City of Basketball Love

Rich Flanagan (@richflanagan33) &
Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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The second weekend of Philly Live II consists of 158 matchups across three days, ranging from some solid local squads up through some major powerhouse matchups, which are sure to draw in dozens upon dozens of Division I coaches.

Here’s a look at some of the big-time matchups we are looking forward to, featuring some of the premier programs in the field:

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Click HERE for the complete Philly Live II schedule

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Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. St. Joe’s Prep
4:40 PM Friday, Jefferson Ct. 1

The Hawks boast a plethora of options on the perimeter starting with 2025 6-3 guard Jaron McKie – the son of the former Temple standout and head coach who recently received an offer from Seton Hall – and 2024 6-4 guard Jalen Harper, who can score off the bounce and rebound extremely well. They also boast shooters in 2025 6-foot guard Olin Chamberlain Jr., 2025 6-3 guard Jordan Ellerbee and 2024 6-2 guard Matt Gorman while 2024 6-9 forward Tristen Guillouette mans the middle. Dylan Harper – the No. 1 player in the class of 2024 according to 24/7 Composite Sports – is a savvy 6-5 lefty with offers from Duke and Kansas on a lengthy list and will be a matchup nightmare. He’s flanked by 2024 6-foot guard Isaiah Brown and a streaky shooter in 2025 6-5 guard Brady Loughlin. McKie versus Harper should make for a lot of offensive firepower. Then there's 2026 7-footer Keiner Asprilla, who will match up with Guillouette inside.

Camden (N.J.) vs. Imhotep Charter
7PM Friday, Jefferson Ct. 1

This matchup, a rematch of last season’s marquee game of the season, features two teams who have lost historically accomplished players but still have one elite mainstay with a plethora of new faces. Andre Noble’s Panthers put together a run of three consecutive Philadelphia Public League and two PIAA Class 5A titles with Justin Edwards (Kentucky) and Rahmir Barno (Florida Gulf Coast). Ahmad Nowell, the 2024 6-3 guard, is one of the best prospects in the area and leads group consisting of 2024 6-7 forward Makye Taylor, 2024 6-6 forward Jeremiah White, 2026 6-6 guard Zaahir Muhammad-Gray and 2027 6-6 guard Munir Greig, who just picked up his first Division I offer from Villanova. The Panthers – led by Roman Catholic and Villanova alum Maalik Wayns – said goodbye to Kentucky signees D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw, among others, but the holdover is 2024 6-8 forward Billy Richmond, who boasts new offers from UConn and Kansas. He is joined by Paul VI (N.J.) transfer Emmanuel Joe-Samuel, 2025 6-4 guard Naszier Simmons and 2024 6-5 guard Terron Murray.

Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Rutgers Prep (N.J.)
4 PM Saturday, St. Joe’s Prep Ct. 1

The Colonials are coming off a strong showing from last weekend's live period, led by 2024 guard Jaden Colzie, who went OFF in a win over Gwynn Park (Md.) in a big PW win. Jahseir Sayles is another familiar name out on the wing, while 2026 guard/wing Mani Waller has turned some eyes this offseason. Matt Bloom has built a solid program with the Argonauts, who recently graduated a terrific senior class of Jadin Collins, Jordan Atkins, Franklin Jones, and Cameron Piggee. Luckily, 2025 6-6 guard Myles Parker, 2025 5-11 guard Donovan Piggee and 2024 6-3 guard Jayden Jenkins should step in and contribute right away in their place.

Bonner-Prendergast vs. Immaculate Conception (N.J.)
4 PM Saturday, Jefferson Ct. 2

The Friars have a squad oozing with college-level talent and can certainly put on a show — and are worth a watch in the pregame layup lines as well. Nelson Lamizana, a 2024 6-7 wing/forward, is one of the area’s top athletes and Deuce Ketner (6-6) has played great this spring/summer. Kevin Rucker Jr. (6-5), Reggie Selden (6-1) and Chester transfer Kyree Womack are the other impact players for the Class of 2024 and athletic 2027 two-sport standout Kenjai Gaitling, who is also a football standout, is already making waves. Immaculate Conception point guard TJ Robinson, a 6-3 Louisville commit, is certainly a player to watch if he suits up and Myles Blackley, a 2025 6-6 sharpshooting guard, and Malachi Arrington, a 2024 6-10 forward, are D1 prospect in their own right who should challenge the Friars. It will be fun to see the likes of Ketner and Lamizana work against Arrington in the frontcourt.

