Because it's summer and the prep sports scene is in hibernation, here is a link to a list from a web site ranking what they consider to be the top high school basketball players in Eastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. The list was published in late March after the 2007-08 season.
I don't know how reputable a publication Hoop Scoop is, but it's notable that they listed a few YAIAA players fairly high, if only because it gives people like me and you a jumping off point to discuss their value.
The list breaks down the top players by class, and there are six returning players that particularly caught my eye because they cracked the top 100. Those names and my analysis of their past performances and potential after the jump.
Chris Hartmann, Delone Catholic (No. 50, Class of 2009): Already verbally committed to a Division I school that reached the NCAA Tournament last season (Mount St. Mary's), Hartmann has clearly done enough on the court to make people believe he can compete at the next level. With an unbelievable wingspan and a quickness rare for a 6-foot-6 forward, Hartmann is one of the most fun players to watch in the entire league. It also makes me think he should be ranked a little higher, but I know there is plenty of talent in the Philadelphia area and I am not familiar with any of the 49 players ranked ahead of Hartmann. During his junior season, he helped the Squires to a perfect 14-0 record in Section 4, but was not enough to propel Delone to any sort of postseason title. The Squires lost in the semifinals of the YAIAA tournament, dropped the District 3 Class AA title game and fell in the second round of the PIAA tournament. For Hartmann to leave a truly memorable mark at the high school level, he and the Squires will have to get more done in the playoffs next spring.
Malik Generett, William Penn (No. 84, Class of 2009): As talented as this 6-foot-5 forward is on the basketball court, his future is on the gridiron. Generett has already committed to play wide receiver for the University of Connecticut and there is a chance he may not even lace up his sneakers come November if he wants to completely focus on preparing for football season in the fall. If he does come back though, the Bearcats could make major impact at the district and maybe even state level, losing only a handful of players from coach Troy Sowers' eight-man rotation last season and returning all five starters during the District 3 Class AAAA tournament. Generett has the size and jumping ability to be a force in the block and if he becomes more consistent on both ends of the floor, William Penn should be able to contend for both a league and a district title and be a player on the state level.
Andrew Nicholas, Eastern York (No. 18, Class of 2011): A dominating force throughout his freshman season, the 6-foot-6 forward took his game to another level during the Golden Knights' first round victory in the PIAA Class AAA tournament with his 24 points and 18 rebounds. Coach Larry Fisher said he is the fastest player on the team and Nicholas has shown the ability to knock down the outside shot and deliver in transition in addition to performing in the paint. As far as I can tell, this kid has unlimited potential and should have major Division I programs chasing him soon enough. If you haven't seen him play in person yet, be sure to check out an Eastern game this coming season. In addition to Nicholas, you'll get to see his comparably talented teammate who is only a few slots below him on the list.
Austin Tillotson, Eastern York (No. 24, Class of 2011): The poised-beyond-his-years point guard deserves plenty of credit for Eastern's surprising success last season as well. He and Nicholas would probably score more points and receive more attention without the other on the floor (Tillotson was second on the team in scoring last year), but together they make the Golden Knights a force to be reckoned with in the YAIAA. On the floor, Tillotson can score just as well as he can distribute, and the Golden Knights should be expected to reach the state tournament again with Tillotson and Nicholas back on the floor, just as the college scouts that might come to see Nicholas will be quickly impressed by what they see from the 6-foot point guard as well.
Four McGlynn, Dallastown (No. 27, Class of 2011): The Wildcats underachieved last season, failing to qualify for the YAIAA tournament and making a quick exit from the District 3 Class AAAA tournament, so I did not get a chance to see the talented freshman take on the top competition in the area. What I did see from McGlynn during the regular season was a lights-out shooting ability and a composure and confidence on the floor that should yield dividends in the season to come. If he further develops his ability to drive the lane and shores up his defense even further, he could be one of the top players in the league during his sophomore season.
Kelvin Parker, William Penn (No. 41, Class of 2011): After spending most of the season on the junior varsity squad, Parker was called up late to contribute at the vbarsity level and earned a starting spot for the Bearcats' final game of the season in the District 3 Class AAAA tournament. At 6-foot-3 and playing the wing position for the bearcats, Parker has the size not to get pushed around. he also seems to have a stronger grasp on the fundamentals than most of his William Penn teammates. He looked impressive on defense during the playoffs and seemed to fit well into the Bearcats' high-octane offense. He may not be the most flashy player out there, but he could have a major impact on William Penn's fate next season with a chance to contribute on the varsity level for the entire season.
Are there any other players that should have been prominently featured on the list? Some guys ranked too high? Too low? Let your opinions be known in the comments section below.
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