City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The first weekend of Philly Live 2023 tipped off at Jefferson University, with four courts of action going from noon until after nine o’clock at night, featuring dozens of teams from the Philadelphia area and quite a ways beyond, dozens upon dozens of Division I coaches gathering to see them.

CoBL had writers at the majority of Friday’s action; here’s who stood out to our staff:

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More Philly Live I Coverage: Day One Local HS Notebook |

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Josh Benka-Coker (2026 | Bethlehem Catholic)
The 6-7 forward dominated the paint on both sides against Samuel Fels. Benka-Coker ended up with 12 points, two blocks and four offensive rebounds playing less than 20 minutes. He knows how to use his body structure and length in the paint to score a layup or grab offensive boards even if the defense is boxing him out. He is always aggressive and his athleticism definitely helps. The forward looked comfortable playing against older players and, while he still has a long way to go, is going to be a problem in the upcoming years.

Brendan Brunnock (2024 | Mendham)
Brunnock wasted no time against Radnor, knocking down three 3-pointers within the first couple of minutes leading his team to victory. Brunnock finished with 21 points, following up his 28 point performance against Mastery Charter North earlier in the day. Brunnock displayed his strong offensive skill set, highlighted by his ability to knock down shots from the outside. The guard showed he’s more than just a catch-and-shoot player, using his gravity as a shooter to pump fake and get guys in the air, opening up driving lanes. 

Aasim Burton (2024 | Cardinal O'Hara)
Burton is known for his ability to swiftly get into the lane, but it was his jumper that best served him early. With just a couple dribbles, the 6-2 guard pulled up from the mid-range to punish the defense for sagging off. Those middies eventually turned into threes. And once defenders tried to tighten up on him, Burton turned on the jets to blow by them on his way to the basket as O’Hara got the decisive win.

Naeem Colston (2024 | Samuel Fels)
Colston’s game can intrigue a lot of coaches at different levels because he is efficient and he never lacks effort. With his athleticism the 6-6 wing is always aggressive on both sides and active on the glass. Even against taller defenders, he makes it challenging for them by boxing-out, blocking shots and not giving up easy buckets. In a win over Bethlehem Catholic, he contributed with 14 points, 5 offensive rebounds and a block. Like he showed earlier this spring,  He can score in many ways by attacking the hoop and finishing with a soft touch or through back-door cuts.  

Steve Donahue (2024 | Montgomery)
After a slow start against Pennsbury, Montgomery started to find more rhythm through Donahue, who finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds. The 6-4 guard controlled the pace by attacking the rim or finding open teammates. Donahue, who also plays for United NJ on the grassroots circuit, has a solid 3-point shot and the fade away is one of his preferred options in the paint. The most important characteristic of his game is the shot fake. As soon as he catches the ball he uses a quick shot fake to make the defender get closer to him so that he can go by, or shoot the 3-ball if the defender is not close enough. The guard, who is receiving a lot of interest from Centennial Conference teams, has also heard from Patriot League programs like Lafayette and Army.  

Shane Doyle (2025 | Devon Prep)
With the four starters gone from the 2022 PIAA Class 3A title team, there are minutes to be captured and Doyle is making his case. The 6-3 rising junior poured in 12 points in a win over Central York on Friday night, hitting both from the outside (two three-pointers) and getting out in transition ahead of lead guard Ty Mishock. He had his moments last season, as evidenced by his 12-point game against Trinity in the state semifinals, but he will have an even greater opportunity to maximize those performances this season.

Quinn Gibson (2025 | Cherry Hill West)
After a season where Gibson averaged 13 points a game as a sophomore he appears to be headed for an even bigger season based on his performance on Friday against Central Bucks South. He showed the ability to score on all 3 levels. He displayed some impressive spin moves and euro steps on his way to the basket, the ability to knock down the foul-line jumper, and a 3-point shot. What was most impressive was the way he was able to step up when the team needed it most. The game ended up going into overtime and Gibson knocked down 2 threes and added a floater in the paint, accounting for all 8 of his team’s points in the extra period. The rising junior ended up scoring 25 points in his team’s 46-39 win.

