City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The opening day of Philly Live’s second weekend of 2023 brought a ton of talent to the courts at Jefferson University, all four courts running from until late in the evening. CoBL was able to take in much of the action over the course of the day and evening; here’s who stood out to our writers in the games we were able to watch:

Sa’ir Alsbrook (2024 | Frankford)
Alsbrook stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals as his squad took down Delco Christian. He’s got some strength on his 6-4 frame and isn’t afraid to use it on both ends of the floor, whether that’s fighting for rebounds or bumping his way to the basket. He has a good sense of the court and made a few terrific finds to set up his teammates. His court vision and instincts also translated to the defensive end as he was able to find ways to pry the ball from the offense.

Dante Atkinson-Payne (2024 | Chester)
Atkinson-Payne has some of that untestable stuff in his brain that wires him to put the ball through the hoop. He’d appear to be coveted while attacking the rim before stretching out his arms to get a decent look at the cup. Atkinson-Payne finished with 15 points in a game against La Salle, pulling out a variety of tricks from his back to get by a defender and to the hoop.

Jalil Bethea (2024 | Archbishop Wood)
It’s weird to say that Bethea wasn’t on his best game on Friday night, because the Wood rising senior still went for 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting (2-5 3PT), throwing in a couple rebounds, assists and steals, but that’s how high he’s set the bar with his play this summer. Bethea still hit an eye-opening assortment of step-back triples, off-balance layups and wide-open catch-and-shoot jumpers (basically layups), while showing his athleticism with a big-time open-court dunk. He’s still good enough to be on this list. But we’ve seen him be better.

Fareed Brown (2026 | Eng. & Sciences)
The 5-7 combo guard already has a lot of responsibility on the team, even if he is one of the youngest players, and he is not letting them down. He looks comfortable in the role of playmaker and is confident against taller and bigger players guarding him. Against Garnet Valley, he scored 14 points with four 3 pointers. His shot is excellent and his awareness on the court is developed. He doesn’t turn the ball over often and tries to find open teammates, especially the bigs. 

Isaiah Brown (2024 | Don Bosco Prep, N.J.)
It looked like Brown might be knocked out of Bosco’s loss to St. Joe’s Prep just ahead of halftime, when he ran full-on into a solid screen and took a minute to get himself off the floor. But the 6-0 point guard is a tough customer, which he showed by playing just about every minute, showing no signs of slowing down in Bosco’s 50-49 loss to Prep. Finishing with 16 points, Brown has great body control around the rim, as he loves to attack the hoop off the bounce, sliding past defenders to get the ball up at the rim. 

Abdrahaman Coulibaly (2024 | West Philadelphia)
West Philly’s 6-4 guard/wing had his shooting stroke working as he went for 20+ against Methacton. He was really smooth getting into pull-up jumpers that kept going down, working mostly in the midrange but also knocking down a three. His wingspan is likely longer than 6-4 and the Speedboys like to deploy him to trap. He had a boy move in transition when he hop stepped and spun around a defender for what he made appear to be ab easy two.

Wayne Fletcher II (2025 | Central Dauphin)
Fletcher has a pretty jump shot and spotted up from deep for three triples in a win over Neshaminy. That wasn’t all he did though as he finished with 16 points in an entertaining CD win. A spin and finish in transition spotlighted his fluidity and he started to attack later in the game, consistently getting past the first defender. He got in a good stance on the defensive end as well, poking the ball away for a steal once or twice without picking up fouls.

David Fridia (2024 | Allentown Central Catholic)
The smooth 6-8 forward turned a solid performance into a terrific one with a torrid stretch during the second half of a 70-53 win over St. Joe’s-Hammonton — turning a tight game into a rout. He finished with 25 points and eight boards and has the whole offensive arsenal working at one point. Fridia did damage at the line, cleaned up the glass, finished through contact and caught fire with his jumper, drilling a pair of threes and pulling up over defenders his length in the midrange. He also manned the back of ACC’s defense as well.

