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Philly Live I: Day Three Jefferson Standouts (June 18, 2023)

06/19/2023, 8:45am EDT

By Owen McCue & Chad Graham

Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
& Chad Graham (@CGraham_Sports)
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The first weekend of Philly Live 2023 concluded on Sunday at two venues, Jefferson University and St. Joe's Prep.

CoBL was out at both venues throughout the day, taking in a good chunk of the action; here’s who stood out to our staff during the games at Jefferson:

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Jalil Bethea (2024 | Archbishop Wood)
Bethea showed off the whole bag and then some against Camden. The first half consisted of him torching the defense with his jumper. At 6-4, he hit a couple stepback threes and a couple more off-the-catch to go up by double digits on the Panthers. Then, after making another three in the second period and allowing Camden back into the game, the lanky multifaceted guard changed his approach. The defense played him for his jumper. So Bethea scored his final 16 points at the rim or from the free throw line. He beat his man and the helper off-the-dribble, got early offense in transition, and got putbacks. Wood needed all 41 points and 11 rebounds that he gave them and it was spectacular to witness.

Jaden Colzie (2024 | Plymouth Whitemarsh)
Hosting Gwynn Park during the first set of the day Colzie made sure things began on a high note. He helped the Colonials slowly chip away at an early deficit before fully taking matters into his own hands in the second half by cashing in FIVE pull up threes. All Colzie needed was an inch of space between him and his defender to let the chopper sing. One after another, his shots found the bottom of the net as Colzie amassed 25 points and PW snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Donnie Freeman (2024 | St. John's College)

Donnie Freeman (2024 | St. John’s College, D.C.)
St. John’s College used a balanced attack to take down a really good Richmond Heights (Ohio) squad in one of Sunday’s marquee matchups at Jefferson. The 6-9 forward finished with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block that prevented Richmond Heights from tying the game in the final seconds. Freeman, a Syracuse commit, is a scary sight in transition and pushed himself after a steal and ran the floor for an easy look. He used his size inside to get to the line (4-for-6) and showed off his shooting with a foul line jumper and fadeaway out of the post. The assists came in different ways, highlighting a good view of the floor. His length and athleticism impact on the defensive end as well.

Larenzo Jerkins (2024 | Neumann-Goretti)
Jerkins had quite the audience for N-G’s matchup with Hudson Catholic and though it took him a little while to get going, the 6-6 wing/forward delivered with a 16-point, 14-rebound performance, taking over in the second half. Jerkins’ motor his tough to match whether that’s trying to contain him on the glass or keeping him from the basket when he gets the ball inside. The spot-up shooting really impressed as he canned two triples from the top of the key/wing, using a crisp stroke. HIs competitiveness certainly translates to the defensive end where he has some positional flexibility with who he can defend. He swatted a pair of shots for two blocks to add to the terrific performance.

Dorian Jones (2025 | Richmond Heights, Ohio)
Jones had one of the highlights of the weekend when he caught an alley oop over Archbishop Ryan big man Thomas Sorber in a game that the Raiders eventually won. Jones, a bouncy 6-5 guard, finished with 17 points in a tight loss to St. John’s College later in the day. He knocked down shots throughout the day (three 3s against SJC) and was particularly lethal from the corner. Jones’ bounce allowed him to attack the rim and also contest on defense. He chipped in a block and three steals on the defensive end. When he frees himself on the break or runs a 2-on-1 with a teammate, defenders beware of ending up on a poster.

Kyree Latimer (2024 | Constitution)

Kyree Latimer (2024 | Constitution)
This isn’t the first time the All-Public League guard ended up on a standouts list this offseason as he continues to pile up big-time performances for the Generals. Latimer poured in 22 points in a loss to Springfield-Delco early in the day, sparking his team back into the game after a huge hole. The 6-3 guard has long strides and pairs his ability to breaks down his man with his length to consistently finish inside. He pulled up from deep and showcased some improved playmaking, two skills that good really turn him into an interesting prospect if they can continue to grow.

Tahaad Pettiford (2024 | Hudson Catholic, N.J.)
Pettiford didn’t shoot the ball too well from deep but he still finished with 18 points and eight boards in a tight loss to Neuman-Goretti. The 6-1 guard committed to Auburn can really exploded toward the hoop but blends that exciting athleticism with finesse around the basket — making a few tough finishes and dropping in floaters with both hands. He’s an exciting player to watch on defense as well, picking up three steals on Sunday as he’s advantageous jumping into passing lanes and very good at staying in front or sneaking up behind an offensive player to poke away the ball.

