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2023 Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest: Notebook (Pt. 2) (April 28-30)

05/01/2023, 9:15pm EDT
By CoBL Staff

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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MANHEIM — The Hoop Group hosted its second and final spring live period event this weekend with the Spring Jam Fest at Spooky Nook, where a number of local and out-of-town grassroots programs as well as Division I, II and III coaches descended Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Here's the second notebook catching up with some of the players we saw during the three days of action:

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More Coverage
Day 1 Standouts / Day 2 Standouts / Day 3 Standouts (Pt. 1) / Day 3 Standouts (Pt. 2) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 1) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 2) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 3) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 4) / Recruiting Notebook (Pt. 5)

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Bensalem product Allen Myers is still searching for his college home after a prep year at New York Military Academy. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Allen Myers (2023 | NY Jayhawks HGSL 17U)

It’s been an interesting 18 months for Myers. 

The Bensalem product was little-known before his senior year with the Owls, when the 6-7 forward became one of the better posts in the Suburban One League, his size, length and athleticism helping him have a two-way impact. But he was still very much a raw prospect, weighing several Division II football options, unsure of what was next for him.

It wasn’t until he played with the East Coast Cyclones last April that one of the Cyclones coaches suggested he look at a prep school year for basketball, to give himself another year to grow, mature and work on his game. 

“The weird thing was I always liked to work on basketball, but I never really wanted to play it,” he said. “I would always go to the court and just want to fix my jumper or work on dribble moves [...] but I don’t know, I just never really wanted to play the sport, for real.

“Going into that summer, playing AAU, some coaches started talking to me,” he added. “It felt good, you know? It felt like I was more wanted here than playing football.”

He ended up doing a post-graduate season at New York Military Academy in 2022-23, playing under head coach Bob Rahn in the powerhouse New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), going 20-6 overall (5-0 NEPSAC). Instead of playing against local public schools, he was going up against rosters loaded with Division I talent, all while trying to make the move from post to a big wing.

“I struggled early, honestly, when we played some big games, I kind of struggled a little bit matching the physicality because it’s different from Suburban One to playing those big boys,” he said. “But during the season, I started figuring it out, getting my groove, and I took it into the summer, just expanding my game.”

Myers’ progress was clear in a viewing on Sunday, playing this spring for the Jayhawks’ Hoop Group squad, which was still packed with college-level talent. Now standing 6-9 and a lean 180 pounds, Myers still can defend the rim and rebound, blocking four shots and grabbing nine boards in a win over a VA Premier team that also had plenty of size in the frontcourt. 

What was new was a smooth, catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from the left wing, and a driving layup from the perimeter through traffic that resulted in an and-one. He finished with 16 points, a huge indication of his improvement on the offensive end. 

Even though he’s come a ways, Myers said things are fairly quiet on the college front; he’s visited D-II Goldey-Beacom (Del.) and had a visit with Post (N.Y.) rescheduled, but he doesn’t have any offers, D-I or D-II. This past weekend was his last try to show college coaches what he can do.

“Just trying to put my name out there and hopefully pick something up,” he said. “I might go the JUCO route, but I’m not really sure at the moment.” — Josh Verlin

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Kasey Fleming (2026 | Philly Revolution 16U)

Like many of his basketball peers, Fleming has hoop dreams dancing in his head. The 6-3 guard recently re-classified to the class of 2026 and transferred to the George School from LaSalle College High School to give him an extra year to develop both physically and skill wise and ultimately, more opportunity to make his D1 dream a reality. 

 “I really don’t think about anything else besides playing Division 1,” Fleming said. “Transferring to George School will hopefully be a great opportunity for me and hopefully pick up an offer from there.”

This weekend Fleming’s expanding game was on display. He had 15 points in his Saturday morning game in a close loss for his Philly Revolution team against Middlesex Magic but his performance was just a small part of his progression as he prepares for the road ahead.

 While his main goal is obviously to win, he sees each tournament game as an opportunity for personal growth. 

