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CoBL/Nexxt Level Shootout: Things we learned

09/25/2017, 4:30pm EDT
By Josh Verlin, Ari Rosenfeld & Owen McCue

Ahmad Fair (above) and Neumann-Goretti looked plenty dangerous at this weekend's CoBL/Nexxt Level Shootout. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Josh Verlin (@jmverlin),
Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue) &
Ari Rosenfeld (@ARosenfeldDVHR)
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VOORHEES, N.J. -- The 4th Annual CoBL/Nexxt Level Shootout brought together four dozen teams from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware for two days of inter-state competition.

Here are several takeaways from the weekend:

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Neumann-Goretti still as dangerous as ever

Don’t sleep on the Saints. Though Quade Green and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree are starting their respective freshmen years at Kentucky and Villanova, Neumann-Goretti’s going to be very much in the hunt for the 2018 Philadelphia Catholic League championship -- though it’s a new group of Saints that’ll lead the way in their chase for an astounding 10 consecutive league final appearances. Head coach Carl Arrigale brought 14 players with him on Sunday, and while the varsity roster won’t carry that many, it was a chance to see the impressive depth Arrigale has in his program in wins over Mount Pleasant (Del.) and St. Joe’s-Hammonton (N.J.).

Junior point guard Chris Ings and sophomore Ahmad Fair both look like they’re ready to take significant steps up in production this year, as the two lit up the nets when they were on the court. Senior guards Dymir Montague and Noah Warren should also be significant scorers on the wing; Montague a 6-3 slasher and Warren a 6-1 sharpshooter. Junior wing Ja’Cor Smith (6-3) and sophomore point guard Hakim Byrd (5-9) are also too good for Arrigale to keep on the bench for long. In the middle, the Saints boast 6-9 Marcus Littles, who committed to George Washington on Saturday, while 6-7 junior Noah Syer, a Sterling (N.J.) transfer, gives them additional bounce and length up front. Freshman TaQuan Woodley, a 6-5 forward, also showed a lot of promise. -- Josh Verlin

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Catholic League will be fun to watch (again…)

Goretti wasn’t the only team from the PCL to impress this weekend. The best league in the state had a strong two days, which was no surprise. Archbishop Wood, the league’s reigning champs, had two standouts during Sunday’s set of games. Andrew Funk (Bucknell) and Tyree Pickron (Quinnipiac) both proved they are capable of stepping up and collectively filling the void left by the graduation of Villanova’s Collin Gillespie, continuing each of their strong offseasons. St. Joe’s Prep showed the addition of Jake O’Connell paired with La Salle commit Ed Croswell down low and guards Kyle Thompson, Darius Kinnel and Gabe Arizin will make the Hawks a tough matchup.

Most impressive may have been the improvement Bonner Prendergast and Cardinal O’Hara showed. Bonner’s matchup with Gill St. Bernard’s was arguably the most talent-filled contest of the weekend. Returning big man Ajiri Johnson (6-8) and Salesianum (Del.) transfer Tariq Ingraham (6-9) form a formidable presence in the paint, while Notre Dame (N.J.) transfer Isaiah Wong showed why he’s considered a Top 100 prospect for the 2019 class. O’hara guards Elijah Smith, John ‘Tre’ Dinkins, Garret Ripp and Antwuan Butler have the Lions’ program on the right track. Add in Neumann-Goretti, Roman Catholic, La Salle and Carroll, all of which boast multiple Division I prospects, plus the improving West Catholic, and it’ll be yet another banner year for the PCL. -- Owen McCue

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Parks a future big body for Owls

Got our first look this weekend at Arashma Parks, the Phelps School senior forward who will be playing on North Broad at Temple next fall. Parks comes to the Malvern boarding school by way of Commonwealth Academy (Mass.), and he’s part of a massive Phelps frontcourt. At 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, he’s a physical load to handle in the post, though he’s certainly not a grounded big man. Parks worked hard on the glass through Phelps’ two games, battling for boards and getting his hands on more than a few, though he wasn’t able to finish at a terrific rate. However, he displayed good hands and a solid motor, and certainly has the size to handle posts in the American Athletic Conference.

When he gets to campus next fall, Parks is projected to be one of four forwards on the Owls’ roster. Current junior Ernest Aflakpui (6-9) and sophomore Damion Moore (6-11) both split starting duties in 2016-17, while 6-10 Justyn Hamilton joins them this year as a freshman. Parks is similar in body style to Aflakpui, though he’s more mobile and athletic than the Archbishop Carroll product. Minutes will be available in the frontcourt, but he’ll have to earn them. A certain Big 5 game might also have special meaning for Parks as well -- his brother is Villanova redshirt freshman Omari Spellman. If Spellman doesn’t leave for the NBA after this season (the former 5* recruit isn’t currently on any project draft boards), they’ll get a chance to go head-to-head in 2018-19. -- Josh Verlin

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Italian import, others impress for Eustace

There had been a fair amount of buzz about Mattia Morini in the weeks leading up to the Shootout, and Morini certainly made a positive first impression. A 6-6 wing, Morini drew the defensive assignment of Wood’s 6-10 center Seth Pinkney in his first game but defended the post well thanks to a solid frame. On the other end of the court, the confident scoring wing could play with the ball in his hands, making several nifty passes on the drive including a slick no-look pass in the teeth of the defense for an easy layup. He also made at least four triples in Eustace’s first game, showcasing a smooth outside stroke.

