City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The final 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 almost every game (aside from the 8:30 AM set); here’s who stood out to our writers in the games we were able to watch:

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More coverage from Philly Live: Day 1 Standouts | Day 2 St. Joe's Prep Standouts | Day 2 Jefferson Standouts | Day 3 St. Joe’s Prep Standouts

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Ryan Ambrose (2025 | Bishop Shanahan)
The 6-5 wing scored 13 points (three 3s) and utilized his athleticism to grab eight rebounds and block two shots in Bishop Shanahan’s 44-41 victory over Hightstown Sunday afternoon. Ambrose has the strength to take his defender to the rim and the touch to finish at the basket; his jumping ability causes issues for opponents and he’s also able to handle the ball when needed. He doesn’t take plays off defensively and can guard any position.

Tidjan Auguet (2024 | Gill St. Bernard)
The French guard scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds in Gill St. Bernard’s 67-60 overtime victory over West Catholic Sunday afternoon. Auguet has a nice shot and hit three from long range. He also displayed a polished handle and significant bounce on drives to the rim and when going up for rebounds. His frame is already filled out with muscle which — along with his smooth lateral quickness — makes him a nuisance defensively.

Jalil Bethea (2024 | Archbishop Wood)
Bethea was extremely impressive on Sunday leading Wood to a 2-0 day. He had 30 points, six rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in an 84-68 win over Tunstall (Va.). Later on, he notched a double-double scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 73-65 comeback victory over St. Rose. In the comeback win, Bethea along with the team got off to a slow start, but turned it on late. He did a lot of damage at the charity stripe, where he went 17-19 and also went 3-6 from behind the arc. Down the stretch, he helped seal the win with his superb free-throw shooting in addition to some big-time rebounds. On multiple occasions during the last two minutes of the game he showed off his ridiculous athleticism by out-jumping everybody on the court to secure the defensive rebound. 

Jamarcus Brown (2024 | Tunstall, Va.)
The 6-4 wing had 26 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in a 84-68 setback to Archbishop Wood Sunday morning, but his rejection of Wood standout Jalil Bethea’s attempt above the rim was his most eye-opening play of the game. Not many people can jump with Bethea — and many wisely choose not to — but Brown was not deterred. He had multiple strong finishes at the rim including a couple and-ones and rim-rattling dunks. Brown missed all three of his 3-point attempts, but his form and a 4-for-5 clip at the foul line showed he’s a capable shooter as well.

Jayvon Byrd (2027 | West Catholic)
Byrd might not be in high school yet, but that didn’t stop him from dropping six 3s and leading West Catholic in scoring with 20 points in a 67-60 overtime loss to Gill St. Bernard (N.J.). The diminutive guard was able to get his shot off over taller defenders and has a quick release that makes it difficult to challenge. He already showed an intelligent grasp of the game playing against older, talented competition on GSB and found his spots within the flow of West Catholic’s offense.

EJ Campbell (2024 | Spring-Ford)
Campbell’s game has hit a new level this spring, the talented 6-0 lead guard showing he can be much more than a scorer, which has led to him picking up a Division I offer (from Rider) this month. He looked the part on Sunday afternoon in leading Spring-Ford to a 66-62 win over Teaneck (N.J.), scoring 18 points on 8-11 shooting (2-3 3PT), dishing out six assists with three rebounds and a steal. Campbell got his buckets within the flow of the offense, knocking down a couple catch-and-shoot triples, and hitting a few mid-range buckets when defenders would close too hard; his playmaking stood out as well, making a few great reads in transition and in the halfcourt to find easy buckets for his teammates.

Ty Carnegie (2025 | Teaneck, N.J.)
Carnegie almost single-handedly led Teaneck back from a 17-point deficit against Spring-Ford, his squad only losing by two after a layup just ahead of the buzzer. The 5-9 point guard scored 17 of his 19 points after halftime, hitting a 3-pointer but otherwise doing it mostly by getting to the rim, strong with the ball in his hands, and a tough finisher through and around contact. 

Isaac Cole (2025 | West Catholic)
The 6-6 forward used his long frame to impact in different ways throughout West Catholic’s two games. In a matchup with Camden featuring many high profile prospects Cole opened a lot of eyes with his performance on the defensive end. On one possession he was matched up with 4 star recruit Billy Richmond ‘24 and despite multiple attempts to get to the basket by Richmond, Cole completely stifled him. This came after Richmond was able to do anything he wanted on the offensive end during the first few minutes of the game when Cole wasn’t on the floor. Later on, Cole had 2 blocks on the same possession drawing many ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the crowd. Then, in the team’s 67-60 OT loss to Gill St. Bernard, he showed off his scoring ability by putting up 16 points and making three 3s. 

Shane Doyle (2025 | Devon Prep)
Doyle is one of many multifaceted wings on Devon Prep and it was his turn to run the show Sunday in a 63-56 victory over Sanford (Del.). The 6-3 rising junior scored 16 points with three rebounds and three assists. Doyle handled the ball frequently throughout the game and showed a tight handle; he can score at all three levels and guarded Sanford’s top player. Devon Prep has multiple players capable of making the biggest impact in any given game and Doyle is certainly one of them.

