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Philadelphia Catholic League Boys MVP race

02/10/2023, 12:00pm EST
By Josh Verlin

Chad Graham (@CGraham_Sports)
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As expected, the 2023 Philadelphia Catholic League season has been a war. The top 6 in the standings are as follows: 1. Neumann-Goretti (10-1), 2. Roman Catholic (10-1), 3. Archbishop Ryan (9-2),  4. Archbishop Wood (8-3), 5. St. Joe’s Prep [8-3], and 6. West Catholic (7-4). And with two games left for everyone, it ain’t over yet! Anyone can take a loss before the playoffs because each of them have a player (or 2) who can change the math. Here’s an update on the MVP candidates for this season, using their in-league stats:


Archbishop Wood junior Jalil Bethea has put together a number of big games this PCL season. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Jalil Bethea (2024 | Archbishop Wood)
If we’re talking about big performances in big games, Bethea is him. The junior shooting guard led comebacks versus Cardinal O’Hara and Devon Prep, gave Neumann-Goretti 31 points and their only PCL loss in South Philly, and then dropped 40 in an overtime win at St. Joe’s Prep. He’s averaging 24.7 ppg, 43% from three, 92% on free throws, 6.5 rpg, and 4.1 apg. Bethea is having a tremendous season, but the Vikings will need him to finish strong as they head to West Catholic on Friday night.

Xzayvier Brown (2023 | Roman Catholic)
Balancing scoring and playmaking duties isn’t easy, but Brown doing that and more has the Cahilities second in the standings. His cerebral urgency secured road victories at Archbishop Ryan and West Catholic. And in 11 PCL games, he’s up to 18 ppg, 80.4% FT, 3.2 rpg, 4.7 apg, and 2.1 spg. Additionally, he’s hitting 59.3% of his threes on just below 3 attempts per game. They suffered a tough loss at Neumann-Goretti, but he gives Roman the chance to bounce back on Friday at St. Joe’s Prep.

Adam “Budd” Clark (2023 | West Catholic)
Clark has literally put West on his back for stretches this season. He dropped 21 points & 12 boards in their win against Archbishop Carroll and 12 points, 4 assists & 3 steals in their victory at Cardinal O’Hara. On a nightly basis, he gives them 17.4 ppg, 36.1% from deep, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, and 4.1 spg. Still looking for their signature win, Budd can lead the Burrs to it on senior night when they face Archbishop Wood.

Jaron McKie (2025 | St. Joe’s Prep)
McKie’s steady hand is a major reason why SJP is a full season “ahead of schedule.” A true coach’s son, he plays within the flow of the game and doesn’t force anything. With his 16.1 ppg, 46.8% from three (6.4 attempts), 84% from the line, 4.7 rpg, and 2.9 spg, the Hawks can always count on his shooting and defense. They already took down Archbishop Ryan and West Catholic. Beating Roman this Friday would give them a boost in the standings and help them get one of the District 12 bigs for 6A.

Thomas Sorber (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
Trenton’s very own is imposing his skill and will on everyone the Raiders face. Sorber averages 18.9ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.2 spg, and 3.1 bpg. He gave AW 19 points & 3 blocks while battling foul trouble, then put up a 19-point, 16-rebound, 7-block performance at West. While he’s earned the belt for best big man in the city, he still has more to prove. Sorber has the chance to put his stamp on the season Friday on the road against Sultan Adewale and Neumann-Goretti.

Robert Wright III (2024 | Neumann-Goretti)
Wright III’s having a prolific season considering that he has five sets of eyes on him at all times. The Wilmington-native is creating everything off-the-bounce with 21.4 ppg and 4.4 apg, to go along with 4.5 rpg and 2.2 spg. Returning from an ailment against Cardinal O’Hara, Wright III contributed 21 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals, including the game-winning bucket, as the Saints stormed back from a 19 points halftime deficit. He’ll have to do that and then some when they host Archbishop Ryan.


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