Weekly rankings include the entire state of Pennsylvania: 5th year prep schools and high schools, regardless of governing body affiliations. Upcoming games for all 25 teams are listed.
Jan. 8th – Jan. 14th, 2018
1. Scotland Campus Sports
PREP SCENE’s number 1 team for the 6th straight week is Scotland Sports Campus. Coach Chaney’s hoopsters have posted quality wins over, Bridgton (CT), IMG Academy, several other Prep Schools, College JV and Juco JV teams. They started the season with a program boosting win over IMG Academy in New England at the National Prep Showcase and continue to impress. 7-1, 240-pound Bradley-commit Ari Boya, 6-foot-11 UNLV-commit Louis Bangai, and versatile 6-9 high-major prospect Karim Coulibaly (2019) man the inside for SCS. The back court is manned by a slew of college prospects in 6-1 PG Justice Kendall (2018) and wings Sam Chaput, Tyrone Nesby (Reading), and Chris Whitaker (Harrisburg) among others. Upcoming Game: 1/11, @Silver Oak Academy (MD).
2. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
Imhotep Charter of North Philadelphia, led by Coach Noble rely on a stubborn defense, suffocating opponents into submission. The Panthers already hold wins over Philly pub power Martin Luther King, catholic league power Roman Catholic and national power Roselle Catholic (NJ). Their sole loss has come at the hands of Indiana’s La Lumiere School at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling WV. Imhotep is steered by a super talented backcourt, featuring 6-7 Donta Scott (2019), 6-4 Dahmir Bishop (2019) 6-0 Bernard Lightsey (2018) and 5-9 Fatayn Wesley (2018) along with a plethora of talented Division I forwards in PREP SCENE 2020 Elijah Taylor and fellow 6-7 teammates Jamil Riggins (2019), Chereef Knox (2019). Upcoming Games: 1/11Constitution, 1/13 @Hillhouse (CT)
3. Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage)
Kennedy Catholic is keeping the heat on #1 & #2 as they continue to impress game after game. Led by 6-5 Maceo Austin (2019), 6-7 Mattia Acunzo, 6-8 Oscar Tshiebwe, 6-5 PREP SCENE 2020 Ike Herster. Coach Mancino’s Cagers have soared to wins over First Love 85-68, Sewickley Academy 87-60, @West Middlesex 67-38, Sankofa Freedom 83-61, Constitution 65-50, Central Florida Christian 61-56, Youngsville 100-42. Upcoming Games: 1/12 @Jamestown.
4. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting)
Coach Donofrio’s senior laden ball club has breezed through 2017 and the first week of the new year to the tune of 10 wins, zero losses. Led by the big man in the middle 7-2 Naheem McLeod (2019), and the senior leadership of Ish Horn, Alan Glover, Danny Cooper, and Ahmin & Ahmad Williams the Colonials have managed to string wins together against Sankofa Freedom 82-56, Bishop Shanahan 60-51, Upper Moreland 77-29, @Wissahickon 67-66, #6 Archbishop Wood 66-53, Wissahickon 67-66, #9 Bonner-Prendergast 64-60, Springfield 88-31, Upper Dublin 66-37. Upcoming Games: 1/9 @Hatboro Horsham, 1/12 @Cheltenham, 1/13 Neshimany.