Luca Foster (2026 | Archbishop Carroll)
Against one of the top teams in the country Foster went off. In front of coaches from high-major programs like Kentucky and Syracuse, the 6-6 wing scored 27 points and contributed with a lot of boards. While some of his points came from put-backs after the offensive boards, Foster could not miss from the corner either. As a matter of fact, he had 5 threes and the coaches on the sideline started taking a lot of notes. The wing, who has been showing his rebounding and shooting abilities with K-Low as well, is always in control and doesn't waste any dribbles. Foster has a lot of potential to become a top prospect in the upcoming years. 

Daniel Harvey (2025 | Appoquinimink, Del.)
The lightning quick guard poured in a game-high 21 points in a 56-53 win over Allentown Central Catholic. There was no answer for Harvey throughout, who used his quick first step to get by his defender and to the rim. Harvey finished over taller defenders in the paint while showcasing a smooth pull-up jumper. On numerous occasions Harvey stopped on a dime, rising up from the mid-range to knock down shots. Harvey also thrived In transition attacking any chance he got while leading the break for his team. 

Saaid Lee (2025 | West Catholic)
West Catholic head coach notes that Lee “just touches the paint over and over again and can really guard the ball. He plays the game the right way,” and that’s exactly what he did against a formidable Bergen Catholic (N.J.) frontcourt, led by 6-9 big man Terry Copeland. He scored 14 points, all in the paint, with quick drives and showed patience once entering the paint where he found shooters in the corner consistently. Lee began his career at Bonner-Prendergast and finds himself at another Philadelphia Catholic League program with an opportunity to take the starting point guard spot vacated by Adam “Budd” Clark (Merrimack). He took that next step on Friday.

Ethan Lin (2026 | Montgomery, N.J.)
Lin was quiet in his first Philly Live action, the rising sophomore getting comfortable on the court at Jefferson, but exploded in the second half for all 17 of his points in a win over Council Rock North. The athletic, fluid point guard had a few great baseline takes where he showed his body control to pop out, square up and finish, and he also had a too-easy up-and-under finish, as well as a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from the left wing. As he continues to fill out and refine his shot, he’s got scholarships in his future.

Rocco Morabito (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
Morabito’s shooting could be the difference between a monumental season at Archbishop Ryan next year or one that falls just short of its goal. The 6-3 guard drilled three treys and finished with 13 points in a decisive 71-56 win over Bergen Catholic (N.J.). He showed off his fadeaway in the lane and got himself open on the wing and corner when teammates Darren Williams (Florida Gulf Coast) and Ryan Everett drove to the rim. He couldn’t play in the state tournament due to PIAA transfer rules but with no eligibility issues as a senior, he’s primed for a big year.

Billy Richmond (2024 | Camden, N.J.)
Arguably the most dominant player today. 26 points effortless points in a win over Archbishop Carroll. The 4 star guard can score at all 3 levels, especially in the paint. In the second half, he also demonstrated he is an elite passer, ending with 5 dimes. The 6-7 guard possesses an impressive ball-handling and scored a few mid-range jumpers after a lethal crossover. Richmond has offers from Louisville, Kentucky, Kansas State, Villanova, Miami and Alabama among others, and will have even more responsibility next season without Kentucky commit DJ Wagner. 

Ben Robinson (2025 | Conestoga)
Robinson led the charge for ‘Stoga in an absolute rout of William Allen on Friday afternoon, scoring 18 points in an impressive all-around performance for the 6-1 point guard. Robinson knocked down multiple jumpers but just kept getting to the rim time and time again in transition, helped by a defense that forced turnover after turnover, its full-court press smothering. Robinson also opened eyes by throwing down a one-handed dunk in transition.

Oliver Schaefer (2025 | Council Rock North)
Schaefer was impressive for Council Rock North in a losing effort against Montgomery in the opening set of the event, the 6-0 point guard going for 19 points. Comfortable and capable with the ball in his hands, Schaefer knew how to change his pace to throw defenders off balance, and hitting a deep 3 early in the game helped him utilize a shot-fake and get downhill, where he showed he could finish in creative ways around the basket. 

