City of Basketball Love

Rich Flanagan (@richflanagan33)
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The biggest live period event in the Northeast rolls into its second weekend as Philly Live II returns to Jefferson University and the new Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center, operated by Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB), from June 28-30. 

Some of Pa.’s best will make the trip from across the state and programs from N.J., Delaware, Virginia, D.C., Connecticut, Maryland, Ohio, and Massachusetts will descend on the City of Brotherly Love to play in front of hundreds of college coaches from various levels.

As three full days of basketball play out, here are some of the featured matchups for Day One; Friday’s full schedule is at the bottom.

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Philly Live Session II Preview
Day 1 (June 28) | Day 2 (June 29) | Day 3 (June 30)

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Archbishop Wood vs. Gill St. Bernard’s (N.J.)
3:30 p.m., PYB Ct. 3

Milan Dean amassed highlight after highlight during session one and the 2025 6-3 wing is hoping to continue that trend this weekend. Dean showcased a terrific shot-blocking ability and impressive defensive awareness, which led to quick runouts the other way. Deuce Maxey, a 2025 6-2 guard with Division I offers and interest, and Mike Green, a 2025 6-foot sharpshooter, are experienced players who will lead a new group of Vikings such as 2026 6-3 guard Brady MacAdams, 2027 5-11 Buddy Denard, and budding 2027 6-9 forward Jaydn Jenkins. Also watch for 2028 6-4 guard Rowan Phillips, who looks to be the next promising standout for head coach John Mosco. Gill St. Bernard’s has a trio of Irish imports to watch in 2025 6-8 forward Stanley Njekwe, 2026 6-9 forward Jakub Malecki and 2027 6-9 forward Kieran Quinn. Njekwe and Malecki were recently named to the Ireland U-18 team and will compete in FIBA U18 EuroBasket beginning July 26.

Archbishop Ryan vs. Dover (Del.)
3:30 p.m., Jefferson Ct. 2

The Raiders showed that there will be no hangover after the departure of Thomas Sorber and Darren Williams, and there are a multitude of players to thank for that. Brandon Russell, a 2025 6-5 guard, Matt Johnson, a 2026 5-11 point guard and only returning starter, 2027 guard Semaj Stone, Keyshawn Franklin, a 2027 6-4 guard and Eastern (N.J.) transfer, and 2028 6-5 guard Jack McMullin shined at Jefferson last weekend. There is true versatility for Joe Zeglinski’s squad and the recent addition of 2028 6-7 wing Jaylin Avery only adds to the intrigue. Dover enters Philly Live coming off its first DIAA state title in program history, and the Senators will boast 2026 6-5 guard Tarrance Williams and 2026 6-4 guard Chase Little, whose brother Dorrell won Del. Gatorade Player of the Year last year.

Central York vs. Salesianum (Del.)
4:40 p.m., Jefferson Ct. 3

Ben Natal and Ben Rill were two of the primary reasons the Panthers took home the PIAA Class 6A title last season and dynamic tandem have had a lot more eyes on them during this live period as a result. Natal, the 2025 6-2 guard, picked up an offer from Loyola (Md.) and Rill, the 2025 6-8 forward, dominates at the offensive end with his array of post moves. Brooklyn Nace, a 2026 6-2 guard, looks to be evolving into a viable third option with the departure of Greg Guidinger.  Salesianum fell in the DIAA state final to Dover and without Kareem Thomas (Dartmouth) and Isaiah Hynson, 2026 6-7 forward Mark Brown and 2025 6-6 Robbie “RJ” Johnson should step in and keep the Sallies in contention.  

Father Judge vs. Sanford School (Del.)
5:50 p.m., PYB Ct. 3

The Crusaders should be one of the main attractions as a berth in the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals for the first time in 25 years has raised expectations and those increased expectations start with 2025 6-2 guard Kevair Kennedy, who can light it up by scoring or distributing. 2027 6-3 guard Nazir Tyler should be the main beneficiary of Kennedy’s passing on the perimeter with 2025 6-9 big man Everett Barnes handling things in the frontcourt. Derrick Morton-Rivera, a 2026 6-3 guard who picked up an offer from Albany last weekend, is one of the best shooters in the area and his long arms allow him to finish above the rim. The best matchup of this one should be Barnes versus 2025 6-8 forward Jayden Taylor, who’s got a quartet of Division I offers, including Duquesne. 2025 6-3 Stephen Conway can score in a variety of ways and 2025 6-1 guard Khareem Hart provides another perimeter option.

