Five (5) Things From the HS Season I Have Seen So Far

By James Nelson-Stewart

February 18, 2021

Saleem Payne, Cheltenham High School
  1. Three (3) teams have really surprised in the season Plymouth Whitemarsh, Devon Prep and North Penn. All 3 teams are pretty young and the future looks very bright for these programs.
  2. Four (4) underpublicized 2022 Point Guards need more love throughout the area. Saleem Payne (Cheltenham) super quick who has led Cheltenham to an undefeated record. Argel Ivy Pettit (Devon Prep) , he’s been balling the last 2 years at Rustin but now he has taken it to the Catholic League proving he’s for real. Joey Larkins (North Penn) the defensive leader and unselfish PG of the Knights. #24 in the class academically, he is heady and steady. Jeremiah Bembry (Executive Education) had been off the radar but has come back in a big way at Executive Education Charter School. He makes them a true contender for the state title.
  3. Muneer Newton (Wood) is playing like a 1st Team All Catholic. The only unsigned member of the Wood starting 5. Newton is very Athletic and a great team player would fit colleges at any level.
  4. The stars are playing like the stars. Rahsool Diggins (Wood), Daeshon Shepherd (Wood), Hysier Miller (Neumann-Goretti), Stevie Mitchell (Wilson West Lawn), Jameel Brown (Haverford School), Jevin Muniz (Executive Education), Jordan Longino (Germantown Academy) among others are looking elite.
  5. Some very strong 2023/2024 players are really starting to show their meddle. Led by 2023 Roman PG Xyavier Brown and Imhotep duo of Rahmir Burno and Justin Edwards, 2024s P-W Jayden Colzie, Carroll’s Moses Hipps, Devon Prep’s Ty Mishock, CB East Jacob Cumminsky, Central Dauphin’s National Ranked Malachi Palmer lead a very deep class of 2024’s in the area. The future looks bright for these 2 classes.
Stevie Mitchell, Wilson West Lawn

P.S-Get ready for an interesting playoff season as changes in the District and State format make every game remaining that much more important. 6A looks to be a minefield as usual but even more so this year with Wood and Roman in District 12 and District 3 Wilson, Reading and Central Dauphin and District 1 with PW, Neshaminy, Lower Merion and Cheltenham and limited spots available. No time for slip ups!!! Good Luck to every team playing this year in this crazy season!!!