Thomas Semiraglio (2025 | Bishop Eustace)
Semiraglio is coming off a promising sophomore season where he averaged 10.5 points per game. On Friday, the rising junior guard showed off some elite 3-point shooting, going 3 for 6 from deep. However, Semiraglio also showed he is a lot more than a catch and shoot 3-point shooter. On multiple occasions he showed the ability to create opportunities for his teammates by finding driving lanes and then kicking out to the wings for open threes. He ended up with 16 points, helping his team beat Bethlehem Catholic 38-23. 

Nate Townsend (2024 | Neshaminy)
The 6-4 guard contributed with 11 points, 5 assists and a bunch of rebounds in a loss against Dobbins Tech. His passing abilities are impressive, especially one-handed passes that always find the target. His jumper looks smooth and he is big enough to score tough layups or get fouled. Townsend, who plays AAU with Mt. Pleasant Bulldogs, scored 14 points a game this past season with Neshaminy and earned a first team All-League recognition. He has been recruited by different D3 schools such as Wilkes and Arcadia. 

Thomas Sorber (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
The Georgetown commit put on a show with his future head coach, Ed Cooley looking on with 23 points and 12 rebounds in a beatdown of Bergen Catholic (N.J.). The 6-9 rising senior sank a three-pointer with his improving shooting stroke then handled things in the paint with an arsenal of post moves from a seal to a left hook. He even tipped in several offensive rebounds and swatted a multitude of shots, many of which turned into fastbreak opportunities for his teammates. Sorber demands so much attention and with that, his teammates are given plenty of opportunities to score. Even when he’s being watched (or even doubled in most cases), he still excels like he did on Friday.

Nasir Williams (2025 | Sankofa)
Williams showed off his scoring ability in a 66-59 loss to Upper Dublin, finishing with 17 points. The shifty guard showed off his range knocking down three 3-pointers all of which came off the dribble. Williams often froze his defender before rising up for a deep three. The rising junior was crafty when he got into the paint utilizing his soft floater in the lane to his advantage. Williams initiated the offense for Sankofa, dishing the ball to open teammates when he drew help in the lane. 

Nasseem Wright (2024 | Math, Civics, & Sciences)
In a back-and-forth game versus College Achieve Charter that went to OT, Wright paced the Elephants with 23 points from all around while making an impact on defense. As soon as he got a step on his primary defender, he strided by him to the cup. The same rhythm off-the-bounce Wright used to get to the cup he also used to rock his man off-balance before hitting a jumper. The free throw line is the fourth level he scored at. Once around the basket, Wright earned trips to the charity stripe where he made 6-of-7 attempts.

Honorable Mention
Jalil Bethea (2024 | Archbishop Wood), Zachary Campbell (2024 | Dobbins), Zane Conlon (2025 | Devon Prep), Terry Copeland (2024 | Bergen Catholic, N.J.), Reece Craft (2025 | Devon Prep), Brady Fogle (2024 | Upper Dublin), David Fridia (2024 | Allentown Central Catholic),  Ian Glassmacher (2025 | Bishop Eustace, N.J.), Greg Guidinger (2024 | Central York), Anthony Mauro (2027 | College Achieve Charter, N.J.), Alex McFadden (2024 | Radnor), Rowan Miller (2026 | Conestoga), Ty Mishock (2024 | Devon Prep), Josh Moore (2024 | Montgomery, N.J.), Ryan Mulroy (2025 | Upper Dublin), Azeem Murphy (2024 | Math, Civics & Sciences), Shamar Parker (2025 | Samuel Fels), Kaleb Ra’ifa (2025 | Appoquinimink), Nasir Ralls (2026 | Archbishop Carroll), Josh Reed (2024 | Archbishop Wood), Brendan Styer (2024 | Conestoga), Jahrel Vigo (2025 | Allentown Central Catholic), Ian Williams (2026 | Archbishop Carroll)