Jailyn Edmonds (2025 | Tunstall, Va.)
Edmonds, a 5-9 point guard, did it all to the tune of 14 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals in Tunstall’s loss to Wood Sunday morning. Edmonds has a great handle and passing ability, which he used to set up 6-4 teammate Jamarcus Brown for multiple easy buckets. His shiftiness when driving and craftiness when finishing allow him to convert amongst taller players; it helps that he’s a good shooter which opens up the paint by keeping the defense honest.

Darius Frazier (2024 | Dobbins Tech)
Frazier scored 16 points in a variety of ways in the team’s blowout win against Council Rock North. The 6-3 combo guard showed off a knocked down mid-range shot on the offensive end and even stepped behind the arc and knocked down a 3. He attacked the basket aggressively on multiple occasions finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. On the defensive end he was extremely active, disrupting passing lanes, and turning defense into offense. His steals led to coast to coast lay-ups for himself and easy opportunities for his teammates. Frazier was also active on the boards grabbing seven rebounds. 

Ahmaar Godhania (2025 | North Penn)
The junior guard should be sliding into the Knights’ starting lineup next season and he looks ready for the increased role. Godhania scored 14 against Executive Education Charter and 19 against Sanford (Del.) in North Penn’s back-to-back games on Sunday, doing most of his damage from long range with four threes in the team’s first game and five in the second. He showed some good hands on defense too, poking away a couple steals against Sanford.

Matt Hodge (2024 | St. Rose)
Despite the team’s 73-65 loss to Archbishop Wood Hodge impressed by scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds. He showed off a lot of versatility. He was able to step behind the three-point line and knock down a shot from there, as well as being able to work down low. On one possession he finished a really tough fadeaway jumper in the post and drew a foul. He drew a lot of interest from college coaches. Coaches from Penn State, Seton Hall, Temple and Marquette were there among many others and by the end of the day Hodge received an offer from Marquette.

Tariq Jennings (2024 | West Catholic)
Jennings’ athleticism was on full display against Camden. Gasps from the crowd could be heard as he threw down a ferocious dunk in transition which was the first of two dunks in the game for the 6-5 forward. He ended up with 14 points and five rebounds using his long wingspan to impact the game. He did a lot of his scoring in the paint finishing around the rim and also using a floater.

Max Lebisky (2024 | Phoenixville)
The Phantoms’ big man does everything well, so much so that he can be the hub of the team’s offense if needed. In Phoenixville’s win over Pemberton, the senior posted nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists while sitting much of the second half with a lopsided score. Lebisky, who scored 11 points in the Phantoms’ win over Notre Dame-Green Pond, hit the glass hard then immediately looked up the floor to try and trigger an outlet pass. His passing in the halfcourt was solid as well, hitting a couple cutters with nice dishes for open layups.

Deandre Lewis (2024 | Camden)
Lewis looked like a man amongst boys in Camden’s 56-45 win against West Catholic. He ended with 12 points along with 11 rebounds (6 offensive), using his 6-5 frame to dominate the paint. He made his presence felt on the offensive glass by using his sheer strength and determination to grab rebounds. In addition to outworking his opponents, Lewis also showed the ability to step behind the three-point line and knock down the deep ball. 

Ahmad Nowell (2024 | Imhotep)
Nowell and Imhotep got off to a slow start against St. Rose, finding themselves down by double digits early on in the second half. However, led by Nowell the Panthers stormed back to win 56-51. The high-profile recruit had a few highlight plays to power him to a 27-point outing. On a play early on in the game he stopped on a dime, broke his defender’s ankles, and pulled-up for a mid-range jumper. He also had multiple strong drives to the basket where he used his quickness and strength to go through contact and earn a couple of and-1 opportunities.

Quinn O’Hara (2024 | Garnet Valley)
O’Hara was strong on the ball in Garnet’s 68-54 win over Notre Dame-Green Pond, racking up 15 points and seven assists, several of which came to teammate Jake Sniras (see below). But the 5-11 rising senior did a great job of getting downhill in either the half-court or in transition, and he knows how to find shooters even when moving at a good pace. Hit knocked on one 3-pointer and both of his foul shots, otherwise getting to the rim or throwing in a floater. 

Nick Parisi (2025 | La Salle College HS)
Parisi’s been on these lists a bunch this and last weekend, as the Explorers’ rising junior guard averaged more than 20 ppg over five Philly Live contests. The 6-3 combo is dangerous in the open court, able to blow by defenders and get to the rim, though he was almost too fast on a couple occasions in a big win over Pemberton (N.J.). Parisi scored 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, showing he’s got some tricks around the rim to get around defenders, and though he was only 1-of-4 from 3-point range, he’s got a smooth stroke and a good-looking shot.

Nico Pena (2024 | St. Peter’s Prep, N.J.)
Pena is one of several impressive lead/combo guards for St. Peter’s Prep, though as the oldest member of the starting lineup, he’s the de facto point guard and their go-to option in a pinch. In a loss to Neumann-Goretti, the muscular 6-1 guard got his team a tough bucket or two when they needed it, finishing with 14 points, four rebounds and two assists. Pena knocked down a couple 3-pointers, showing great form on his jumper, and also had a couple creative finishes around the rim, Neumann-Goretti not giving him anything easy.