Archbishop Carroll vs. Parkland
5:10 PM Saturday, Jefferson Ct. 2

There will be plenty of college coaches tuned into this one after Parkland’s Nick Coval exploded this past weekend for a couple of monster performances that added to his list of Division I offers. While not quite on that level, Robbie Ruisch was another eye-opener on a senior-laden squad with his sharpshooting in one of the game’s of this past weekend against Gwynn Park (Md.). Carroll’s on the other end of age with a sophomore-led squad that just went through the ringer with games against New Jersey powers Camden, Don Bosco Prep and Immaculate Conception. Point guard Ian Williams, recently earned his first D1 offer from Albany, and the Patriots 2026 class also boasts talent in the form of forward Drew Corrao (6-8), sharpshooter Luca Foster (6-6) and fellow guard Nasir Ralls (6-2) with 2024 forward Nolen Gerwer (6-7) a potential difference maker.

St. Joe’s Prep vs. Payne School of Technology (N.J.)
6:20 Saturday, St. Joe’s Prep Ct. 2

Payne may be one of the programs some will be unfamiliar with this weekend, but Robert Foster, a 2025 6-4 guard who avg. 13.5 points per game this season, and 2024 5-9 guard Isaiah Oliver, who avg. 11.8 ppg and made 39 three-pointers, are hoping to make a name for themselves. The Lions will also throw talented 2024 6-9 forward Eunique Rink, who avg. 11.1 ppg and 9 rpg, against Guillouette, which should make for a great individual matchup. Foster and Oliver will test McKie, Harper, Chamberlain, Ellerbee and Gorman in what should be a marquee matchup.

Archbishop Ryan vs. St. Rose (N.J.)
7:30 PM Saturday, St. Joe’s Prep Ct. 2

Two of the best big men in the country will face off against each other as 6-9 Georgetown commit Thomas Sorber and 2024 6-8 forward Matthew Hodge do battle in the post. Hodge picked up offers from Temple and St. Bonaventure during Philly Live I, where he had 42 points against St. John’s College (D.C.), and Sorber was equally has dominant for Archbishop Ryan, who have Florida Gulf Coast commit Darren Williams, 2024 6-1 guard Ryan Everett and 2024 6-3 guard Rocco Morabito on the perimeter. St. Rose counters with Hodges’ younger brother, Jayden – a 2026 6-5 guard with great athleticism and poise – along with shooters in 2025 6-3 guard Bryan Ebeling and 2025 6-2 guard Evan Romano.

Neumann-Goretti vs. St. Peter’s Prep (N.J.)
10:50 AM Sunday, Jefferson Ct. 1

Robert Wright III is moving on to Montverde Academy (Fla.) but just as he has done for over two decades, Carl Arrigale meshes his holdovers and newcomers together to achieve success. Khaafiq Myers will miss the whole live period with a minor knee injury, but that gives 2024 6-6 forward Larenzo Jerkins and 2024 6-5 guard Amir Williams the opportunity to showcase what they can do. Two new additions to the Saints backcourt are ready to make an impact in League Bound Academy (N.J.) guard Torrey Brooks and Martin Luther King guard Keon Long-Mtume and be on the lookout for 2026 5-9 guard Deshawn Yates as he prepares for his first season of extended playing time. 

The Marauders have a distinct size advantage with 2026 6-10 forward Will Higgs, a Christian Brothers Academy (N.J.) transfer with an offer from NJIT, going against Jerkins or Williams in the paint but the Saints have regularly found ways to limit talented bigs by fronting the post or switching to a zone. With so much athleticism and quickness on the outside, Neumann-Goretti will use its array of guards like Brooks, Yates and Stephon Ashley-Wright - Rob’s younger brother - to force turnovers and get out in transition for easy baskets. Easier said than done against 2026 6-foot guard Rich Rosa Jr. and 2025 6-foot Nick Peña, who made an astounding 59 three-pointers this past season, on the offensive end

Archbishop Wood vs. St. Rose (N.J.)
1:10 PM Sunday, Jefferson Ct. 1

Matthew Hodge posted his 40-point barrage then 2024 6-4 guard Jalil Bethea countered by scoring 42 of his own against Camden the very next day. Bethea holds offers from Kansas, Alabama, and UConn to name a few, and he can get his points whenever and however he wants, whether it’s with his lethal stepback jumper or using his long arms to finish over a defender at the rim. He is joined in the backcourt by two athletic wins in 2025 6-4 Milan Dean and 2024 6-3 Josh Reed, a recent Buffalo offeree. The Vikings don’t have anyone who can match up against Hodge inside but when he has been doubled, he has been able to kick out to his perimeter options like Panzini and Romano. Archbishop Wood is going to face many formidable bigs in the PCL this season, so this will be a good test to see if they are ready for those challenges.

