City of Basketball Love

By CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The dust has settled on Week 1 of the annual two-weekend hoopfest that is Philly Live 2025 with 10 courts of action wrapping up play Sunday night.

CoBL had writers and scouts at Jefferson University and the Alan Horwitz 'Sixth Man' Center throughout the weekend. Here's Pt. 1 of notebooks focusing on individual players and their recruitments:

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2025 Philly Live Week 1 Coverage
Standouts: Friday (Pt. 1) | Friday (Pt. 2) | Saturday (Pt. 1) | Saturday (Pt. 2) | Sunday (Pt. 1) | Sunday (Pt. 2)
Notebooks: Recruiting (Pt. 1) | Recruiting (Pt. 2) | Recruiting (Pt. 3) | Recruiting (Pt. 4) | Recruiting (Pt. 5) | Team Coverage (Pt. 1) | Team Coverage (Pt. 2)

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Colton Hiller (2028 | Coatesville)
There was no bigger local draw coming into Philly Live than Colton Hiller. 

And — though delayed by a day — Hiller delivered, and then some. 

Coatesville’s impressive young wing, fresh off a gold medal appearance at the FIBA AmeriCup with USA Basketball’s U16 team, was supposed to play his first Philly Live game of the year on Friday night, but travel delays on the part of Windermere Prep (Fla.) meant the game was pushed back to Saturday morning. So it was at 9 AM that more than two dozen Division I coaches packed the sideline at the Alan Horwitz ‘Sixth Man’ Center to watch Hiller drop 25 points with 10 rebounds against Windermere and star 2026 Brandon Bass Jr.

The next day, he went off for 34 points in an overtime win against Rutgers Prep (N.J.) that had folks buzzing about his performance.

Just another weekend for a youngster who’s quickly becoming a must-see player on the high school and grassroots hoops scene. 

“I’ve been away from my teammates for a while, especially my high school teammates, been traveling a lot, fun to get back,” he told CoBL after Saturday’s game. 

Hiller’s already had quite the June. He made his first USA Junior Basketball team, went down to Mexico, won a gold medal. Then he turned 15. 

Being invited to the USA Basketball junior team tryout was something of a surprise for Hiller, considering he’d been passed over for a couple minicamps, usually the first step towards making a team. And despite being the youngest member of the team, he impressed the coaches enough to not only make the team but play major minutes, averaging 13 points per game and hitting 14-of-38 (36.8%) from 3-point range. 

“After the second day [of tryouts], I had a really good put-back dunk that impressed all the NBA scouts and stuff, that people didn’t know I could do, and that gained my confidence,” he said. “It was cool, all 30 NBA scouts were there. So yeah, it was pretty cool to play in front of [them].”

Then the offers started coming in: Villanova’s one, though Hiller said others will be public soon. After this weekend, it’s sure to be more and more. 

For now, three years away from college (and from being able to vote), Hiller’s in the early stages of his recruitment, having to deal with a complicated new landscape along with his older brother Max, a five-star offensive lineman in the 2027 class. That means contact from agencies and coaches alike, with all of that on the slow burn for now. 

“I have a couple looks from different colleges, but yeah just looking to build more college relationships and stuff like that,” Hiller said. “Just getting the offers and building [relationships] with the coaches.”

As for the rest of the offseason, Hiller said he’s working on playing with the ball in his hands more and more, as he’ll become the primary focal point of the Coatesville offense after being able to serve in something of a strong supporting role a year ago thanks to the presence of two senior combo guard/ball-handlers. 

“I’m having the ball in my hands a little bit more, I’ve still got to get used to it,” he said. “They’re going to be sending double teams [at me] and I’ve got to look to pass a little more, not dropping my head so much, but yeah, it’s going to be fun having the ball in my hands some more.” — Josh Verlin

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Mike Pereira (2026 | Plymouth-Whitemarsh)
Pereira’s first D-I offer has come rolling in.

