By: James Nelson Stewart-“Suburban Guru”

Events like this don’t happen often, so when you encounter these types of events the feeling sticks with you for a very long time. My father was a boxer during his youth, so the first sport I was introduced to was boxing. When I was 6 years old, I vividly remember being excited for a boxing match the was considered the BEST vs BEST. There was an excitement I had leading up to that event that forever made me a fan of the sport. Even in my early ages, I was an avid reader of newspapers (especially the Philadelphia Daily News) and magazines (Ring Magazine was my favorite). This event was so built up that it couldn’t deliver. It delivered and then some!!! That event was Leonard vs Hearns I!!! The generation before me had an event that was even bigger than that called “THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY” Frazier vs Ali I. These events shaped a generation and this game much like those mega-events of the past has a chance to shape the new generations of athletes that will come after them.

I know that people are going to say Boxing and Basketball are 2 different sports. I know of course but this matchup is different!!! In Black and Red corner, you have Imhotep Charter, who is coached by Andre Noble. Imhotep Charter, much like Joe Frazier, is the gritty Philadelphia Team who plays the game with the proverbial “Chip on their Shoulder”. Imhotep, who has dominated the Legendary Philadelphia Public League for over a decade, is always battling for National Recognition. A team that went to Montverde and beat them on their home court in previous years still doesn’t feel like they don’t get enough National “Respect”. In our region we count on Imhotep EVERY year to win the Pub and the State titles and Coach Noble has exceeded that expectation and more.

To say that he is a Hall of Fame Coach would be to shortchange what this man has accomplished. With a Title log over 20, when counting Pub, City and State Championship, he is STAMPED as one of the Philly Coaching GOATS. Respect due!!!

Then in the Purple and Gold corner, you have Camden High aka “THE HIGH”. In this matchup, I would consider Camden to be more like Muhammad Ali because of the National profile this team has. People flock to see “THE HIGH”, in large part due to their best player and his family lineage of greatness through 3 generations. Expectations have crushed many souls but when a person meet or exceeds such expectations, they become larger than life. “THE HIGH” has a deep basketball history as much as any program in our parts. The tradition of Camden High Basketball may only be matched in these parts by Chester High and is known throughout the nation for having that kind of basketball reputation. Players like Billy Thompson, Nate Johnson, Vic Carstarphen, Arthur Barclay and numerous others have graced the Camden courts and established excellence. But no name is synonymous with Camden Basketball as the last name Wagner. Milt Wagner, Dejuan Wagner and now D.J. Wagner are 3 generations of stars at “THE HIGH”.

Milt (Class of 1981) started this off by becoming one of the Nation’s best guards in earning a McDonald’s All-American birth, then Dejuan (Class of 2001) came in and became one of the best guards in New Jersey history by scoring over 3,000 points and 100 points in a game and also earning a McDonald’s All-American bid and now D.J.

So now I will give you 5 reasons that this may be the BIGGEST GAME EVER LOCALLY

Never has there been a game where the #1 player and #2 player in the country has matched up in a local game. Imhotep’s Justin Edwards (#1 ESPN 2023) and Camden’s duo of D.J. Wagner (#2 in 2023) plus Aaron Bradshaw (#4 in 2023) will matchup in this game. We have 3 Top 5 players nationally on the same court locally. Some people point out the Gene Banks/Lew Lloyd matchup, others have pointed to the Kobe Bryant/Rip Hamilton matchup or Kobe Bryant/Donnie Carr matchup and even more recently the Eddie Griffin/Dejuan Wagner matchup as reference points but neither of those matchups were 1 vs 2 in the same class and the same year. Edwards and Wagner have both held that #1 spot at some point this year. Both competitors want to show their supporters who is #1. Next year, all 3 will be teammates sporting that Kentucky Blue. Bragging rights anyone!!!

Hall of Fame Philly Coach vs Rookie Coach from Philly. This adds to the allure of this matchup. I have already talked about the accolades of Coach Noble but what a feather in the cap Coach Maalik “Smack” Wayns, the Head Coach of Camden. Wayns, has been a Philly staple for years with his McDonald All-American career at Roman and his collegiate career in the Big 5 at Villanova plus his NBA stints including the Sixers. Camden’s staff also has another Philly playing legend Ramone Moore from Southern and Temple fame.

The social media angle. New age, new trends. This game will be followed by basketball fans all over the world. Nike, who has an NIL deal with D.J. Wagner, sponsors both teams. Drake has done advertising with Wagner and others adds to the popularity of this game. Everyone is picking sides of the Bridge on this game.

