City of Basketball Love

By Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
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The Pete + Jameer Nelson Classic returns to Widener University this weekend, as the 20th annual Play-by-Play Classics event will see 12 games of action over the course of Saturday (Dec. 28) and Monday (Dec. 30). 

As always, Chester plays ‘host’ with a game each night in front of a friendly crowd, with teams from three different states and numerous different districts and leagues represented over the course of each day.

Admission will be $15 for each session. 

Here’s the full schedule, as well as a closer look at a few of the matchups:

Saturday, Dec. 28
Conrad Science (Del.) vs. Liberty (12:00 PM)
Cristo Rey vs. Buchtel (Ohio) (1:45 PM)
Friends’ Central vs. Chambersburg (3:30 PM)
Haverford School vs. Friends’ Select (5:15 PM)
Middletown (Del.) vs. Parkland (7:00 PM)
Chester vs. Cheltenham (8:30 PM) 

Monday, Dec. 30
Garnet Valley vs. St. George’s (Del.) (12:00 PM)
Bartram vs. Penncrest (1:45 PM)
Episcopal Academy vs. Marple Newtown (3:30 PM)
Parkland vs. Central Dauphin (5:15 PM)
Chester vs. Abington (7:00 PM)
Haverford School vs. Rocktop Academy (8:30 PM)

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Friends’ Central vs. Chambersburg
After a slow start, Friends’ Central has been heating up quickly, and the Phoenix face another tough test here in the Trojans, one of the top teams from the central part of the state. Chambersburg’s most notable name is senior wing Jai’tavius ‘JJ’ Kelly, a state champion triple jumper who’s committed to Ohio University for his hooping abilities; he also had high-major football offers as a wide receiver. Junior wings Landon Buhrman (6-4) and Colton Cornwell (6-4) give them additional size, and Shawn Shreffler has a host over upperclassmen around them. The Phoenix have been getting standout performances from sophomore guard Patrese Feamster, with senior Su’Meer Alleyne, junior Gabe Moore, and sophomore Oben Mokonchu among others stepping up of late. 

Haverford School vs. Friends’ Select
This private school matchup is a rematch of a game from Dec. 13, which saw the Fords run away from the Falcons for a 74-43 win, part of Haverford School’s 11-0 start to the year. Haverford School coach Bernie Rogers has a number of weapons at his disposal, including sophomore guard Silas Graham, senior guards Duke Cloran and KJ Carson, junior guard Dillon Gamble and some real size up front in 6-5 senior twins Leo and Jacob Becker plus 6-7 junior Manny Butts, who along with Cloran is making his way back from a torn ACL that cost him last season. Friends’ Select (6-6) has gotten great play this season from junior wing forward Ahmeil McLaurin, who’s provided a good complement to two quality senior guards in Jay Chiles and Isaiah Marshall, plus junior wing Owen Coughlin. 

Chester vs. Cheltenham/Abington
Sort of cheating here, combining both of Chester’s games, but both Cheltenham and Abington are quality District 1 6A opponents and both games should be of similar quality. The Clippers don’t have many household names, though they’re typically led by junior Nyrell Pray, sharpshooting junior Paul Lindsay, and seniors Dallas Thompson and Kristian Chambers, who are trying to keep the Clippers’ strong legacy going. Cheltenham’s players to watch are sophomore guard Kamal Mason and senior wing Osai Johnson; Abington features senior wing Paul Glants, senior guard Jake Manigault, junior guard Faizon ‘Skittles’ Garland and sophomore guard Xander Grasty. These are the kind of games that will really matter when it comes down to district seeding points in February.

Garnet Valley vs. St. George’s (Del.)
Coming up from Delaware, St. George’s has a roster packed with upside and length, no fewer than five players 6-foot-3 and taller on the roster. The biggest eye-catcher is 6-8 junior Joshua Obiora, a stock-rising wing with all sorts of collegiate interesting, and sophomore forward Amere Rhoades (6-6) adds more youth and upside. Garnet has its own promising young forward in 6-5 sophomore Grayson Golek, already a second-year starter, who’s a good complement to seniors Jake Sniras and Brady Krautzel, two more returning starters. Already with a win over Lower Merion under its belt, Garnet’s a real threat to win the Central League and make noise in the District 1 6A playoffs.

Episcopal Academy vs. Marple Newtown
Unfortunately, due to PIAA regulations, we won’t get to Marple’s Matt Gardler go head-to-head with East Coast Power teammate Matt McCarthy, as McCarthy’s status as a fifth-year high school player means he’ll need to sit this one out. But EA’s still got plenty of firepower without the FGCU guard, including fellow senior guard Langston Foster, junior wing Timmy Dennis and sophomore wing Gage Cunningham, a rapidly-improving inside-out presence. Gardler, a 5-11 senior, is certainly the engine that makes the Tigers (4-2) go, along with 6-5 lacrosse standout Ryan Keating; they’re surrounded by a group of upperclassmen including juniors Jack Dean and Sean Grogan plus seniors Noah Maida and AJ Tarquini.

Parkland vs. Central Dauphin
Yeah, it’s a matchup of two non-local teams, but it should be a good one. Central Dauphin already knocked off a Catholic League opponent on the road, winning at Archbishop Ryan, showing just why the Rams are one of the favorites in District 3 6A. That’s thanks in part to the backcourt of senior Wayne Fletcher II (Navy) and sophomore Shakur Starling, plus seniors Jelani Easter and Richard Chase, giving head coach Wayne Fletcher a talented quartet of guards and wings to build around. Parkland, the 2024 PIAA 6A runner-ups, features sophomores Cameron Hines and Blake Nassry and a deep junior class led by Jude Ruisch; the Trojans (3-4) already have a win over Spring-Ford under their belt, but come into the weekend having lost four straight.