Philly HS Live I: Day 3 Eye Catchers

Day 3 of the event had few games than the other days, but was just as magnificent. The slate was loaded top to bottom. So in addition to the feature players in this article, I list additional players who stood out. Josiah Hutson Josiah Hutson 5'8" | PG Cheltenham | 2025 State PA | 5’9 G ‘25 Cheltenham (PA) Opening up Day 3, Josiah led Cheltenham in their win against Sanford (DE) with 20 points and two threes, but it was his feel that decided the outcome. He played with pace without rushing or forcing up shots. Hutson relentlessly created angles to get to the rim for craft finishes, all within the flow of the game. Jamal Hicks Jamal Hicks 6'2" | CG Bonner-Prendergast | 2024 State PA | 6’0 G ‘24 Bonner-Prendie (PA) Hicks was the catalyst for Bonner. His sense of urgency was on a higher level than everyone else’s, knocking down 5 threes in rhythm. Every time BP got a rebound, Jamal sprinted down the lane in transition and he hustled back on defense after every possession. This kid’s motor is something else. He finished with 22 points. Josh Reed Josh Reed 6'2" | CG Archbishop | 2024 State PA | 6’3 G ‘24 Archbishop Wood (PA) Setting the tempo from the very first possession of the game versus Gil St. Bernard, Josh jumped the passing lane to steal the ball and a second later cocked it back for a monster dunk. His 14 point performance in that game was a reflection of what he did all weekend. The reps he gained from running point for Philly Revolution 16U this spring have paid off in the form of improved skills attacking the basketball. Anthony Finkley Anthony Finkley 6'6" | SF Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA | 6’7 F ‘23 Roman Catholic (PA) The recent St. Joe’s University commit was pivotal in their big wins over Don Bosco and Rutgers Prep. Roman was able to run things through Fink because of his ability to grab-and-go and initiate the offense depending on the match up. His shooting from deep was another bright spot, making multiple threes in each game. Zion Stanford Zion Stanford 6'5" | SF West Catholic | 2023 State PA | 6’5 W ‘23 West Catholic (PA) Coach Boc is allowing him to experiment creating off the bounce from the perimeter and it’s paying immediate dividends. Zion has found a way to translate his power and athleticism from defense and in the open floor to efficient half court offense. Stanford put up 26 points against Don Bosco by attacking and finishing at the cup with touch and cashing jumpers from beyond the arc.  Dylan Blair Dylan Blair 5'10" | PG Downingtown West | 2023 State PA | 5’9 G ‘23 Downingtown West (PA) You can’t ask for a more impactful game from Dylan versus St. Joe’s Prep. All of his shots were either at the rim or from three. His paint touches resulted in assists, lay ups, or free throws. Down the stretch, DWest had to claw their way back from a deficit. But Blair finished with 31 points and knocked down five threes, including the game winner. Kevair Kennedy Kevair Kennedy 5'8" | PG Father Judge | 2025 State PA | 6’0 G ‘25 Father Judge (PA) Judge has a plethora of upperclassmen guards, all of whom outscored Kevair in the Plymouth Whitemarsh game (6 points), but they need him to make things go on offense. Kennedy slowed Colzie down on defense and even held his own on switches against bigger opposing players which stagnated the PW offense. Then he created open looks on the other end for shooters and slashers. Kevair simply plays the right way. Qudire Bennett Qudire Bennett 6'4" | SF Plymouth Whitemash | 2023 State PA | 6’3 W ‘23 Plymouth Whitemarsh (PA) Q is not the one to underestimate. He showed off his strength on physical drives to the basket, getting into the chest of his defenders. And when they sagged off just a bit or didn’t close out hard enough, Qudire got off a three pointer, of which he made three. The wing from PW totaled 22 points in a tough game versus Father Judge. Jackson Hicke Jackson Hicke 6'5" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA (6’5 W ‘23) + Charlie Thornton Charlie Thornton 6'4" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA Jr (6’5 W ‘23) | Radnor (PA) Radnor’s two senior wings complimented each other so well over the weekend. Jackson did on offensive what Charlie on defense. In the Lincoln game, Hicke drove the offense, getting to his spots for a team-high 22 points. Late in the game when both squads were neck-and-neck, Jackson ripped though off a closeout and with one dribble took off for a one-handed jam. Cornell just offered. Charlie on the other hand anchored the Raptors defense. He racked up 3 steals against Lincoln’s wings and 4 blocks when he was protecting the rim. Thornton also contributed 16 points slashing and cutting to the basket. Marquee MatchUp: Camden (NJ) 63, Neumann Goretti (PA) 56 This was an incredible contest between The High and South Philly’s finest. 