The Matchups are flat out impressive on both sides. We have Ra Barno (FGC Commit City of Palms MVP) and Nationally Ranked 2024 Ahmad Nowell from Imhotep Charter going against Cian Medley (St. Louis Commit) and Wagner. Then you have the frontcourts Edwards, 2024 6-8 Makye Taylor, 2023 6-4 Yahmir Satterfield and 2024 6-6 Jeremiah White from Imhotep going up against Camden’s front line of the 7-footer Bradshaw, 2023 6-5 Cornelius “Boog” Robinson (Albany Commit), Nationally Ranked 2024 6-6 Billy Richmond, 6-8 Dasear Haskins. Star Fr 2026 Guard R.J Davis (Imhotep) and Star multi-sport athlete Jaylen Hornsby (Camden) will add to the star power on the court.

The AAU Battle. Imhotep which has players that are on the established Nike sponsored Team Final are battling the other local Nike Sponsored team New Jersey Scholars. These teams usually start battling for players before they even hit high school. This game will give each respective program the bragging rights at least for a year. The balance of power will be on the line in this contest.

January 28th 2PM @St Joseph’s Hagen Arena is where this game is going down. As the great Amauro Austin wrote in his article. WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO BE??? Game is SOLD OUT and not streamed. Players like Edwards and Wagner rarely now play for their hoods anymore. The High School game is big business now and the public schools are the biggest victims to the business. 2 Nationally Ranked Public-School teams in 1 area are like a dinosaur. This game is the Tyrannosaurus Rex!!! I’ll be there and can’t wait!!! Events like this never fail to live up to their hype!!! Thank you to both communities Imhotep and Camden for making this event happen!!! Good Luck to both teams!!! Events like these never have LOSERS!!!

Black reactions to white oppression has taken many forms over the past 400 years. Sustained systematic and violent oppression has led to countless individual acts of resistance. But the most common reactions have come in the form of protests. Black creative artists have produced protest poems and Black protest plays. Black writer have given us Black protest novels. Musicians have created spirituals, work chants, prison songs and the blues. The Black press has often produced biting social satire and raised the consciousness of Black readers.

The tradition of Black protest continues today. Early in the morning on Sunday, January 8, 2023, Pastor Daniel Jackson led a small protest against bigotry and racial intolerance on the corner of East Cumberland and Cedar Street in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia. Jackson, Pastor at New Kingdom Baptist Church, was riding his bike through that intersection earlier in the week when a white male threw a can of beer a him and shouted, “stay out my neighborhood.”

A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Jackson had encountered restrictive, oppressive actions before. As Pastor of a growing congregation he felt compelled to use tried and true nonviolent methods to amplify his voice, challenge racial dynamics and press for change in that part of the city.

Surrounded by members of his congregation, Jackson recounted the episode in great detail. He explained the wide range of emotions he was forced to deal with as he rode his bike through that intersection. The protest drew in several members of the Fishtown community. Several young women emerged from their homes to listen and watch.

These neighbors indicated that they would review their surveillance cameras to see if they captured the incident. They also apologized for the manner in which Pastor Jackson was treated in their neighborhood.

After the protest, Pastor Jackson and the congregation headed to New Kingdom and had CHURCH!

Today was a good day in Philadelphia. Young Pastor Jackson is the latest in a long line of highly effective clergymen that have adopted non-violent protest as a means to address the scourge of racial intolerance.

God Bless Pastor Jackson and New Kingdom Baptist Church.

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — University of Maryland star senior forward Donta Scott spent much of last summer talking to youth across the Mid-Atlantic region and promoting his book, “Wired Diffrently: MySchool Journey.” While growing up in Philadelphia, Scott’s athletic career was nearly sidetracked. Throughout elementary and middle school, Scott was consumed with frustration while trying to keeping up with his peers. “It was hard for me to just deal with school,” said the 4 year Big 10 starter. “Those emotions—I just locked them up.” With the help of HYPE U CEO, Delgreco Wilson, Scott took advantage of recent NIL legislation to share the lessons he learned throughout his educational journey in a children’s book.

More recently, Hysier Miller (Temple), AJ Hoggard (Michigan State), Eric Dixon (Villanova) and Derek Simpson (Rutgers) have each inked four figure NIL deals with the assistance of HYPE U. With Pennsylvania and Maryland just becoming the 23rd and 24th states to allow NIL at the high school level, HYPE U has helped Ahmad Nowell (Imhotep CHS) identify an opportunity and is working closely with St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland to identify opportunities for boys and girls basketball players as well as football athletes.

