City of Basketball Love

Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
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The Sixth Annual Diane Mosco Classic takes place this Saturday at Archbishop Wood, Vikings coach John Mosco building the event he started in his wife’s memory into one of the marquee events every December. This year’s event features a mix of teams from all over, the Catholic League to Delaware, District 3 to District 1 to District 12, no shortage of college talent. 

Here’s a look at all six games:

12:00 PM: Coatesville vs. St. Joseph’s Prep
This game in a word: tempo. This game in two words: much tempo. Coatesville likes to play fast and St. Joe’s Prep wants to play faster, both teams loaded with quality guards who can make plays from all over the court. Prep’s junior group is terrific: Jaron McKie, Olin Chamberlain Jr. and Jordan Ellerbee all scholarship-level ballplayers, with seniors Jalen Harper and Matt Gorman (Catholic) right there with them. McKie is the “star” but really none of them are, any capable of going off. Coatesivlle’s built similarly with guards Zuri Harris, Dior Kennedy and Marquis Peoples, all seniors, plus junior Amon Fowlkes all back from last year’s state quarterfinal run. In the middle, they do have some size in 6-7 sophomore Larry Brown, a developing talent who can knock down 3s, defend the rim and run the floor. 

1:30 PM: West Chester Rustin vs. Bensalem
This is the only game on the slate that isn’t stocked with D-I talent, but it should be a really good game between two programs that are built differently but should be equally matched in this Ches-Mont vs. Suburban One matchup. Rustin features 6-7 post Chaz Davis, a two-way presence, plus guards Ben Malley and Ryan Jaross back from last year. Bensalem coach Ron Morris has his sons, seniors Noah and Antonio, to lead the way, along with junior wing forward Jaidyn Moffitt, who can score inside and out. Whoever wins this will get some valuable points for the district rankings which could really matter come February.

3:00 PM: Imhotep vs. Reading
Only halfway through the day and we’re getting arguably the two proudest programs in the state, a game that’s likely to push the start times of the ones behind it back a little while. Imhotep and Reading both play an in-your-face style, though the Red Knights are under new direction in 2008 Reading grad Francis Camara, long-successful head coach Rick Perez stepping aside after last season to coach his son at Muhlenberg High School. The Panthers feature UConn commit Ahmad Nowell and a host of talented underclassmen, including Lateef Lorenzano and Zaahir Muhammad-Gray, while Reading has seniors Yadiel Cruz, Daquan Burgess and others to rely on to help make the transition easier. 

4:30 PM: Spring-Ford vs. Neumann-Goretti
Spring-Ford finished as the District 1 6A runners-up last year, and with expectations sky-high this season, they suffered a couple losses to open the season (to Parkland and Unionville) but have a big chance here against one of the Catholic League powerhouses. Neumann-Goretti’s got a new look this year, featuring wing forward Larenzo Jerkins, plus wing Amir Williams (Hofstra), sophomore guard Stephon Ashley-Wright, junior Torrey Brooks and more. Spring-Ford’s got the backcourt duo of E.J. Campbell and Jacob Nguyen, though junior wings Tommy Kelly and Matt Zollers have had strong starts to the year as well. This will come down to if the Rams can handle the Saints’ toughness.

6:00 PM: Central York vs. Father Judge
This was a fantastic game last year, Judge’s Kevair Kennedy hitting a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer for a 60-59 win after a go-ahead slam by Central York just seconds earlier. The Panthers feature wing Greg Guidinger, forward Ben Rill, lead guard Ben Natal and more back from last season’s squad, and they’ve already beaten Reading and Coatesville this season. They’re a legit state title contender. Judge, on the other hand, continues to be on the upswing. Kennedy’s a big piece this year, as is sophomore Derrick Morton-Rivera, senior LaQuan Byrd, junior forward Everett Barnes and more as Chris Roantree has his deepest team so far in his third year. 

7:30 PM: Archbishop Wood vs. Salesianum (Del.) 
As always, the hosts close out the event, with a matchup against a Sallies squad that’s the Delaware state favorites, deep and athletic all over the court. Wood’s gem this year is senior guard Jalil Bethea, the five-star Miami (Fl.) commit and one of the best guards in the nation, one of the PCL MVP frontrunners and a one-man show. But he’s got plenty of help, starting with Drexel commit Josh Reed plus juniors Milan Dean, Mike Green and Deuce Maxey, plus some impact underclassmen. Salesianum starts with senior wings Kareem Thomas (Dartmouth), Isaiah Hynson and Justin Hinds, but Taylor Trevisian has good depth as well with plenty of varsity experience.