City of Basketball Love

By Chad Graham (@CGraham_Sports)
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There will be plenty of local schools, some from New Jersey and quite a few top notch programs from outside the tri-state region making their way to Jefferson University this weekend for Philly Live I. There will also be a large contingent of high schools from Delaware making their way to compete in the area during the first June scholastic live period. 

With them they will bring some intriguing prospects, who may right now be flying under the radar. Here’s a breakdown of some of the potential next-level players to keep an eye on from the First State during the weekend:

(Check out the full schedule of the weekend here)

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Appoquinimink
Appoquinimink returns multiple contributors from the previous season who will be in expanded roles heading into December. 2025 Daniel Harvey (5-9), who split playmaking duties in 22-23 will run the show for the Jaguars. His creativity as a facilitator will go a long way. 2025 Kaleb Ra'ifa (5-9) can score in bunches, especially 15 feet & out. 2024 Reynaldo Carrier (6-5 F), 2024 and 2025 Riley Buzby (6-3 W) provide more length. Carrier is active around the basket, while Buzby takes more of an outside-in approach as shooters who can also play inside.

Caravel Academy
The Buccaneers of Caravel Academy feature a complimentary pair of 2024 guards in Miles White (6-2) and Dominique Wyatt (5-8). White gets to his spots with his strength, driving through defenders. He accents that physical slashing with playmaking off the bounce and spot up shooting. Wyatt is a walking paint touch with the way he uses his speed and quickness to knife his way to the basket. And even when he can't get around defenders, he's still able to use his touch to finish over them with floaters. 2026 Trevor Webster (6-3) was deployed as a 3 & D wing as a freshman and will showcase his broader skillset as a sophomore. 

Middletown
After a run to the state semifinals on the backs of several seniors, the Middletown Cavaliers are regrouping around 2024s such as Clyde Frasier (5-10 G), Jack Murdaugh (6-3 W), Aviyon Matthews (6-4 F) and 2024 Eric Mathenge (6-5 F). Frasier was the backup point guard a season ago. His stout on-ball defense will be key for them. Murdaugh got spot minutes but showed he could stretch the floor when he did get in. And Matthews is making his way over from Seaford. The talented football player can help them on defense and on the glass. Mathenge can make open jumpers and play inside some. 

Salesianum
Salesianum, the reigning state champs, are back with 90% of their production from a season ago. The only difference is that now they're even deeper. The have the 2024 trio of Justin Hinds (6’6 W/F), Isaiah Hynson (6-3 G), and Kareem Thomas (6-5 G/W). Hinds is an excellent point of attack and team defender with an expanding offensive game. Their lead guard, Hynson, generates advantages for others and gets to his jumper whenever he needs to. And Thomas is a 3-level second-side threat who is getting better at creating for himself. The Sallies have more size and strength with 2025 RJ Johnson (6-5 F) who is simply an all-around hooper. 2024 Luke Brown (6-8 F) is their stretch big who can make a major impact once he puts it all together. 2024 Zach Swartout (5-11 G) is another contributor. Of their rising sophomores, Anthony “Tookie” Smith gave them a spark off the bench with his two-way playmaking. They have Mark Brown (6-4), and Dominic Downs (6-4 F) in that 2026 cadre as well. 

Sanford School
Despite losing three starters to graduation, the Sanford Warriors return a promising group. In the backcourt, 2024 combo guard Tommy Vaughn (5-11 G) is an improvisational athlete who can score off-ball or off the dribble, while 2024 Jordan Spencer (6-3 W) is a connector on the wing who can knock down threes at a high volume and extend advantages. 2025 Nico McNeil (5-10 G) will run some point for them. Holding down the frontcourt are 2025 forwards Jayden Taylor (6-8 F) Stephen Conway (6-5 F). Taylor plays above the rim as a cutter and shot-blocker, but he can pick-and-pop as well. His counterpart, Conway, scores below the rim with craft. Their incoming freshman 2027 Marquis Newson (6-3 G/W) is one to watch out for. He hasn't played high school ball yet, but has been making some noise at the 15u grassroots level. 

St. Andrews School
St. Andrew's has been slowly building over the last two seasons with 2025s Rhaki Lum (6-0 G) and Elijah Proctor-Moore (6-6 W) and they might finally be ready to make the jump. Going into his third year as a starter, Lum brings experience, quick hands as a defender, and a quick trigger from three. Proctor-Moore oozes with potential based on his jumper and how he uses his length on defense. 2024 Yasir Felton and 2025 Joshua Ho are the other key returners. Reinforcing them are new 2025s Darnel Lloyd (6-9 C), Cai Romaine (6'1 G) and Bob Zhu 

St. Elizabeth's
The Vikings from St. Elizabeth's are a young team led by two 2024s. Aiden Tobiason (6-5 G/W) can initiate offense for himself and facilitate while his partner in crime Julius Wright (6-2) can score from anywhere, with or without the ball. 2025 Steve Nixon (6-1), 2025 Caden Harris (5-11), 2027 Kiyan Alexander (5-7), and 2027 Masen Price (6-2) are other names to know.

St. George’s Tech
St. Georges Tech will be led by 2024 Blair Thomas. The 6-5 wing is an asset shooting off the catch and shows the potential to be a rangey team defender. He'll be flanked by fellow floor spacer 2024 Jaeden Bull.

William Penn
The Colonials of William Penn came up just short in the state title game but they return two key players and then some. 2024 double-double machine Emmanuel Vonhm (6-4 F) energizes them with how hard he runs the floor, rebounds, and putbacks. The other returner, Elin McCoy (5-10), is a lethal pull up threat. And newcomer Rashid Ushery (6-4 W) has a knack for getting to his spots as a scorer.