December 22, 2019
PREP SCENE weekly rankings include the entire state of Pennsylvania: 5th year prep schools and high schools, regardless of governing body affiliations. Our next rankings is in two weeks (January 5th, 2020).
1. WHO WILL BE IN THE FIELD
The Skinny: PREP SCENE will be bringing back it first statewide rankings since the global pandemic occurred for the 2022-2023 season.
Early Vote Getters: Keystone Academy, First Love, Imhotep, Nuemann Goretti, Scotland, Phelps, George, Roman Catholic, Archbishop Ryan, Pittsburg Central Catholic, Reading, Parkland, Trinity
2. Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
The Skinny: Coach Arrigale possesses the weapons and championship pedigree to beat anyone in the state, including 5th year prep schools in a one and done situation. Very hard call to not have a co-number 1 in 2020.
Top Performers: 6’1 Hysier Miller, 6’7 Chaz Evans, 5’10 Hakim Byrd, 6’2 Chris Evans, 6’7 Blaise Vespe, 6’6 Cameron Young, 6’8 Jordan Hall
3. Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
Wood’s 4 game stint in Hawaii at Iolani Classic culminated in a 3-1 record and 5th place finish. The Vikings defeated Moanalua (HI) 73-38, before losing to Wasatch (WA) 89-77. They won both consolation games, over Garfield (WA) 75-70, and Mt Vernon (NY) 86-68.
3. First Love Christian Academy (Washington)
The Skinny: First Love played a national prep schedule, arguably the toughest in the entire state. This group was talented and hard to beat when at full strength.
Top Performers: 5’11 Isaiah Wilson, 6’6 DJ Gordon 6’2 Mason Manning, 6’7 Jahijah Grant, 6’2 Olsen Nicholson, 6’10 Madior Seye, 6’4 Jett Roesing, Kymahni Bent.
5. Bishop McDevitt (Wyncote)
McDevitt defeated Palmetto (FL) 47-45 at the “King of the Bluegrass, in Kentucky,” before losing to Ballard (KY) 69-63. The Lancers also lost to Madisonville (KY) 64-58.
5. Westtown (West Chester)
The Skinny: One through five, show me more talent. The Pennsylvania Independent School State Champions were a force in 2020. On any given night.
Top Performers: 7’0 Derrick Lively II, 6’11 Franck Kepnang, 6’8 Noah Collier, 6’5 Jalen Warley, 6’4 Wade Chiddick, 6’4 Tyler Berger.
6. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
The Skinny: Roman showed their might and determination making it to the PCL finals before falling to NG. Coach Griffin’s squad had a date I’m Hershey, PA in mid March.
Top Performers: 6’1 Lynn Greer III, 5’10 Xavier Brown, 7’0 Jalen Duren, 6’5 Justice Williams, Quadir Brown.
8. McDowell (Erie)
McDowell won three straight games in Orlando at the KSA events behind 108 points for ’21 Will Jeffress . The Trojans took down West Orange (FL) in OT 76-73, Jeffress dropped 41 after forcing the extra session. He then threw in 39 points in a lopsided 74-27 contest, before scoring 28 in a 52-35 win over Melbourne (FL).
9. Methacton (Eagleville),
The Skinny: The sleeper in the wide open 6A field has the poise and style to punish opponents. Offensive weapons all over the floor make them a tough out!
Top Performers: 6’9 Jeff Woodward, 6’4 Erik Timko, Owen Kropp, Brett Eberly, Brett Byrne, Ryan Baldwin.
10. Cheltenham
The Skinny: Cheltenham has continued to rise to the occasion all season long, and the post season is no different. Tough out 4sure.
Top Performers: 6’4 Jaelen McGlone, 6’4 Sean Emfinger, 6’1 J. Moore
11. Butler
The Skinny: Gatorade player of the year and favorite for the PREP SCENE POY has shown his ability to put the Tornado’s on his back when it counts. Bracket’s are made for stars and their is non bigger in any classification.
Top Performers: 6’6 Ethan Morton 6’2 Mattrix Clement
12. Coatesville
The Red Raiders 6-0 after defeating two SUPER 25 teams and Downingtown West 66-58, #20 West Chester East and #25 Reading High 69-42 at Unionville HS.
