City of Basketball Love

By CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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MANHEIM, Pa. — The Hoop Group circuit came back to Spooky Nook Sports this weekend with the Spring Jam Fest, three days of action in front of the assembled college coaches during the only Division I live recruiting period of the 2025 spring.

CoBL had at least one writer in attendance each day, checking out a mix of local and regional programs. Here’s the third and final part of our coverage notebook from the weekend, including interviews we did with prospects in the 16U and 17U divisions:

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HG Spring Jam Fest Coverage: Event Standouts | Notebook Pt. 1 | Notebook Pt. 2 | Notebook Pt. 3 | 

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Zane Conlon (2026 | PA Hoops Academy HGSL 17U)

Conlon wasn’t sure if he’d be playing AAU this season. 

The versatile 6-foot-5 wing and Pennsylvania Class 4A Player of the Year had just led Devon Prep to its third state title in four seasons. Three days later, he announced he reclassified and will do a post-graduate year at Hill School. 

“It’s a little weird [playing AAU again],” Conlon said after dropping a hard-fought 48-45 game to Team Iverson Sunday morning. “But I love playing with this club at this time every year—just playing for fun, playing with the ones you’ve grown up with. It’s just so much fun.”

Conlon did a bit of everything per usual during the game, hitting a three, handling the ball, banging down low for 12 points, seven rebounds, a block, and an assist. He averaged 16.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists during his senior season with Devon Prep.

He plans to continue refining that all-around game while implementing new improvements during his post-grad year.

“I’m definitely trying to get stronger, faster, more mature,” Conlon said. “And obviously work on guard skills and get that shot a lot better.”

Conlon stated he was receiving strong interest from Navy and had an offer from Penn before the Quakers’ coaching change.

“They wanted me to do a prep year, so now it’s like everything’s kind of open again,” Conlon said. “My goal has always been to play Division I, but you have to go where you are wanted.”

He’ll keep his college options open as he finishes the final chapter of AAU ball with PA Hoops before starting a new one at Hill School and in college.

“You definitely look back on it,” Conlon said of being part of three state championship teams in his four seasons at Devon Prep. “I still talk to the team from the first one, so it’s really cool. But we gotta get another one with Hill School.” — Sean McBryan

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Kiyen Alexander (2027 | Full Court Philly HGSL 16U)

The 5-8 point guard might’ve been the smallest player on the court in Full Court Philly’s matchup with Miami Triple Threat in a 16U Platinum bracket semifinal Sunday afternoon, but that didn’t stop him from leading his team in rebounds.

Alexander had 11 points and seven rebounds, a key sparkplug in leading his team back from early 8-0 and 17-3 deficits and to a 43-41 victory in a game marred by Triple Threat’s head coach being ejected after two technical fouls, refusing to leave, and having the game called with 6:34 left in the second half.

“They had a height advantage, but I was still getting up for rebounds,” Alexander said. “That’s something I always do. Our coach honed us in. We were down, I think it was 17-3 and then he just said, ‘Lock in,’ and we locked up.”

FCP eventually won its bracket with a 76-75 victory over NJ Beasts.

Alexander plays at St. Elizabeth High School in Wilmington, Del., the lone non-Pennsylvania representative on his Full Court Philly squad.

“It’s pretty fun [playing with Philly teammates],” Alexander said with a smile. “They come in all different varieties.”

The guard was the second leading scorer for St. Elizabeth with 220 points during his sophomore high school season, leading the Vikings to the semifinals of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) semifinals.

“Our team did really well—we made it to the Final Four again,” Alexander said. “Overall, I think I did really well. I was fast, I was scoring, I was doing everything.”

Alexander boosted his scoring from 100 total points during his freshman season—St. Elizabeth went to the Final Four that year too before losing to Salesianum—and will take on an even bigger role for the Vikings in his junior year.

“I expect to shoulder a bigger load and amp up everything 10 times from last year,” he said.

He plans to continue working on his offensive game throughout the rest of the AAU season heading into his upperclassmen seasons and generate interest to play at the college level.

