WPIAL Basketball – Prep Scene

PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE RANKINGS

Posted on December 18, 2017December 19, 2017 by PREP SCENE

PREP SCENE’s weekly rankings include the entire state of Pennsylvania: 5th year prep schools and high schools, regardless of governing body affiliations.

Dec. 18th – Dec. 24th, 2017

1. Scotland Campus Sports

With 7-foot-1, 240-pound Bradley-commit Ari Boya, 6-foot-11 UNLV-commit Louis Bangai, and a versatile 6-foot-9 high-major prospect Karim Coulibaly (2019), head coach Chris Chaney has utilized the blend of size, athleticism, and skills to place Scotland Campus Sports in the National conversation, the prep school upper echelon. SCS has leaned heavily on their front-court to remain unbeaten playing older, stronger opponents than your traditional PIAA foes. The backcourt is manned by a slew of college prospects in 6-foot-1 point guard Justice Kendall (2018) and wings Sam Chaput, Tyrone Nesby (Reading High), and Chris Whitaker (Harrisburg High) among others. Scotland holds steady for the third week at number 1, defeating Harcum Junior Colleges’ JV, Olympus Academy and Rocktop Academy Games: Scotland semester has ended and kids return home for the holidays, their next game is 1/11, @Silver Oak Academy (MD).

2. Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage)

Kennedy Catholic has been on a terror since play began, opening up the season in mid-season form. KC has been taking down formidable opponents in convincing fashion. Once again receiving a share of first place votes in week 4, but not enough to dethrone SCS. Coach Mancino’s team can score it from all five positions. 2019 Maceo Austin is the engine, his 29 point, 7 rebound, 5 assist performance in an 87-60 win over PREP SCENE HM Sewickley Academy in front of Kentucky skipper John Calipari was impressive. Not to mention teammate Oscar Tshiebwe (2019) provided 29 and 16 himself with 3 blocked shots. Upcoming Games: 12/20 @West Middlesex, 12/22 @Woodrow Wilson (WV).

3. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)

Imhotep Charter applies relentless full court pressure on opponents. The pressure starts and ends on the ball with 6-0 Bernard Lightsey (2018) and 5-9 Fatayn Wesley. Tep has the length and defensive fortitude to impose its will on opponents and turn defense into offense. Coach Noble has a host of players up in passing lanes and rigorously contesting every shot-attempt including 6-4 Dahmir Bishop (2019) , 6-6 Jamil Riggins (2019) and 6-6 Chereef Knox (2019) and 6-8 Elijah Taylor (2020). Great teams can beat you in a variety of ways, Tep is no exception. The offense is guided by (2019) 6-7 Point-forward Donta Scott. This week provided wins over Frankford 65-28, PREP SCENE HM Martin Luther King 57-40, and USA TODAY EAST #9 Roselle Catholic (NJ) 56-53. Upcoming Games: 12/19 Audenried, 12/20 PREP SCENE #13 Roman Catholic, 12/22 Gill St. Bernard (NJ).

4. Archbishop Wood (Warminster)

Coach Mosco’s crew had their Friday night game with PREP SCENE HM Overbrook cancelled due to snow on Friday. When they finally took the floor this weekend in the nightcap of the 1st Diane Mosco Foundation Shootout, they did not disappoint with a 57-56 win over PREP SCENE #24 Shipley. 2018 Seth Pinkney brought house down with his lead taking 4th dunk late in the fourth quarter. He also lead with 10 rebounds and 4 block shots. Wood’s balanced attack was lead by 2018 Andrew Funk’s 13 points and 2018 Karrington Wallace’s 12. Upcoming Games: 12/23 PREP SCENE #7 Plymouth-Whitemarsh

5. Westtown (West Chester)

Westtown is a much different team when both Duke and Indiana bound Cameron Reddish & Jake Forrester are on the floor. Seth Berger does not have the bench to sustain the loss of either over the course of a national schedule. Reddish is the do it all 6-9 point guard that single-handedly dominates any game on the schedule. Forrester dominates out in transition, filling lanes on the break, slashing and contests shot after shot on the defensive end. This week included bookend wins over George 63-44 PREP SCENE 2020 Noah Collier had 13 points and 4 rebounds and a 3rd place win over host Bullis (MD), Reddish tossed in 33. The lone loss of the week came at the hands of Episcopal (VA) at Bullis Tourney, 82-62 – Indiana commit Jake Forrester was inactive, out with a sprained ankle but has since returned. Games: 12/21 Prolific Prep in South Carolina.

