2019-2020 SCHEDULE:
VINCENTIAN ACADEMY
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!
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. 4th – Dec. 10th, 2017
1. Scotland Campus Sports
Scotland jumps to number 1, they continued their winning ways this week advancing to 7-0 on the season. 2018 PG Koreem Ozier picked up an offer from Grambling State along the way. Scotland has a variety of weapons and is clicking on all cylinders early in the season. Games: 12/6 Easton University JV, 12/7 @Misericardia University JV and ICA Prep (NJ)
2. First Love Christian Academy (Washington)
Khayree Wilson’s outfit beat Tees Valley Christian (TN) and Northeast Prep (OH) this week before losing to national power Capital Christian (MD). The backcourt of Aneury Parra and Shamar Givance have been tough to contain early in the season. Parra tossed in 20 points vs Northeast Prep and Givance had 11 points and 12 assists. Games: 12/7 & 8 Buckeye Showcase vs Athlete Institute & Aspire and 12/9 vs Prep Scene #7 Kennedy Catholic.
3. Westtown (West Chester)
Drops out of the number 1 spot after suffering a 10 point loss to Our Savior Lutheran (NY). However, they remain in the top 3 because the defeat came with 6-9 Cameron Reddish in street clothes. Win’s and Loses matter but are not the tell all. Reddish’s absence is expected to be short lived. Jalen Gaffney (6-0) stepped up from the PG position and was sensational. Games: 12/6 Capital Christian (MD)
4. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
Imhotep Charter looked impressive in their scrimmage this week, they have another Wednesday vs PREP SCENE #13 Nuemann-Goretti. Donta Scott (6-7, 2019) is a mismatch problem for opponents. But, before Tep officially takes the floor for hoops, their football team will be playing Erie Cathedral Prep in the State Championship @ Hershey for the third year in a row.
5. Hill School (Pottstown)
The Hill School took care of Canada Topflight Academy in convincing fashion. Chase Audige (6-5, 2018) lead the way for Phil Canosa’s unit, shooting the ball extremely well and getting into the lane often. Seth Maxwell (6-11, 2018) provided a formidable post presence. Games: 12/6 Episcopal Academy, 12/9 @New Hampton (NH) and 12/10 Choate Rosemary Hall (CT).
6. Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
Coach Mosco’s Pickron (6-3, 2018) and Funk (6-4 2018), can stretch the floor as well as any backcourt within a days drive. When wood takes the floor this weekend you can expect them to do numbers. Games: 12/9 in Scholastic Play by Play vs Brooklyn NY’s South Shore @ Archbishop Carroll and 12/10 @Dematha HS in the National High School Festival.
7. Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage)
Kennedy Catholic opens the season with a December 9th 8:30 PM game with PREP SCENE #2 ranked First Love Christian Academy (Washington, PA). Look for Maceo Austin (6-5), Mattia Acunzo (6-7) and Oscar Tshiebwe (6-8) to play huge for Coach Mancino early and often.
8. Abington
Eric Dixon is a man among boys. His high motor and inside outside game will drive opponent HS coaches, players and fans insane. He is a problem. The backcourt is in solid hands as play begins with Heath, Coppedge and Monroe distributing and scoring when necessary. The Ghosts open up at home in their tip off tournament with Chichester, and Valley Forge Military Academy.
9. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting)
Naheem Mcloud (7-1, 2019) is ready to take the next step toward stardom. His presence in the paint on both sides of the floor should be game changing after a great summer on the AAU circuit. PW also will put a relentless backcourt on the floor in Cooper and the Williams twins. Games: 12/8 Sankofa Freedom.
10. Pine-Richland (Gibsonia)
Phil Jukovic will be under center on Saturday, playing in another football State Championship. The Notre Dame Football recruit wont take long to get his basketball legs back under him… and when he does Pine Richland should be one of the teams standing at the end of the season. Winning is contagious and PR has done a lot of it lately in Football & Basketball.
11. State College
The Little Lions will open up the 2017-2018 season in the always competitive Skip Coleman Tip-Off Tournament this weekend along with trips to Central Dauphin East and a Friday night home game vs previous #22 Harrisburg High. Count on Drew Friberg to spear head a successful start to the season.
12. Reading
Coach Perez’ troops open the season in the York High Tip-Off (York, PA) vs Franklin Learning Center out of Philadlephia, on Saturday they will play either host William Penn (York) or Williamsport.
13. Nueman-Goretti (Philadelphia)
Coach Arrigale group will scrimmage PREP SCENE Top 5 Imhotep Charter on Wednesday before opening the season in the Scholastic Play by Play Showcase on the 9th vs Prep Scene honorable mention Shipley (Bryn Mawr) and Sam Sessoms a Binghamton signee.
14. Bethlehem Catholic
BeCaHi’s production comes in bunches from 6-7 inside out threat Ryan Young. Young is a math-up problem at both ends of the floor. The District 11 powerhouse will also look for heavy productions from a pair of 2019’s in Justin Paz (6-0) and Kyle Young (6-7). Games: 12/9 Martin Luther King @ Archbishop Carroll in the Scholastic Play by Play.