Morini wasn’t the only Eustace player to have a good day, despite the fact that the Crusaders took two losses to Catholic League powerhouses Archbishop Wood and St. Joe’s Prep. Sophomore point guard David Cross is quickly becoming one of South Jersey’s best lead guards, as the 5-11 lefty was very productive even while playing against some of the better guards in Philadelphia; senior guards Pat Fish and Peyton Vostenak plus junior Matt Kempter all hit shots. Without Morini, head coach Bob Falconiero already had the components for a good team; with him (plus 6-5 Clearview transfer Vincent Popejoy) also in the mix, the Crusaders could be a real problem this year. -- Josh Verlin

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BeCaHi impresses against some of Jersey’s best

Making perhaps the biggest statement of the weekend was Bethlehem Catholic, emerging from Saturday morning with two hard-fought wins over New Jersey powers St. Benedict’s -- albeit missing some key pieces -- and Camden. Behind Northwestern commit Ryan Young manning the middle and junior guard Justin Paz making things happen from the perimeter, the Golden Hawks showed that they’ll be a force to be reckoned with within both the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11.

A 6-foot-9 rebounding machine with a polished scoring arsenal on the low-block, Young gives BeCaHi perhaps the top post in the entire state and someone they can run their offensive through down low. Paz, a 6-foot combo guard with a knockdown perimeter stroke and a shifty handle, made a number of clutch plays in both games including a game-winning runner in the final seconds to knock off Benedict’s. He’s received interest from high-academic Division I programs. Making the Golden Hawks even more formidable will be 6-foot-7 junior Kyle Young, Ryan’s younger brother, who wasn’t in attendance on Saturday due to a previously scheduled trip. -- Ari Rosenfeld

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Carson fits right in at Girard

Cheltenham transfer Rodney Carson meshed well with his new teammates on Saturday. Without Carson, Girard already had a talented roster, highlighted by sophomore big man Mikeal Jones, plus senior guard Daiquan Copeland and junior wing Brandon Smith. However, Carson looks like he could play a key role both offensively and defensively for coach Bobby Jordan this season as the Cavaliers look to get back to the PIAA Class A state championship after falling to Kennedy Catholic and Maceo Austin in the title game a year ago.

In the half court, Carson played in control, using his dribble to get open looks for his teammates and occasionally a midrange jumper for himself. When Jordan had his team press, Carson’s length was disruptive. Once he secured a steal or rebound, Carson looked very comfortable leading the break, where he either finished or found an open teammates.

Carson has experience playing with talent surrounding him after teaming with Jack Clark at Cheltenham last season and spending the summer with Philly Pride. He has the skills to be a focal point of Girard’s offense, but what was most impressive on Saturday was his ability to make smart plays, picking his spots on offense. -- Owen McCue

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South Jersey guards impress

Having been hurt by top talent defecting to the Philadelphia Catholic League or North Jersey’s prep powerhouses, South Jersey basketball has struggled in recent years to match the talent consistently found across the Delaware River. However, a number of Garden State guards showed over the weekend that Division I basketball could very well be in their respective futures.

The leading returning scorer from last year’s Group 1 state runner-ups, junior guard Aaron Estrada shined for Woodbury as both a go-to scorer and facilitator. A smooth operator with great size for the backcourt, Estrada flashed a shiftier handle than he had shown in the past and was able to knock down jumpers from all over the floor. St. Joe’s-Hammonton also featured junior Marcellus Ross, an athletic 6-foot-2 scorer who lit up opponents from beyond the arc on Sunday despite being known more for his slashing ability. Both Estrada and Ross should be on the Division I radar, or could end up being steals for area Division II programs.

From the 2020 class, Middle Township’s Jordan Hall is emerging as one of South Jersey’s top young talents. Possessing a strong 6-foot-3 frame and an advanced feel for the game, Hall mans the point guard spot for Middle and struck a great balance between scoring and facilitating for his teammates. It shouldn’t be long before Hall is attracting recruiting interest of his own, joining a long line of Division I prospects to come out of Middle Township. Another 2020 point guard, Bishop Eustace’s David Cross, will take the reigns for the Crusaders’ offense, and is a strong outside shooter who can get to the bucket as well.

Also worth noting: Camden senior point guard Corey Greer is nearing a return to the court after an ACL/meniscus tear suffered last December. Greer has been cleared for certain practice activities and should be ready to play within the next month. The son of former Middle Township and Florida State star LaMarr Greer, the Camden floor general could attract some late Division I interest after returning and is also considering a year of prep school should the injury stunt his recruitment. -- Ari Rosenfeld

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Lance Ware will be game-changer for Camden

Making his much-anticipated Camden debut after transferring from Life Center Academy (N.J.), sophomore Lance Ware showed the wide range of skills that the Panthers are hoping will push them over the hump to a state championship. A 6-foot-9 combo forward who projects ultimately as a wing, Ware didn’t always play his best on the weekend, but his skillset is unlike anything South Jersey has seen in some time. Already considered a top-50 recruit nationally in the 2020 class, he’ll have a chance to rise even higher over the next couple years with more consistent effort and continued work on the consistency of his perimeter jumper.

For the Panthers, who have lost five consecutive state championship games all by single digits, the additions of Ware and 6-foot-11 Osato Iduwe make them the likely favorites to finally take home the Group 2 state title. Ware, Iduwe, and four-year starter Myles Thompson give “The High” undoubtedly the most formidable frontcourt in South Jersey. With Corey Greer back in the fold running the show and a solid crop of role players surrounding them, the Panthers have more talent on this team any of the previous state runner-up squads; anything less than a berth in the Tournament of Champions would be considered a disappointment. -- Ari Rosenfeld


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