Imani Christian vs. Imhotep Charter
5:50 p.m., PYB Ct. 4

A matchup of reigning PIAA state champions and two of the more accomplished Pa. programs in recent years highlights the first set of evening games, and there is scoring aplenty coming of each backcourt. 2025 Imani guards Nate Brazil (6-foot) and RJ Sledge (5-11) can light it up in a hurry as they push the pace and get into the lane with ease. Meanwhile, Andre Noble’s Panthers are led by 2026 6-6 wing Zaahir Muhammad-Gray and 2026 5-9 guard RJ Smith Jr., who picked up his first two D-I offers in Bryant and Delaware State. 2025 6-3 guard Carnell Henderson is primed for a huge senior season after session one and 2026 6-8 wing Zion Green is one of the best up-and-coming prospects in the city.

Archbishop Carroll vs. Sidwell Friends (D.C.)
7:00 p.m., PYB Ct. 3

The Patriots captivated the “Sixth Man” Center last week, showcased by 2026 6-6 wing Luca Foster’s 31-point performance against Upper St. Clair. That was one of the many reasons Archbishop Carroll is optimistic heading into next season. Even without starting point guard Ian Williams (torn patellar), 2026 6-1 guard Nasir Ralls, 2027 6-6 wing Munir Greig, and 2026 6-9 forward Drew Corrao, who has racked up offers from Manhattan and College of Charleston following Philly Live I, have displayed the depth this team possesses. Acaden Lewis is one of the best prospects in the class of 2025 with offers from North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, UConn, Kentucky, Miami (Fla.), and the 6-3 guard should have many of these schools on hand to see his dazzle on Friday night. 2026 6-5 wing Jalyn Collingwood, with an offer from Louisville, and 2025 6-5 forward Jalen Rougier-Roane, who has an offer from Marquette, should present a tough matchup for the rising Patriots.

Devon Prep vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh
8:10 p.m., Jefferson Ct. 3

The 2025 class of forward Zane Conlon (6-5), guard Shane Doyle (6-3), and Reece Craft (6-7) have been part of two state championships in their tenure and they will attract attention going against the Colonials’ 2026 6-4 Mani Sajid, one of the premier scorers in southeastern Pa. who scored 32 points against Central York last weekend. On the interior, Plymouth Whitemarsh boasts 2026 6-8 big Michael Pereira and 2026 6-6 forward Micha Thompson to control the paint. The Tide have depth on the perimeter with 2025 guards Calvin Smith (6-3) and Mason Thear (6-1) and their ability to hit from deep.

Camden (N.J.) vs. South County (Va.)
8:10 p.m., PYB Ct. 3

The nightcap concludes with former Roman Catholic standout Maalik Wayns leading 2025 6-3 guard Manny-Joe Samuel, 2026 6-1 guard Torrey Brooks Jr., who secured offers from Manhattan, Quinnipiac and Cal State Bakersfield following his inaugural weekend with Camden, and the Panthers after winning the NJSIAA Group 2 title in March. 2025 5-11 guard Sitafa Hall is finding his way in an expanded role and 2025 6-3 guard LeDarius Jones could be the next in a long line of talented guards to come out of the program. South County has a host of options on the offensive end in 2025 6-2 guard Jared Jackson, 2026 6-5 guard Brian Burns, and 2025 6-2 combo guard Elija Eccleston. Expect this one to be a high-scoring affair to close out day one.

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Friday, June 28
12:00 PM
Jefferson 1: Abington vs. Sterling (N.J.)
Jefferson 2: Cherry Hill East (N.J.) vs. Springfield (Delco.)
Jefferson 3: Holy Spirit vs. Octorara

PYB 1: Holy Cross (N.J.) vs. West Chester Henderson
PYB 2: Central Bucks West vs. Mount Pleasant (Del.)
PYB 3: Carlisle vs. West Philadelphia
PYB 4: Hightstown (N.J.) vs. Parkland
PYB 5: Springbrook (Md.) vs. St. Mary’s (N.J.)

