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PREP SCENE: The Home of the Pennsylvania PSA
KEYSTONE ROUND-UP: In Case you missed it…
Freedom boys basketball romps Becahi in final 11 minutes to win Dailey title
That’s when Freedom (2-0) woke up and responded with a 15-2 streak of its own to regain momentum. Senior guard Malek Mims tallied 11 of those points, including the final 2 on a tip-in, making the score 41-34 with 30 seconds left in the third…
Malek Mims finished with 15 points. His twin brother, Caleb, had 19 and senior forward David Barnes registered 13.
-Kyle Craig | lehighvalleylive.com
-Bucks County Courier Times
Gettysburg, New Oxford start seasons with wins
-Tom Sixeas | Times Sports Writer
“Gettysburg and New Oxford could end up being two of the best teams in the Times Area this season in boys basketball.”
*We’ll expand that to “two of the better teams in the entire District III” #BESCENE 👁 G-Quadir Copeland, NO-Abdul Jennah
Watkins’s 17 points help Chester rally past McCaskey
A half time deficit didn’t sit well with Karell Watkins
Watkins scored 17 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to go with 12 rebounds as Chester rallied past McCaskey, 54-46, at the Fred Pickett Classic.
Matthew De George | papreplive.com
Harris Vorwald leads Cumberland Valley to tourney title; Trinity dominates in opener
PIAA runner-up Trinity blasted York Catholic in the season opener 92-52 behind 10 3-pointers, five of them from Aley Zangari. Division I recruit Chance Westry led with 20 points, aided by Westry’s 18. Marcus Beckett added 11.
Cumberland Valley impressed with a second straight win beating North Penn 59-49 to win the Hershey Tip-Off Tournament behind Harris Vorwald’s 23 points. The Eagles dropped seven 3s, and Max Krevsky pitched in 13 points. Vorwald was named MVP, and Sam Sherry (eight points Saturday) was named to the all-tournament team.
-Sentinel Staff
Fritz leads Marian to overtime win
Fritz scored nine of his team’s 14 points in overtime to lead Marian to a 64-60 win over Jim Thorpe in the season opener for both teams.
The home crowd really motivated me,” said Fritz, who scored a game high 33 points on the night.
-Rich Strack | tnsports.com
WBA boys prevail in debut
The Wilkes-Barre Area era of boys basketball officially began Friday night as the Wolfpack won the first game of the new program’s history with a 68-44 drubbing of Delaware Valley.
Paul Sokoloski – psokoloski@timesleader.com
Loyalsock’s Aiden Gair scores 41 in win against Whitehall
In boys basketball Saturday, Loyalsock defeated Whitehall, 83-71. Tournament MVP Aiden Gair scored a team-high 41 points including eight treys.
-Staff Reporter | Williamsport Sun Gazette
“Cathedral Prep’s Alfonso Pickens scored 18 points for Prep in win over Lake Catholic (OH)” –Erie Times
Indians triumphant in tip-off tourney
Shamokin boys basketball beat Mahanoy Area in the championship game of its annual tip-off tournament on Saturday night, 62-56.
The Indians were led by Joey Masser and Mason Filarski offensively. Masser was able to knock down 10 field goals and added four at the free throw line to score a total of 24 points. Filarski tallied 19 and hit three 3-pointers in the contest.
-Staff Reporter | newsitem.com
On the SCENE… Bearcat Classic
Reading Makes Opening Statement
Denin Adams ’21 was a huge catalyst for the Red Knights who took down Williamsport 70-50. Adams led his team in PTS, REB, 6 FGM, 5 FTM and deflections in three quarters of action. The Millionaires were unable to provide much resistance outside of the first few minutes, when G James Evans McQuay opened with a fury. PREP SCENE had McQuay unofficially going for 13 of his 16 in the first period, before the wheels came off for his club. Reading controlled the second quarter, going on a 12-2 run to start the period and closing out the half up 15, 34-19. Play was sloppy as one could expect with both teams working off the rust. However, the lane was the Red Knights bread and butter. Reading dominated with an abundance of versatile young athletic Forwards. They extended their lead to 56-30 after three, ONLY attempted 2 threes and scored on 22-28 attempts in the lane, for 44 points. Ermil Fleurnvil ’22 scored 13 points and Danial Alcantara ’22 scored 9 for the Red Knights. Alcantara scored Reading’s only field goal (attempted three) outside the paint in the first three quarters. All three young Forwards mentioned show a skyrocketing upside because of their own personal attributes and the adult leaders they have around them.