5. Westtown (West Chester)
Westtown’s relies heavily on the production of 6-9 Duke-bound Cameron Reddish, 6-8 Indiana commit Jake Forrester, D-I recruit Jalen Gaffney, and 2020 prospect Noah Collier. Key Wins against Episcopal Academy 56-52, @ @Hun (NJ) 84-76, Capital Christian (MD) 68-59, Holy Spirit (GA) 77-69, George School 63-44, Mercersburg Academy 78-57, @Bullis (MD) 67-66, Dillard (FL) 72-68, Sidwell Friends (DC) 74-62, @Abington Friends 70-47, Malvern Prep 87-75 place them in the Top 5. Westtown national schedule has tested them, their losses include Our Saviour Lutheran (NY) 76-65, Prolific Prep 71-54, Cannon 62-60, Huntington Prep (WV) 77-67, Georgetown Prep (MD) 79-77, Episcopal (VA) 82-62. Upcoming Games: 1/12 @Germantown Friends
6. Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
Coach Mosco has tested his group early and often throughout December. The back court has been led by the sharpshooting dou of 6-4 Andrew Funk (2018).6-3 Tyree Pickron (2018). In the front court 6-11 Seth Pinkney (2018) has put in work, blocking shots, knocking down 3’s, working the concession stand and selling tickets too. Other contributors for the Vikings have been 6-7 Karrington Wallace (2018), PREP SCENE 2021 prospects 5-10 Rahsool Diggins and 6-2 Dae’shon Shepard. Key wins over Shipley 57-56, Girard College 67-60, South Shore (NY) 76-65, Father Judge 52-43; Losses against #4 Plymouth-Whitemarsh 55-43, Dematha 80-70, Immaculate Conception 63-59, Montverde Academy (FL) 89-45. Upcoming Games: 1/6 Archbishop Carroll (POSTPONED), 1/10 Archbishop Ryan, 1/14 Conwell Egan.
7. Hill School (Pottstown)
7-0 Seth Maxwell (2018) and William & Mary-recruit 6-5 Chase Audige (2018) lead the way for Phil Canosa’s unit. They also get plenty of production form 6-0 Daquan Morris (2018) 6-7 Nick Alikakos (2018) and PREP SCENE 2020 prospect 6-7 Caleb Dorsey. The Hill School has produced key victories against Episcopal Academy 71-55, New Hampton (CT) 74-69, Kiski Prep 71-50, Hun School (NJ) 65-35, Peddie (NJ) 80-73; Losses Choate Rosemary Hall (CT) 45-43, . . In the Semi’s Canturbury (CT) fell 80-73 in a hard fought battle. Upcoming Games: 1/10 @Lawrenceville School (NJ), 1/13 Peddie (NJ).
8. Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
The Saints continue to challenge their kids with a national schedule filled with potholes at every corner. Coach Arrigale’s troups have rang up several impressive victories to date, including key victories over #16 Abington 70-60, Ashville Christian Academy (NC), Haverford School 62-53, HM @Archbishop Carroll 75-58, HM Cheltenham 61-51 Our Savior (NY) 58-56 . 6-1, Chris Ings (2019), 6-9 Marcus Little (2018), 6-0 Noah Warren (2018) Dymir Montuque (2018), 2020 Hakim Byrd & Ahmad Fair and 2021 prospect TaQuan Woodley all contribute and look for hoist the AAA Golden Ball in Hershey that last weekend of March. Upcoming Games: 1/8 Cardinal O’Hara (POSTPONED), 1/12 Roman Catholic, 1/14 Father Judge.
9. Bonner Prendergast (Drexel Hill)
Bonner-Prendergast’s Big 3 in Tariq Ingraham, Ajiri Johnson, and Isaiah Wong has created quite a buzz in Philadelpha and across the state. The Friars have posted key victories against Miami Christian (FL) 63-55 PREP SCENE HM Penn Charter 75-55, Pope John XXIII (NJ) 80-62, Malvern Prep 83-65 Math Civis & Science 90-57, Westminster Academy (FL) 58-53, @Conwell-Egan 80-54. @Bishop McDevitt 49-37. Losses to #4 Plymouth-Whitemarsh 64-60 2OTS, and USA TODAY EAST #3 The Patrick School 58-49. Upcoming Games: 1/12 @Archbishop Wood, 1/14 St Joe’s Prep.