Archbishop Ryan vs. St. Peter’s Prep (N.J.)
2:20 PM Sunday, Jefferson Ct. 1

The Raiders look like a team that will not only contend in the PCL but will make a serious run at the PIAA 5A title once again with Sorber, Williams, Morabito, Everett, and 2024 6-6 forward Jaden Murray but the key will be where the other production comes from. Brandon Russell, a 2025 6-6 guard from The Pennington School (N.J.), should help as should 2026 5-11 guard Matt Johnson. Sorber and Higgs should be one of the better matchups of the weekend with one established and the other trying to show he can contend with other multifaceted bigs.

West Catholic vs. Gill St. Bernard’s (N.J.)
2:20 PM Sunday, Jefferson Ct. 1

The Burrs are leaving the two best seasons in program history in the mirror and focusing on what more it can accomplish as they work in the likes of 2024 6-5 forward Tariq Jennings, 2026 6-6 forward Kingston Wheatley and 2025 6-3 Micah Waters – an essential piece during the PIAA 3A title run – into the rotation. Isaiah Muhammad, a 2025 6-4 guard, looks to be West Catholic’s go-to shooter and watch for Math, Civics & Sciences transfer Saaid Lee, who has a knack for getting into the lane and creating for others. WC picked up big wins over Bergen Catholic (N.J.) and Salesianum (Del.) last week and has tests against Camden (N.J.) and Dosco Bosco Prep (N.J.) also on the schedule during the weekend, which can certainly be filed under ones to watch as well. It’ll be interesting to see how WC can close its weekend out against a tough Gil St. Bernard’s squad.

Gil St. Bernard’s also said goodbye to a strong senior class, but has plenty of talent waiting to take over the reins of a program. Dorsett Mulcahy, a 2026 6-4 guard and the younger brother of the former Rutgers standouts, impressed during last weekend’s action along with 2025 6-foot guard Kobe Closell, who can fill it up from all over the court. The contest provides a chance for both unproven squads to end the weekend with a statement win.

Salesianum (Del.) vs. Cardinal O’Hara
2:20 PM Sunday, St. Joe’s Prep Ct. 2

These two school aren’t too far apart — just a quick ride from the PA/Delaware border, which sets up a fun Delaware vs. Delaware County clash with D1 talent sprinkled around the floor. O’Hara is led by 2024 guard Aasim “Flash” Burton, who holds offers from Drexel, Fairfield, Sacred Heart and Rider. Classmate Pearse McGuinn, a 6-7 forward, is primed for a big season in the Catholic League as well. Sallies has a lot of talent out on the wing in Justin Hinds (6-6) and Kareem Thomas (6-5), who are both on the Division I radar along with 6-4 guard Isaiah Hynson. Anthony Smith, a 2026 6-1 guard is another fun player to watch for the reigning Delaware state champions.

St. Rose (N.J.) vs. Imhotep
3:30 PM Sunday, Jefferson Ct. 1

Differing styles clash as St. Rose likes to run its offense through Hodge, who can both post up or work from the perimeter, while the Panthers rely on Nowell to facilitate the offense whether he’s scoring or creating. Nowell posted 17 points and seven rebounds against Imani Christian Academy last weekend and Muhammad-Gray and Greig showed flashes of brilliance playing in their new roles. Taylor will have to find ways to make Hodge uncomfortable but the interesting matchup in this one will be Jayden Hodge against Nowell in a battle of crafty and versatile guards.

Other Games to See:

Archbishop Carroll vs. Salesianum (Del.)

Archbishop Wood vs. Turnstall High School (Va.)

Bonner-Prendergast vs. Rutgers Prep (N.J.)

Imhotep Charter vs. Bergen Catholic (N.J.)

Neumann-Goretti vs. Ramapo (N.J.)

Neumann-Goretti vs. Camden (N.J.)

West Catholic vs. Camden (N.J.)

Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. West Catholic