Paterson……….. Kennedy H.S. will be going through a transition this year after the loss of all everything player Shondel Stewart who is now playing down at Miami Dade J.C. Judging by the Fall League games teams will be getting a heavy dose of senior Dawon Lighty(right) and senior transfer Jahmir White(left).The 6’2  Lighty, a starter as a sophomore and junior will be looked upon to put up big numbers for the Knights this season. His three point shooting will help spread the opposing defense for his less experienced teammates.The 5’10  White will be a big help as he will be looked upon to take over the quarterbacking role on the team. White comes from the high powered Paterson Catholic team and is used to playing at a high level. A very good defender, He also is a good penetrater and can  get to the rack which is going to be key to any Kennedy success!

Wayne………Manchester H.S. is playing Fall Ball in the Wayne Pal this season and judging by their play, they will be a pain to alot of opponents. Playing without their stud baller 6’4 Taquese Franklin, the Falcons have plenty of quickness with good guards and will probably be putting alot of pressure on people on the defensive side of the ball. They will be led by 5’8 senior guard Amani Dyer(left), 5’10 senior guard Zhimir Butler(middle), 5’8 sophomore guard Jetor Brown(right) and 5’9 senior guard Shammad Ellerbee. This will be a fun team to watch and with the play of Franklin it would not be a surprise to see this team near the top of the standings this season!

Trenton, New Jersey………. The 8th annual Eddie Griffin Showcase didn’t turn out quite the way New Jersey wanted as the Philadelphia sophomore, junior and senior classes all came away with wins this year!

                                             Senior Game: Philadelphia 90     New Jersey 87

  Georgetown recruit Jabril Trawick scored 21 points in an entertaining senior game. Trawick came up big late in the game as he took home M.V.P. honors, but he got plenty of help from Pittsburgh University recruits John Johnson and Jalen Bond. Johnson was quiet early but went off in the 2nd half, scoring all 16 of his points after intermission. Bond started off strong for Philly, scoring 14 of his 18 points before the half. Jersey was led by Maryland recruit Sterling Gibbs. The Seton Hall Prep player was the best player on the floor this day for the Jersey crew, scoring 21 points and helping keep the game close by knocking down a 3 late to cut the lead to one 88-87. Trawick hit two free throws to make it the final score, after a desperate three fell short for Jersey. Ohio State recruit Laquinton Ross finished with 11 pointsThe local players contributing in the game was Rutgers recruit Myles Mack who finished with 7 points, St. Benedicts Vaughn Gray( 9 points) and Tyler Harris(5 points), St. Patrick Derrick Gordon( 4 points ) and East Orange Campus Mario Moody who finished with 7.

                                            Junior Game: Philadelphia 87     New Jersey 83

     Philadelphia’s Amile Jefferson of Friends Center H.S. and New Jersey’s Kyle Anderson of St. Anthony’s H.S. both proved why they are considered two of the best Juniors in the country! Jefferson, the game M.V.P. led Philly with 23 points and 7 rebounds and inspired them to the win late! Anderson( Jersey player of game) is a true stats guy who puts numbers up in all categories. He finished with 10 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals. The game was close the entire way, but Philly always seemed to be holding on to lead. They got strong play from 6’3 guard Ryan Arciadano(11pts, 3asts), 5’9 Maurice Watson( 8pts, 2asts) and a big trey from behind the arc from Constitution’s Daiquan Walker. Jersey got strong support from St. Anthony’s Jerome Frink who scored 17 points and pulled down 6 rebounds and 6’0 Seton Hall Prep guard Dallas Englin(12pts, 3asts) who electrified the crowd with his hops, throwing down 4 dunks in the contest. Dom Hoffman of Gill St. Bernards  added 6 points, while Newark Eastside’s Tariq Carey(6pts) and St. Benedict’s Neville Fincher(4 pts) were locals who contributed. 

                                   Sophomore Game:   Philadelphia 86              New Jersey 75

               Brandon Austin and Britton Lee were co M.V.P.’s for Philly as both teams showed that neither state is lacking for talent in the upcoming years. Austin finished with 14 points, while Lee added 11 and 3 assists. Jersey’s player of the game Kavon Stewart had 16 points and 3 assists in the contest. Philly’s Yosef Yacoub scored 11 points, while Johnny Davis added 9. St. Anthony’s 6’3 Josh Brown and Hudson Catholic’s 6’6 Reggie Cameron each finished with 12 points while Irvington’s 6’3  Shacore Edwards and St. Benedict’s 6’8 Michael Young added 8 points apiece. Gill St. Bernard’s Jaren Sina played a good floor game with 7 points and 4 assists.