meachem'] (Bucknell commit) and the hottest shooting guard prospect in the region, [player_tooltip player_id='2251704' first='Ethan' last='Johnston'] (multiple DI offers). “Lil Meach” can score at all three levels and is one of the best half-court floor generals around. Meanwhile, Johnson is an athletic and silky smooth two-guard with an elite skill set. Power forward / center [player_tooltip player_id='1484308' first='Quadri' last='Bashiru'] (Longwood commit) excels in the dunker spot and works the offensive glass for points. College coaches should keep an eye on another Hill power forward with skills, [player_tooltip player_id='2537824' first='Joseph' last='Terreri Jr']. A trio of combo-guards in [player_tooltip player_id='2427983' first='Cole' last='Trn'], Kessler Cox and [player_tooltip player_id='1466596' first='Caleb' last='Jameson'] will supply additional firepower. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Haverford School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Friends Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Cristo Rey</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. George School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Friends Select</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->