City of Basketball Love

Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
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There are plenty of talented players across the state, many of them filling up the roster of the top 5A and 6A boys teams still left playing. While the list of great players in the area is bountiful, there are some studs in the Central, Western and other parts of the state as well.

Here are a few of the names from outside the year you many not be aware who could make some noise in the PIAA Tournament set to begin this weekend:

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Nick Coval (Sr. | G | Parkland)
The son of DeSales head coach and former William & Mary standout Scott Coval has made his own name in the Lehigh Valley, now near the end of a dominant four-year run at Parkland. The sharpshooting combo guard and Davidson commit has been the Trojans’ starting point guard and is playing with a new pace and confidence, utilizing the weapons around him while still putting up big numbers.

Tyler Grove (Sr. | SF | McDowell)
Grove is a big wing (6-6) with high-scoring abilities, the McDowell senior guard going for 30 points in a district playoff game. He can finish above the rim in transition, stretch the floor, score in the mid-range and the post, and he often presents a mismatch problem for opponents. 

JJ Kelly (Jr. | F | Chambersburg)
Kelly is one of the best athletes in the state, a 6-7 wing forward who’s also a track and field standout, winning a gold medal in the triple jump last spring. He’s obviously bouncy as all get out, and he’s got a better offensive game, but it’s in transition where he (unsurprisingly) thrives. 

Ben Rill (Jr. | F | Central York)
The Panthers’ starting post is a 6-8 junior forward who can play the ‘4’ and ‘5,’ popping out to knock down shots or posting up. Rill gives Central York a real rim-protecting threat defensively but he’s mobile enough to step out and guard guards when needed.

Tyler Robbins (Jr. | F | Upper St. Clair)
The man in the middle of USC’s District 7 title, Robbins is a 6-9, 210-pound post player whose length and presence has been a problem for opponents. The junior forward is a fundamental big who can catch and finish on the block, defends the rim, and rebounds.

R.J. Young (Jr. | F | Cedar Crest)
A versatile 6-7 forward, Young can step out and knock down 3s or score in the post, and he’s got a good physicality and motor to his game. Division I programs have been interested as the season’s gone on.

5A

Evan Berger (Sr. | G | Thomas Jefferson)
The 6-4 guard is a D2/D3 prospect who’s accomplished plenty at the high school level, including breaking the school’s scoring record this season, which had stood since 1989. He’s a really good athlete who is one of those guys who can go off for 20+ on any given night.

Adrian Brito (Jr. | PF | Pocono Mt. West)
Brito is a hardworking, powerful, athletic 6-5 combo forward who might not have elite size for his position but makes up for it with great hands, feet, strength and basketball IQ, which is how he’s already pulled in scholarship offers. A double-double machine, Brito’s also fun to watch on the defensive end, where he’s a great communicator and versatile defender.

Elijah Guillory (Sr. | G | Moon Area)
The senior 6-5 guard scored 39 points in the team’s WPIAL semifinal win over Thomas Jefferson, earning an offer from Youngstown State after the performance and committing soon after. He has a strong frame, bounce and a smooth stroke, helping him average more than 25 points per game.

Kevin Saenz (Sr. | G | Exeter Twp.)
An athletic 6-4 combo guard, Saenz is silky smooth with the ball in his hands, where he can score from all three levels. It’s tough to speed him up or get him off his spots, and he can finish at the hoop with both hands and uses his body well around the rim.