PIAA 6A All-State Teams Loaded with SEPA Prospects
[player_tooltip player_id="990930" first="Rahsool" last="Diggins"] (PIAA 6A State POY) of Archbishop Wood. Last week the Pennsylvania Sports Writers recently 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 ReadingLast week the Pennsylvania Sports Writers recently 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 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. Today we will look at the PIAA 6A prospects from southeast Pennsylvania who balled out in 2020-21 and were thus awarded PIAA All-State honors for their tremendous efforts.
1st Team:
Rahsool Diggins Rahsool Diggins 6'2" | PG Archbishop Wood | 2021 State #70 Nation PA – 6’3” / Senior / Archbishop Wood / Combo Guard: The 2020-21 6A POY, two- time All-State selection; two-time Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) MVP and Archbishop Wood’s all-time leading scorer with 1,513 points, Diggins will go down as one of the most decorated players in PIAA history. This kid can flat out score the basketball in ways that are too numerous to list. Additionally, his basketball IQ and crafty guard skills really stand out when you watch him play. His season averages stat line of 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists does not do justice to how Diggins simply dominates games. For instance, in the 6A state championship game, Diggins put on a show that will go down in state tournament lore. Diggins hit 5 threes (several from NBA range) and also scored off the dribble repeatedly. The result was an electrifying 26 point night. Unfortunately it was not enough as Wood lost a 58-57 heartbreaker to Reading. Diggins is committed to UConn.
Stevie Mitchell Stevie Mitchell 6'1" | PG Wilson West Lawn | 2021 State #165 Nation PA – 6’2” / Senior / Wilson / Point Guard: A two-time, first-team All-State selection and the 2020-21 Berks Conference POY, Mitchell closed the book on his storied high school career by averaging 25.6 points per game this season. In his senior year Mitchell had four nights where he scored 30+ points in a game, including a 41 point effort vs. Muhlenberg. For his career Mitchell tallied over 2,000 points and is regarded as one of the best scoring guards in Berks Conference history. The Marquette commit has a knack for getting to his spots no matter what type of defense opponents throw at him. Mitchell thrives in the transition game at scoring or dropping dimes. In the half-court he is true floor general style of lead guard who owns a high basketball IQ. Honestly we are not sure there are words to describe just how dominant of a player Mitchell was for Wilson.
Moro Osumanu Moro Osumanu 6'6" | PF Reading | 2021 State PA – 6’6” / Senior / Reading / Power Forward: The elements of Osumanu’s game that leap out at you right away are his tenacity on the boards, ability to capitalize on 2nd chance opportunities and his defensive intensity. The 2020-21 1st Team All-Berks Conference selection (13.8ppg and 60% FGAs) was an absolute monster on the glass this past season. Whether he gets the ball via an offensive rebound or in Reading’s offensive sets, Osumanu simply the attacks the rim with a ferocity you don’t witness very often. In the 6A state championship game Osumanu led Reading to a win by scoring 22 points (9-10 on FGAs) and grabbing 12 rebounds. Osumanu is committed to West Chester University.
Marcus Randolph Marcus Randolph 6'5" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2021 State PA – 6’5” / Senior / Archbishop Wood / Shooting Guard: Another 2020-21 Philadelphia Catholic League 1st Team All-League selection, Randolph possesses elite athleticism, eye popping quickness and a healthy vertical leap so you know he can score in transition. He is also a threat to drain threes from anywhere on the court. In 2020-21 Randolph posted 16.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. In the 6A state semifinal win vs. Lower Merion, Randolph came up huge for Wood with 24 points (13 in 4th Q). One can definitely see why Richmond Head Coach Chris Mooney signed this elite prospect.
Ruben Rodriguez – 6’1” / Sophomore / Reading / Combo Guard: Rodriguez, a 1st Team All-Berks Conference selection, is a rock steady player who avoids mistakes while playing with a fearless energy. In 2020-21 he led the 6A state champs in scoring (14.6 ppg.) and was a tremendous leader on the floor. He is skilled at moving to space so that he is open for 3PAs. Once he catches the rock, he is nearly automatic from behind the arc. Rodriguez can also slash to the cup for a bucket and is an excellent on-ball defender as well. On the grassroots scene Rodriguez plays for Team Final EYBL.
2nd Team:
Khalil Farmer Khalil Farmer PG Roman Catholic | 2022 State PA – 6’4” / Junior / Roman Catholic / Guard: A nationally ranked player since he was in 7th grade, Farmer was 1st Team All-Friends School League selection for two consecutive years at Shipley School. For 2020-21 he transferred to Roman Catholic but his high level of play did not change. After this past season, Farmer was a 1st Team All Philadelphia Catholic League selection. He averaged 19 points and 6 rebs per game while shooting 49% from the field and 42% on threes. Farmer is a bigger, more physical style of backcourt player. However he is still smooth enough to blow by a defender and score off the bounce. Obviously given his before mentioned shooting stats, this prospect can splash the jumper from anywhere on the court. Farmer already has multiple Division-I offers.
