City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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LANCASTER, Pa. — The Hoop Group hosted its Spring Jam Fest on Saturday and Sunday at Spooky Nook, which marked the first live period boys event of the AAU season. CoBL had staff in attendance both days to check out some of the local talent and others, focusing on some of the 17U action and getting our first look at some 16U and 15U squads as well. Here’s who stood out in the games we watched:

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More from Spring Jam Fest: Standouts / Notebook Pt. 1 / Notebook Pt. 2

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Ralphie Blundo (2025 | PK Flash HGSL 17U)
Blundo was the top scorer in an impressive 70-47 win over Philly Revolution OTM on Saturday, pouring in 20 points. Blundo flashed his range with four threes, including three in the first half. He did most of his damage inside the arc in the second half, able to position himself for easy buckets as he played off his teammates and creating for himself — a rip baseline into a pretty floater a good example of that. He’s got some strength to his game, which helps him be strong with the ball and effectively pressure on defense.

Devin Booker (2025 | K-Low Elite 3SSB 17U)
The 6-4 Cristo Rey guard had at least 20 points, five rebounds, and two steals in K-Low’s 59-47 victory over NJ Panthers Saturday morning. Booker showed off his rare athleticism and bounciness from a backcourt position with two thunderous one-handed slams that sucked the life out of his opponent. His 3-pointer following the latter of those dunks to put K-Low up 13 and effectively ended the game.  In the afternoon matchup against Team Loaded 757 HGSL, Booker literally took off from where he ended in the morning, but began the game with a half court steel and thunderous tomahawk dunk. It wasn’t his only one of the day as he flushed down a two hand dump in traffic off of a baseline out of  bounds.  He also knocked down three three-point baskets in the game, including back to back threes at the 8:30 mark and down the stretch, had a tremendous block at the rim leading to a fast break lay up, sealing the 59-56 victory for K-Low.

Malik Gasper (2025 | Chris Ward Basketball White 17U)
Gasper put together a 16-point, 10-rebound effort in a 65-64 loss to Philly Pride Select on Saturday. The 6-foot-7 forward from New Rochelle (N.Y.) is a big body down low and proved too much to handle for Pride through much of the contest. He still has a little bit of rawness to his game but he used his size well down low both as a rebounder and scorer and was soft around the rim. He had a pair of assists as well — and probably should have had one or two more — reading the defense as it collapsed around him.

Paul Glants (2025 | Eastern PA Elite 17U)
Abington’s 6-3 guard has a big body that he uses to back down smaller guards attempting to cover him. Glants then gets himself in position to score or set up teammates for open shots depending on what the defender does. He had 10 points, six rebounds, three assists in EPA Elite’s 47-41 loss to B-Elite Warriors Sunday morning, but his play sparked a spirited comeback in the second half after EPA trailed by 13 at the break.

Mike Green (2025 | Philly Revolution HGSL 17U)
The Archbishop Wood guard was on fire in Revolution’s 63-57 victory over Higher Level in the 1:10 game Saturday. Green’s shot meter was the same color as his last name as he hit four 3’s in the first half and finished with 20 points. He didn’t make any 3’s in the second half, but didn’t force anything and found his way to the rim or hit open teammates after the defense became worried about his outside jumper.

Madyx Gruber (2025 | PSB Philly-Ferrick 17U)
Gruber finished with 15 points, five assists, six rebounds and a block in a win Friday night against the Nova Covas. He has a tough, energetic style of play that consistently made things happen on both ends during the win. He's a strongly built 5-foot-11, allowing him to fend off defenders on the way to the hoop and helping him earn quite a few trips to the line (7-for-10). He made things happen for others as well, finding cutters for easy looks after carving his way into the lane.

Jamal Hicks (2025 | Philly Revolution HGSL 17U)
The 6-2 Penn Charter guard made a ton of plays on both ends during Revolution’s 63-57 victory over Higher Level in the 1:10 game Saturday with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Hicks was the primary ball handler and attracted a ton of attention from HLVL’s defense, which left teammates open to drain 3’s. Hicks got his own on offense with a handful of compact finishes at the rim, easy buckets in transition, and a developed midrange game.

