Suburban Philly Top Performers: Class of 2023
[player_tooltip player_id="933733" first="Darrien" last="Grady"] (C/O 2023) from Shipley School. Photo: Shipley Athletics. Recently we looked at Class of 2024 prospects who are playing / played standout basketball for their high school’s varsity teams this winter. Today, it’s time to review…
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Continue ReadingRecently we looked at Class of 2024 prospects who are playing / played standout basketball for their high school’s varsity teams this winter. Today, it’s time to review the sophomores who have performed equally as well.
A number of these 2023 prospects contributed to their varsity squad as freshmen. Now in 2020-21 those same players have taken on major roles. Other 2023s cracked the varsity lineup for the first time. Either way, suburban Philadelphia’s highly skilled Class of 2023 ballers are playing / played a major role for their varsity squad this winter.
Below is a list of 2023 prospects have been top performers for their varsity squad during the 2020-21 season.
Dylan Blair Dylan Blair 5'10" | PG Downingtown West | 2023 State PA – 5’10” / Sophomore / Downingtown West / Point Guard: After his freshman season, Blair was named 1st Team All-Chest-Mont League and in 2020-21 the electric point guard continues to kill opponents. To be honest there isn’t much Blair can’t do on a basketball court. He’s a nearly complete player at both ends of the floor. As a bonus to his polished, elite skill set, Blair owns a high basketball IQ and a relentless motor. Some of his top performances so far include: 26 points in a win over Avon Grove; 22 points in a win vs Bishop Shanahan; and 17 points vs. West Chester East. Blair also drained the Whippets game winning three vs Coatesville.
Darrien Grady Darrien Grady 5'9" | PG Shipley School | 2023 State PA – 5’10’ / Shipley School / Point Guard: In 2019-20 Grady was hitting stand still threes from way downtown (56 3PM HS season) and reasonable distance treys off pick action. When defenses chase him of the 3-point line, he can score off the dribble in the mid-range or get all the way to the tin. Although Shipley played a very limited 5 game schedule this year, Grady quickly displayed the same skills set and did not waste any time putting up big numbers. In Shipley’s late February opener vs. the George School he netted 35 points on 6 threes. Grady also scored 19 (4 threes) vs. national powerhouse Westtown. His final three games included a ridiculous 22 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 8 steals performance in a win over Germantown Friends as well as two 19 point games. That’s an average of 22.8 ppg. this season to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 dimes per night.
Lucas Orchard Lucas Orchard 6'4" | SF Devon Prep | 2023 State PA – 6’3” / Devon Prep / Wing: Orchard’s tenacity, athleticism, wingspan and ability to read the passing lanes lead to steals/deflections (2.5 steals per game) and thus numerous transition baskets for Devon Prep. This kid simply has a nose for the ball whether it’s on the glass (6 rpg), in the air or on the floor. He scores at all three levels (45% shooter from the floor) and is also a willing passer (3.5 apg). Orchard is a skilled and versatile wing (9 ppg) who plays with a great deal of energy. In Short, he is a 2023 prospect who reminds us of the NBA’s much sought after “3 and D” wing player and he is a kid we will definitely keep a close eye on going forward.
Danny Rosenblum – 5’10” / Sophomore / Radnor / Point Guard: Rosenblum stepped into a starting role for Radnor near the end of his freshman year and used that run as a foundation for a solid sophomore campaign. However, towards the end of Radnor’s season the versatile guard took his game to another level. Rosenblum started his impressive late season run with 16 points vs a good Marple Newtown team that qualified for District 1 tourney. He then netted a season high 21 points in a tough 47-44 loss at Haverford. During a stretch of the 3rd quarter in that Haverford contest Rosenblum scored 12 straight points for Radnor. Finally, he scored 11 points in a win over Upper Darby. Rosenblum’s ability to get buckets at the rim is complimented by an excellent mid-range game.
Horace Simmons Jr Horace Simmons Jr 6'6" | PF La Salle College HS | 2023 State #221 Nation PA – 6’6” / LaSalle College HS / Wing: Last winter Simmons was a starter for LaSalle’s varsity squad as a “glue guy” with a specific role – rebound and play defense. After a summer of hard work and development, Simmons was a standout at the Difference Maker Elite Open Runs (NJ) this past fall. That momentum has carried over to his sophomore season as Simmons has unleashed his improved offensive game (13.7 ppg on 53% shooting from the field) on the Philadelphia Catholic League. A few of Simmons’ performances have really turned heads: 26 points against Neumann-Goretti; 22 points (4 threes) and 3 blocks vs. Archbishop Ryan; 15 points vs. national power Roman Catholic and 13 vs Father Judge. Additionally, Simmons is extremely long and athletic and owns significant hops. That trifecta explains why is averaging 2 blocks per game this season.
Madison Tatom Madison Tatom 5'11" | SG Upper Merion | 2023 State PA – 5’11” / Sophomore / Upper Merion / Shooting Guard: One of the most talked about underclassmen prospects in suburban Philadelphia, Tatom is an outstanding catch and shoot three point specialist who is also an excellent rebounding guard. In 2019-20 Tatom saw major run as a freshman and contributed 8.2 ppg. This season Tatom was good for 10.8 ppg and his break out performance came when he poured in 26 points against a very talented and then undefeated Pope John Paul II squad (13-1 overall this season). Additionally, he notched games of 20 points against Phoenixville (2x); 17 points vs Boyertown; and 15 points against Perkiomen Valley while helping to push Upper Merion into the District 1-5A Tournament.
Prep Hoops is going to continue to give you the best in-season content, so watch out for more as the 2021 Pennsylvania high school boys basketball season continues.