“I just want to create better shots for myself, that's what I’ve been working on,” Fleming said. “It’s about being able to create  space to get my shot off.”  

Playing in the PCL helped elevate his game. 

“The PCL is super good and I got a chance to play against bigger guys and being able to get my shot off over big guys definitely helped me and was a great way to develop myself for the future,“ Fleming said.

 As the 6-3 point guard carves out his future path, he is able to draw from the sage advice of a current NBA coach, his uncle Chris Fleming who is an assistant on the Chicago Bulls.

“I’ve always looked up to him. He played at UConn and Richmond and has always been a big role model,” Fleming said.

“It’s just awesome to hear everything because he has insight on everything,” he added. “Hearing what those guys do to prepare and having someone at the level to help me out is awesome.” — Matt Gaffney

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Jeremiah White, 2024 Philly Pride Select 17U

Jeremiah White (2024 | Philly Pride Select 17U)

Playing on an Imhotep roster with the likes of Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Rahmir Barno and Ahmad Nowell, White knew he wasn’t going to be asked to score the ball a lot for the Panthers in his first season cracking the rotation.

That was perfect for the energetic 6-6 forward as he’s prided himself on finding other ways to contribute on the basketball court since he can remember.

White loves to block shots, grab rebounds and throw dunks, and even take charges. He’ll exhibit emotion for each one like someone who’s just hit a game-winner. 

“That’s my thing,” White said. “I’ve always been a big, and I’m more mobile than most bigs, so I utilize that.

White did all of that in a semifinal win for Philly Pride Select on Sunday morning — his transition slam helped spearhead the start of the second-half comeback, while he took a charge and came away with a big block in the final minutes. 

He said while he might get a little more playing time and have a few extra midrange jumpers come to him within, he doesn’t play much different than he does with the Panthers.

“We all have something to give,” White said.

White’s defensive ability was sharpened this season in practice daily.

As a member of Imhotep’s second unit, White got the chance to go up against Edwards (6-8) and Makye Taylor (6-7). He said the experience helped a lot, particularly on the defensive end where both teammates presented different challenges.

“They’re both very skilled players and having to guard Justin out on the perimeter really helped me with my defense and Makye, as big as he is and strong, it definitely helped me in the post too,” White said.

White’s no stranger to playing in front of college coaches as Imhotep had eyes on it all season. That’s not too much of a concern for him right now as he’s confident he’ll find the right fit at the next level when it’s time.

Presently, he’s hoping to continue to help Philly Pride Select win games this summer while getting better to help Imhotep repeat as Public League, District 12 and PIAA champions next season.

“I’m probably still going to be the energy guy, but I’m just adding a lot more to my bag,” White said. “Working out more, working on my handling, my shooting for sure and basically just staying active.” — Owen McCue

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Mike Green (2025 | Philly Revolution 16U) 

Mike Green is the type of player who defines the word sharpshooter, the one who the opposition is constantly urged by their coach not to lose sight of on the court.

If they do, even for a split second, the 6-1 guard will make them pay. Green, whose favorite all-time player is Steph Curry, wants to have a similar type of impact on the court and at the Spring Jam Fest, he definitely was an impactful player.

“Obviously I want to play at the Division 1 level, but that’s why I’m here playing, trying to show out as much as I can,” Green said.   

On Saturday, against the Middlesex Magic, the Archbishop Wood guard was indeed showing out, dropping 18 points with four 3s and showed why Curry is his basketball idol.

“My strengths are obviously my shooting, I can be a playmaker and get others involved and if needed,  I can finish and I think I’m a good leader,” Green said.

Green is a fierce competitor who doesn't like to lose, but he sees the big picture while he plays AAU ahead of his junior season. 

“You just have to get over it (losing an AAU game),” Green said. Games like these you just move onto the next one right away where with high school games you have more to think about and adjust.”
Green studies the games of Curry and former Sixer legend Allen Iverson to see how two undersized greats play against bigger players while keeping a mental checklist of things he wants to improve upon before returning to his Archbishop Wood team.