Preston Fowler (2025 | East Catholic, Conn.)
Fowler got East Catholic off to a hot start, the versatile 6-8 forward knocking down a 3-pointer and then scoring on two put-back layups within the first three minutes of a win over Archbishop Wood; he didn’t keep that pace up going forward, but he still finished with 18 points and nine rebounds (five offensive). Most impressively, Fowler ended up as the primary defender on Wood’s star guard Jalil Bethea, doing a rather good job of keeping the five-star senior guard in front of him, staying low in his defensive stance and moving his feet well. Fowler’s got a smooth touch from outside (three 3’s), ability to finish above the rim and play the ‘2’ through ‘5’ all in the same game. 

Logan Gale (2027 | Neshaminy)
Neshaminy’s senior duo of Nate Townsend and Emeer Coombs have been well-documented in these lists but it was Gale who nearly rallied his team to a comeback win over Central Dauphin. The 5-9 youngster canned four triples as he led the team with 16 points. He also tied the game in the final second with a drive before CD beat the buzzer on the other end. The performance certainly asserted Gale as one to keep an eye on during his Neshaminy career.

Tristen Guillouette (2024 | St. Joseph’s Prep)
Guillouette had a size disadvantage in the post against Don Bosco’s impressive young 7-footer Keiner Asprilla, but used all of his know-how to work his way to a 16-point outing that had to include a double-double’s worth of rebounds and no fewer than five assists as he continues to show his terrific passing abilities. Guillouette is an expert cutter-finder, looking for Prep’s talented guards as they weave around the court, but he’s also great at sealing off his man at finishing around the rim. He picked up an offer from St. Bonaventure to close out the night.

Alex Hermann (2024 | Methacton)
The Warriors’ 6-3 wing was relentless on the boards as he helped his team to a win over West Philadelphia on Friday, going over 20 points and 13 rebounds in the contest. He did plenty of damage with putbacks on the offensive glass. Hermann didn’t test his range very often, but he hit a corner three. He’s a really good slasher to the basket and the lefty can finish inside or kick out.

Judd Holt (2025 | Cherokee)
Holt led Cherokee in its win over Delaware County Christian with 23 points. He bolstered the Chiefs’ offense with his display of perimeter shooting and primary ball-handling, knocking down a pair of right-corner triples, plus one from straightaway. His quick release and disciplined shot selection in a Cherokee offense that values ball movement should translate well to the season. 

Aldonis Martin (2024 | Abraham Lincoln)
Martin’s talent was on display in Lincoln’s win over Cedar Crest on Friday afternoon. The 6-3, 220-pound guard has a terrific combination of feel, IQ, ability and frame, with broad shoulders and a physicality that makes him tough to stop in the open court, but he’s a tremendous passer with vision who will make one-handed passes all over the place, and he’s got a soft touch from outside, knocking down multiple jumpers in the win as well as displaying his touch around the rim. Martin can play both guard positions with ease and certainly looks like a scholarship guard coming out of Lincoln, which is filled with college-level seniors.

Kirby Mooney (2024 | William Tennent)
Mooney exploded for 31 in his team’s win over William Allen, using his handle and athleticism to get to the hoop almost at will. He finished three and-ones on three straight possessions early, also adding an acrobatic left-handed finish to show off his skills around the rim. Mooney, a 6-4 guard, struggled a bit from deep to start but got his jumper going with a pair of pretty 3s late in the second half to help put the game away. As that part of his game continues to improve, one of the top scorers in the area will be even more dangerous.

Antonio Morris (2024 | Bensalem)
In one of the best scoring performances of the day, Morris scored 24 points out of his team’s 51. While in the first half he let the game come to him and tried to get his teammates going, Morris went off in the second half. The 5-11 guard can be efficient at all 3 levels and his mid-range jump shot is lethal. He makes it hard for the defender to contest the shot because he picks up the ball really quickly off the dribble and releases it even faster. Against taller defenders, the guard has the ability to make contact and get fouled. Defensively, he has quick hands and stays aggressive throughout the game. 

