2021-22 Catholic League Preview: MVP Candidates
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The Catholic League is hands down the best conference in the state. And with all the talent in the area, there are as many MVP candidates as their are teams. Here are six guys who will be in the mix.…
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Continue ReadingThe Catholic League is hands down the best conference in the state. And with all the talent in the area, there are as many MVP candidates as their are teams. Here are six guys who will be in the mix.
Luke Boyd Luke Boyd CG Archbishop Ryan | 2022 State PA | 6’1 G 2022 Archbishop Ryan
For the past 2 seasons, Luke wasn’t asked to do more than shoot 3s and play defense, averaging 9.9 points as a junior. But as the top three scorers from last season off to college, Ryan will need him to be the focal point of their offense. Boyd showed everyone this summer and fall that he has more than enough in his bag to get buckets from anywhere on the floor. If he can elevate them to championship contention, Luke will have a fighters chance at league MVP.
Justin Moore Justin Moore 6'1" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2022 State PA | 6’2 G 2022 Archbishop Wood
It didn’t take him long to get acclimated to the point guard duties at Wood since arriving in the summer. At McDevitt, Justin put up 12.1 points and dished 4.4 assists per game as a steady hand for the team. His improvements in the offseason proved that he can be more than that. The future Drexel Dragon got it done in every setting as either a scorer or facilitator. Coach Mosco lost all five starters from the 2021 title team. So he’ll need Justin to be the total package as a playmaker as they chase another one.
Argel Pettit Argel Pettit 5'10" | PG Devon Prep | 2022 State PA IV | 6’2 G 2022 Devon Prep
Devon Prep burst on the scene in the spring season, making it into the four team PCL playoff. IV’s addition to the team was a big part of that as he received first team all-league honors. His 14.2 points on 36.7% from deep in his first season in the league caught many by surprise. So the Tide better not catch anyone sleeping this time around. As he rounds out his game and takes a leadership role, helping Devon will take another leap as a program, further increasing his value to the team. And college programs should and will take notice in the process too.
Masud Stewart Masud Stewart 6'0" | PG Neumann-Goretti | 2022 State PA | 6’1 G 2022 Neumann-Goretti
Masud is next in the long line of hard-nosed NG guards. He tripled his points from sophomore (3.2) to junior year (9.5) and is poised for another jump in production. Masud’s expected to shoot well from deep (37.1%), but his leadership on the court will start with his defense. Stewart can without a doubt pressure the ball (1.6 steals & 3.5 deflections). Wagner and other D1s know this too. Opposing guards need to get ready because Sud is going to bring it every night on this retooled Neumann team.
Daniel Skillings Daniel Skillings 6'5" | SG Roman Catholic | 2022 State PA | 6’6 W 2022 Roman Catholic
The summer he had – running with Philly Pride on the UAA circuit, rocketing up national rankings, and committing to Cincinnati – was built on what he did his first season at Roman. Daniel made first team all-league by averaging 19.7 points, 8.1 boards, and 1.4 blocks. As the league’s leading returning scorer and rebounder, Skillings is probably the front-runner for the award and plays for one of the preseason favorites to win the league and state championships. On the other hand, one of the critical aspects that might keep him getting the award is splitting votes with fellow senior Khalil Farmer Khalil Farmer PG Roman Catholic | 2022 State PA , who is the second leading returning scorer, and Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #233 Nation PA , one of the top juniors in the league.
Kaseem Watson Kaseem Watson 6'6" | CG West Catholic | 2022 State PA | 6’6 G/W 2022 West Catholic
The Burrs have several guys who can go for 15 points on any given night, but Kaseem might be the only one who is always a threat to drop 20+. After averaging 9.8 points and 80% from the FT line, his game has grown so much since March. Expanded isolation skills on offense on top of his two-way ability will be a pleasure to watch. The coming-of-age West Catholic program is a dark horse to win it all in the PCL. So if Seem leads them to the title game, it’ll be hard to keep him from bringing the MVP award home.
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