PIAA 4A All-State Teams Contain Numerous SEPA Prospects
[player_tooltip player_id="991425" first="Moses" last="Hipps"] (C/O 2024) of Archbishop Carroll. Photo: Team Final EYBL 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…
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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.
Today we will look at the prospects from SEPA who garnered 2020-21 PIAA 4A All-State honors.
1st Team:
Hysier Miller Hysier Miller 6'2" | PG Neumann-Goretti | 2021 State PA – 6’5” / Senior / Neumann-Goretti / Combo Guard: A quick and versatile scoring point guard, Miller (aka “Fabb”) was selected as the PIAA 4A Player of the Year after posting 18.4 points, 10 rebounds, 6.4 assists to go along with 2.9 steals per night this past season. In 2020-21 this 1st Team All Philadelphia Catholic League player hit for two triple-doubles, including a ridiculous 30 / 12 /10 effort during an OT loss to eventual PCL and 6A state champion, Archbishop Wood. Miller can score at all three levels (63% on FGAs and 42% on 3PAs), even when double or triple teamed. The South Philly native finished his career with 1,071 points and is committed to Temple.
Anquan Hill Anquan Hill 6'8" | PF Archbishop Carroll | 2021 State PA – 6’5” / Senior / Archbishop Carroll / Forward: A long and lean athlete with serious hops, Hill is a shot blocking machine. He has shown the ability to protect the rim in the half-court or via the chase down block. At the other end, he owns the offensive glass and can put-back flush over defenders with authority. Hill can also fill the lane on the fast break and finish above the rim. This winter he displayed an improved jump shot out to 17/18 feet. After posting 17.4 ppg.; 9.4 rpg.; and 2 bpg. while shooting 50% from the field this season, Hill was selected as a 2020-21 2nd Team All-Philly Catholic League player. Hill had several tremendous runs this winter including: 25 points (3 threes) in the PIAA District 12 Class 4A title win over Martin Luther King; 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks vs. Allentown Central Catholic; and 19 points vs. Archbishop Wood. Hill is committed to Farleigh Dickinson.
Tyson Thomas Tyson Thomas 6'1" | PG Allentown Central Catholic | 2022 State PA – 6’1” / Junior / Allentown Central Catholic / Combo Guard: Thomas was the 2020-21 Co-MVP of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s Lehigh Division and helped push the Vikings to the District 11-4A championship as well as the PIAA-4A state title. Thomas scored the game winner in the 4A state championship game. Thomas’ junior campaign was so successful (16 ppg. & 6.5 apg.) because this elite combo guard can he can get buckets off the dribble or with the jump shot. Additionally, this extremely athletic and versatile guard excels at slashing to the rim in transition. His noteworthy performances from this winter include a slew of 20+ point games: 26 vs Archbishop Carroll in the PIAA 4A state quarterfinals; 25 against Parkland (8/8 from FT line); 25 (4 threes) vs Roberto Clemente Charter; as well as 21 vs Holy Ghost Prep and 21 again vs William Allen.
Liam Joyce Liam Joyce 6'6" | PF Allentown Central Catholic | 2022 State PA – 6’6” / Junior / Allentown Central Catholic / Power Forward: In 2020-21 Joyce provided a constant low post presence for Allentown CC during their run to the PIAA 4A state title. Starting at the elbows or free throw line extended areas, Joyce is relentlessness at driving the ball to the cup. Joyce also has the size and footwork to establish position on the blocks and then score with either hand. Additionally, he does an excellent job on the boards where he frequently converts on second chance opportunities. Lastly, don’t be surprised if this big fella knocks down the occasional 3-ball. During his stellar junior year, Joyce averaged 16.2 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game and was selected as the Pennsylvania Basketball Coaches Association (PABCA) 2020-21 player of the year. He notched a season-high 23 points against Roberto Clemente and in the 4A state championship contest Joyce recorded 18 points and 9 boards despite battling foul trouble all night. Joyce has already scored over 900 points in his Vikings career. He plays for L&L Running Rebels on the grassroots circuit.
Malik Edwards Malik Edwards 6'0" | CG Bonner/Prendergast | 2021 State PA – 6’2” / Senior / Bonner-Prendergast / Combo Guard: Edwards is an all-world perimeter shooter (50% 3PAs — 22/44) who as a senior showed significant improvements in his ability to beat defenders off the bounce. Being able to score at the rim made Edwards a more versatile offensive player in 2020-21. The result was that he led the Philadelphia Catholic League in scoring at 22.4 ppg. and shot 49.5% from the field. To go along with his scoring stats, Edwards was good for 5.4 rpg. and 2 spg. This 1st team PCL All-League selection lit up eventual 6A state champion Archbishop Wood for 25 points and hung another 25 spot on Archbishop Carroll. He is committed to perennial NAIA contender William Penn University (Iowa).
2nd Team:
Moses Hipps Moses Hipps 6'4" | SG AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State AZ – 6’1” / Freshman / Archbishop Carroll / Combo Guard: An elite level 3-point shooter with unlimited range, Hipps started for Carroll as a freshman and saw a good deal of success scoring the ball (13.4 ppg.). Hipps scored a career high 27 points vs Father Judge. Prior to that outburst, Hipps drained four 3PAs (4/8) and tallied 20 points total in Carroll’s win over St. Joe’s Prep. He also recorded 15 points vs LaSalle CHS. Hipps excels at moving without the ball which makes him very difficult to guard. Complimenting Hipps’ outside shooting (37% on threes) is his electric ball handling skills and ability to lead the transition game.
3rd Team:
Alex Walinski – 6’4” / Senior / New Hope-Solebury / Shooting Guard: A 6’4” athlete with a long wingspan and a healthy vertical, who can drain threes from all over the gym, Walinski is basically every college coach’s dream. His ability to hit the three is complimented by a nice mid-range game and excellent passing skills. This two time 1st Team All-Conference selection is a natural shooting guard who possesses enough quickness, court vision and handles to move to the lead guard spot in a pinch. This past winter it was no secret that Walinski was the Lions No. 1 option on offense and yet defenses still could not stop him. His stat line for 2020-21 season was 15.9 ppg., 4.0 rpg., and 2.4 apg. Walinski is committed to West Chester University (PA).