Ahmad Nowell (2024 | Imhotep)
Imhotep’s quite young this year, with three seniors on the roster and then a bunch of underclassmen behind them, including a number of rising freshmen set to play big roles right away. So Nowell needs to play a major role this year, and he looks up for it, scoring 24 points as ‘Tep beat Camden 56-53 in arguably the most-anticipated game of the weekend, with hundreds of people surrounding Court 1 both along the sidelines and on the track overhead, including dozens of Division I coaches. A physical two-way guard, Nowell was continually able to get where he wanted on the floor, making some tough layups and getting to the line over and over, showing why he’s considered one of the best lead guards in his class.

Nick Parisi (2025 | La Salle)
Parisi, a 6-foot-3 guard, has been on a scoring tear during the scholastic live periods and continued that Friday against Chester with a 23-point performance. The shooting stroke is legit and he knocked down four threes in the game. Combine that with good size out on the wing and some athleticism and ability to attack off the bounce and it makes a lot of sense why he’s so adept at putting the ball through the hoop. He also got after it on the defensive end with a pair of steals, which helped him push the ball in transition.

Jake Pukszyn (2026 | Liberty)
The Hurricanes don’t have to worry about finding a point guard for the next three years. The 6-2 point guard is an outstanding passer, with both hands. When he drives, he finds open teammates in the corner or in the paint after a back-door cut. The guard has a good hesitation and uses fade-aways or spin-moves when attacking the basket. He also scored a few times through back-door cuts. Pukszyn, who also plays for WeR1, averaged 10 points and 2 assists a game and was second-team All-Area. 

Josh Reed (2024 | Archbishop Wood)
Reed was all over the court for the Vikings in their three-point loss to East Catholic (Conn.), making quite a good impression in front of all the Division I coaches gathered above and below. The athletic 6-2 combo guard flashed his ups on a number of plays, including a flying and-one layup, helping him to 13 points; however, it was his well-rounded effort with eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block for good measure that really kept his name current the entire game long. Really has the ability to impact the game in different ways. 

Samson Reilly (2024 | East Catholic, Conn.)
Reilly was outstanding in East Catholic’s win over Wood, the 6-3 rising senior guard playing a steady, strong floor game as the team’s primary ball-handler, while also being its primary source of offense. Reilley went for 29 points in the 70-67 win, including five 3-pointers (5-7) while shooting 8-of-16 from the floor overall and 8-of-9 from the foul line, all of which came in the game’s closing minutes. Reilly was tough with the rock, knocked down shots from all over and found teammates when he got in trouble. 

Billy Richmond (2024 | Camden, N.J.)
Richmond was Camden’s primary, secondary and tertiary source of offense on Friday night, coming up with 29 of the Panthers’ 53 points in their three-point loss to Imhotep Charter. The powerful 6-6 wing guard scored from all three levels, hitting a trio of 3-pointers but otherwise getting to the rim with ease, finishing some major flushes in transition as well as a couple tough takes around the rim. He also was gobbling up rebounds on both ends, and just plays hard all the time — absolutely necessary in a game like Camden/Imhotep.

Ben Rill (2025 | Central York)
Rill knows how to use his height and body structure. Unlike other tall players that try to get out of the paint, Rill knows what his role is and how to dominate in the paint. The 6-10 forward scored 16 points in a 68-42 win over Liberty. He is always in the right position, which makes it easy for the guards to find him and serve him with an assist. Rill, who has heard from a few D1 schools, is patient and uses a lot of fakes to make the defender jump. With his great footwork, the forward also uses spin moves in the post. . 

Thomas Semiraglio (2025 | Bishop Eustace, N.J.)
Semiraglio looked mighty comfortable working in the lane and the 6-1 guard got there via backing down his man or cutting through traffic. He knocked down a few turnaround and short jumpers and also worked his way to the basket and to the free throw line (3-for-4) during a 16-point outings against Neshaminy. He’s got some playmaking feel at the point guard spot as well, tallying four assists, which again were set up by his ability to penetrate the lane.