“Just get shots up—pull-ups, floaters, touch around the rim, threes,” he said. “I want to work on every part of the game.” — Sean McBryan

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Max Moshinski (2026 | Team Iverson HGSL 17U)

Moshinski played an important supplementary role in Father Judge’s historic season that saw them win their first Philadelphia Catholic League title in 27 years and first ever state title.

“That was our goal since we started the season: PCL chip, city chip, and then state chip,” Moshinski said. “We got two of those three. First time in 27 years for the PCL chip, and then first time ever. So, great feeling.”

The 6-5 wing assumes more of a go-to role during the AAU season with Philly Revolution, which is going by Team Iverson after announcing a partnership with Allen Iverson in March.

Moshinski managed some nagging injuries throughout the high school season and is back to full strength. He had 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in Team Iverson’s 48-45 physical victory over PA Hoops Sunday morning.

“Just trying to keep winning, keep playing with confidence, and keep doing my thing,” Moshinski said of continuing momentum from Judge’s run in the AAU season. “I’m expecting to take a big jump. I didn’t really play as much throughout the [high school] season because I was hurt, but I’m back now.”

Outside shooting is a specific area he wants to improve, stating it will open up everything else for him and make getting downhill easier.

He said he’s been talking to a few different high academic schools in the Patriot and Ivy Leagues. — Sean McBryan

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Brayden Martin (2027 | PA Hoops Academy HGSL 16U)

Martin wrapped up his first season in the Philadelphia Catholic League with Conwell-Egan after transferring following his freshman season at Upper Moreland, where he was named as an all-league pick in the Suburban One League’s Freedom Division.

The Eagles struggled in the win-loss column finishing 2-11 in league play and 9-13 overall, but the sophomore tried to make the best of his opportunities.

“It was a great experience,” said the 6-5 Martin, who has grown two inches since his freshman season. “It’s different from any other leagues. You play against really good players and I got better playing against great competition.”

This summer Martin made another change. He’s now suiting up on the AAU circuit with PA Hoops Academy after playing for Penn Warriors last season. So far, so good. PA Hoops won its bracket with a 54-46 win over Middlesex Magic Sunday afternoon.

“It’s going pretty good,” said Martin, who dropped 21 points in a semifinal win over NEPA Elite. “New players, just met them. I’m working on getting stronger because I’m going to be going into the PCL again and playing against that competition.”

Martin said hasn’t talked with any coaches yet, but is trying to get as much exposure throughout the AAU season and parlay that into more success during his second season in the Catholic League.

“I’m trying to just play in big tournaments right now,” he said.

In that semifinal win over NEPA Elite, Martin calmly went to the foul line and knocked down four straight free throws to seal the victory for his team. That calmness and confidence is something he hopes college coaches take notice of as his recruitment journey unfolds.

“It shows that I am ready to make baskets in big moments and knock down big shots,” Martin said. “College coaches look at that—game situations, hitting big free throws, that helps.” — Sean McBryan

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Adam McDonald (2026 | Philly Revolution 17U)

There’s no doubt this is a big offseason for McDonald.

Last year with Holy Ghost, which lost in the District 1 5A championship game and the PIAA 5A second round, he was the ‘young guy’ behind a huge group of seniors. McDonald saw plenty of playing time but he didn’t have to worry much about leading or sitting the tone in a group that was about as old as you’ll see at the high school level. 

But with them all gone, suddenly he’s one of the few Firebirds with varsity experience as the Firebirds try to maintain some of the momentum they’ve built up. 

“(The first practice) was a little weird, I felt like it was almost lonely,” he said. “The new guys are cool, I like them, I think we’re going to have a good season.

“[HGP head coach Tom Heston said] my next step, to get to college, is to become a leader and just lead younger guys and to just be a mentor,” McDonald added.

McDonald was a leader on the court on Friday during a win for the Revolution over Hoop & Motivate (N.Y.), compiling nine points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals as he controlled the game with the ball in his hands. McDonald’s a quality athlete with a deft handle and quick feet, using all sorts of crossovers and spin moves to break free of defenders and either find a teammate or get a look at the rim.

He didn’t take any jumpers in that one but he’s shown a quality 3-point stroke during his junior year as one of the few non-seniors to be part of the Firebirds’ rotation.

“I’ve got to get better with my mid-range game,” he said “I’ve got a ‘3’ and I can get to the basket, but the in-between game’s important.”