Jace Hudson (2025 | WeR1 HGSL 17U)
Hudson, a 6-2 combo guard from Bennett High (Md.), had 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks in WeR1 17Us’ 47-43 victory over NJ Beasts in a 3:30 game Saturday. Hudson, who also plays wide receiver and returner on the football team, showed that physical skill set offensively with strong drives to the basket and defensively with the strength to bang down low and lateral movement to guard on the perimeter. He also showed finesse in hitting a 3 and orchestrating the offense.

Sam Kamenko (2025 | Caveman HGSL 17U)
The 6-7 wing from Kiski School kept Caveman afloat with two 3’s in the first half as Caveman overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat PA Coalition 61-60 Saturday. Kamenko hit two more 3’s in the second half and finished with a team-high 14 points. Kamenko has the size to shoot over defenders in the wing and skill to pivot in the paint to find open teammates off drives. His length causes problems defensively. He finished with three rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block.

Luke Kennevan (2025 | East Coast Power HGSL 17U)
Camden Catholic’s 6-4 guard was a walking bucket in ECP’s 68-52 loss to AKT Sunday afternoon, scoring nearly half of his team’s points (23) while also handling primary ball handling duties for the majority of the game. Kennevan has a great feel for the game and seemed to be able to sense when he could get his shot off either in the paint or from deep, where his jumper is pure. His utilization of pump fakes and pivots allows him to get quality shots regardless of where he is around the arc. He hit three 3’s and had four assists.

Jacob Lewis (2025 | PA Coalition Select 17U)
Jacob Lewis of Lehigh Christian Academy had a standout performance, scoring 17 points, with 14 in the second half, leading PA Coalition to a decisive 78-59 victory over PA Hoops. Lewis demonstrated his craftiness off the dribble, consistently finding his way to the basket. His proficient ball-handling and accurate shooting from beyond the arc made him a formidable threat, keeping the defense honest throughout the game. Lewis' quick first step made him a difficult matchup for defenders, allowing him to showcase his scoring ability effectively.

Ben “Jet” Malley  (2025 | PA Hoops Academy 17U)
West Chester Rustin’s Ben "Jet" Malley, a 6-foot scoring point guard, showcased his prowess on the court Saturday morning, leading the charge against The Maryland Sting with an impressive 16 points. Known as a true scorer, he effortlessly soars high and executes finishes in the lane with finesse but does possess deep range on his shot and will raise up from behind the arch,  His quick hands on defense are instrumental in executing the pressure defense strategy employed by PA Hoops,  forcing turnovers and igniting their transition game. Not one to shy away from sacrificing his body for the team, Malley fearlessly dives out of bounds for 50/50 possessions and steps in to draw charges as second nature solidifying his role as a defensive anchor.

Jacob Meachem (2025 | K-Low Elite 3SSB 17U)
The Hill School’s Jacob Meachem showcased his prowess for Team K-Low 3SSB in their victory against Team Loaded 757 HGSL this morning, clinching a 59-56 win. His super-aggressive yet controlled play style stood out as he fearlessly attacked the basket and maneuvered through defenders with finesse, finishing strong in the paint. Meachen's strength and balance were evident, allowing him to maintain pace and control throughout the game. Not only did he excel offensively, but his superb court vision facilitated seamless teamwork, highlighted by a crowd-igniting alley-oop pass leading to a thunderous dunk. On the defensive end, Meachem's disruptive presence proved crucial, helping to secure K-Low's victory down the stretch. A true floor general on both sides of the basketball. 

Patrick McDonough (2025 | District Basketball Club HGSL 17U)
McDonough went OFF in a tight loss to BW Elite, finishing with 20 points and a pair of assists. The 6-foot guard from Georgetown Prep (Md.) maneuvered his way in and out of the defense with ease, constantly dribbling his way into the lane. He drilled four threes and also pulled up in the midrange. The point guard made a few terrific dishes after collapsing the defense as well. He was active without the ball in his hands too, cutting through the lane and relocating beyond the arc.