1:10 PM
Jefferson 1: Kensington vs. Phoenixville
Jefferson 2: Central York vs. Dover (Del.)
Jefferson 3: Caravel Ac. (Del.) vs. Wissahickon
Jefferson Aux.: Cinnaminson (N.J.) vs. Octorara

PYB 1: Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) vs. Audenried Charter
PYB 3: Christian Brothers (N.J.) vs. Radnor
PYB 4: Central Bucks East vs. Seaford (Del.)
PYB 5: Kingsway (N.J.) vs. Marple Newtown
PYB 6: Boyertown vs. SLA-Beeber

2:20 PM
Jefferson 1: Central Dauphin East vs. Cherry Hill East
Jefferson 2: Conrad Science (Del.) vs. Sterling (N.J.)
Jefferson 3: Warwick vs. Plainfield (N.J.)

PYB 1: Allentown Cent. Catholic vs. West Chester Henderson
PYB 2: Linden (N.J.) vs. West Philadelphia
PYB 3: Holy Cross (N.J.) vs. Cheltenham
PYB 4: Hightstown (N.J.) vs. Cardinal O’Hara
PYB 5: Carlisle vs. St. Mary’s (N.J.)
PYB 6: DePaul Catholic (N.J.) vs. Methacton

3:30 PM
Jefferson 1: La Academia vs. Boyertown
Jefferson 2: Archbishop Ryan vs. Dover (Del.)
Jefferson 3: Council Rock South vs. Plainfield (N.J.)
Jefferson Aux.: Holy Spirit (N.J.) vs. Council Rock North

PYB 1: Central Bucks West vs. St. Joe’s Metuchen (N.J.)
PYB 2: Christian Brothers (N.J.) vs. Pope John Paul II
PYB 3: Archbishop Wood vs. Gill St. Bernard (N.J.)
PYB 4: Bensalem vs. Springbrook (Md.)
PYB 5: Kingsway (N.J.) vs. Fels
PYB 6: Phoenixville vs. Tower Hill

4:40 PM
Jefferson 1: Holy Cross vs. Middletown (Del.)
Jefferson 2: Bishop Eustace (N.J.) vs. Warwick
Jefferson 3: Central York vs. Salesianum (Del.)
Jefferson Aux.: Immaculata (N.J.) vs. Pennsbury

PYB 1: Allentown Cent. Catholic vs. Wissahickon
PYB 2: Caravel Ac. (Del.) vs. Woodbury (N.J.)
PYB 3: Camden (N.J.) vs. Coatesville
PYB 5: Phil-Mont Christian vs. Rancocas Valley (N.J.)

5:50 PM
Jefferson 1: Council Rock South vs. Central Dauphin
Jefferson 2: Colonia (N.J.) vs. East Catholic (Conn.)
Jefferson 3: Gloucester Catholic (N.J.) vs. Parkland
Jefferson Aux.: La Academia vs. Paul Roberson

PYB 1: Methacton vs. St. Joe’s Metuchen (N.J.)
PYB 2: Cherry Hill West vs. Seaford (Del.)
PYB 3: Father Judge vs. Sanford School (Del.)
PYB 4: Imani Christian vs. Imhotep Charter
PYB 5: Liberty vs. Lower Merion
PYB 6: Audenried Charter vs. Pocono Mt. West

7:00 PM
Jefferson 2: George Washington vs. Arts (N.J.)
Jefferson 3: Audenried Charter vs. Pocono Mt. West

PYB 1: Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) vs. Cardinal O’Hara
PYB 2: Fels vs. Linden (N.J.)
PYB 3: Archbishop Carroll vs. Sidwell Friends (D.C.)
PYB 4: Archbishop Wood vs. Andrews Osborne (Ohio)
PYB 5: Gill St. Bernard (N.J.) vs. West Catholic
PYB 6: Chichester vs. Tower Hill (Del.)

8:10 PM
Jefferson 1: Gloucester Catholic (N.J.) vs. Holy Cross
Jefferson 2: Coatesville vs. Colonia (N.J.)
Jefferson 3: Devon Prep vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh
Jefferson Aux.: Immaculata (N.J.) vs. Pocono Mt. West

PYB 3: Camden (N.J.) vs. South County (Va.)
PYB 4: Hayfield (Va.) vs. Imani Christian
PYB 5: Liberty vs. Rancocas Valley (N.J.