PIAA 3A All-State Teams Contain Several SEPA Prospects
Idris Ali of Loyalsock is the PIAA 3A State POY Recently the Pennsylvania Sports Writers released the 2020-21 PIAA All-State Boys Basketball selections and to say that southeastern Pennsylvania was well represented is an understatement. To be honest, prospects from…
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Continue ReadingRecently the Pennsylvania Sports Writers released the 2020-21 PIAA All-State Boys Basketball selections and to say that southeastern Pennsylvania was well represented is an understatement. To be honest, prospects from this region of the Keystone State dominated the numerous all-state teams.
In the first installment of this series we reviewed SEPA prospect who were selected to the Non-PIAA (aka “prep schools”) all-state teams. In the second installment we provided analysis for the southeastern PA prospects who were honored with PIAA 6A All-State status. The third installment contained a rundown of the recruits from 5A schools in southeast Pennsylvania who balled out in 2020-21 and were thus awarded All-State honors. Last week’s installment was a review of the SEPA players who earned 4A All-State nods.
Today we will look at the prospects from SEPA who garnered 2020-21 PIAA 3A All-State honors.
1st team:
Idris Ali – 5’9 / Senior / Loyalsock / Combo Guard: After averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game in 2020-21, Ali was selected as the PIAA 3A Player of the Year. He was a coach on the floor type guard for the Lancers with the added bonus that he can absolutely get buckets. Ali’s smooth handles and explosive first step allow him to blow by defenders and get to the cup. He also owns the ability to splash home 3PAs. In the 3A state tournament quarterfinal vs. Executive Education AC, Ali posted 25 points and scored the game winner after he made a last-second steal of an in-bound pass and drove length of floor for a lay-in. Ali then netted 16 points in the 3A championship game victory over Brooksville. With significant help from his younger brother Saraj (see below), Ali guided Loyalsock to a 53-2 record over last two seasons.
Saraj Ali Saraj Ali 6'4" | SG Olympus Prep | 2023 State NJ – 6’4” / Junior / Loyalsock / Wing: Ali is a wing player built for the transition game who was a major contributor to Loyalsock’s PIAA 3A state championship run. A long and athletic prospect with plenty of energy and bounce, this past season Ali recorded a stat line of 18 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. During the 2020-21 season Ali notched 15 double-doubles and shot 60% from the field. On the defensive end, Ali is an excellent rim protector who specializes in exploding from the weak side to reject an opponent’s shot. On the spring/summer grassroots circuit Ali plays for Team Final Red.
Nisine Poplar Nisine Poplar 6'4" | CG Math, Civics & Science | 2021 State #161 Nation PA – 6’5” / Senior / Math, Civics & Sciences / Combo Guard: In last two years, this elite scoring guard has collected a slew of hardware. In 2019-20 he led MCS to the Philadelphia Public League title and after that season he was named the Class 2A state player of the year. In July 2020 he was named Most Outstanding Player at the NBA East Elite camp. Now after averaging 18.8 points, 9 boards and 3 assists per game during the 2020-21 season, Poplar is once again a 1st Team All-State selection. His ability to score at all 3-levels enabled him rack up an unbelievable total of 1,490 career points in only three seasons on the Mighty Elephants varsity squad. Poplar is committed to the University of Miami.
Jevin Muniz – 6’5”/ Senior / Executive Education AC / Wing: Back in December 2020 of this Covid impacted season, Muniz made social media headlines by dropping 60 total points across a double-header event vs. Muhlenberg Township. That incredible 2-games-in-the-same-night feat tipped off a tremendous year for this wing player with elite shooting skills. In addition to knocking down threes, Muniz can get out in transition for buckets and boasts solid enough handles that he frequently plays a point-forward role for the EEAC Raptors. Muniz scored 1,512 points in his career and this winter led the Raptors to their third straight District 11 championship (this year at 3A) as well as to PIAA 3A state quarterfinals. Muniz senior year highlights are simply ridiculous: 33 points in a victory over Notre Dame-Green Pond; 28 points in D11-3A title game win; a 26/9/6 stat line in win over Nativity; and a 24-point effort that included five 3-pointers in a PIAA state tourney quarterfinal loss to Loyalsock.
2nd Team:
Justin Moore Justin Moore 6'1" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2022 State PA – 6’2′ / Junior / Bishop McDevitt / Combo Guard: With his speed, Moore can really push the ball in transition. In the half court, that same speed combined with ball-on-a-string-handles allows Moore to attack defenses off the dribble. He plays with the poise and composure of a veteran. In 2020-21 he posted a stat line of 12 ppg; 3.6 rpg; and 4.4 apg for which he was selected to the PIAA 3A All-State 2nd team.. Since being named 2nd Team 2A All-State Team, Moore has announced that he will transfer to PIAA powerhouse and 6A state tournament runner up Archbishop Wood. He holds offers from a number of D-I schools
Argel “IV” Pettit – 6’2” / Junior / Devon Prep / Combo Guard: Widely considered a Class of 2022 Top 50 recruit in Pennsylvania, the addition of Pettit’s extensive skill set was a significant boost for Devon Prep in 2020-21. Pettit is an electric guard who used the 3-ball (He shot 37% from deep this past season.) and his outstanding ability to score off the bounce to average 14 points per game. He scored 20+ points in numerous games this season including an impressive 24 points and 12 rebounds double-double against eventual PIAA 5A state tourney runner up Archbishop Ryan. After the 2020-21 season Pettit was a 1st Team All Philadelphia Catholic League selection. He has already scored over 1,000 points in high school career. On the spring/summer grassroots circuit Pettit runs with WeR1 UAA.