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2023 Donofrio Classic: Week 2 Standouts

04/10/2023, 1:30pm EDT
By Josh Verlin + Owen McCue

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)

The 2023 Donofrio Classic kept on rolling this week, the annual all-star tournament once again bringing loads of talent to the court at the Fellowship House in Conshohocken for its 61st edition, with the first round wrapping up and the second round getting underway in the 26-team tournament over the last three days.

CoBL had writers there every night to check out the action and write about the various local and regional players who come down to Conshy to participate; click here to access all our coverage thus far, as well as rosters and an event schedule/bracket

Here’s who stood out to the CoBL staff this week:


Rahmir Barno (above) is headed to Florida Gulf Coast this fall. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Rahmir Barno (2023 | Imhotep Charter)
The Florida Gulf Coast commit had a terrific senior year, overshadowed at times by the fact that he was teammates with literally the No. 1 prospect in the country (Justin Edwards) and another impressive guard in junior Ahmad Nowell. But with the ball in his hands more than usual in Donofrio, playing with Hunting Park II, Barno showed just how electric he can be: full-court one-handed passes on a rope, no-look dimes, in-your face defense, and one impressive finish after another, with seemingly unreal body control and hangtime to get his shot off. FGCU got a good one, and they know it.

Jalil Bethea (2024 | Archbishop Wood)
Bethea came out like a rocket ship Thursday night, pulling up from NBA range on his first possession and drilling it, then continuing on from there to score 25 of his 35 points in the first half of a win for the Keystone Blazers. Bethea’s been ultra-comfortable in the Donofrio atmosphere so far, toying with defenders as he drains deep shot after deep shot, then uses that to attack the rim and make plays as defenders try to compensate for his pull-up abilities. If he keeps this up, the Blazers will be one of the favorites to take home the Donofrio crown.

Jalen Chiles (2025 | Friends’ Select)
Friends’ Select had a breakthrough season almost out of nowhere, beating Westtown and Friends’ Central (among others) to finish third in the FSL. Chiles was a big reason, the 5-9 left-handed point guard slight but skilled, which he showed in a 24-point outing in a loss Tuesday night. Chiles hit multiple pull-up jumpers, from 3-point range and in the mid-range, and also used the glass well when taking it to the rock; he’s left-hand dominant, but quick and with enough ways to score that it didn’t really seem to matter. 

KJ Cochran (2025 | West Chester East)
Cochran nearly led K-Low Elite all the way back from a 29-point deficit Thursday night, the 6-3 guard playing aggressive defense as K-Low went to a full-court press and he came up with steal after steal for a bunch of breakaway layups; in the halfcourt, he was hitting shots from all over the court, showing his ability to make from deep as well as get into the lane and finish through contact. All-in-all, Cochran had 26 of his 35 points in the second half.

Jacen Holloway (2023 | Devon Prep)
An Army commit, Holloway should have no problem translating to the next level strength-wise as he continued to use his thick frame and broad shoulders to bully defenders around the hoop en route to 27 points on Wednesday night. With still an evolving outside game, Holloway should be able to use frame to attack the rim at the next level as he continues to work on his shot and adding some quickness to his arsenal. The 6-3 guard also brings some top notch vision and passing to the table which will catch the attention of the new Army coaching staff during his freshman campaign.

Isaiah Hynson (2024 | Salesianum School, Del.)
Hynson had 26 points in WeR1’s win over BW Elite Blue, flashing some of the abilities that have him on the D1 radar. In one of the best sequences of the week, Hynson blocked and shot then stuffed a dunk on the other end in transition. The 6-4 lefty guard is really good at maneuvering his way to the basket, often going to the pump fake or hop step to avoid defenders. He also seems to have a good vision of and feel for the floor. As the second team all-state selection continues to refine his game, there’s a terrific base to build on.


Keon Long (above) is an impressive athlete at 6-3 and only a sophomore. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Keon Long (2025 | Martin Luther King)
Long is one of those players that fell through the cracks of our coverage this season we were excited to see at the Donofrio. The 6-3 guard averaged 23.9 ppg this past season at Martin Luther King in the Public League ‘B’ Division. The bouncy lefty with a propensity for putting the ball through the hoop had 21 for BW Elite in a loss to WeR1. 

Jaron McKie (2025 | St. Joe’s Prep)
After earning first team all-PCL honors as a sophomore, this is a key offseason for McKie, who if he can make another ‘leap’ between his second and third years of high school could be in for a monster junior year. McKie showed that potential in spurts including one acrobatic layup thru traffic en route to an and-one. McKie can handle the ball, shoot off the catch, make tough buckets off the dribble, and is a high-level distributor. McKie’s recruitment had been quiet thus far, the youngster understandably connected to Temple; now that Aaron McKie is no longer the Owls’ coach, expect offers to pour in this summer.  

Lucas Orchard (2024 | Perkiomen School)
Orchard, a 6-foot-4 guard, is headed to Perkiomen School next season after four years as a starter at Devon Prep. He and Tide teammate Holloway both had 27 points in PA Hoops’ win over Just Clean It. Orchard knocked down a pair of threes and converted an and-one along with several easy buckets inside. He puts up points, assists and rebounds that show up on the box sheet, but it’s pretty clear from his time at Devon and other events, he just has a knack for winning plays, putting himself and teammates in the right spot — a skill that translates at any level.

Cornelius Robinson (2023 | Camden, N.J.)
Robinson is a 6-5 forward headed to Albany next season to play hoops, though at first glance he gives off the look of a D1 football recruit. Part of a trio of Panthers (Saint Louis commit Cian Medley and St. Joe’s commit Dasear Haskins) who put together solid performances for Team Awesome against the Old School Cavs, Robinson led his team with 19 points in the victory. He used his strength to score inside, get to the line and rebound the basketball, but also showed off some passing ability and the ability to put the ball on the deck and will be a fun player to follow in the America East.

Thomas Sorber (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
Another major reason for the Keystone Blazers’ impressive start to the 2023 Donofrio Classic has been Sorber, as the 6-9 forward has been absolutely all over the court in both their wins. Sorber scored 25 points in Thursday’s win and had to have at least 15 rebounds, as he was leaping and snatching everything in his grasp, and once he gets his hands on a board, he’s not letting go. It’s not just his rebounding that’s impressive, but his ability to get rebounds no matter who he’s defending, as he’ll switch onto guards, then back into the post, and back out to the perimeter with ease, and none of it matters when the shot goes up in the air. 

Ma’Kye Taylor (2024 | Imhotep Charter)
Taylor’s another somewhat-hidden talent on the Panthers, though he should see a starring role as a senior. The 6-7 forward is skilled with the ball in his hands, creating most of his offense from the perimeter, where he can take advantage of mismatch situations to drive on bigs or bully guards into the paint, and he’s got great hands and footwork around the bucket. He’s got a solid pull-up and catch-and-shoot jumper, and while he’s not an elite athlete, he’s nimble and mobile with terrific touch and basketball IQ. 

Honorable Mention
Reid Belcher (2024 | Friends’ Central), Brant Byers (2024 | Perkiomen School), Olin Chamberlain (2025 | St. Joe’s Prep), John Clemmons (2023 | Caravel Academy, Del.), Nick Coval (2024 | Parkland), Kareem Diaz (2023 | Dobbins), Justin Hinds (2024 | Salesianum School, Del.) Manny Joe-Samuel (2025 | Paul VI, N.J.), Chauncey Presley (2023 | Math, Civics & Sciences), Jahrel Vigo (2025 | Allentown Central Catholic)

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