This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend Philly Live, a NCAA certified showcase where college coaches could be in attendance. The event took place at St Josephs Preparatory School for Boys on W Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, PA. The event was three days(June 18th through the 20th) and was played on four courts. In this article I will focus on the Delaware high school teams and kids from Delaware that participated and excelled in this event. The following 9 Delaware schools had the chance to play against some other great teams/players in front of the college coaches and media:
Caravel Academy
Delcastle
Howard
Salesianum
Sanford
Seaford
St Elizabeth
St Georges
Woodbridge
CARAVEL ACADEMY: Caravel went 2 & 0 at the event defeating Octarara (PA) 79 to 26 and Upper Darby (PA) 63 to 46. 2023 6’4 G Jaden Rogers was the best player on the court both games scoring 23 points and 19 points respectively. He was able to attack the basket, pull up and hit the mid range, and knock down the three all weekend. He will be one of the top players in Delaware this upcoming year. Other players that played well for the Bucs were 2023 G/F John Clemmons/ 2024 G Dominique Wyatt/ & 2024 G Miles White.
DELCASTLE: Delcastle split their two games at St Joes Prep, defeating E & S 63 to 61 and falling to SLA Bebber 56 to 53. 2022 G Gabe Valmond shined all weekend carrying the offense load for the Cougars. Look for Valmond to be in the top of the scoring leaders during the season.
HOWARD: The Wildcats were powered this weekend by 2022 CG De’Mere Hollingsworth. He led the team in points and had 24 vs Great Valley. In addition to Hollingsworth the Wildcats had a great day and production from 2022 F Darius “DJ” Brown. The 6’4 Brown rebounded well both games and started attacking the basket well and scoring in the second game. Other key contributors were 2023 G/F Xavier Richards Powell and 2024 G Rahsaan “RJ” Matthews Jr
SALESIANUM: With some of the highest expectations coming into the upcoming season, Salesianum got a chance to play a tough schedule at Philly Live with games against West Catholic(PA), Math Civics and Science (PA), and The Fork (VA). Salesianum has recently added 2023 G James Johns Jr ( 4 star and coming in most recently at #86 on the Rivals 2023 list) to key returners of 2022 G/F Justin Molen, 2024 G Isaiah Hynson, and 2022 G Brett O’Hara. In addition they got an added transfer in 2023 G Deuce Mutts ( From Roman Catholic) who excels in tough defense and can score when needed. James showed flashes of his bright future scoring over 16 each of the three games. In addition showed he can hit the long range shot and play above the rim. Hynson played some of the best that I have seen him play running the point and pulling up and hitting the mid range consistently. O’Hara seems automatic from three and has a high basketball IQ. Molen bounced back on Sunday after an underachieving performance on Saturday by hitting the three, pulling up and knocking down jumpers, creating contact and getting to the free throw line, and being persistent in the passing lanes defensively, finishing with 16 points in the win over the Fork(VA). They will be returning to play in Philly Live II.
SANFORD: After graduating many pieces from last years state championship team including dominate big man Nnanna Njoku (Villanova) and knockdown shooter Brandon Dwyer (LaSalle) and loosing their head coach Stan Waterman (recently took the Del State job) I was curious to see how this annual Delaware powerhouse would respond. Even with loosing both games to Florida Christian and Methacton I was impressed with several players and how they played and competed. 2023 G Dayon Polk was impressive in both games doing everything they needed and can score in a variety of ways. He also involves everyone and is always around the ball. 2023 G Ollie Jones is a pesky on ball defender who can also attack the rim in a variety of ways and knock down the three consistently. One of the most underrated players in the state in 6’4 2022 F Ebuka Nwobodo. He was highly efficient in both games shooting a high percentage, rebounding, and blocking shots. His strong build with his high basketball IQ makes him someone all coaches should be watching.
SEAFORD: 2023 G Brent Ricketts Jr was one of the most impressive Delaware players all weekend. He was consistent in both games and can score in a variety of ways( Going to the basket, hitting the three, drawing contact in the lane and getting to the line). He is a quiet young man off the court who plays hard and with a passion on the court. He averaged 22 points in their time at Philly Live. 2024 PG Careen Boulden looked good this weekend also. He runs the offense, can find the open men, and attacks the basket when needed. 2024 F Aviyan Matthews played well in the second game knocking down the mid range and rebounding the ball.
ST ELIZABETH: 2023 G/F Jermai Herring was the standout for the Vikings leading them to both victories this weekend over Del CC and Council Rock North. Herring had 24 points vs CR and 21 vs Del County Christian. 2023 G Shaun Chandler also had a nice performance with 14 points /5 assists.
St Georges: Three standouts for St Georges were Tyson Shaw (6’3 2022), Aaron Rambert (6’2 2023), and 2024 PG Elin McCoy. Shaw was relentless in both games attacking the rim and scoring at will. Rambert shot the ball well and played smart. Vs Scranton Prep McCoy played with tremendous energy and great court vision.
WOODBRIDGE: 2022 G Keyon Scott scored the ball well and in a variety of ways in the first game vs Paul VI ending with 19. 2022 Emanuel McCrea Mosley played hard all day for the Raiders. Two “football guys” showcased their basketball skills as 2022 Noah Matthews rebounded well and takes up alot of space in the middle and 2023 G Kenny Newton attacked the rim and was relentless on defense in their second game.
List of Delaware kids who played and stood out in this showcase:
2024 G Robert Wright III of Neumann Goretti (PA)
2022 G Masud Stewart of Neumann Goretti (PA)
2024 G Jake West of Archbishop Carroll (PA)
2024 F Amir Williams of Neumann Goretti (PA)
2023 G Basil Laster of Archbishop Wood (PA)
2024 G Hunter Johnson of O’Hara
2023 G Jah Duval of Bonner(PA)
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McDonald House Charities. This year’s event will benefit the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities which has more than 50,000 families since 1979. Proceeds will support the operations of the two Ronald McDonald Houses in Atlanta, the Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.
and other players from the region such as Mohamed Bamba (Westtown, PA/ Texas University), Quade Green (Neumann Goretti, PA/ University of Kentucky), and Nick Richards (Patrick School, NJ/ University of Kentucky). In addition I got to see some of the most notable players in the country such as; DeAndre Ayton, Michael Porter Jr, Trae Young, Collin Sexton, Troy Brown, and Wendall Carter. The experience was one of a lifetime which included having access to players in the locker room, front row for the post game interviews/awards, hanging out with the players in the tunnel prior to entering the court, and a tour of the United Center which has tons of history and was where the greatest NBA player of all time in my opinion played, Michael Jordan.
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