McDonald said he’s already starting to get some college attention, mentioning York and Juniata as two area D-IIIs who had reached out this spring. For a ballplayer who’s been wanting to play college hoops since he was young, he admitted that the first college contact was “a little relieving,” with more sure to come if he continues to play the way he did Friday night. — Josh Verlin

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Timmy Dennis (2026 | Full Court Philly HGSL 17U)

Dennis is hoping to be a Division I college player. He has had heavy recruiting interest from Ivy and Patriot League schools and has visited Princeton, Lehigh, Holy Cross and Navy.

 “I’m still going to try to talk to some Ivys, see how that goes,’’ he said Saturday. “Really, I’m just looking for a high academic school where I can get something out of it for when I’m done playing basketball.’’

Dennis is a 6-7 forward who averaged 13 points and six rebounds (and made 90 percent of his free throws) last year for an Episcopal team that lost a close game to eventual finalist Hill School in the first round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Tournament.

“We had a solid year, and we only had two seniors,’’ Dennis said. “We have a good, young core and a newish coach (Taylor Wright, entering his third season) so I’m really excited for next season.’’

Dennis showed a wide range of skills for Full Court Philly HGSL in a physical battle with New York’s Heat Elite Saturday. Despite his size, Dennis is more a face-the-basket player than a post guy.

“We don’t really have a traditional five for my high school team,’’ he said. “We’re kind of a five-out offense. I’ll set screens and post guys when I get mismatches, but I’m really a three or four for AAU.’’

Dennis showed the ability to score inside and out, scrap at the rim and guard multiple positions.

“I’m working on footwork and, really, getting my feet faster,’’ he said. “I think my shot’s good, and I’m getting better at guarding one through five. Getting that quick first step to go around guys and get the rim and, I feel the only part of my game that’s lacking.’’ — Mike Gross

Quick Hits
— Jared Velez (2027 | Next Play HGAL 16U) was the first player off the bench at Conwell-Egan his sophomore year and started the last half of the season. He scored 10 points, showed great vision in finding open teammates, and willingness to do anything to win in Next Play Basketball ‘s 55-50 victory over Brad Wanamaker Elite HGAL on Saturday at Spooky Nook. During one moment, he intercepted a pass on defense, ran the floor, was fed by a teammate as broke to the lane, and saw out of the corner of his eye another teammate to his right, who he hit with a great lead pass as two defenders converged on him. He hit a couple of threes, and was willing to play defense in summer league game, where hardly any defense is played. It's something his Conwell-Egan coaches will certainly appreciate this coming season. He averaged four points and four assists a game.

“I want to work on my ability to drive to the basket this summer, and my handle,” he said. “I need to get in the weight room this summer. I want to get up to around 160, 165 pounds. I learned a lot this past season. I’m working to start next season. The Catholic League is tough. It helped me a lot. I remember facing St. Joe Prep’s Jordan Ellerbee. That was an education (laughs). In the Catholic League, you face the best of the best, and after that, you’re not intimidated by anyone.

“Ellerbee got the best out of me. I found out fast that I have to get stronger. He forced me to score. It was a whole different world. He was strong, really strong. After facing guys like him, it makes it facing guys my age a lot easier and gives me an idea of what I need to work on to get better next year.” — Joseph Santoliquito

— Justus Jones (2027 | Next Play HGAL 16U) looks more like a football player than a basketball, with a mature build that translates into getting by opponents on fastbreaks, creating his own shot, and able to hit shots from distance. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound rising junior added eight in Next Play Basketball ‘s 55-50 victory over Brad Wanamaker Elite HGAL, but four of those eight points came in a crucial moment of the game, with Brad Wanamaker trying to make a comeback after being down by eight in the last two minutes. Jones hit a three from the corner in the last minute that secured the Next Play victory. He started on junior varsity and did not get any minutes on varsity.

His goal is to change that this coming season.

“I’m putting two hours of work in every day to develop my game,” he said. “I working on my shot, working on using both hands, and I get it a lot that people think I play football. This summer has helped. We’re going against good competition and my coaches told I needed to improve my basketball IQ and work more on my shot. I want to be able to see the more intricate things on the court.” — Joseph Santoliquito