6. Abington

Coach Grasty troops defeated PREP SCENE #18 Bethlehem Catholic 63-53 Saturday. Eric Dixon controlled the paint and Lucas Monroe was sensational. Dixon led all scorers with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Monroe demonstrated a killer instinct and superb athleticm will collecting 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Robbie Heath was also a steady contributor throughout the night, making plays at both ends of the floor Games: 12/19 Council Rock South, 12/21 @Pennsbury, 12/23 PREP SCENE #15 Neumann-Goretti

7. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting)

7-1 Naheem Mcloud (2019) continues to anchor the colonials at both ends of the floor. Defensively, he allows them to apply significant pressure on the ball and allows them to push up even further in the passing lanes without the fear of giving up easy baskets his mere presence alters everything. Much of the impact he has on a game doesn’t show up in the box score. Although he manages to fill that up as well. In wins over Bishop Shanahan 68-51, he had 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks followed with a 14 point 17 rebound 4 block night in a 66-53 win over PREP SCENE HM Archbishop Carroll. Danny Cooper had 16 points, Ahmin Williams (2018) with 10 points and Ish Horn also with 10. Rounding out the scoring in the Shanahan game was Ahmin Williams -17 points and Alan Glover – 16 points and 10 rebounds. Games: 12/19 Upper Moreland, 12/22 @Wissahickon, 12/23 @PREP SCENE #4 Archbishop Wood

8. Hill School (Pottstown)

The Hill School the Mercer Tourney this week going 3-0. The oppened by defeating former PREP SCENE HM Kiski Prep 71-50. In the Semi’s Canturbury (CT) fell 80-73 in a hard fought battle. Seth Maxwell’s 23 point effort propelled Hill to a 60-55 victory in the championship game. Teammate Nick Alikakos tossed in 17 points as well. Upcoming Games: Hill School will resume play after the holidays on 1/6 @ Hun School.

9. St. Joe’s Prep (Philadelphia)

The Hawks had a busy week going 4-0. The first win came at the hands of PREP SCENE HM Malvern Prep 76-67. Germantown Academy was the next victim falling 55-47 at Philadelphia University before a 3+ hour bus ride in the snow 55 miles to Reading. There Berks Catholic fell 48-25 in the Hoop Group Reading Tip-Off at Albright College and the week finished with a 88-46 pounding of St Ignatias (Australia). Upcoming Games: 12/20 Haverford

10. First Love Christian Academy (Washington)

First Love Christian Academy takes on Findlay Prep (NV) Friday 12/22 in the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, West Virginia. 6-4 Aneury Parra (2018) continues to play at a high level. First Love will need solid contributions from Riny Lual, Shamar Givance, Julian McGee, Jamier Fletcher, Steven Rawhire, and Egon Ruhek to take down the nationally ranked Pilots.

11. Mt. Lebanon

The Blue Devils behind Caden Hinckley’s 23 points and Hayden Mitchell’s 17 points too down PREP SCENE HM Pine-Richland 77-55. Mt. Lebanon completely dominated the game after a 26-12 second quarter, doing on to sink 23 of their 24 free-throw attempts. Upcoming Games: 12/19 Canon-McMillan, 12/22 Bethel Park.

12. State College

Drew Friberg dropped 47 on Harrisburg High in a barn-burner, for the 89-83 victory to close out the week 2-0. Earlier in the week the Little Lions defeated Central Dauphin East in Mid Penn Commonwealth league play 66-60. Upcoming Games: 12/18 @Mifflin County, 12/20 PREP SCENE HM Chambersburg.

13. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)

Roman Catholic was inactive after snow cancelled the ALL-CITY Tip-Off game vs PREP SCENE HM Cheltenham Upcoming Games: vs PREP SCENE #3 Imhotep in Philadelphia Catholic League play.

14. Penn Hills

Penn Hills improves to 5-0 behind a balanced attack. Victories this week included a pounding of Propel 71-49. Daivon Stephens led the way with 17, followed by Cam Wiley & Cory Fulton’s 13 a piece. Burrell provided little resistance as Penn Hills won 73-59, again Daivon Stephens 18 led all scoring with Cam Wiley 15, Dorian Boyce 12 pacing the Indians. The final game of the week saw Penn Hills hit triple digits, that’s right 100-61 over Plum Cam Wiley led all scorers with 27, Keyshawn Adams had 21, Cory Fulton 19, Daivon Stephens 13. Upcoming Games: 12/19 Norwin 12/20 PREP SCENE HM Allderdice, 12/22 @Fox Chapel, 12/23 McKeesport.

15. Neuman-Goretti (Philadelphia)

The Saints defeated PREP SCENE HM Cheltenham 61-51, in the Diane Mosco Foundation Shootoout @Archbishop Wood behind 6-9 Marcus Littles (2019) 16 points 13 rebounds, 6-3 Dymir Montague (2018) 15points and 6-0 Chris Ings (2019) 11points Then on Sunday defeated Our Savior (NY) @South Philly HS in ALL CITY Classic 58-56 Monteque & Ings both came up big at both ends of the floor down the stretch for the win. Upcoming Games: 12/23 PREP SCENE #6 Abington.

16. Bonner Prendergast (Drexel Hill)

Bonner-Prendergast went 2-1 on the week with wins over Math Civis & Science 90-57 and Westminster Academy (FL) 58-53 in the Kreul Classic in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Isaiah Wong scored a game high 27 on MCS while teammates Tyriq Ingraham and Donovan Rodriquez each reached double figures. Wong led the Friars in their only loss of the season with 20 points vs USA TODAY EAST #3 The Patrick School (NJ) Upcoming Games: 12/18 Miami Christian, @ the Kreul Classic in Fort Lauderdale, FL 12/21 PREP SCENE HM Penn Charter, 12/23 Pope John XXIII @Drexel University.