10. State College
Coach Walker’s Little Lions are 10-0 due in large part to the play of Princeton-recruit Drew Friberg. Drew has had his way with opponenets. He has received large contributions from younger brothers Tommy (6-5, 2019) and Johnny (6-2, 2020), teammates Keaton Ellis (6-0, 2019) Ryan McNulty (6-5, 2019) and Brandon Clark (6-5, 2018). Key victories include against Economics & Finance (NY) 78-36, St James (MD) 58-41, Chambersburg 57-49, Owen J. Roberts 83-62, Harrisburg High 89-83, Central Dauphin East 66-60. Cumberland Valley 70-56, Carlisle 72-55. Upcoming Games: 1/9 @Central Dauphin, 1/12 Central Dauphin East.
11. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
Coach Griffen’s Cahillites has 4 guys that can carry you to victory on any given night. 6-4 Seth Lundy (2018), 6-3 Towson-recruit Allen Betrand (2018), 6-5 Hakim Hart (2019) and PREP SCENE 2020 6-3 Lynn Greer, III are all capable of going for 20 and getting key stops. Their losses have come at the hands of powerhouses Gonzaga (DC) 65-44, and #2 Imhotep 65-44. Roman has key victories over North Miami (FL) 64-60, Riverside Baptist (MD) 76-60, Cardinal Hayes (NY) 78-60, West Catholic 59-49, Mater Dei (NJ) 70-63 Upcoming Games: 1/8 Father Judge (Cancelled), 1/12 @Neumann-Goretti.
12. First Love Christian Academy (Washington)
Coach Wilson’s team has lost a handful of games and the record would indicate that other teams across the state are more worthy of making the SUPER25, however, the sheer talent compiled on the roster coupled with a national schedule keeps them lurking around the Top 10. The front court of 7-0 Chris Efretuei (2018), 6-10 Luis Risquez (2020), 6-8 Riny Lual (2018), and 6-8 Jamier Fletcher provide the length and post presence to impact games. Solid guard play led by 5-10 Shamar Givance (2018), 6-4 Aneury Parra (2019) and Julian McGee (2018) and 6-3 Naim Miller (2019), Steven Rawhire, and Egon Ruhek. Key wins include Capital (WV) 85-74, Athlete Institute (OH) 83-75, Bluefield (WV) 76-68, losses Teays Valley Christian 64-57, Episcopal (VA) 81-73, Aspire Academy (KY) and 85-68, #3 Kennedy Catholic 76-51 Finley Prep (NV) 90-75. Upcoming Games: 1/14 Erie First Christian
13. Penn Hills
The Indians are a perfect 12-0 behind the balanced attack, and stellar play, of seniors 6-6 Daivon Stephens (2018), Cameron Wiley (2018), Corey Fulton (2018), and Keyshawn Adams (2018). Coach Derose’s tribe has defeated Lincoln Park 64-56, Hickory 62-53, Norwin 62-32, Allderdice 54-40, @Fox Chapel 47-36, McKeesport 77-71, Propel 71-49, Burrell 73-59, Plum 100-61, Penn Trafford 65-56 Upcoming Games: 1/9 Hempfield, 1/12 #22 Woodland Hills.