Josh Reed (2024 | Archbishop Wood)
Reed displayed physicality, strength, and craftiness in Wood’s 2 wins. Against Tunstall (Va.) he had 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal. He was even more impressive in the team’s 73-65 win over St. Rose, scoring 20 points and adding 4 assists. In the half court offense he used his strength to get to the basket and then used his craftiness around the rim to finish. He also showed his ability to work off the ball with hard cuts to the basket. Reed was also able to get his teammates involved by beating his man off the dribble and then kicking out to his teammates for open looks.

Rich Rosa Jr. (2026 | St. Peter’s Prep, N.J.)
Rosa’s a talented lead guard in a 6-0 package, bouncy and quick with a great handle and ability to score from all three levels. He put in 15 points along with eight rebounds and four assists in a loss to Neumann-Goretti, heating up as the game went on. Rosa is a good finisher at the rim and hit some tough buckets in the mid-range, missing the only 3-pointer he took. Rosa just played for the Puerto Rico U-16 squad in the FIBA Americas championship, helping them to a third-place finish.

Joe Shields (2024 | La Salle College HS)
Shields is a true plugger, the type who isn’t the bounciest or quickest but a good athlete who makes up for it by being everywhere on the court, which he was in La Salle’s big win over Pemberton. Shields finished with 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks, shooting 8-of-14 from the floor (3-7 3PT), finishing at the rim and knocking down jumpers. Shields played free safety in the full-court press, picking off a few passes and taking advantage of odd-man break situations, but he also did a good job in the half-court of finding his spots (or teammates) for a bucket.

Jake Sniras (2025 | Garnet Valley)
Sniras was too much for Notre Dame-Green Pond to handle, as the 6-4 shooting guard went for 25 points and 11 boards in an impressive offensive showing. Sniras got things started with a deep pull-up triple and went on to hit six of his first seven shots, finishing the game 10-of-17 from the floor (5-7 3PT), including a smooth turnaround/fadeaway jumper in the lane; he also made some great long passes, including a few ¾-court ones and several cross-court, his one assist not representative of his passing.

Thomas Sorber (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
Sorber used every bit of his 6-10 frame to dominate in Archbishop Ryan’s triple overtime (sudden death) thriller win over St. Peter’s Prep. He ended up with 25 points and 12 rebounds in the 58-56 victory. He was simply too much to handle down low. If the ball got to him in the post it was almost an automatic basket or trip to the free-throw line. He was able to finish at the rim through contact on multiple occasions. Sorber also showed off some versatility by bringing the ball up the court on several occasions. On the defensive end he had two blocks and altered many more shots. The Georgetown commit is in store for a monster senior season.

Tommy Vaughn Jr. (2024 | Sanford, Del.)
The crowd let out some surprised gasps when the 6-0 guard flew through the air for a poster attempt on a fastbreak that clanked off the back iron. It was one of the few times Vaughn Jr. missed in a 63-56 loss to Devon Prep Sunday when he scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Vaughn Jr. has an intriguing skill set that combines rare athleticism (high vertical/top-end speed), good shooting (four 3s), and the ball handling/intellect to orchestrate the offense. 

Darren Williams (2024 | Archbishop Ryan)
While it can be hard to get noticed with Sorber playing the way he has of late, Williams still managed to stand out in Archbishop Ryan’s 58-56 win in triple overtime. The FGCU commit knocked down three triples showing off an impressive ability to create separation with his step back. With the sudden death rule in the third overtime, Williams scored the game winning basket off a backdoor cut. He also added six rebounds and did a good job of controlling the game being the team’s primary ball handler.

Honorable Mention
Stephon Ashley-Wright (2026 | Neumann-Goretti), Deacon Beratta (2025 | Phoenixvill), Colin Boyle (2024 | Notre Dame-Green Pond), Dawson Brown (2026 | Phoenixville), Reece Craft (2025 | Devon Prep), Ben Duverglas (2026 | Hightstown, N.J.), Damian Edwards (2024 | Eastern Regional, N.J.), Sean Griffin (2025 | Bishop Shanahan), Jayden Hodge (2026 | St. Rose), Emmanuel Joe-Samuel (2025 | Camden, N.J.), Brady Krautzel (2025 | Garnet Valley), Adrian Lemons (2024 | Pemberton, N.J.), Kobe Morrison (2026 | Tunstall, Va.), Keon Long-Mtume (2025 | Neumann-Goretti), Corey Meade (2025 | North Penn), Ty Mishock (2024 | Devon Prep), Rylan Muniz (2025 | Executive Education), Jacob Nguyen (2025 | Spring-Ford), Max Portnoy (2024 | Eastern Regional, N.J.), Luke Pufko (2025 | Spring-Ford), Lamine Sanoh (2025 | Executive Education), Jaden Shipley (2025 | Executive Education), Jordan Spencer (2024 | Sanford, Del.), Amir Williams (2024 | Neumann-Goretti), Matt Zollers (2025 | Spring-Ford)