17. Mars

Games: Notre Dame recruit Robby Carmody averages 42 points for the week and keeps the “Fighting Planets” undefeated. With two road victories against McKeesport 72-66 (Carmody 44), and @Knock 79-52 (Carmody 40) Mars is playing out of the world. Upcoming Games: 12/18 Armstrong 12/20-23 @City of Palms, Fort Myers Florida vs Corbin (KY),

18. Bethlehem Catholic

Bethlehem Catholic lost a tough game toPREP SCENE #6 Abington at the Diane Mosco Foundation Shootout. Justin Paz (2019) led all with 17, Ryan Young (2018) had 13 & 10. Those two along with DeAndre Gardner continue to lead the team at both ends of the floor. Gardner had 6 3’s in their win over Parkland 74-54 for a game high 18, Paz & Young chipped in 14 apiece. Upcoming Games: 12/29 @Liberty, 12/22 Easton.

19. Northeastern (Manchester)

The reigning York/Adams Division I, league tournament and District 3 5-A champs continue their winning ways to remain unbeaten with wins over Red Lion 56-42 and York Suburban 69-49. The 12/15 game with Dallastown was rescheduled. Upcoming Games: 12/19 Central York, 12/20 @Dallastown, 12/22 South Western.

20. Butler

Behind the spectacular play of PREP SCENE 2020 Ethan Mortan, Butler is 5-0 after the 78-66 win over North Hills in section 1 play. Morton tallied a game high 35. Upcoming Games:12/19 @Shaler, 12/22 PREP SCENE HM Pine Richland.

21. Allentown Central Catholic

The Vikings sit at 5-0 after defeating East Pennsboro 71-56, Whitehall 55-39, and Liberty 51-36 this week. Leading the charge has been 2018’s Jay Vaughan and teammate Dat Lambert. Upcoming Games: 12/20 Northampton, 12/23 PREP SCENE HM, Emmaus

22. Hazleton

Coach Michael’s group is clicking on all 6 cylinders to start the regular season. With wins over Scranton Prep (59-50) and Parkland (70-46) at the Lehigh Valley Jamboree this week, the Scarlet & White crack the SUPER 25 for the first time. Da’mir Faison has scored 19 & 13 in the two games. Inside/Outside threat 6-8 Josh Samac (2018) also delivered a 25 point, 12 rebound, 7 block performance in the shellacking of Parkland. 6-5 Jeff Planutis (2018) is also a player to note moving forward. Upcoming Games: 12/20 Whitehall

23. La Salle (Wyndmoor)

Convincing wins this week over Philadelphia Public League power Constitution 68-50 and a 68-45 pounding over defending 6-A State Champs and PREP SCENE HM Reading, in Reading, PA solidify a SUPER25 spot for the Explorers. Leading the way for Coach Dempsey unselfish and balanced club are 6-6 Konrad Kiska (2019), 6-8 Zach Crisler (2018), Sean Simon and Allen Powell. Upcoming Games: 12/19 @Malvern Prep, 12/23 Central

24. Shipley (Bryn Mawr)

How do you drop two games in a week and stay in the SUPER25? The Gators may have played the toughest schedule up to this point of anyone. Quality wins over PREP SCENE HM Academy New Church 65-50, and #15 Neumann-Goretti are a start. The loses are both in highly contested games. The 69-64 overtime lose to HM Penn Charter and heartbreaker to #5 @Archbishop Wood in an emotionally charged gymnasium for the 1st ever Diane Mosco Foundation Challenge are a building block for Coach D’Ambrosio. Upcoming Games: Possibly 12/20 PREP SCENE HM Archbishop Carroll in ALL-CITY CLASSIC (Make-up-weather, will keep this updated as information becomes available.)

25. Abington Heights (Clarks Summit)

It would not take long for Abington Heights to surface in the SUPER25, they have only made 11 straight PIAA state tournament appearances. Coach Bianchi’s group is lead by two all staters’ in Jackson Danzing and George Tinsley, along with Trey Koehler. The Comets strung together a trio of 15+ point wins to start the season and looked impressive: Holy Cross 72-32, Wyoming Valley 77-55 & Williamsport 71-55 before dropping a close one to Downingtown East in the Steel-Valley Challenge. Upcoming Games: 12/19 Holy Redeemer, 12/20 Dunmore, 12/22 @Riverside

HONORABLE MENTION: Academy of New Church, Allderdice, Archbishop Carroll, Berks Catholic, Chambersburg, Cheltenham, Chester, Church Farm, Constitution, Emmaus, Erie, Harrisburg, Lincoln Park, Lower Merion, Malvern Prep, Martin Luther King, McDowell, Overbrook, Penn Charter, Perkiomen, Phelps, Pine-Richland, Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy, Whitehall, Woodland Hills,

OVERTIME with COLETRANE WASHINGTON

Posted on December 12, 2017December 20, 2019 by PREP SCENE

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