Kyle Shawaluk (2024 | Perkiomen Valley)
Shawaluk impressed in a big win for Perk Valley over Cheltenham to start the day off. The 6-5 wing showed off his smooth stroke from the outside, knocking down four 3-pointers on six attempts, but he also did well off the bounce, absorbing contact to finish at the rim; he also had a too-smooth off-handed finish over a defender and a backhanded dominant-hand layup ahead of a closing defender. Shawaluk, who’s hearing from mostly D-II and D-III programs, finished with 20 points, plus four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Brendan Styer (2024 | Conestoga)
The 6-0 point guard can create for himself and his teammates. He plays with disciple and control. In a win over Cherokee, he led the team with 15 points. Styer, who made two 3 pointers, is constantly in attack mode and has different layup finishes in his bag. The point guard likes to use fakes and is able to find open teammates, even against the press. One of the most exciting parts of his game, especially for the college coaches, is that he takes a lot of charges. 

Amir Speights (2024 | Constitution)
The 6-5 guard led the team in scoring with 22 points and 8 rebounds in a win over Bensalem. He made it look easy to find the end of the net, especially from behind the arc. In fact, he made 4 threes. When they don’t let him shoot the 3, he gets to the basket using his ability to be strong and physical around the rim. Speights knows that he is athletic and explosive, so he crushes the glass to get offensive boards. He also showed that he can successfully play in the post and make contested shots. The guard is also an outstanding passer and can play multiple positions. 

Jake Sniras (2025 | Garnet Valley)
Sniras scored 19 points in a win against Eng. & Sciences and helped the team in many situations. He made some clutch buckets and was cold from the FT to end the game. He was impressive on both sides, as he was always aggressive. The 6-4 forward can get offensive boards and create second opportunities, but also score from back-door cuts. Sniras, who averaged 17.6 points a game as a sophomore, and was named 1st team All Central League.  

Jahrel Vigo (2025 | Allentown Central Catholic)
Virgo had a monster two-way outing for ACC in its win over St. Joe’s-Hammonton, piling up 25 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. He’s got some explosive leaping ability, which led to a pair of dunks but also materialized into grabbing rebounds, blocking shots and being incredibly difficult to stop inside. He used some change of pace to beat his man and also blew by. The big guard posted up a few smaller defenders down low and got out and ran in transition.

Honorable Mention
Aasim Burton (2024 | Cardinal O’Hara), Dywane Chess Jr. (2025 | Liberty), Miles Chevalier (2024 | Central Regional, N.J.), Emeer Coombs (2024 | Neshaminy), Hasan Dawson (2024 | Frankford), Milan Dean Jr. (2025 | Archbishop Wood), Wayne Fletcher (2025 | Central Dauphin), Lleyton Fried (2024 | Central Dauphin), Louis Galasso (2026 | Cherokee), Ian Glassmacher (2025 | Bishop Eustace), Blake Hargrove (2026 | Liberty), Jalen Harper (2024 | St. Joe’s Prep), Malik Hughes (2026 | Cheltenham), Keith Jackson (2025 | Eilliam Allen), N.J.), Jelarick Gonzales (2024 | William Allen), Laquan Harrison (2024 | Frankford), Elijah Leon (2025 | Trinity Catholic, Fla.), Brady Loughlin (2025 | Don Bosco Prep, N.J.), Fernando Marquez (2024 | Cedar Crest), Pearse McGuinn (2024 | Cardinal O’Hara), Jaron McKie (2025 | St. Joseph’s Prep), Ben Natal (2025 | Central York), Quinn O’Hara (2024 | Garnet Valley), Samair Peterson (2024 | Abraham Lincoln), Yayo Rodriguez (2024 | East Catholic, Conn.) Julian Sadler (2024 | Perkiomen Valley), Jaycen Santucci (2025 | Central Regional, N.J.), Tali Simpkins (2024 | Eng. & Sciences), RJ Smith (2026 | Imhotep Charter), Will Spross (2026 | St. Joe’s-Hammonton, N.J.), Nate Townsend (2024 | Neshaminy), RJ Young (2025 | Cedar Crest)