15. Haverford School
The Haverford School finished last week with huge margin’s of victory over the Hun School (NJ) by 20+ and by 30+ over Friends Central. Christian Ray, Gavin Burke and Kharon Randloph have led the way early. Games: 12/4 vs Friends Central, 12/7 @Perkiomen, 12/8 Don McBride Classic vs PREP SCENE honorable mention – Academy of New Church and 12/9 @ LaSalle.
16. Martin Luther King (Philadelphia)
Games: 12/9 vs PREP SCENE #14 Bethlehem Catholic @ Archbishop Carroll’s Scholastic Play by Play.
17. St. Joe’s Prep (Philadelphia)
Games: 12/11 @ PREP SCENE #21 Malvern Prep
18. Erie
Games: 12/8 & 12/9 in the Fairview Tip-Off Tournament
19. Penn Hills
Games: 12/8 Midland Tip-Off Tournament vs Lincoln Park, 12/9 Hickory
20. Coatesville
Games: 12/9 @ PREP SCENE honorable mention Shipley, 12/10 @ West Chester University vs PREP SCENE honorable mention, Archbiship Carroll.
21. Malvern Prep
Games: 12/6 Phelps, 12/9 @ PREP SCENE honorable mentiion Archbishop Carroll in the Scholastic Play by Play. 12/10 @ West Chester University Showcase vs PREP SCENE honorable mention Bonner-Prendergast.
22. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
Games: 12/9 vs Riverside Baptist (MD) @ Gonzaga Classic in DC.
23. Emmaus
12/9 @Cardinal O’Hara
24. Mars
Games: 12/8 @Avonworth
25. Northeastern (Manchester)
Games: 12/8 & 12/9 Bobcat Tip Off vs Eastern York, Northern York & Delone Catholic
HONORABLE MENTION: Academy of New Church, Alderdice, Allentown Central Catholic, Archbishop Carroll, Berks Catholic, Bonner-Prendergast, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Cheltenham, Chester, Church Farm, Girard College, Kiski Prep, McDowell, Phelps, Overbrook, Sewickley Academy, Shipley, Whitehall, Woodland Hills,
Previous Week Rankings
The PRIDE of PENNSYLVANIA
The PRIDE of PENNSYLVANIA Series is a WEEKLY index of annonoted articles written by various sources highlighting the collegiate and professional basketball journeys of our hometown basketball heroes. Here is our second edition of the 2017-2018 season.
Harrisburg
Jahaad Proctor drops 28 and earns Big South Player of the Week, the conference announced Nov. 13.
Malvern
2017 Big East Defensive 1st teamer, Mikal Bridges scored a career high 23 points this week for undefeated Villanova.
Manheim
Taylor Funk scores 22 and grabs 9 rebounds in St. Joe’s overtime victory.
Philadelphia
Ja’Quan Newton leads Miami convincingly over Florida A&M this week.
Reading
Nana Foulland throws in 21 points at the Dean Dome against number the top 10 North Carolina Tar Heels this week.
See an article we should share with our readers? Send the link to prepscene@gmail.com and we will be sure to share it with our PREP SCENE faithful. Thanks in advance.
Thoughts from Philly in the Fall:
Courtesy of Delgreco Wilson, Black Cager.
Courtesy of http://www.espn.go.com
There are countless events in the Philadelphia area to keep high school basketball players advancing their skills in the fall. Far to many to name!!! It appears almost everyone is involved in the arms race, that is producing high quality basketball players and teams. Parents, handlers, trainers, A.A.U. organizations and high schools all clamoring for the top spots. There are only so many top spots in a metro area of 6 million, but when you get crowned “King of Philly” (surrounding suburbs included), it tends to carry national juice. It’s not merely a badge of honor to represent the 7th largest metropolitan area in the US. Don’t get it twisted, its a target for everyone else in the city to try and destroy, defame and eventually claim for themselves.
In the age of participation trophies, it is refreshing to see a youth sports culture entrenched in the battle and competition of being the BEST. Even after the A.A.U. season has ended and with scholastic basketball weeks away, there is no let down in competition!! High level, championship caliber basketball is played year round from grade school to high school. With that fierce competition comes negatives. There are drawbacks, its not all national acclaim, P.I.A.A. Gold, endorsements and scholarships, but the good far outweighs the bad. Each of the aforementioned parties play an important role in the pedigree of Philly basketball and hold a stake in its current state of success.
From, parents putting their kids in the best possible academic and athletic position. To, handlers providing insight and opportunities to parents, who may not be informed of the nuances of high level basketball. Ultimately, providing a forum for a player to display their talent. From, trainers building the foundation and skills in players that are necessary when the lights come on, to outshine the competition. To, A.A.U. organizations running college like practices 3 days a week with no events in sight and a season that ended weeks ago. This is Philly in the FALL, all the while high school programs engage in weight lifting programs, run the track and play in countless events up and down the east coast.
Culturally basketball is just different, it truly is a valued commodity! The product speaks for itself. there is nothing magical about it. It’s hard work and a relentless grind that never stops for these kids. SALUTE!
Photo Credits –
Top: Thom Carroll, Philly Voice – Bottom Left: Delgreco Wilson, Black Cager – Bottom Right: http://www.espn.go.com