Overbrook Plays Spoiler in York
Walker & Burnett shine brightest for Panthers
Coming up later…
Fred Pickett Classic Coverage today…
Highlands Golden Rams
WPIAL Section I AAAA Championship.
Prospective Student-Athletes to Watch:
Luke Cochran
| 2020 | Guard | 6-0 |
A versatile combo guard with the ability to carry the scoring load or set the table. High IQ kid, floor general and leader in the locker room. Leadership, poise & pace separate him from the pack.
Johnny Crise
| 2020 | F | 6-5 |
Athletic wing that plays with a bounce, gets into passing lanes and can reach the top of the square. High motor and IQ, defends with a passion. Div I Football Prospect with offers from Penn State & Pitt.
Korry Myers
2020 Guard 6-1
3rd leading scorer with over 10 points per game. Skill set and frame to add muscle makes him a worthy small college PSA.
Dom Pesci
2020 PG 5-11
Extremely hard worker, ready to get back on the floor after scoring a career high 18 in 2018, sat out entire season due to injury. Looking forward to tracking progression.
Wahkeem Roman
2021 Forward 6-5
Physically strong, football build expected to produce after solid off-season.
Antoine McDaniel
2021 PG 6-2
QB of the football team, leadership qualities. Opportunity to impact the game at both ends of the floor. Defends.
Jimmy Kunst
2023 Guard 6-2
A Freshman, he has a real opportunity to crack the starting line-up and contribute on a AAAA WPIAL playoff contender.
Carter Leri
2022 PG 5-9
Will push upperclassman for minutes.
On the SCENE…
Wilson Scrimmage Notes:
The Panthers are on the prowl
Central York was impressive as a unit. Without a marquee superstar, the Panthers are a well oiled machine; relying on synergy to create open looks. The “x’s & o’s” were clicking for Coach Schieler today creating open looks for a host of role players to take advantage of… But make no mistake about it, it will take some “jimmys’ & joes’ to garner District III recognition and possibly State recognition in 2020… Maybe I should have said “Gabe’s and Evan’s” not “jimmys’ and joes'” …When things breakdown, and one thing is for certain, they will at times… crucial times this season, Gabe Guidinger and Evan Eisenhart are capable of making plays. Gabe finished the ball at the rim very strong today. His upper body strength really stood out. He is sure to be making his coach a believer long after he leaves Central York. Cant wait to see the player he blossoms into in the next few years. The kid scores it from all three levels and is always in the right place at the right time. Evan had his shot falling today and plays with an energy and competitiveness many kids lack. The wildcard for Central will be Shilo Johnson, a 6’5 junior forward. He is raw offensively and not always fluid in the half court, but he was an absolute rebounding machine at the defensive end. If he can box his game up to just slash, rebound-outlet, rebound-putback & defend… not only does his stock rise but this teams stock goes way up.
Mitchell has the goods
Stevie Mitchell was sensational at both ends of the floor. Court awareness, basketball IQ, and body control are next level. He was clearly the best player on the floor in any one session. His vision is special! very special!! His teammates could find that out the hard way if they aren’t paying close attention when the ball is in his hands. He is an elite finisher at the rim, above and through contact. Change of pace, explosive bursts, the long ball off the bounce, catch and shoot…you name it, it was on display today for the Bulldogs. Wilson looked good as a whole but Stevie was… WELL STEVIE.
Jacob Melady leads the Trojans in more than buckets
Parkland’s 6’4 Ace did a little of everything to put his team in position to win each quarter. The senior handled the ball and set the offense from the point guard position when necessary. He knocked down shots at all three levels from the wing, He rebounded and scored if from the post. He guarded the opponents best player. However most impressive to me was his demeanor with teammates and coaches in the huddle. He is a natural leader… oh yeah did we mention he is a walking bucket with a sweet stroke!