“I’m already undersized so I’m trying to get stronger, play defense and handling pressure are the main things I’m trying to improve upon,” he said. — Matt Gaffney
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Josh Reed, 2024 Philly Revolution 17U

Quick Hits

Josh Reed (2024 | Philly Revolution HGSL 17U) only has one offer, but the Archbishop Wood product is showing coaches that he deserves more. The athletic 6-1 guard gets to show off his point guard abilities with the Revolution, as well as his scoring abilities, no longer needing to defer to fellow Vikings star Jalil Bethea or the rest of a talented Wood lineup. He had 27 in a game against Team AKT on Sunday morning, hitting all number of mid-range jumpers and attacking layup, absorbing contact with ease and finishing with both hands. 

“My confidence level has been going through the roof lately,” he said. “I’ve been working on my craft all offseason, it’s been good. My jump shot has really improved, my 3-point shot, those things have really improved.”

Albany remains Reed’s only offer, and he said he wants to visit the school after the grassroots season has concluded. He said he’s also been hearing from Fairleigh Dickinson, Quinnipiac, Lehigh and Buffalo, and he’s hoping they’ll come see him play during the high school live periods in June. — Josh Verlin

David Fridia (2024 | PA Coalition 17U) is a man of few words. He does not strike a casual observer as someone who enjoys talking about himself but would rather let his game and his approach do the talking for him. In an era where all too often the game is focused on the individual and self-promotion, Fridia is staying true to himself and his personality. He just wants to compete and help his team win.

Though he admires the games of NBA stars like Kevin Durant and Jamal Crawford, his personal approach is all about doing the dirty work on the court.

“Defending. Blocking shots,” the 6-6 forward said about his game. “Hitting the offensive and defensive glass. Rebounding is a big part of my game. And just play hard through every play.”

A student at Allentown Central Catholic, Fridia currently isn’t talking to any colleges, though he wants to play at the next level. Right now, all he’s worried about is improving his game and getting better.

“Mainly just getting my body stronger and getting better at finishing,” Fridia said. “Shooting and handling the ball obviously are important too.” — Matt Gaffney

Blake Hargrove (2026 | Team Final Red HGSL 15U) got his high school career off to a strong start, averaging nearly 11 points per game for a Liberty squad that made it into the first round of the PIAA 6A Tournament, where they were upended at the buzzer by Upper Darby. The son of former Faith Christian standout Daniel Hargrove, who played at UNC-Greensboro and East Stroudsburg, Blake Hargrove had plenty of double-figure outings topping out at 20 points against Allentown Central Catholic.

“It was pretty good, I felt like we could have made a bigger run in the state playoffs, but we’ll get there,” he said. “Of course I had high expectations.”

Hargrove poured it in in a win over the Middlesex Magic on Saturday afternoon, the 5-11 guard going off for 34 points, knocking in jumpers from all over the court, whether that was beyond the 3-point arc (four triples) or in the mid-range. That’s no accident — Daniel’s been schooling Blake on that shot in particular, knowing for a guard without elite size, that can be a valuable weapon.

“He’s talking to me about the mid-range, because not a lot of people have that mid-range,” Blake said. “He’s just talking to me about how the mid-range can get you to the next level.” — Josh Verlin

Kevin McCarthy (2024 | Philly Revolution HGSL 17U) is also sitting on his only offer, which he picked up from Florida Gulf Coast last summer, and remains in touch with the Eagles’ staff. He’s hearing from Cornell, Mt. St. Mary’s, Columbia, Niagara and “a little bit of Penn and Princeton,” all of those schools noticing that the 6-4, 185-pound guard out of Episcopal Academy has been shooting the ball with confidence and range while able to handle the ball against the press. He scored 10 points, hitting a pair of second-half 3-pointers, and grabbed seven rebounds in a loss to Team AKT on Sunday morning.

He doesn’t have any visits planned at the moment, but the main goal this summer is to add 10 pounds to his frame to better prepare for the physicality of the next level. “Just going to keep working at my game, keep getting better, and see where it takes me,” he said. — Josh Verlin


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