City of Basketball Love

By CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The 2024 CoBL Interstate Shootout, our ninth annual preseason boys’ high school showcase, took place this past weekend, with 116 teams from five different states coming to the Alan Horwitz ‘Sixth Man’ Center over the course of two days, all playing a pair of games against quality competition.

A number of CoBL writers and scouts were on hand throughout the event; though we weren’t able to watch every game, here’s who stood out to the staff throughout the course of the day on Saturday: 

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Crestin Austin III (2025 | Cumberland Valley)
Being down three starters versus Cherokee wasn't enough to stop the Eagles, because they had Austin III ready and waiting in the wings. The 6-4 forward capitalized on his size advantage by ramming his way to the cup. His bruising drives wore down the smaller defenders who had to stick him. So did his work on the glass. On top of his 17 points, Austin III racked up 13 boards by putting a body on the nearest defender, then tracking down the ball, leading the way to a massive win. 

Jaylen Bernikow (2025 | Odessa, Del.)
Locked in a cage match with Abington Friends, the Ducks came out victorious thanks to late game heroics from Bernikow. His jumper was unguardable throughout. The 6-1 combo answered everything the Roos threw at him by getting to his spots and pulling. All the way dialed in, Bernikow even dunked off of a lob in transition. When the game went into overtime, everyone knew he was getting the ball, but it didn't matter. Bernikow looped around to the top of the key off of a pin down and drilled the game-winning three. With every game he plays, his stock is rapidly rising. Wilmington University offered him a scholarship after he dropped 28 points and 4 assists in this one. 

Bohdan Bieketov (2025 | Montgomery, NJ)
A standout at 6-9, this player from Ukraine showcased a highly unique skillset. His ability to handle the ball like a guard is impressive for his size, evidenced by a downhill drive where he went behind his back, stepped through contact, and finished strong with a two-handed dunk. His versatility creates matchup problems, as he can either roll to the basket with aggression or pop out for perimeter jumpers. On the defensive end, he made an impact by altering numerous shots and sending a few blocks onto the neighboring court. His combination of size, skill, and physicality made him one of the most dominant big men on the court today.

Brayden Erfle (2027 | La Salle College HS)
The rising sophomore displayed a smooth stroke beyond his years and a confidence to shoot it from literally anywhere on the court. He knocked down several threes for a shorthanded La Salle squad against some tough competition in Friends’ Central. He also showed an ability to score on all three levels, hitting some tough mid-range jumpers, floaters, and layups. 

Matt Gardler (2025 | Marple Newtown)
Gardler started the Timber Creek game distributing and making plays on defense. But, down four at halftime, he shifted gears going into the second. The well-rounded point guard urgently attacked the second and third levels of the defense, driving all the way to the baja or pulling up for jumpers. Gardler cashed in one from deep too, as he tallied 22 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, buoyed by scoring 19 of MN's 31 second half points. 

Hayden Johns (2025 | Perkiomen School)
In two solid performances, Johns showcased his scoring ability and versatility on the court. In Game 1 against LaSalle College, he posted 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, displaying a well-rounded game. He followed that up with a 14-point effort in Game 2 versus Montgomery (NJ). Showcasing his ability as a tri-level scorer, the wing demonstrated his ability to step back and knock down 3-pointers with ease. His inside game was equally impressive, highlighted by a powerful one-handed dunk in traffic. After the dunk, he made a subtle statement with a brief stare-down at the opposition.

Kevair Kennedy (2025 | Father Judge)
The Merrimack-bound 6-foot-2 point guard was stunning for major portions of the Crusaders’ 65-50 victory over reputable Jackson-Reed (DC) on the first day. Kennedy looked like a track star with basketball skills the way he ran through Jackson-Reed, creating his own shot, though often finding Judges’ 6-10 senior center Everett Barnes (Loyola) inside for easy buckets. Kennedy had 14 assists, many to Barnes. He finished with seven points, although did a little of everything, with five blocked shots and seven rebounds. He is explosive to the basket, unselfish, sometimes to a fault, and plays the full length of the floor. There was one sequence in which Judge turned the ball over, and Kennedy came from the opposite side of the court to block the layup on the other end of the floor. His stock has risen considerably this summer and his play against Jackson-Reed was another example of that.

Ethan Lin (2026 | Montgomery, NJ)
Lin, a 6-4 scoring guard showcased his versatile offensive game scoring 21 points, including four three-pointers, all created off the dribble. On full display was his Jersey swag, as he displayed excellent decision-making with the ball, controlling the tempo and making smart plays under pressure. His handle, equipped with numerous counters, allowed him to find his shot at will, keeping defenders on their heels. In addition to his perimeter shooting, he was aggressive in driving to the basket, using his size to absorb contact and finish through defenders. His ability to score in a variety of ways makes him a difficult matchup for any defender, adding another dimension to the Montgomery offense.