14. Hazleton
Coach Joseph’s big three of 6-4 Da’mir Faison (2018) 6-5 Jeff Planutis (2018) and 6-8 Josh Samac (2018) lead the way for the Cougars. Key victories include wins over Scranton Prep 59-50, Parkland 70-46, Whitehall 82-31, James M. Coughlin 87-44, @Williamsport 68-47, @Wyoming Valley West 94-64, and Crestwood 72-33. Upcoming Games: 1/9 @Pittston, 1/12 @Dallas
15. St. Joe’s Prep (Philadelphia)
6-7 Ed Coswell (2018) LaSalle commit and 6-0 Kyle Thompson (2018) lead the way for St. Joe’s Prep. Both players are capable of 25+ and making winning plays across the stat sheet. Two other contributors that you must focus on are Darius Kinnel (2018) Gabe Arizin (2019) and PREP SCENE 2020 Trevor Wall. Key victories for Coach Morris’ crew include, Girard College 58-56, @Penn Charter 74-61, Germantown Academy 55-47, @Malvern Prep 76-67, Berks Catholic 48-25, St Ingatias (Australia) 88-46, Cheltenham 68-52. West Catholic 75-55 and @Archbishop Ryan 54-44. The only loss came at the hands of the Haverford School 61-53. Upcoming Games: 1/12 Lansdale Catholic, 1/14 @Bonner-Prendergast
16. Abington
The gauntlet of a schedule Coach Gastley has put together is expected to pay dividends in early March when the PIAA AAAAAA bracket is unveiled. The Galloping ghosts led by 1,000 point scorer – 6-8 Eric Dixon (2018), a monster to stop on the block with the deep ball to make big defenders leave the comfort of the paint. 6-5 Lucas Monroe (2019) is a big guard who is able to impose his will and can change the complexion of a game in a flash at both ends of the floor. The team is best when he is engaged slashing and finding others. Two others that are capable of doing damage on the perimeter are Robbie Heath and Maurice Coppedge. Key wins are over PREP SCENE #19 Bethlehem Catholic 63-53,Valley Forge Military Academy 65-38, @Pennsbury 82-60, Neshaminy 72-49. Losses to #9 Neumann-Goretti 70-60 & Honorable Mention Archbishop Carroll. Upcoming Games: 1/9 @Truman, 1/13 @North Penn.
17. Mt. Lebanon
Coach David’s high powered Blue Devils offense is putting up 70+ points per game. Their only loss is at the Byron Nelson Classic in Texas to the host Byron Nelson (TX). Mt Lebanon is led by Antonio Garofoli (2018), other key contributors include, PREP SCENE 2020 Standout, Jake Hoffman, Mike Palmer (2019) 6-6 Caden Hinckley (2018), and Hayden Mitchell (2019). The Blue Devils key victories include wins over St Franics Prep (NY) 89-53, Montour 92-78, Canon-McMillan 63-52, Bethel Park 80-46, Magnificat (OH) 45-41, Tascosa (TX) 74-64, Putnam City (OK) 67-56, Pine-Richland 77-55, Connellsville 64-56, and North Hills 68-55. Upcoming Games: 1/9 @Baldwin, 1/12 Peters Township.
18. Mars
The Fighting Planets only losses came in two point affairs to Wisconsin’s KauKuanu and Kentucky’s Corbin at the City of Palms in Florida. Coach Carmody gets production from Andrew Recchia (2019), 6-2 Cade Hetzler (2018), 5-10 Brandon Caruso (2019) and PREP SCENE 2020 Standout 6-5 Michael Carmody. Although no one produces quiet like Notre Dame recruit 6-4 Robbie Carmody; a prolific scorer with several 40 point performances, he continues to light up opponents, . Key Victories include wins over @McKeesport 72-66 (Carmody 44), and @Knock 79-52 (Carmody 40) Wheeling Central Catholic (WV) in the CRC Classic 77-70 (Carmody 26). Upcoming Games: 1/9 Moon, 1/12 @Chartiers Valley
19. Bethlehem Catholic
Bethlehem Catholic has a formidable 1-2 punch in Justin Paz (2019) and Northwestern University recruit, Ryan Young (2018). Coach Barbosa’s two leading scorers have had plenty of help from PG DeAndre Gardner (2018) and his 30 3-pointers, and teammates Scott Kuna (2018), and Kyle Young (2019). The Golden Eagles only loss is to #16 Abington. Their key victories include wins over Easton 72-64 , @York Suburban 72-46 Philadelphia’s Martin Luther King 65-51 Parkland 74-54, @William Allen 66-47, Upcoming Games: 1/9 @Stroudsburg, 1/12 Freedom.