19. Mt. Lebanon (Pittsburgh)
14. Perkiomen School (Pennsburg)
The Panthers begin their season 7-2, with wins over Covenant Prep 70-56, Mercersburg Academy 64-47, West Nottingham Academy 67-56, Olympus Prep 70-59 and Sprinfield Chestnut Hill 68-40, before eventually losing to #1. Scotland Campus at Mt. Zion, in the GAC’s Session II of their triple-header series 96-62 and NJ powerhouse Blair Academy.
12. Wilson (West Lawn)
The Skinny: Guards win at any level, and you will have to look far and wide to find a better one in the state of PA. Mitchell leads a disciplined offense that looks to bring Berks County Gold!
Top Performers: 6’2 Stevie Mitchell, 6’4 Evan Timochenko
22. Milton Hershey
The Skinny: Forthcoming…
Top Performers: 6’6 Joshua Parra, 6’7 Ahvon Cross, 6’0 Ka’ron George, Nate Boyd
15. Lincoln Park (Midland)
Top Performers: 6’4 Andre Wilder, 6’0 Isaiah Smith, 6’0 Johnnie Bryant, 6’5 Montae Reddix, 6’5 Daquan Bradford
Upcoming Games: 1/24 7:00 PM @ New Brighton, 1/26 4:30 PM Kennedy Catholic
18. Math Civics Sciences (Philadelphia)
MCS is 5-1 with its only loss to NJ powerhouse St. Benedict’s Prep at the Fred Pickett Classic. The Mighty Elephants have posted wins over Pottsville, Constitution and #22 Friends’ Central, along with Philadelphia and at NY powerhouse Lincoln (s) 72-64 and 82-77 respectively.
24. Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage)
Top Performers: 6’6 Ike Herster,
Upcoming Games: 1/24 L 65-53 @ #8 McDowell
20. West Chester East,
The Vikings are 6-1 after going into State College and winning the Skip Coleman Classic, besting Bartrum, Downingtown East. and Academy of New Church. Future Delaware Blue Hen, Andrew Carr went for 40 points against ANC. However, they did lose to #12 Coatesville 64-40.
21. Fox Chapel (Pittsburgh)
Fox Chapel begins the season at 5-0 with wins over Hampton, Bethel Park, Woodland Hills, #23 Penn Hills and Seneca Valley.
22. Archbishop Carroll (Radnor)
Carroll has posted wins over Pennbury, Bayard Rustin, Wilkes-Barre, and previously ranked West Catholic in the early part of the season to remain undefeated.
23. Penn Hills
The Indians are 5-1 taking down Pine-Richland 66-55, Highlands 84-69 and Perry Traditional Academy 72-32, Gateway 77-61, and Laurel Highlands 74-71 in 2 OT’s. Their only blemish to date is stumbling at #21 Fox Chapel.
24. Easton
After losing their first game of the season at #15 Wilson, the Red Rovers have ran off five straight wins over Louis E. Dieruff, William Allen, Liberty and Freedom, Quakertown.
18. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
Top Performers: 6’8 Elijah Taylor, Sam Wylie,
20. Reading
Previously Ranked-
Freedom (Bethlehem)
Friends Central (Wynnewood)
Hill School (Pottstown)
Upper St. Clair
West Catholic (Philadelphia)
Honorable Mention:
Aliquippa
Allderdice
Allentown Central Catholic
Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia)
Bishop Guilfoyle (Altoona)
Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg)
Brentwood (Pittsburgh)
Cedar Cliff (Camp Hill)
Central York
Chester
Crestwood (Mountain Top)
Cumberland Valley (Mechanicburg)
Executive Charter (Allentown)
Gettysburg
Highlands (Natrona Heights)
Johnstown
Kiski Prep
Malvern Prep
Mercersburg Academy
New Castle
Parkland (Allentown)
Phelps (Malvern)
Pine-Richland (Gibsonia)
Simon Gratz (Philadelphia)
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Philadelphia)
St. Joe’s Prep (Philadelphia)
Trinity (Camp Hill)
Vincentian (Pittsburgh)
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Previous HM: Chambersburg, Constitution
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
