Southeastern Pennsylvania Grassroots Report
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[player_tooltip player_id="991185" first="Dereck" last="Lively II"] (C/O 2022) of Westtown & Team Final EYBL This past weekend major tournaments such as the MADEHoops Midwest Mania (IN); Hoop Group Pitt Jam Fest (PA); Exposure Breakout (GA); and Hoops Battle (PA) pitted southeastern…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend major tournaments such as the MADEHoops Midwest Mania (IN); Hoop Group Pitt Jam Fest (PA); Exposure Breakout (GA); and Hoops Battle (PA) pitted southeastern Pennsylvania’s top grassroots squads against some of the elite national teams on the circuit.
Below is a review of prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who met that challenge and played well on the grassroots circuit this past weekend.
17U (2022)
Jay Bonnet – 6’2” / Souderton / PA Running Aces / Combo Guard: Bonnet is a very talented backcourt player who can splash home the three ball at a very high rate. When defenses attempt to shut down that facet of his game, Bonnet can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Bonnet’s high level play this weekend helped the PA Running Aces rack up a couple nice wins at the Hoop Battle (PA) event.
Dereck Lively II Dereck Lively II 7'1" | C Westtown School | 2022 State #3 Nation PA – 7’0” / Westtown School / Team Final EYBL / Center: Pairing Lively II with Delaware Valley native Jalen Duren (Montverde Academy – FL) has created a very effective twin towers situation for Team Final EYBL. This duo pushed the squad to a 3-0 record at the MADEHoops Midwest Mania event in Indiana. Lively II displayed great hands and ability to finish in close. He also showed once again that he is an elite rim protector. Lively just received an offer from Kansas.
Justin Moore Justin Moore 6'1" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2022 State PA – 6’2” / Bishop McDevitt / K Low Elite / Combo Guard: Moore continues to prove that he is an explosive backcourt player who can score at all three levels. Moore was playing downhill and on the attack all weekend at the Exposure Breakout tournament down in Atlanta. With his speed, Moore can really push the ball in transition. He can score at will, but always makes the right pass to the open teammate. Unfortunately his K Low Elite squad was 1-3 on the weekend, but two of those losses were by a single bucket.
16U (2023)
Justin Edwards Justin Edwards 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #3 Nation PA – 6’7” / Imhotep Charter / Team Final EYBL / Wing: Edwards was a standout performer all weekend for a Team Final EYBL squad that lived on the edge at the MADEHoops Midwest Mania. Twice this squad had to rally from being 20+ points down to secure victories. Included in those impressive comeback wins was the title game W in which they trailed 51-26 before storming back for the victory. For his part, Edwards showed that he is an elite, scoring wing player who can get buckets off the dribble and in transition. He can defend at a high level too. Edwards just picked up an offer from Oklahoma State.
Gabe Lassiter – 6’2” / Wissahickon / PA Running Aces / Combo Guard: Lassiter is actually a 2024 prospect who is playing up with the 16U team (2023s) and he is doing more than holding his own. A high level athlete who plays with enormous amounts of energy and intensity, Lassiter impacts the game at both ends of the floor. He excels at filling fast break lanes and then scoring the ball in transition. Lassiter helped guide the PA Running Aces to a 2-1 showing at the Hoop Battle (PA) event.
Jacen Holloway Jacen Holloway 6'4" | SF Devon Prep | 2023 State PA – 6’2” / Devon Prep / SJ Hoops Elite-Grey / Small Forward: An athletic lefty with size, Holloway has the ability to play a physical brand of basketball on the interior. However, his perimeter game deserves some respect as well. He owns a solid jumper and is capable of stepping out to the 3-point line to knock down shots. Don’t let the South Jersey (SJ) portion of this team’s name fool you. This squad is coached by Jason Fisher of Devon Prep (PA) and features prospects from Delaware County, PA such as Holloway. This past weekend Holloway and SJHE-G played well (3-1) at the Hoop Group Pitt Jam Fest where they lost in the 16U Platinum division quarterfinals to Team Thrill UAA.
15U (2024)
Jake West Jake West 6'1" | PG William Penn Charter | 2025 State #193 Nation PA – 5’11” / Plymouth-Meeting / Team Final Red HGSL / Point Guard: At the Hoop Group Pitt Jam Fest (PA), West provided scoring and playmaking skills from the lead guard spot. West owns a fluid jumper that is good from behind the arc or in the mid-range. His high basketball IQ was also a key factor in West being a solid floor general for TFR. West and Team Final Red rang up a 4-1 record this past weekend against elite competition.
Jeremiah White Jeremiah White 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA – 6’6” / Imhotep / Philly Pride National UAA / Wing: Even though one of the best 15U teams in the region only managed a 2-2 record at the HG Pitt Jam Fest, White was a force all weekend. His long wing span combined with his quick second jump make White an intimidating shot blocker and a beast on the glass. White also has the skills and athleticism to score on second chance opportunities in traffic. What’s more amazing is that White recently returned from an injury and has only been back on the court for 2 weeks. Once his timing and fitness return, look out.
Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL – 6’0” / Neumann-Goretti / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard: Team Final went 3-0 in pool play at the MADEHoops Midwest Mania and Wright III was a major factor in that impressive record. Wright III exhibited next level quickness and is versatile enough to play either backcourt spot. Tremendous handles and outstanding court vision make him an elite floor general. The ability drain the 3-ball off the dribble or pick action allows him to excel at the 2-spot. Unfortunately, in the 1st round of championship bracket play at Midwest Mania, Wright III and company shot 3-20 from deep and Team Final EYBL was eliminated by Indy Heat EYBL.
Prep Hoops is going to continue to give you the best grassroots season content, so watch out for more as the 2021 Spring/Summer boys basketball circuit continues.