Colt Shootout Notebook
BRENDAN MELLOTT SPOILS EAGLES UPSET BID WITH LAST SECOND HEROICS.
CAMP HILL, PA
Talk to anyone in District III about the best 6-A teams in the area and Manheim Townships’ name is a constant in the conversation . Word coming from the city and suburbs of Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading and York have the Blue Steaks making noise in March. Led by the wizardry of senior Tyler Crespo, one of the most dynamic guards in the state, this group has the experience to produce some historic local hardware for the school this season. Their opponent in the Colt Shootout championship, the Cumberland Valley Eagles may not be as well known entering the 2018-2019 season after missing the district playoffs last season. However, with a new coach and a plethora of energized seniors this 
group shown that opposing coaches will be checking the power ratings in late February to see where CV’s at in the bracket. Mark my words just like Saturday, these Eagles wont be an easy out!
Manheim Township defeated Carlisle and came from behind to beat Chambersburg to get to the final; While Cumberland Valley defeated Northern York, Susquehanna, and held off a strong comeback bid from Reading High en route to the final. The Championship game was a back and forth affair the entire game, even locked at half time 24-24. Cumberland Valley took the largest lead of the second half with 46.4 seconds remaining in the game, going up by 5, 54-49. But, Township scored closing the gap to 3 with 28.3 seconds remaining. After a timeout and quick foul CV was heading to the line. The Eagles were unable to connect on the front end of a one and one and Township scored quickly 54-53 20.5 remaining. CV again missed the front end of a one and one, leaving the door open for 2 year starter and team captain Brendan Mellott to knock down the go ahead jumper with under 5 seconds to play for Township. The Eagles did have one last chance but the layup was no good.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
TYLER CRESPO 2019
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP
FIRST TEAM
DYLAN BUZALKA 2019
CUMBERLAND VALLEY
WESLEY BUTLER 2019
READING
ZACK OLDAC 2020
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP
ETHAN SHREFFLER 2020
CHAMBERSBURG
OMAR TANDIR 2019
CUMBERLAND VALLEY
SECOND TEAM
DANIEL COLTER JR., 2019
READING
TYLER COLLIER 2019
CHAMBERSBURG
KOBE GREEN 2019
DALLASTOWN
MAURICE CLARK 2019
CEDAR CLIFF
EVAN EISENHART 2020
CENTRAL YORK
TREY SHUTTER 2020
CEDAR CREST
HONORABLE MENTION
RYAN MCGILL – NORTHERN YORK
TYREESE SMITH – SUSQUEHANNA
HOWIE RANKINE – CARLISLE
TY BANACH – CUMBERLAND VALLEY
SETH BROUSE – CHAMBERSBURG
TOP UNDERCLASSMAN
DYLAN YOUNG 2022
CARLISLE
BASKETBALL TREAT THIS WEEKEND
While most of the mid-state will be focused on Trick or Treat, parades and costume parties, the Central PA basketball community will be in for a pre-season TREAT. Many of District III’s top playoff contenders in 2019 will be under 1 roof in a March-style elimination playoff bracket. 
Two plus weeks before the official PIAA practices get underway come out and see many of our areas top programs preparing for the rigors of the 2018-19 season, battling for the 2nd Annual Colts Shootout Championship.
THE FIELD
2017-2018 District III Qualifiers
6-A
Reading – Champion
Chambersburg – Runner-Up
Manheim Twp – 4th
Dallastown – 5th
Cedar Crest – Elite 8,
Carlisle
Cedar Cliff,
Central York.
5-A
Norther York
4-A
Susquehanna Twp
2018-2019 Hopefuls
6-A Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin
#BeSCENE 2019
Tyler Crespo – Manheim Township
Wesley Butler – Reading
Ryan McGill – Northern York
Billy Folk – Susquehanna
Tyler Collier – Chambersburg
Potential Shootout First-Teamers
Dylan Buzalka – Cumberland Valley
Joey Zvorsky – Cedar Cliff
Howie Rankine – Carlisle
Braden Richard – Central York
Underclassman #BeSCENE
Ryan Smith – Central Dauphin
Dylan Young – Carlisle
Kevin Coleman – Susquehanna
QUARTERFINALS
10.27.18 11:00 AM Gym 2
READING
Reading High enters the 2018-2019 season with three straight trips to the PIAA 6-A Sweet Sixteen, including a Final Four apperance in 2016 and a big school STATE Championship in 2017. Outside of two returning starters- PREP SCENE PSA 2019 Wesley Butler, Daniel Colter, Jr. and key contributor Juan Mato, a future Rider University High Jumper, the Red Knights will be young, long, and extremely athletic. Coach Rick Perez will be without Tre & Jordan Jones (football) on Saturday but will have plenty of help with Jose Berea, Jahsir Sheriff, Moro Osumanu, and Denim Adams defending their 2017 Colt Shootout title.