Demetrius Lilley Demetrius Lilley 6'8" | PF Lower Merion | 2022 State PA – 6’9” / Junior / Lower Merion / Forward-Center: A two-time 1st Team All-Central League selection, Lilley’s (6’9” 250 lbs.) complete domination of the painted area continued in 2020-21 as he averaged a double-double with 20 & 12 per contest. The big fella can finish at the rim and owns a decent shooting touch from mid-range. He even added a consistent three point shot to his game this season. He displayed this new skill set several times this winter, but none more memorable then when he splashed home 3 threes on his way to a 31 and 20 double-double (Plus 4 blocks.) in a win over Downingtown West. Lilley also notched 25 points and 13 rebounds in the 6A state semifinal tourney loss to a loaded Archbishop Wood squad. The scariest part about Lilley is that his body, skills and feel for the game are still developing. Lilley holds offers from multiple DI schools.
Daeshon Shepherd Daeshon Shepherd 6'5" | SF Archbishop Wood | 2021 State PA – 6’6” / Senior / Archbishop Wood / Wing: A two-time 2nd Team All-State member as well as a 2020-21 1st team PCL All-League selection, Shepherd has proven to be an extremely athletic slasher style wing. This past season he averaged 14 ppg. and he tallied 1,099 points in his career. At the other end of the floor, his length, impressive vertical leap, quickness and anticipation skills make Shepherd a premier defensive presence. Typically he guarded the other team’s best offensive player. Additionally he is a high level shot blocker (1.2 bpg.), and outstanding rebounder (5.6 rpg.). Shepherd is committed to LaSalle.
Jaylen Stinson Jaylen Stinson 6'1" | PG Archbishop Wood | 2021 State PA – 6’0” / Senior / Archbishop Wood / Combo Guard: Stinson was yet another 2020-21 PCL 1st team All-League selection for Wood. He comes with a reputation as a quick guard who is one of the best 3-point shooters in the southeastern region of the state. Stinson (13.4 ppg.) proved his reputation is legit by hitting 5-of-8 3PAs in the PCL championship game (21 total points) as well as 3 threes (12 points) in PIAA state semifinals against Lower Merion. Of course, both games were victories for Wood. On the season, Stinson shot 40% from behind the arc. Still, Stinson is more than just a 3-point ace. If you watch Wood play, you can see that Stinson is an extremely versatile, do everything backcourt prospect (4.4 rpg.; 3.7 apg.; 2.35 A/TO ratio). Stinson is committed to James Madison.
3rd Team:
Daniel Alcantara Daniel Alcantara 6'4" | SG Reading | 2022 State PA – 6’4” / Junior / Reading / Shooting Guard: Alcantara is an elite scorer at all three levels who is patient and takes advantage of the opportunities that defenses give him. During 2020-21 Alcantara averaged 14 points to go along 6.4 rebounds per game and helped push Reading to the 6A state title. In their critical state tournament semifinal win over Upper St. Claire, Alcantara scored a season-high 27 points (15 in the first half) and grabbed 8 rebounds. This long, super athlete can also dominate a game defensively via man-to-man ball pressure, by causing havoc in a zone trap scheme, blocking shots or crashing the glass. Alcantara plays AAU ball for Reading KTB.
Xzayvier Brown – 6’2” / Sophomore / Roman Catholic / Point Guard: Brown is the text book definition of a point guard (6.9 apg.) and thus a coach’s dream to have on the floor. On the break he makes all the right decisions and rarely turns the ball over (2.13 A/TO ratio). In the half-court he is poised and able to get the team into their sets. Lastly, Brown (10 ppg. on 50% shooting from the field.) displays a good feel for when the squad needs a bucket and then can go and score the ball. In the spring/summer Brown runs with K-Low Elite. This PCL 2nd Team All-League selection has offers from Saint Joseph’s and Drexel.
Dan Skillings – 6’5” / Junior / Roman Catholic / Wing: Skillings is a prospect who can flat out get buckets at all 3 levels and he is only getting better. After an outstanding sophomore season at St. Joseph’s Academy (NJ), Skillings took his talents to Roman Catholic and simply tore up the Philadelphia Catholic League. In 2020-21, he posted a state line of 19.7 ppg (52% FGAs) and 8 rpg. which was more than enough to earn him a spot on the PCL 1st Team All-League squad. A versatile and skilled wing/forward who plays for Philly Pride’s 16U squad in the spring/summer, Skillings is also a vocal leader on the court. Among the schools who have already offered Skillings are and Temple, Drexel and Albany.
Drew Stover Drew Stover 6'7" | PF Upper Dublin | 2021 State PA – 6’7” / Senior / Upper Dublin / Power Forward: With his size (250 lbs) and ability to score on the blocks with either hand, at first glance, many will classify Stover as traditional power forward. But watch this high level prospect play long enough and it becomes apparent that this big man is athletic as hell and very nimble for a kid his size. That combination allows Stover to score off the bounce from the elbows and get down the floor in transition. As a little bonus, he can drain the occasional 3-ball (40% from three last season). At the defensive end, he is a force on the glass and intimidating shot blocker. In 2020-21 Stover boasted a 20 points per game stat line and in March he recorded an unbelievable 43 points and 10 rebounds double-double vs. North Penn. This 1,000 point scorer was a 1st Team All Suburban One League selection and is committed to Millersville University (PA).