Unlike in the south, student-athletes in the Mid-Atlantic region have been slow to leverage NIL opportunities and get paid for their name, image and likeness. For the past decade, Wilson’s firm Black Cager Sports Media has worked to increase the visibility and marketability of elite basketball student-athletes. The aforementioned players whose on the court exploits were covered by Black Cager Sports Media are now taking advantage of the NIL era and they’re doing it by building their own brand with assistance from HYPE U Philadelphia-Camden based company.

“When NIL legislation became inevitable, we positioned ourselves to take this on but really take it on in a different manner really focusing on high character individuals,” said Wilson. “Young men like Hysier, Eric, AJ and Hoggard are outstanding citizens making significant contributions to their respective learning communities. We are able to strongly recommend them to companies and organizations without even the slightest hesitation. We know their families, we’ve been in their homes.”

With advent of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) legislation and policy changes, student-athletes are in position to earn levels of compensation their predecessors could only dream about. Black Cager Sports recognized the need to help high school participants better understand the NIL marketplace. Black Cager Sports wanted to help high school athletes navigate “the new normal.” Toward that end, Black Cager Sports sponsored an NIL Cyber-Symposium in October 2022.

In addition to identifying local opportunities for college and high school student-athletes, HYPE U provides a secure one-stop-shop for fans to buy and sell authenticated NFTs, autographed trading cards and sports memorabilia among a global fan-investor community.

HYPE U is an opportunity marketplace that connects high character student-athletes to brand partnerships and capital resources during and after their high school and collegiate playing career. The mission is to create branding, charitable, and non-playing opportunities for student-athletes that will maximize the value of their name, image, and likeness for current and future career benefits. 

“We are witnessing the unleashing of competitive market forces that will allow student-athletes and businesses to create mutually profitable partnerships,” said Wilson. “HYPE U is a platform designed help high character mid-Atlantic based student-athletes take full advantage of their name, image, and likeness with hopes to bring athlete diversity, and compensation balance to the NIL space.”

About HYPE U

HYPE U is a full service management and consulting company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Specializing in Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) & brand identity for high character athletes at the collegiate and high school levels.

Media Contact

Delgreco Wilson

PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 12, 2022) – SUREATHLETE has announced name, image and likeness “NIL” deals with collegiate and scholastic student-athletes in Philadelphia. SUREATHLETE has new agreements with Temple University sophomore point guard, Hysier Miller, currently leading Philadelphia’s Big 5 in assists and Neumann-Goretti HS junior point guard, Khaafiq Myers, who led the Saints to the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship last season.

As part of the collaboration, SUREATHLETE will provide access to the science of people analytics to select mid-Atlantic region High School basketball programs. SUREATHLETE’s unique solutions will enable select high school coaches to effectively acquire, develop, engage and assist talented players in their college recruiting. In a hyper-competitive recruiting environment, SUREATHLETE will provide Philadelphia Catholic League prospects with an edge when engaging college coaches.

“We have long admired Hysier and Khaafiq’s talent on the court and want to help them increase their Emotional, Relational and Team intelligence (ERT-i®). Delgreco Wilson from Black Cager Sports Media, identified these young men as super competitive players, outstanding students and true leaders on the court,” said Sean Flynn, CEO, SUREATHLETE. “We are excited to team up with these exceptional student athletes, serve other players in the mid-Atlantic region and look forward to rest of the college and high school basketball seasons.

“This collaboration is a natural fit and it allows us to help SUREATHLETE empower other high school student-athletes in the region to elevate their Emotional, Relational and Team intelligence.” said Hysier Miller. “The SUREATHLETE team gave us the ability to create a deal that benefits other student-athletes in the Catholic League and beyond. That’s real… the Catholic League that gave us an opportunity to play at highest level. Knowing that we helped other high school players and programs have access to the industry’s most powerful psychometric and personal development tool is amazing.”

The SUREATHLETE platform was developed for professional, collegiate and Olympic sports organizations. This collaboration with two South Philly point guards will allow select mid-Atlantic high school programs to join Hysier and Khaafiq in benefiting from the science of Prism psychometrics, anonymous survey feedback and behavioral analytics.