Billy Richmond (2024 | Camden, N.J.)
Wood's defense slowed down the 6-6 wing in the first half, limiting him to just 8 points, then he turned into the juggernaut in the second. Richmond was impossible to stop on drives. He got all the way to the cup with his physical and explosive slashing. Whenever he got a crease, he powered through it with others bouncing off from contact with him, rather than the other way around. So him on fastbreaks was even worse (for the defense). The only thing that impeded Richmond was to send him to the line, where he made 9-of-12 free throws. He dropped 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals in the valiant effort.

Calvin Smith (2025 | Harriton)
Those in the Central League are aware what Smith (and backcourt mate Marquis Kubish) is capable of and it won’t be long until he’s a known name around District 1. The 6-2 guard had an efficient 21-point outing as Harriton clamped down St. Andrew’s School (Del.). He started with a pull-up in the midrange and continued to show off his pretty shooting stroke with three 3-point shots. Smith was also adept at working his way into the spaces of the defense and using his touch to score or dishing outside. Defensively, Smith and the Rams locked down a sizable and athletic St. Andrew’s unit and the 6-2 guard’s effort on the perimeter certainly had a hand in that.

Thomas Sorber (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
Big men who can be your best player on both sides of the floor are hard to find; but the Raiders have one and the Hoyas are getting one in Sorber. The Georgetown-pledge had a grown man's game against Gonzaga from DC with 26 points, 18 boards, and 8 blocks. He routinely, altered or outright punched someone's shot on defense, then, immediately after, punished the Cadets from the post on offense. His ability to push people around while still being able enough to get by them was impressive. Sorber's mind and body were two quick for him to be deterred by what the opposing defense (and offense) tried to throw at him.

Hosea Steele Jr. (2024 | Richmond Heights Jr.)
Steele Jr. tallied 19 points in and seven rebounds in a tight loss to St. John’s College (D.C.). The 6-5 combo guard impressed with his ability to operate in close quarters, finding slivers of room in the defense to get to the hoop, where he used his length and athleticism to finish through and around contact or get to the line. Off the ball, he also played a little like an undersized forward at times, finding space around the rim where his driving teammate could dump off for a bucket. Steele Jr. contested a whole lot of shots on the defensive end with his long arms and athleticism.

Colin Treude (2024 | Springfield-Delco)

Colin Treude (2024 | Springfield-Delco)
Treude looked the part of a college prospect in the Cougars’ win over Constitution on Sunday morning, in which he finished with a team-high 18 points. The 6-6 forward is capable of driving on both sides of the lane and has good feel and touch with both hands — using jump hooks, floaters and push shots — to score at the basket and in the inbetween range. He also has a good feel for positioning himself on the floor and showed off his court vision and feel for the game with a handful of assists.

Kareem Thomas (2024 | Salesianum, Del.)
Sallies got off to a slow start versus West Catholic, but things got interesting once Thomas turned his game on. At 6-5, he was hard to guard. No one could contest his high release, resulting in a 2-dribble pull-up and 3 spot up threes. In addition to the jumper, Thomas made a living in the paint. He sliced through the defense off-the-bounce and drew several fouls before heading to the charity stripe where he made 9-of-12 attempts. They couldn't get the win, but he put up 25 points and 5 rebounds.

Kingston Wheatley (2026 | West Catholic)
The 6-7 forward burst out the gates on fire in the game against Salesianum. He out-hustled everyone for rebounds, scored on putbacks, and walled up to contest every shot around the basket. Him being so active and covering so much ground was infectious. His motor set the tone for the rest of the game, with his teammates having no choice but to match it. Wheatley's 12 points, 10 boards, 2 steals, and 3 blocks gave a sneak peek of what he can be long-term.

Darren Williams (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
With the Raiders down big in the first half to Richmond Heights in their third game of the weekend, Williams ignited Ryan with his shooting ability. The 6-3 southpaw combo guard caught fire from deep to close a 17-point first-half deficit down to three by halftime with a banked in heave at the buzzer and the hot hand continued after the breaks as he finished with 27 points to help finish off a 3-0 showing for his team on the weekend.

Honorable Mention