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Prepping for Preps '22-23: Westtown School (Boys)

11/29/2022, 7:00pm EST
By Jared Leveson

Jared Leveson (@jared_leveson)

(Ed. Note: This story is part of CoBL’s “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2022-23 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)
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Westtown School head coach Seth Berger has made a career by identifying and helping promising talent reach their full potential. 

Like the many businesses he’s worked with, Berger has turned Westtown into a successful and nationally recognized name. He has won three state championships and nine out of the last ten Friends School League titles, including last year’s. The Moose bested Elmarko Jackson’s Academy of the New Church squad in a 60-52 victory at Tom Gola Arena. 

The 15th-year head coach likes to build businesses up in his professional career. But in the basketball world, he nurtures sustained success. This season, Berger and his two senior starters lead another deep, talented, cohesive, and young Westtown roster that aims to remain atop the FSL and state.  

“We’ve got a really talented and together group,” Berger said over the phone. “We’ve got a bunch of new kids, obviously, a lot of them young. But they’re really learning fast.”

“I think from player one to player eight, this is probably the deepest team we’ve ever had. We’ve got eight kids who I feel like we can play at any point in the game and be very comfortable that they’re on the floor.”


Westtown guard Se'yphon Triplett is one of two seniors in the starting lineup. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

The starting lineup features two seniors, two juniors, and one sophomore. 

The team’s starting seniors are the dynamic 6-foot-tall point guard Seyphon Triplett and the sharpshooting 6-6 wing Matt Mayock

The two are playing the best basketball of their careers so far. Triplett, committed to Stonehill College in his hometown of Easton (Mass.), can play above the rim and has excellent court vision that sets up his teammates for easy buckets. An American University commit, Mayock has spent the offseason expanding his game. He learned to attack off the dribble and put on some weight to play more physically on the defensive end. 

“Seyphon and Matt have had improved as players,” Berger said. “But probably the most impressive thing is how much they’ve improved as leaders.”

Senior leadership is critical for this young team’s success. 

Four-star recruit Matt Gilhool headlines the junior class. Berger believes that the 6-11 center can play on the perimeter or the post because of his footwork and hands. The Elizabethtown native is a knockdown shooter and threatens off the dribble. 

Malik Rasul, a 6-6 wing guard, came to Westtown from Tucson, Az, and is an exciting player for his combination of basketball IQ and intensity. Berger sees Rasul getting used at the four-spot, like how the Golden State Warriors use Draymond Green

“He’s just a total difference-maker,” Berger said. “He’s just all over the floor and does so many things that you can’t coach against. He’s taken a big jump.” 

Jayden Kelsey will play point guard for the Moose this season. The sophomore relishes the opportunity to put his teammates in successful positions. The 6-7 guard hails from Aurora, Co. Still, he feels at home in West Chester — partially because he’s originally from Phoenixville, twenty minutes away from Westtown’s campus. 

But Kelsey’s open and positive disposition made a move across two-time zones exceptionally smooth. 

“We started building a lot of connections and chemistry before the season started.” Kelsey said about his induction into the team and their togetherness. “We take advantage of our time together when we don’t have class. We are always together, and just like learning a lot about each other.”


Westtown junior forward Matt Gilhool saw his stock rise this summer. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

Westtown’s bench is as threatening and young as their starting five. 

There’s Cameron Wallace, a 6-5 transfer from Great Valley who averaged 23 points per game last year as a freshman. He has improved on the defensive end since arriving at Westtown, according to Berger. 

Another sophomore, combo guard Jayden Forsythe calls East Flatbush in Brooklyn (N.Y.) home; The 6-5 guard is strong, athletic, a dead-eye shooter, and recently received an offer from Fordham. But Berger wants Forsythe to expand his distribution abilities, and the 15th-year head coach has all the confidence in the freshman to do so. 

“The most impressive thing about him is just how fast of a learner he is,” Berger said about Forsythe. “If we say something once and show it to him once, Jayden usually gets it right away. That’s really hard to do.” 

“I know I can shoot the ball a lot,” Forsythe admitted. “So, I have to be able to do all the other things on the court as well, pick up full court defense, hit the open man in the right spot, and make winning plays.” 

Jahmare Memphis, who came to Westtown as a freshman, rounds out the rotation and will back up Kelsey at the point guard spot.

Westtown’s squad is not short on talent, but having a young and inexperienced team can make winning games even more challenging. Especially with Westtown’s rigorous schedule.

Their season’s already underway for Westtown, which won its own invitational, beating West Nottingham, Peddie School and Compass Basketball (N.J.) en route to the title on Nov. 20.

Westtown will also have to deal with several FSL teams gunning for their throne. Friends Central School is building a solid program under head coach Mike Cook. Kevin Given’s ANC squad is always athletic and plays tough defense. Shipley School’s second-year head coach Alvin Williams has another strong team after finishing in third place last season. 


Westtown senior Matt Mayock is headed to American next season. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

There’s no doubt which game the players are looking forward to most.

“George,” the senior Mayock said without hesitation. “They got a couple of really good kids like [Christian] Bliss and Kachi [Nzeh].” 

“George School, definitely,” Forsythe didn’t hesitate either. 

“They’re the new target for us,” Mayock continued. “They think they can knock us off, but we wanna let them know we still run the league.” 

The Moose travel to the Cougars’ home court on January 6 for a premier FSL and Philadelphia-area regular season contest.

The FSL is loading up on Division I talent to compete with Westtown, and they know that there is a massive target on their back. George, ANC, Friends Central, and Shipley all have players that make plays that “you can’t coach against,” according to Berger. 

“Unless,” he contended. “Your kids are willing to defend.” 

“I think what we’re going to need to figure out is, can we get stops. And then after we get stops, can we secure the rebound and finish the possession.” 

But when adversity hits, like it does all teams, whether they are younger or experienced. Berger’s confident that Triplett and Mayock’s leadership will help this young squad overcome the pressures of the moment. 

“They’ve always been great leaders by example. They’ve always done the right things, they work really hard. But now they’re starting to actually lead and communicate and encourage their teammates in really positive ways.”


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