After a breakout season and a change in AAU programs, three weeks ago La Salle gave him the call and his Division 1 dreams became a reality. La Salle is not the only school that currently has the 6-10 big man on their radar as he is currently in communication with other programs such as some Ivy League and Patriot League schools.

He has not yet done an official visit to La Salle besides attending a practice but is not in a rush, wanting to see how the summer and high school season goes, not looking to commit until next winter. Live periods such as Philly Live and continuing to talk to college coaches are sure to bring more offers as they are seeing something they like out of Pereira.

“They like my post moves, obviously my size, and how I run the floor, space the floor,” Pereira said. “They think that this is just the start of my development and a lot of the schools I am talking to see me developing a jump shot and spreading out my game which is something I have been working on.”

Pereira and the Plymouth-Whitemarsh squad have been putting in the work this offseason. Continuing with practices and workout regimens along with taking part in spring and summer leagues to take steps forward from where the Colonials ended the season. 

“Everyday we’re in the gym,” Pereira said. “Everyone's working on their own game but also we will do stuff together, really working on the chemistry.”

P-W's hard work is being rewarded; the Colonials beat the Connecticut CIAC Division I champions Notre Dame-West Haven in a close 69-68 win. Notre Dame has the highly-acclaimed and highly-dominant Abdou Toure, who is No. 41 in ESPN’s class of 2026 rankings and Connecticut’s 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year. But, the Colonials were able to stick to their guns and come up with a win, sending a message for the season to come.

“It was a great win,” Pereira said. “I think that game shows what we can do in our state of Pennsylvania. We’re going to keep getting better every game, we’re going to throughout this offseason and during the season as well. I’m excited for what the future brings and we’re going to keep working to get there.”

Just as Plymouth-Whitemarsh is working as a team to get better, Pereira will continue to work on his own game to prepare himself and show why he is ready for the next level.

“I’ve been getting in the weight room almost every single day,” Pereira said. “Putting on some mass so then I can be even more dominant and really bully the kids that I’m up against.” — Olivia Valania

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Marquis Newson (2027 | Neumann-Goretti)

Newson will be an electric addition to the PCL this upcoming season.

He spent his sophomore season playing at Academy of the New Church where he helped lead the team to a Friends' League championship. The Delaware native originally attended the Sanford School where he became a top player in his home state as a freshman, but he wanted the faster pace and better competition that Philadelphia has to offer.

Newson, for his upcoming junior season, has traded in the Friends' League for Philly’s formidable Catholic League in joining Neumann-Goretti, still chasing a higher intensity competition as he racks in more high-major offers.

“It's a lot different,” Newson said. “The Friends' League, it was aggressive, but this is more aggressive and more up-speed.”

Newson already appears to be finding his groove at Goretti. He put up 18 points and a handful of rebounds against St. Ignatius (Ohio) on Saturday, setting himself up to score by working his jumper and using his length to drive the lane and finish inside. His speed of game paired well with the fast style of play that Goretti is known for. 

“It’s a fun experience because I’m playing with an up-pace team,” Newson said. “Fast guards who like to push the ball. I think it’s a nice fit for me.” 

Not only did he make his own scoring opportunities but he set his new teammates up for their own as well. He displayed his unselfishness as a player by fitting in with the chemistry of the Saints, giving up his own chance to score by hitting his teammate with a clean look, and creating a better scoring chance for the team. He feels that is what he has been trying to incorporate more into his game, especially now trying to find his role within a new team.

“Getting more comfortable playing down-hill,” said the 6-4 guard, speaking on what he wants to get out of Philly Live.. “Finding the open man and not just always looking to score but making that extra pass to someone.” 

Newson played AAU with the Team Final EYBL program on the Nike circuit, which sparked his recruitment. 

His first offer came in July 2023, the summer before his freshman year, from Arizona State. Newson currently has three other high-major offers from Virginia Tech, St. Joes and Penn State, which he just received in the last couple of weeks. He has only made an official visit to St. Joe’s and has not yet planned anymore.