Khamai Orange  (2025 | PA Hoops Academy 17U)
Khamai Orange, 6’2 guard from Delco Christian, showcased his skills in the 10:50am game against Maryland Sting, scoring 14 points and proving adept at creating opportunities for both himself and his teammates. His tough on-the-ball defense translated into forced turnovers and  transition baskets, while his aggressiveness on the glass resulted in crucial putback scores. In the afternoon matchup against PA Coalition, Orange continued to shine, leading his team with 16 points and over 5 assists in the contest. His ability to penetrate the defense and create scoring chances for his teammates, combined with his knack for drawing fouls and converting and-1 opportunities, highlighted his versatility. Additionally, Orange displayed a polished midrange game, including floaters and runners off the backboard, along with a consistent three-point shot, especially in pivotal moments to keep his team competitive.

Nigel Pierman (2025 | BW Elite HGSL 17U)
The 6-foot-6 forward from Friends’ Central finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three steals in a comeback win over District Basketball early Saturday. Pierman worked well in the pick & roll and played a little bit with his back to the basket, displaying a nice turnaround jumper out of the post. He also showed some versatility by putting the ball on the deck, and switching on to guards out on the perimeter. He slides really well for someone so strong, helping him force steals and also get into position to take a pair of charges.

Colin Pollock (2025 | AKT HGSL 17U)
Pollock, a 6-8 forward from St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes (Va.), started off the 12:20 game against East Coast Power in the low block, where he was comfortable both offensively, defensively, and on the glass. As the game progressed, he started showing off his handle by taking the ball coast-to-coast after securing a rebound. Pollock finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, and two assists before sitting out the last stretch of the game after banging up his ankle, but his play before that helped AKT secure a 68-52 victory.

Trevor Rehm (2025 | PK Flash HGSL 17U)
It was an impressive outing overall in a 70-47 over Philly Revolution’s OTM group on Saturday, but Rehm was certainly an eyecatcher — a thunderous transition slam announcing his presence early as he finished with 12 points and made an impact on the defensive end. The 6-foot-8 forward from Bishop Guilfoyle runs the floor and has good hands to catch on the move. He worked out of the paint area and showed off a post fade and drop step. The length, vertical ability and mobility are the most intriguing parts of his game, combining to make an impact on the defensive end as well, resulting in a couple of rejections Saturday.

Julian Rivera (2025 | Higher Level HGSL 17U)
The 6-1 point guard from the Highland School (Va.) led his own second-half comeback in a 63-57 loss to Philly Revolution Saturday. Rivera had 17 points alone in the second half and had a game-high 21 points and five rebounds. The lefty gets to his spots off the dribble and can either take it all the way to the basket or catch a defender off guard with a pull-up. He’s capable of hitting a three or dishing to teammates (two assists) once he has his defender off balance. Rivera is also a nuisance defensively, picking up three steals.

RJ Smith  (2026 | Team Final EYBL 16U)
The 5-foot-10 lead guard from 5A State Champion Imhotep Charter displayed his lead guard expertise this morning against a K-Low Elite 3SSB team that had no answers for him. In a pivotal moment of the first half, Smith showcased his shooting prowess by sinking back-to-back threes, igniting his team's momentum and putting Team Final up by 9 at the time. Smith, a shifty floor general, remained composed, never letting the pressure get to him. His ability to control the pace of the game and consistently disrupt the opposing guards led to crucial turnovers, fueling his team's transition offense. With four first-half triples and a total of 13 points, Smith's offensive firepower proved instrumental in leading his team to victory in a physically demanding matchup for Team Final.