About SUREATHLETE

SUREATHLETE, a division of the SUREPEOPLE Corporation, headquartered in Rosemont, IL, synthesizes three critical data sets – who people are, how people think/feel and how people behave/perform – to derive predictive insights and deliver prescriptive actions for every leader, team and mission-critical player and coach in your program. SUREATHLETE utilizes Prism Psychometrics to understand how each player and coach in your program is uniquely wired by measuring 54 key traits and attributes across Personality & Personality Under Pressure; Processing; Decision Making; Motivation; Conflict Management; and, Fundamental Needs. Prism provides talent with the richest, most nuanced psychometric portrait for increasing self-awareness, understanding strengths & blind spots and guiding personal & professional growth.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Sean Flynn
Sean@surepeople.com

Shon Minnis is my guy… Now… Shon was a damn good player in his own right back in the day. He was a starting guard for Southern’s 1988 and 1989 Public League semifinalists. He is what you would call a basketball lifer… He is most likely to be found in a high school gym on any given day sitting quietly in the corner observing and assessing the quality of play and the talent level of the players.

I met Shon about 12 years ago. His son, Deshon “Biggie” Minnis was one to the top prospects in the region, but he was having some eligibility issues. Several knowledgeable people told Shon that Biggie was an academic “non-qualifier” at the NCAA Division 1 level. They even suggested that Biggie and Shon consider the D2 or even the JUCO route. Shon came to my office seeking advice on becoming eligible. We combed over Biggie’s transcripts and SAT scores with a fine tooth comb.

“I see why they think he’s a non-qualifier Shon,” I said. “He’s below the threshold right now.”

But, the window was still cracked. I explained to Shon that it was “possible” to meet the the D1 eligibility criteria. Biggie would have to cross every “t”, dot every “I” and walk around about 87 mulberry bushes. If he jumped over the river and wrestled 11 alligators we “could” make it.

No one else had even held out the possibility of getting it done. Shon was visibly excited.

I explained that Shon and Biggie’s Mom, Chandra Myers, would have to make sure he stayed focused and stuck to the plan. “FUCK ALL THAT SHIT everyone else is telling you… Stick with the plan and MAYBE we can get there.”

Fast forward a few months, Biggie made it and accepted a full ride to attend and play at Texas Tech University for Billy Gillespie late in the Spring of 2011.

I’ve talked to Shon damn near everyday since. Like I said, Shon is my guy…

Over the past decade, we’ve traversed the I-95 corridor countless times in search of good basketball games. Shon is always ready to ride out.

About 3 years ago, he told me he was getting involved in grassroots basketball in South Philadelphia. He wanted to help South Philly kids learn to play the game the “right” way. He was focused on middle school kids.

Around that time, he started to talk about his prodigy, “Flash.” His government name is Aasim Burton, but everyone calls the boy Flash.

Shon was sold early, “Del… I got one… I’m telling you, Flash is gonna be good… rally good.”

I’ve heard this from 12,386 middle school coaches. They all think their kid is gonna go D1. But Shon is different.

He kept saying things like, “I’m gonna make him a mid-range killer… We not dribbling around a bunch of cones… We playing basketball. Flash plays the right way. He doesn’t turn it over… he makes the right pass… He’s unselfish.”

I don’t get out to see much middle school basketball. In fact, I don’t see any… So all I had to go by was Shon’s pronouncements.

Eventually, Flash enrolled at Math, Civics & Sciences Charter School where he played in one of the finest Public League programs for Head Coach Lonnie Diggs. Flash was a good role player during his two year stint with the Mighty Elephants.

But, the lure of the Catholic League was strong, both academically and athletically. First and foremost, Flash is an outstanding student and his mother and Shon wanted to place him in a more rigorous and competitive academic setting. Of equal importance was an opportunity to “get to the Palestra” for the Philadelphia Catholic League Final Four.

This has become the Holy Grail for many high school ballers in the the Greater Philadelphia region.

Shon did his research… He and Flash narrowed their target destinations down to 3 or 4 schools. Shon had seen all of the school play on multiple occasions. He knew what the basketball was like in each program.

But he didn’t know the people and he didn’t have a firm grasp of the academic offerings at the schools. He asked if I knew the coaches and the principals at these schools.

I did.

I asked if Flash and his Mom were sure they wanted to leave MCS. Shon and Flash assured me that they were “out” and told me they had informed Coach Diggs of their decision.

I introduced Shon and Flash to principals and coaches at several schools. Eventually, Flash and his Mom chose O’Hara.