“It’s very exciting,” Newson said. “It just makes me want to go harder and get more offers.” 

Newson is ready to work to play at the highest level and he feels making the change to Neumann-Goretti and the intensity of the PCL will help get more of those high-major offers he is in pursuit of. — Olivia Valania

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Malik Moore (2028 | Union Catholic, N.J.)
Malik Moore was back playing at the venue where he received his first D-I offer, Philly’s own Alan Horowitz 'Sixth Man' Center.

Last September, before he started his freshman season, he and his parents were on the way back to North Jersey from CoBL’s Interstate Shootout when they received the call from Hampton University.

Now, the 6-3 ESPN No. 21 ranked player in the class of 2028 was back in action in the 'Sixth Man' Center for Philly Live with his first high school season under his belt and three official D-I offers.

“It feels good,” Moore said. “This is my first time playing in this [Philly Live] so it’s really exciting. I think I got some jitters out but other than that I think I played well.”

Moore displayed his skill set in Union Catholic’s 62-59 comeback win against the 6A semifinalists Upper St. Clair. From his insane athleticism and vertical to his ability to blow past the defense he showed why he was the Vikings leading scorer last season. He is not afraid to move a defender out of his way or impose pressure in the backcourt, which he credits to his time playing on the EYBL circuit.

“It’s extremely tough competition,” Moore said. “Every time you go out to play, you are playing a top ranked player or somebody that is really good or a team that is really strong. It’s always tough every time.”

The Jersey guard plays for New York’s PSA Cardinals, teaming up with Coatesville’s five-star gold medalist Colton Hiller. He is able to take what he learns on the Nike circuit to be a leader for his Union Catholic team despite his young age and college coaches have taken notice.

He picked up two more offers from Manhattan University and San Diego University since September, but Moore does not want to put a limit on where he can play.

“I want to play at a high-major school,” he said.

With dreams of playing at programs such as Duke, North Carolina, Auburn, or Kentucky the talented young star already knows what aspects of his game he needs to fix to get there: limiting turnovers and getting stronger to better finish around the rim. Moore is taking his recruitment process day by day knowing he still has a lot of time to develop.

“I’m just going to control what I can control out on the court,” Moore said. — Olivia Valania

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Quick Hits
— Council Rock South 2026 G Ryan Delp is finding himself a popular name amongst Division III programs, and the way he shot it Friday afternoon won’t hurt. The 6-3 guard dropped 24 points against Warwick in a win Friday, going 6-of-10 from the 3-point arc, grabbing six rebounds in a 20-point win. Delp said he’s heard from York, Catholic (D.C.), Juniata, Marymount (Va.) and Wilkes already this offseason, where he’s working on his ball-handling and ability to attack the rim off the bounce. — Olivia Valania

— Wissahickon 2026 SG Nico Vacchiano mentioned Wilkes and York as two of the small-college programs that have been in contact so far; he said there were more, but was having trouble recalling their names in the aftermath of a win over Warwick on Friday. That was understandable, as the 6-1 guard was impressive, scoring easily over 20 points — didn’t get a chance to keep score in this one, as I got there late — as the Trojans got into the 60s in the win. Vacchiano is a muscular, athletic guard, and he was really getting to the rim and finishing with aplomb. When it comes to the next level, “I want a coach that actually cares about me, puts me to work and makes me do everything well,” he said. — Josh Verlin

– Archbishop Wood 2028 G Dylan Powell already had an offer to his name, Rider extending back in May, then added when La Salle offered Saturday night. Powell played off the bench for the Vikings last season and he certainly seems poised for more playing time this year. The 6-foot Powell is tough-minded, he gets after it on defense and while he has a downhill mentality on offense, he’s also a willing passer. In a highlight matchup against Notre Dame (Conn.) on Saturday, Powell had four points and three assists, not a huge stat line, but his energy on both ends was noticeable.  — Andrew Robinson