vs.
winner of 
To view all Colts Shootout previews click here, for Colts Shootout Bracket click here.
OVERTIME with COLETRANE WASHINGTON
P R E P S C E N E had an opportunity to sit down with Quaker Valley senior and recent Drexel University commit Coletrane Washington. At 6-5, 170 lbs – Coletrane is a homebody who enjoys spending time with his family. Throughout the interview family and home was a common theme. He has an affection and gratitude toward his family, that was obvious from the moment we began our discussion. Off the court he enjoys spending time with his brother and sisters. He attends all of their games. He even indicated that he gets more nervous on their game-days than his own. This season is big for Coletrane, not because it is his senior year but because as he says “My oldest sister, Corinne (15) is a freshman, so I am looking forward to catching as many of her games as I can before I leave for school, along with keeping up with the twins activities Zack, Zora, (10). When Coletrane is not at home or with his siblings, there is only one other place you will find him, and that is in the gym working on his craft.
Much like our other OVERTIME interviews, Coletrane is laying out his blueprint for younger student-athletes looking to obtain an athletic scholarship. He was excited about the opportunity to speak to kids across the country through this blog. He understands there are no secrets or gimmicks to success in basketball or Life. He hasn’t reinvented the wheel, Coletrane has modeled his own life after others who have accomplished aquiring scholarships and athletic-stardom before him. He has found inspiration in, and emulated the work-ethic and best practices of greats like Lebron James. Don’t think that the kid known for that “wettest jump shot” in Pittsburgh, put “jumper” on his Christmas list and that sweet stroke just appeared under his tree. You will not meet a more disciplined, hard working and dedicated student-athlete. Repetition and hours with his father, Jesse Washington helped to perfect his shooting form…But trust me he is more than just a pure-shooter. How did he transform his game from a “shooter” to an all-around triple double threat, able to score from all three levels. Keep reading and you will see why!
Congratulations on signing with The Dragons, what led you to pick Drexel University.
I Grew up 20 minutes from Drexel in the Drexel Hill area of the city. I love Philadlephia, Pittsburgh is where I live, its a great place but Philly is home…I just loved the area. I still have family and friends in there… Also, the coaching staff is amazing from Coach Spiker on down – They were very honest and open with me from the beginning of the recruiting process. Definitely took the time to get to know me as a person. I love their style of play… It’s the way I have always played …Uptempo fast paced, running…you have to be in shape… A lot of emphasis on defense…. Quality shots early in the shot clock… getting up and down. I love it!
If you could only pick one, what is the single most influential factor that positioned you to receive a Division I scholarship.
“The first thing is my books, books always came first with my parents, I am thankful for that because I was able to sign with such a great academic university in Drexel. Just to be eligible for a scholarship, you have to have good grades. A lot of kids get too caught up on the basketball side of things and forget about the academics but definitely the academics has to come first.”
When was it that you fell in love with this game?
“As long as I can remember it was my dream to become a college basketball player and see how far I could take basketball in life. My Dad, was the first person I ever started working out with. He supported my dream from day one. He told me “if I wanted to do this, I have to work hard, I had to use everyday to get better as a player and person.” He was the first person, I ever started working with and I still work with him to this day…We are always working out together. ”
How did you manage to maintain academic and athletic success at the same time?