My decision to assist Shon and the family with researching his school options led to the end of what had been a very good relationship with the MCS basketball program. I had worked with MCS alums Jeremiah “Lump” Worthem, Mike Watkins and Samir Doughty… each ended up eligible to accept a scholarship and played Division 1 basketball… It was all good…

Until it wasn’t…

Flash decided to transfer and Shon is my guy…

Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, Delaware County is Flash’s new home. The boy from the “P” plays in da county these days.

The transfer behind him, all summer Shon was talking heavy… “We goin’ to the Palestra.”

“Easy… Easy… Shon.”

Alas, Shon was not trying to hear my suggestion that he temper his expectations.

“We goin’ to the Palestra!”

On Friday, O’Hara was scheduled to travel to Reading for a HUGE road game against perennial Berks County power Reading High. I’m on a 3-way call with Shon and Rider Assistant Coach Geoff Arnold. I tell Shon to be prepared to watch a tough game. I explained that Reading is damn near impossible to beat in Reading.

Shon wasn’t trying to hear that shit…

“We gonna kick their ass…”

Mannnn listen… I wanted to go that that game. But I was scheduled to cover the Neumann-Goretti/Constitution game and I wouldn’t be able to make it.

I told Shon, I thought Reading would win the game because their press defense would force a lot of turnovers. I’ve seen Reading do that to so many good teams in recent years.

“Flash doesn’t turn the ball over Del…”

“I’ll bet you $10 that they turn Flash over at least 3 times.”

“Let’s bet $20…”

“Naaaah… I’m not a gambler but I’ll bet the $10.”

“Bet…”

Low and behold, a few minutes after making the wager, Pat Sorrentino, a Nuemann-Goretti Assistant informs me that the Constitution game has been postponed. The Saints were playing for state Championship in football and the whole school planned on going to support the squad.

I hang up from Pat and immediately call Shon, “What time you leaving? I’m riding out with you”

“5:30… Meet me at 23rd and Federal… down the P.”

Traffic is fucked up… We arrive at the massive Geigle Complex just before the tip off.

I scramble to set up my camera.

First play of the game… Flash had the ball out top… dribbled toward the baseline stopped took a step back and elevated for one of his trademark mid-range jump shots…

SPLASH! All net…

Flash made sure to let the Reading faithful seated along the baseline know that it was going to be a long night. He was talking major shit…

O’Hara came out and led with a series of right crosses. Reading, clearly, was expecting O’Hara to feel them out early with jabs. They were not ready. Right hooks and crushing body blows delivered by Flash and his running mate Izaiah Pasha ’23 (Iona commit) left Reading dazed and confused.

Like Mike Tyson jumping on a defenseless Mike Spinks, O’Hara jumped out to an early double-digit lead. Before you knew it the score was 9-2 and by the end of the first, the Lions led 23-12.

It was more of the same as the bell rung for the 2nd quarter, Flash kept the pressure on. Flash and Pasha were bussing Reading’s ass. In front of about 2,000 stunned Reading supporters. They combined for 22 of O’Hara’s 41 first-half points.

Never having ventured to Reading for a game before, Shon felt comfortable. He should have… O’Hara was having it their way.

Until they weren’t…

It’s hard to explain to Philadelphia hoopheads. These Reading muthafuckas just don’t know how to quit… It’s just not in ‘em.

They are gonna keep coming and coming.

Two years ago, the Reading knocked off Catholic League Champion Archbishop Wood in the State Championship game. Last year, they knocked off nationally ranked Imhotep in a highly entertaining contest.

This year? Down 19 at home to O’Hara? No problem…

Check rock…

Led by senior guard, Myles Grey’s 20 points, the Knights demonstrated their ability to engage in a relentless form of persistence hunting. Coach Perez’s boys stalked and chased O’Hara until they could no longer flee and succumbed to what seemed like an inevitable defeat.

While O’ Hara came up short in this battle, Flash played well in front of coaches from 2 MAAC programs. Rider Assistant, Dino Pressley and Fairfield Assistant, James Johns were there evaluating Shon’s prodigy.

The very next day, Fairfield offered Flash a scholarship. This served to brighten and otherwise disappointing night.

On the way home, we stopped at Appleby’s to grab a bite to eat. However, it was too crowded at the wait was over 30 minutes. We left and decided to just grab something from WaWa.

I ordered a Chicken Fajita Panini, grabbed a bag of chips and a Mango Iced Tea. When I got to the register, Shon boxed me out and paid for my meal.

Flash had 3 turnovers.

Shon Minnis is my guy…