Khamai Orange (2025 | Delco Christian)
In the second game against Bishop Eustace (NJ), the Knights’ standout delivered an impressive 20-point performance. He showcased his shooting range, sinking four 3-pointers throughout the contest. His defensive effort was equally notable in him diving out of bounds to break up plays and highlighted by a chase-down block where he pinned the opponent's shot to the backboard. His aggressive play in transition resulted in an "And-1" behind the back assist during a crucial moment in the second half, helping Delco Christian battle a tough and physical Bishop Eustace squad. 

Zamir Parker-Barnes (2025 | Abington Friends)
Leading the Roos in their epic battle against Odessa, Parker-Barnes had a special performance of his own. Listed at 6-5, he had defenders on their heels as he strided past them with sweep-throughs and euros. His trips into the paint turned into trios to the charity stripe, where he shot 8-for-11. Parker-Barnes also played a vital role on defense despite being in foul trouble. In the end, he produced 28 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block to stretch the game out into overtime. 

Kaleb Ra'ifa (2025 | Middletown, Del.)
In his first action as a Cavalier, Ra'ifa went in his bag to push Middletown past Paul Robeson. No stranger to a heavy offensive usage, he got going by attacking the offensive glass and knocking down a pair of threes off-the-catch. The defense would later face-guard Ra'ifa, but that didn't seem to help either as he shook them for more attempts at the rim. Scoring 15 of his 23 in the second, he turned a 1-point halftime lead into a 6-point victory, including 4 boards. 

Idris Rines (2025 | Upper Dublin)
A combination of size, shooting, and an ability to put the ball on the floor and get his own shot made Rines a matchup problem this weekend, and will certainly be a headache for opposing coaches this upcoming season. Rines was everywhere on the court during Upper Dublin’s Saturday afternoon bout with Rutgers Prep as he hit several 3-pointers, grabbed a plethora of rebounds and even blocked a few shots. He will be a pivotal piece for the Cardinals who look to build off a fantastic 24-5 season from a year ago. 

Julian Sadler (2025 | Perkiomen School)
A 6-1 scoring combo guard made a strong impression in the first game of his prep year at Perkiomen. Displaying his catch-and-shoot skills, he went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, showcasing his efficiency from three-point range. His defensive effort was equally notable, as he applied consistent pressure throughout the game. In addition to his scoring, he played the calming presence for Perkiomen during key moments down the stretch, making several assists that kept the offense flowing, including a full-court dot leading to an and-1 for the Panthers. The game ended in a convincing 61-32 win over the Explorers.

Sam’i Singletary (2025 | Lower Merion)
Singletary scored 25 points in a 64-50 win over St. Mary’s (New Jersey), getting nearly all of them in the flow of the game. He nailed three 3-pointers but also got to the rim and finished through contact. He made his free throws to convert 3-point plays. He also dished out three rebounds and three assists. 

Jake Sniras (2025 | Garnet Valley)
In a 53-42 victory over St. Mary’s, the 6-4 wing showcased his impressive three-level scoring abilities, contributing 25 points and 8 rebounds (unofficially)to his team's win. He displayed versatility, finishing an and-one play in transition, sinking mid-range pull-up jumpers off one or two dribbles, and forcing a key timeout with a blocked shot that led to a transition three-pointer. Known for his high motor and constant pressure on defenses, Sniras also made a strong impact on the defensive end, grabbing eight rebounds and helping to control the boards.

Nico Vacciano (2026 | Wissahickon)
The brawny 6-foot junior guard for Wissahickon displayed his offensive prowess in spades on Saturday against Appoquinimink. A true three-level scorer who has a clean 3-point stroke, a tight handle to blow past guards, and a strong enough frame to finish through forwards and centers. Look for Vacchiano to make a huge impact for his team this year in the Suburban One League. 

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Honorable Mention
Chris Beane (2026 | Haddonfield, N.J.), Noah Cohen (2026 | Upper Dublin), Elijah Crispin (2025 | Pitman, N.J.), Jared Dolimpio (2027 | Cumberland Valley), Mike Douglas (2026 | Haddonfield, N.J.), Kaylin Dunbar (2026 | Jackson-Reed, D.C.), Jack Greaves (2026 | Perkiomen School), Ryan Guveiyian (2027 | Haddonfield NJ), Da'Shaun Holden (2028 | St. Elizabeth, Del.), Kenny Hunter Jr (2025 | St. Elizabeth, Del.), Khaleek Johnson (2025 I Constitution), Diego Joy (2026 | Jackson-Reed, D.C.), Ryan Keating (2025 | Marple Newtown), Ryan Melniczak (2028 | George School), Peyton Miller (2026 | George School), Mikey Mita (2026 | Penncrest), Ryan Mulroy (2025 | Upper Dublin), Jaelon Murphy (2027 | Middletown, Del.), Beau Lyren (2025 I Delco Christian), Josh Obiora (2026 | St. Georges, Del.), Shane Phillips (2026 | Hatboro-Horsham), Ryan Smith (2025 | Hatboro-Horsham) Robert Spruill (2026 | Abington Friends), Matt Tollerson (2027 I Dock Mennonite), Jasir Tyler (2026 | Paul Robeson), Tyshawn Wilborn (2025 | Odessa, Del.), Latrell Wright (2026 | Salesianum, Del.)