“I put my books before ball always, learned good time management skills early… If I have a study hall, I use that time to actually focus on my work. As Student-Athletes looking to excel in college, we shouldn’t be on our phones during study hall… Being a student-athlete just in high school is difficult, juggling everything… but we need to develop a strong foundation now because college will be more intense with added practice, travel demands and games. Everything just bumps up to a new level, so you have to form and develop those good habits before you get to college, start practicing good study habits, getting yourself into routines… balancing your time… plan out your days now, so you are ready for the grueling lifestyle of a Division I basketball player. Study, eat, practice, study film… you just have to plan out your day.”
Great advice,
Yes, I was taught at an early age, to put technology to the side and not allow it to distract me from my goals. Take care of business before you engage in any form of social media. Sometimes you have to flip the phone on silent, put it on “Do Not Disturb” and get this work done for an hour, hour and half. And then when your done…Check it, talk to your friends…your’e always going to have time to do that…There is enough downtime…but you have to learn…If you really want to pursue a college scholarship, you are going to have to sacrifice some of your me time. You cant talk about this, that and the third…You have to be in the gym or doing your homework when your peers are on Snap, if you want to separate yourself.
What have you done Athletically to position yourself to be at able to attend Drexel on an athletic scholarship?
“Hmmm… staying patient through the process, trusting the process really.”
What is this process we hear so much about nowadays?
“Working hard no matter what. The process just describes the hard work. It’s the slow cooker vs the microwave. Trusting the process is trusting the time and effort your spending is worth it. I didn’t really get recruited that much until later, like last summer is when I really started to peak some Division I interest. I would say don’t get discouraged if you’re not getting the looks you want, just keep working, keeping grinding, that hard work is always gonna’ pay off. Keep working, never get discouraged… Hard work is always going to show.. you don’t have to tell people you’re doing this or you’re doing that. A lot of people will put in that fake work, just enough to get a picture for the Gram or a 10 second Snap… The process doesn’t lie, your game will always reflect the work you invest. Don’t focus on exposure, if your’e under the radar and not noticed…Focus on what you can control… Focus on the process not the outcome, put in the hard work, keep working hard an trust the process will produce outcomes even when the outcomes you want aren’t in sight yet. When its all said and done, your game will always speak for itself!!! “
That’s pretty powerful advice. What kept you focused on the process of self improvement, when time was running out… you’re entering your senior year with limited Division I interest and no offers?
My Bridge City, AAU coaches definitely helped me through this process a lot Nate Perry and Tom Droney. They definitely motivated me, especially through those times when I wasn’t getting the looks and I was just plowing away, working hard. Getting better everyday. Improving my first step, finishes at the rim, defense. They would encourage me to keep working hard, keep at it and it will come and eventually it did, so again you just have to trust the work you are putting in. I consider myself a little slept on as a player…
Tell me how you were feeling as the months passed, others around you were committing to schools, did you ever begin to doubt the process?
“Probably two years ago, I wasn’t really getting recruited much…Couple Division II’s but no I’s… Junior year I had some Division I interest but no offers. Colleges were waiting to see how I played on the circuit. We even thought about a year of prep school but it became internal motivation for me, allowed me to play with a huge chip on my shoulder this summer…When it didn’t look like it was going to happen. My family and coaches kept me grounded “in controlling getting better”. My confidence never wavered. Even if it took me an extra year, the belief in myself and the chip on your shoulder was going to get me a Division I scholarship. I knew the work I was putting in and I knew the caliber of individuals that were investing their time in my development. You have to use, not getting the looks you want as an advantage. Between Nate, Tom, & Derek Clark, my school trainer… we just kept weight training, improving my flexibility, agility, stretching regiments…They just kept working with me the past two years on expanding my skills. Their belief in me just gave me a bigger chip on my shoulder that propelled me to get where I am. I went at everyone that was getting D-I attention to prove I was better. Went Harder, Worked Harder! “
Okay, you just decided to attend Drexel…Tell me how you were feeling at that moment?
Happy, excited, like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders… knowing that I had worked extremely hard to get to this point… That I had accomplished one of my main goals in life up until this point… But it quickly turned to, I have to work even harder now. I have to work 10x harder… I know being successful at the next level will take even more hard work than it took to get there. With each jump in levels requires blood, sweat, and tears. So now I am just working on getting my weight up to 180-185, getting stronger, lifting…eating like an elite athlete. This will get my body ready for college when I step on campus… Working on getting my handle tighter. I’m only 6-5… So I was recruited as a possible combo, I’ll mostly be at the two but if I am asked to run the one I have to be ready to facilitate the offense.
What are some Goals you have for the upcoming season?
Team Goals, definitely to win the WPIAL Championship, we lost in title game last season so winning the WPIAL, we have a lot of pieces back so make another deep state run, we lost in the Final Four. So we want to go even farther this season. Then individually, I want to help my team by averaging a double-double, be more imposing rebounding the ball and record a few triple doubles this season.
Best of luck to you this season and PREP SCENE looks forward to following your career at Quaker Valley, and then at Drexel.
Thank you
PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE RANKINGS
PREP SCENE will produce weekly rankings for the entire state of Pennsylvania. These rankings will including 5th year prep schools and high schools regardless of governing body affiliations.
Dec. 11th – Dec. 17th, 2017
1. Scotland Campus Sports
Scotland holds steady at number 1, for the second week in a row defeating a couple of college JV teams and ICA Prep (NJ) to remain undefeated, and stand at 11-0. Ari Boya tossed in 26 points and 5 block shots, Sam Chaput chipped in with 21 of his own vs ICA. Games: 12/11 Harcum JV, 12/14 Olympus Academy, 12/15 Rocktop Academy at Silver Oak Academy
2. Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage)
Kennedy Catholic opened the season with a statement victory. An 85-68 drubbing of First Love Christian Academy has them receiving a share of the first place votes. Coach Mancino’s outfit was led by the purely dominant performance of big man 2019 – Oscar Tshiebwe (6-8). His 29 point, 16 rebounds, 3 block performance was a thing of beauty. 2019 – Mattia Acunzo (6-7) added 20 points, and 2020 – Ike Herster added 19 points Games: 12/15 @Maplewood, 12/16 PREP SCENE Honorable Mention Sewickley Academy
3. Westtown (West Chester)
Westtown’s big 3 continued to carry the lion’s share of the load for Seth Berger’s club at the National Hoops Festival. On Saturday, 6-9 Duke-bound Cameron Reddish poured in 34, Jake Forrester had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Jalen Gaffney pitched in 17 in a 2 point loss to very good Georgetown Prep (MD) team that will challenge to dethrone Bullis (MD) as Interstate Athletic Conference top dog. Reddish came back day two with a 50-piece, 53 to be exact in victory over reigning Georgia state champion Holy Spirit. Games: 12/12 George 12/15 Episcopal at Bullis Tourney, 12/16 TBA at Bullis Tourney.
4. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
Imhotep Charter held true to form with a strong showing in their last scrimmage of the pre-season vs PREP SCENE #18 Nuemann-Goretti. Tep was inactive opening weekend Games: 12/11 Frankford, 12/14 Prep Scene HM Martin Luther King
5. Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
Led by Tyree Pickron‘s (6-3, 2018) 21 and Andrew Funk’s (6-4 2018) 19, Wood took care of business in the Scholastic Play by Play beating Brooklyn NY’s South Shore 76-65. Then losing Sunday in DC to powerhouse Dematha (MD) in the National High School Festival at Dematha 80-70, once again Pickron and Funk led the way with 25 each. Games: 12/15 PREP SCENE HM Overbrook, 12/16 PREP SCENE #16 Shipley in Coaches vs Cancer
6. Abington
Coach Grasty prepared for Suburban One action with a win over Valley Forge Military Academy 65-38 at home and will face PREP SCENE #10 Bethlehem Catholic on 12/16 before league play begins. Eric Dixon will look to led the Ghosts on a deep run through the PIAA 6-A Bracket. Games: TBA
7. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting)
Naheem Mcloud (7-1, 2019) has his way with Sankofa Freedom, amassing 25 points 15 rebounds and 6 blocks. The Colonials forced 20+ turnovers, Ahmin Williams added 18 of his own in the 82-56 win. Games: 12/11 Bishop Shanahan, 12/16 PREP SCENE #21 Archbishop Care roll
8. Reading
Reading opened the season blasting Franklin Learning Center 100-41, and then captured the York High Tip-Off Tournament Championship by beating the host York High 75-59. Wesley Butler, Tourney MVP had games of 27 & 26 respectively. Games: 12/12 @ PREP SCENE #25 Coatesville
9. Hill School (Pottstown)
The Hill School handled Episcopal Academy convincingly 71-55. Then the Blues posted a 74-69 win over perennial NEPSAC AAA power New Hampton at the Scholar Roundball Classic. Nick Alikakos led with 23 points and Chase Audige (6-5, 2018) clinched the game with two free throws…Before losing to Choate Rosemary Hall (CT) 45-43 in a nail-biter Games: 12/15-16 Mercer Tourney – vs PREP SCENE Honorable Mention Kiski Prep & TBA’s
10. Bethlehem Catholic
Bethlehem Catholic put it on Philadelphia Public League powerhouse and PREP SCENE #16 Martin Luther King 65-51 at Archbishop Carroll in the Scholastic Play by Play event on Saturday. 2019 Justin Paz (6-0) led BeCaHi’s with 21 points, Ryan Young had a double-double landing 10 rebounds and 10 points. Also of note, 5-10 2018 PG DeAndre Gardner finished with 19. Games: 12/12 @Parkland, 12/16 @Abington Friends
11. First Love Christian Academy (Washington)
First Love beat Athlete Institure 83-75 before dropping two games in a row to fall out of the top 10 for the first time this season. Both loses were by 15+, 76-51 vs Aspire Academy and 85-68 to PREP SCENE #2 Kennedy Catholic Games: TBA
12. Pine-Richland (Gibsonia)
Phil Jukovic has claimed “STATE GOLD”, the Notre Dame Football recruit will now look to duplicate that success and get back to Hershey come March. Without the Football team, the hoopers managed to win their Tip-Off Tourney with wins over Summit Academy 81-26 and Highlands 63-39. There may be some early season mishaps until their basketball legs are back under them, but when the dust clears you can expect Pine-Richland to be a difficult out come bracket play. Games: 12/12 @Upper St. Clair, 12/15 Mt Lebanon.
13. State College
The Little Lions are the 2017-2018 Skip Coleman Tip-Off Tournament Champions defeating Economics & Finance (NY) 78-36, knocking down 12 3-pointers and then taking out St James (MD) 58-41, led by 6-9 Pitt recruit Bryce Golden. Drew Friberg, Ryan McNulty and Brandon Clark made the All-Tourney teams and Keaton Ellis was also impressive both nights. Games: 12/12 @ Central Dauphin East and a Friday night home game vs preseason #22 and current Honorable Mention Harrisburg.
14. St. Joe’s Prep (Philadelphia)
Kyle Thompson’s 28 points, eight rebounds, and five assists lifted St. Joseph’s Prep to a 74-61 triumph over Penn Charter, to win the Enable Sports & Fitness Invitational championship. PREP SCENE 2020 Trevor Wall added 17 points for the Hawks and Darius Kinnel distributed five assists. Ed Croswell had 12 points and 8 rebounds Games: 12/13 Germantown Academy @Philadelphia Univeristy 12/15 Berks Catholic @ Albright College.
15. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
Roman went 2-1 in the Gonzaga DC Classic, defeating Riverside Baptist (MD) 76-60 and Cardinal Hayes (NY) 78-60 before losing in the Championship to the host Gonzaga (DC) 71-53. Seth Lundy led the way averaging 17.3 followed by Greer 16.0, Betrand 13, and Hakim Hart with 12.0 over the 3 game weekend. Games: 12/15 Cheltenhem in the ALL-CITY @Bishop McDevitt.
16. Shipley (Bryn Mawr)
Coach Phil D’Ambrosio has a thoroughbred he can ride to a hoops triple crown in Sam Sessoms. With wins over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 62-53, PREP SCENE Honorable Mention Academy New Church 65-50, and PREP SCENE #18 Neumann-Goretti 69-64 in the Scholastic Play by Play this week, Shipley jumped into the top 20. Sessoms 37 vs Goretti was spectacular to watch and the type of performance legends are made of. Games: 12/12 William Penn Charter, 12/15 PREP SCENE #21 Archbiship Carroll in the ALL-CITY @Bishop McDevitt, 12/16 PREP SCENE #5 @Archbishop Wood in Coaches vs Cancer.
17. Penn Hills
Games: Won the Midland Tip-Off Tournament with 64-56 win over Lincoln Park and 62-53 win over Hickory in the Championship. Davion Stephens was named to the All-Tournament team scoring 29 points during the weekend. Games: 12/11 vs Propel, 12/13 Burrell, 12/15 @Plum.
18. Neuman-Goretti (Philadelphia)
Goretti dropped a tough one at the Play by Play Showcase to PREP SCENE #16 Shipley. The Saints were led by Dymir Montague’s 21, as Marcus Little 14 and Chris Ings 10 also hit double figures. Games: 12/16 PREP SCENE Honorable Mention Cheltenham in Coaches vs Cancer @Archbishop Wood, 12/17 Our Savior (NY) @South Philly HS in ALL CITY.
19. Bonner Prendergast (Drexel Hill)
Bonner-Prendergast has their own version of the Big 3 in Tariq Ingraham, Ajiri Johnson, and Isaiah Wong. The trio combined for 61 points in their win at West Chester University vs PREP SCENE #23 Malvern Prep 83-65. Wong led the Friars in scoring with 27, and Ajiri Johnson (6-8) is pure excitement with constant rim rattling dunks. Games: 12/13 Math, Civics, & Science, @ the Kreul Classic in Fort Lauderdale, FL 12/16 & 17 vs Westminster Academy (FL) & The Patrick School (NJ)
20. Emmaus
Saturday’s game with Cardinal O’Hara was cancelled, Emmaus was inactive. Games: 12/12 @Pocono Mountain West, 12/15 @Northampton, 12/16 Scranton Prep @Northampton Community College.
21. Mars
Games: Mars beats Avonworth by a whopping 51 points, 91-40. Robbie Carmody, Notre Dame recruit scores, 29 in limited action on opening night. The next night he comes back and drops 43 going 15-15 from the free-throw line on South Park in a 90-46 victory to move the Fightin’ Planets to 2-0. Games: 12/12 @McKeesport, 12/15 @Knock.
22. Northeastern (Manchester)
The Bobcat Tip Off Champions defeated Delone Catholic 80-40, with much of the production coming from the backcourt duo of Albany-bound Antonio Rizzuto (22 pts) and the human highlight reel, Fred Mulbah. The returned the next night to for a 60-52 win over Northern York. PREP SCENE 2020 Nate Wilson tossed in 17. Games: 12/13 Red Lion, 12/15 @Dallastown, 12/17 York Suburban.
23. Archbishop Carroll (Radnor)
Carroll sufferned an opening night home lose to PREP SCENE Honorable Mention Malvern Prep 68-59. AJ Hoggard’s 23 points and 11 assists were not enough to stop the late game comeback by Prep. Sunday the Friars beat PREP SCENE #25 Coatesville @ West Chester led by AJ Hoggards 19, and Keyon Butler’s 16. Games: 12/13 PREP SCENE Honorable Mention Cheltenham, 12/15 @ PREP SCENE #16 Shipley, 12/16 @Plymouth Whitemarsh
24. Martin Luther King (Philadelphia)
The Panthers dropped their opener at the Scholastic Play by Play to #12 Bethlehem Catholic @ Archbishop Carroll High School 65-51. Games: 12/11 Sankofa Freedom, 12/14 @PREP SCENE #4 Imhotep Charter, 12/17 The Haverford School.
25. Coatesville
Coatesville lost at West Chester University to PREP SCENE #23, Archbishop Carroll. PREP SCENE 2020 Jhamir Brickus led with 22 points but only scored two in the final quarter when Carroll put the game away. Eastern Kentucky recruit, Tyrel Bladen finished with 12. Games: 12/12 PREP SCENE #8 Reading, 12/14 @Avon Grove
HONORABLE MENTION: Abington Heights, Academy of New Church, Alderdice, Allentown Central Catholic, Archbishop Carroll, Berks Catholic, Chambersburg, Cheltenham, Chester, Church Farm, Constitution, Erie, Girard College, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Kiski Prep, Lincoln Park, Lower Merion, Malvern Prep, McDowell, Overbrook, Phelps, Pocono Mt. West, Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy, Whitehall, Woodland Hills,
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