20. La Salle (Wyndmoor)
Leading the way for 200 win Coach Dempsey’s unselfish and balanced Explorers are 6-6 Konrad Kiska (2019), 6-8 Zach Crisler (2018), 6-2 Sean Simon (2018) and 6-0 Allen Powell (2019). La Salle’s key victories include wins over @Malvern Prep 76-58, Central 70-41, Calvert Hall (MD) 69-59. Constitution 68-50, Reading 68-45, Lansdale Catholic 78-49, and Conwell-Egan 60-58. Upcoming Game: 12/12 Archbishop Carroll
21. Northeastern (Manchester)
Jon Eyster’s Bobcats remain undefeated. The wins keep piling up this season in large part because of the play of the backcourt. Led by Albany-bound Antonio Rizzuto, recent Pitt Johnstown recruit Fred Mulbah and PREP SCENE 2020 stantdout Nate Wilson, Northeastern is poised for another deep state playoff run. Key victories include wins over Central York 59-42, @Dallastown 79-60, Red Lion 56-42, York Suburban 69-49, and @Greencastle-Antrim 75-63. Upcoming Games: 1/8 Cocalico, 1/10 York High, 1/12 New Oxford.
22. Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh)
Coach Miller has Woodland Hills rolling at both ends of the court, with a 70+ points per game average. The Wolverines are led by 1000-point scorer and recent Clarion University offeree’ Amante Britt. Key victories include: Latrobe, Fox Chapel. Hempfield, Cumberland Valley, Armstrong and Plum, Their only hiccup was against 4 point loss to Seneca Valley 53-49. Upcoming Games: 1/9 Norwin, 12/12 @Penn Hills
23. Allentown Central Catholic
The undefeated Vikings have been lead by Jay Vaughan (2018) and teammate Dat Lambert (2018) in most contests. Teammates Chad Kratzer (2019) 6-7 Keeshawn Kellman (2018) and Jordan Christian (2018) have also come up big at different times during the 11 game win streak to start the season. Key victories include Emmaus 53-41, Freire Charter 79-56, Whitehall 55-39, Liberty 51-36 Nazareth 54-52 and Pocono Mountain East 69-54. Upcoming Games: 12/12 Allentown Allen, 12/13 @Dieruff
24. McDowell (Erie)
The Trojan’s only loss of the season came at the hands of New York powerhouse Mt. Vernon in a tightly contested game. No one else has come within 15 points of Coach O’Conner’s outfit, whether in Erie or in Florida at the KSA Holiday Tournament with wins over teams for OK, TX, & KY. Led by PREP SCENE 2021 Will Jeffress, the 6-6 Forward who is a national talent, with the rare combination of size, skill and athleticism. Jeffress scores the ball with ease, he is averaging 28.5 points per game over the last 5 games since getting his feet wet at the varsity level. He can score it at the rim through contact, he scores it off the bounce- from the mid range or deep, as well as is a capable catch and shoot shot maker. Upcoming Games: 1/8 @Franklin, 1/11 Erie High, 1/13 Andrews Osborne Academy (OH).
25. Abington Heights (Clarks Summit)
Coach Bianchi’s Trojan’s have made 11 straight PIAA state tournaments, their is strong indication that this group led by all staters’ Jackson Danzing and George Tinsley, along with Trey Koehler. are poised to make another deep run into the tourney. Last season, ended in double overtime at the AAAAA Final 4 to eventual state champion Archbishop Wood. Abington Heights has posted convincing victories this season over Holy Redeemer 55-26, Dunmore 48-20, Holy Cross 72-32, Wyoming Valley 77-55, Delaware Valley 61-38, Williamsport 71-55, & Riverside 55-20 along with a tough non-conference scrap with Central PA power Harrisburg 66-63. The only blemish to date is to Downingtown East in the Steel Valley Challenge. Upcoming Games: 1/9 @Scranton Prep, 1/10 @Valley View, 1/12 West Scranton Math 1/13 @Methacton
Honorable Mention (HM)
Archbishop Carroll, Bishop Shanahan, Cheltenham, Constitution, Franklin, Haverford School, Martin Luther King, Math Civics & Science, Perkiomen School, Pine Richland, Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy.