Week Seven
This week will go down in history as one of the busiest ever for me. That was in large part because the Greater Philadelphia League action was extremely intense. In fact, because the Bartram-Mansion game on May 26th, I fielded ten calls from various college coaches on different college levels. Thus far over fifteen different college coaches have come to watch the players. The GPL prides itself on marketing the players in the league. A conscience effort is made to put the ‘word” out on the players in league throughout the Delaware Valley and beyond. Not too many leagues do that.
Top Performer
Devonte “DJ” Newbill 6’4 PG/SG Strawberry Mansion 2010
DJ went for 34 points as the Knights controlled John Bartram from the opening tip and won by nineteen. Newbill is a Mardy Collins clone. He had the deep jumper working, the midrange pull-up and inspired Mansion to a victory over one of their archest rivals of the earlier part of the decade.
Other Top Performers
Tyrone Garland 6’2 PG John Bartram 2010
Tyrone went for 37 in that loss to Mansion. Garland was terrific at scoring at the line after drawing contact. Furthermore, Garland did not finish as we have seen him do so many times in the past.
Mike Wilson 6’1 PG/SG Martin Luther King 2010
Coach Will Khan says, “Mike Wilson will be the top point guard in the Public League next season.” Wilson is a strong player, who uses his body to bully weaker players. Had the play of the week with a double spin reverse lay-up on the baseline as King shocked Paul VI.
Sherman Blanford 6’4 PF/SF Communications Tech 2010
Strong player was able to lead the Phoenix to victory with an assortment of inside baskets. Nimble feet for a solidly built player, still has to use his body more to exploit physical advantage.
Antonio Strickland 5’11 PG/SG Franklin Learning Center 2010
Strickland is becoming a league surprise. The most consistent of the Bobcat players thus far, he is a calming influence on the court and takes pride in playing hard on both ends.
Eric Jefferson 6’5 PF Strawberry Mansion 2011
Solidly built forward is tough in a no-nonsense North Philly sense of the word. Has a soft touch and does not refrain from banging inside when he needs to. Developing into a sleeper in the local class of 2011.
Jay Harris 5’10 PG Paul Robeson 2010
Quicksilver point guard was able to inspire his squad to victory over Thomas Edison. The one point victory was a testament to Harris hitting open jumpers, something that he must continue to do on a consistent basis.
Deon Johnson 5’10 SG/PG Thomas Edison 2011
Yet another underrated player in the class of 2011, Johnson is becoming Edison’s most consistent player. Still has a long way to go, but the kid is making a big first impression.