Jake Sniras (2025 | PA Coalition HGSL 17U)
Sniras, the 6-4 forward from Garnet Valley, seemingly couldn’t miss Saturday in the 4:40 game against Caveman. Sniras and PA Coalition ended up losing an eight-point halftime lead in falling 61-60, but the forward scored 10 of his game-high 15 points in the second half in fighting off Caveman’s run. Many of those buckets came off back-downs ending in made jumpers where Sniras rose over the defender. He also hit a 3, crashed the boards (five rebounds), and found tamates (team-high three assists) when he was doubled.

Ashton Turman (2025 | B-Elite Warriors 17U)
The 6-0 guard from Meade High (Md.) uses his agility to get to the rim and finish with crafty layups. Turman also hit a 3 and ran the point for B-Elite in a 47-41 win over EPA Elite Sunday morning. The guard also gives full effort on the glass and defensively. His play, effort, and leadership in the second half helped B-Elite overcome EPA Elite’s comeback bid in the second half after his team led by 13 at halftime. 

Keni “Bird” Williams (2025 | K-Low Elite 3SSB 17U)
Williams started slow offensively in K-Low’s victory over NJ Panthers in the 10:50 slate Saturday morning, but his second-half scoring along with teammate Devin Booker helped the team dominate the second half. Williams hit one 3 in the first half and exploded for 12 points in the second half. He made a ton of hustle plays and showed that even when he’s not scoring he can affect the game by finding open teammates or playing tough defense.

Nasir Williams (2025 | Philly Pride Select 17U)
Williams was unguardable in the first half of Philly Pride Select’s win over Chris Ward Basketball on Saturday afternoon. The 6-foot Sankofa Freedom guard shot the ball well (four threes), knocking down some shots off the ball and on the pull-up. He’s pretty special with the ball in his hands as he alters speeds and has some quickness to shake defenders. Though he slowed down in the second half, Williams continued to put pressure on the defense — also scrapping for some boards. He’s not the tallest guard but he feels like he has some length that plays at the defensive end as well.

Honorable Mention

Jaden Banner (2025 | Philly Pride Select 17U), Deacon Baratta (2025 | East Coast Power HGSL 17U), Re’ale Basquine (2025 | Philly Revolution HGSL 17U), Jackson Britt (2025 | Higher Level HGSL 17U), Connor Cahill (2026 | PA Hoop Academy HGSL 16U). Jaen Chatman (2026 | NJ Panthers HGSL 17U), Jalen Chiles (2025 | BW Elite HGSL 17U), Abraham Coulibaly (2025 | BW Elite HGSL 17U), Kobe Davis (2025 | AKT HGSL 17U), Jacob Dunkle (2025 | Caveman HGSL 17U), Hobbes Fiel (2025 | Nova Cavaliers-Marshall 17U), Langston Foster (2025 | Philly Pride Select 17U), Brendan Gaines (2025 | PA Coalition HGSL 17U), Ahmaar Godhania (2025 | PSB Philly-Ferrick 17U), Kenneth Hunter Jr. (2025 | District Basketball Club HGSL 17U), Caleb Jameson (2025 | PSB Philly-Ferrick 17U), Will Lesovitz (2026 | Penn Warriors HGSL 16U), Keon Long-Mtume (2025 | Philly Revolution OTM 17U), Shane O’Brien (2026 | PA Hoops Academy HGSL 16U), Chance Perkins (2025 | Higher Level HGSL 17U), Zach Pollaro (2025 | Caveman HGSL 17U), Brady Mayo (2025 | PK Flash HGSL 17U), Kas Mirza (2025 | Chris Ward Basketball White 17U), Brennan Pilot (2025 | Nova Cavaliers-Marshall 17U), Marvin Reed  (2027 | Team Final EYBL 15U), Doron Ross (2026 | Penn Warriors HGSL 16U), Matt Scalisi (2026 | Penn Warriors HGSL 16U), Kai Shinholster (2025 | K-Low Elite 3SSB 17U), Donte Tisinger (2025 | Caveman HGSL 17U), Ace Varella (2025 | Philly Revolution OTM 17U), Trybe Wise (2025 | WeR1 HGSL 17U)