7’0 C ‘23 Aaron Bradshaw Aaron Bradshaw 7'0" | PF Camden | 2023 State #32 Nation NJ did his thing defensively, discouraging anything around the rim and adding 14 points in the paint. 6’9 F ‘23 Dasear Haskins Dasear Haskins 6'6" | SF Camden | 2023 State NJ was the x-factor for them. He made good rotations and offered secondary rim protection on defense then created second chance opportunities on offense (10 points). 6’3 G ‘23 Dajuan Wagner Jr Dajuan Wagner Jr 6'4" | PG Camden | 2023 State #1 Nation NJ . was the game breaker for Camden. He got his usual transition buckets and created paint touches. But when both teams were still volleying for the lead deep into the second half, DJ went off by hitting 4 triples to take command of the game.  The Saint came up just short, but not without stellar performances from their ‘24 trio - 5’11 Khaafiq Myers Khaafiq Myers 5'10" | PG Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA , 6’0 Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | CG Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA , and 6’6 Amir Williams Amir Williams 6'5" | SF Neuman-Goretti | 2024 State PA . Khaafiq got the game started by turning a steal into a floater on the opposite end. He played gritty defense and maneuvered around Bradshaw to score 18 points. Rob matched Fiq’s energy by pulling mid-range jumpers and threes to draw defenders out the paint, making two of them from deep and scoring 15 points. Wright also got busy creating off-the-dribble, including two momentous lobs to his Wilmington running mate Amir. Williams popped two treys too and scored 12 points. Other Eye Catchers Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | CG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State PA | 6’4 G ‘24  Archbishop Wood (PA) 27 points, 5 threes vs Gil St. Bernard Kodi Johnson | 6’5 F ‘24 Bonner-Prendie (PA)  16 points vs CB South Ikenna Alozie | 6’1 G ‘26 Camden (NJ) 12 points vs Neumann-Goretti Tyler Meinel Tyler Meinel 6'5" | SF Central Bucks South | 2023 State PA | 6’5 W ‘23 CB South (PA) 10 points vs Bonner-Prendie Brandon Bush | 6’3 G ‘23 Cheltenham (PA) 9 pts + on-ball defense vs Sanford Dylan Harper Dylan Harper 6'5" | SG Don Bosco Prep | 2024 State NJ | 6’3 G ‘24 Don Bosco (NJ) 37 points, 6 threes vs Roman Brady Loughlin Brady Loughlin 6'4" | SG Don Bosco Prep | 2025 State NJ | 6’3 W ‘25 Don Bosco (NJ) 14 points, 4 threes vs Roman & 12 points, 4 threes vs West Cath. Donovan Fromhartz Donovan Fromhartz 6'4" | SF Downingtown West | 2025 State PA | 6’6 W ‘26 Downingtown West (PA) 16 points, 3 threes vs St. Joe’s Prep Jake Warren Jake Warren 6'10" | C Downingtown West | 2023 State PA | 6’10 F/C ‘23 Downingtown West (PA) 10 pints, 2 threes  vs St. Joe’s Prep Ernest Shelton Ernest Shelton 6'3" | CG Father Judge | 2023 State PA | 6’3 G ‘23 Father Judge (PA) 12 points, 3 threes vs Plymouth Whitemarsh RJ Smith | 5’8 G ‘26 Father Judge (PA) 9 points vs Plymouth Whitemarsh Naseem Wright | 6’6 W ‘24 Lincoln (PA) 22 points vs Episcopal (FL) Jaden Colzie Jaden Colzie 6'0" | PG Plymouth Whitemarsh | 2024 State PA | 6’0 G ‘24 Plymouth Whitemarsh (PA) 30 points, 4 threes vs Father Judge Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #168 Nation PA | 6’1 G ‘23 Roman Catholic (PA) 24 points, 2 threes vs Don Bosco Sean Forrest | 6’6 F ‘23 Sanford (DE) 9 pts, 3 threes vs Cheltenham Dayon Polk | 6’0 G ‘23 Sanford (DE) 16 points, 2 threes vs Cheltenham Zaki Alston | 6’2 G ‘23 Sankofa (PA) 16 points WC Rustin Jaylan Hornsby Jaylan Hornsby 6'3" | SG Overbrook | 2024 PA | 6’4 W ‘24 St. Joe’s Prep (PA) 16 points, 2 threes vs Downingtown West Jaron McKie Jaron McKie 6'1" | CG St. Joseph's Prep | 2025 State PA | 6’2 G ‘25 St. Joe’s Prep  (PA) 17 points vs Downingtown West Follow me on Twitter and IG @CGraham_Sports follow @PhillyHSLive for updates on Live II this coming weekend.