City of Basketball Love

Chad Graham (@CGraham_Sports)
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PHILADELPHIA — Philly USA Basketball hosted the All CIty Classic: Philly vs. Everybody on Friday night at Father Judge High School. Archbishop Ryan took down King’s Fork (V.A.), 50-45, and Father Judge rolled Wings Academy (N.Y.), 80-51, during the game action. Here are the standouts from the event:

Samuel Brannen (2023 | King’s Fork, V.A.)
Brannen managed to be the Bulldogs’ most outstanding player, despite battling early foul trouble. His playmaking off the bounce and 2 threes, including a stepback,  were the engine for King’s Fork. He turned rim pressures into free throw attempts, going 6-of-7 in the 4th quarter and giving his team a chance. Brannen finished with 14 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Laquan Byrd (2024 | Father Judge)
Byrd scored from every level against Wings Academy while playing off of Judge’s primary ball-handler. First, he drove to the cup for two lays. Next, he cashed in two catch-and-shoot threes. And then, got to the mid-range for two more jumpers. The junior wing tied the team-high 16 points plus 4 rebounds.

Ryan Hite (2023 | King’s Fork, V.A.)
Without much size to match up inside, Hite's versatility was critical. He used his strong 6'4 frame to establish his presence in the low post, blocking two shots and grabbing 6 boards. Hite walled off perimeter scorers and put up 7 points of his own too. 

Jesse Segura (2023 | Wings Academy, N.Y.)
Everything for the Bronx squad ran through Segura and he didn’t disappoint. He scored from all over, totaling 23 points. When slashing to the basket, he finished with finesse and through contact. At the high post and in the mid-range, Surgura used stutter steps to get the separation for his jump shot. The senior threw 2 beautiful dimes (assists) to his teammates as well.

Ernest Shelton (2023 | Father Judge)
Subtle improvements in Shelton’s game contributed to big results versus Wings Academy. He made 4 threes from all around the arc - spotting up, coming off screens, and a pull up. With the defense trying to run him off the line, the 6’4 marksman made quick decisions when attacking closeouts to still get good shots. He also extended advantages with his passing. Shelton finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Thomas Sorber (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
On 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 blocks, Sorber’s triple-double was a statement. He impacted every second of every possession in the game. When the Raiders did allow paint touches, Sorber returned shots to sender with blocks, sometimes on back to back attempts. Offensively, everything he caught within 10 feet of the basket was a dunk. If someone’s shot came off the glass, he was putting that back too. Sorber showed why he’s one of the best in the county.

Darren Williams (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
In a low-scoring contest where the lead see-sawed back and forth, Williams stepping as the second option was major. Williams knocked down 1 three off the catch, then another on a pull up, made a couple tough layups, and hit two clutch free throws in the fourth quarter. He tallied 13 total points and 5 rebounds.

Honorable Mention:

Kaleb Brown (2023 | King’s Fork, V.A.), Juell Harris (2023 | Wings Academy, N.Y.), Kyle Jones Jr. (2023 | Father Judge), Kevair Kennedy (2025 | Father Judge), Deshawn Lucas (2024 | King’s Fork, V.A.), Rocco Morabito (2024 |Archbishop Ryan), Jaden Murray (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)