Basketball: Preseason Top 25

The Inquirer Preseason Boys' Basketball Top 25

With last season's record.

1. Neumann-Goretti 23-6

The five-time defending Catholic League champs return six of their top eight players: Ja'Quan Newton (Miami commit), Lamarr Kimble, Troy Harper (Campbell), Tony Toplyn (Campbell), Jamal Custis, and Vaughan Covington. Quade Green is a rising freshman guard.

2. Archbishop Carroll 23-7

The Patriots have a solid nucleus in 6-foot-6 forward Derrick Jones, 6-9 center Ernest Aflakpui, guard Joe Mostardi, and 6-4 swingman Armand Sorrentino. Guards Austin Tilghman and Samir Taylor transferred in from St. Andrew's (Del.) and Episcopal Academy, respectively.

3. Imhotep Charter 28-5

Basil Thompson, a 6-6 forward bound for St. Francis (Pa.), and 6-5 swingman Sean Lloyd, a transfer from Haverford School, are the headliners. Also in the mix are guards Jakwan Jones and Devin Liggeons, and 6-6 forwards Dymir Logan and Deion Evans.

4. Roman Catholic 19-7

The Cahillites are fueled by guards Shep Garner (Penn State) and Rashann London (Drexel), and 6-6 forwards Manny Taylor and TreVaughn Wilkerson. They have two solid transfers: point guard Tony Carr, formerly of Abington Friends, and 6-4 wing Jamil Holbrook (Penn Wood).

5. Math, Civics & Sciences 26-3

Returnees Louis Myers (Norfolk State) and Nazeer Bostick are back for the Mighty Elephants. Samir Doughty (Communications Tech), Mike Watkins (Bartram), Terquin Mott (Life Center Academy), and Donovan Barnes (Strawberry Mansion) are key transfers.

6. Chester 28-4

Larry Yarbray's squad was hit hard by graduation, but is still formidable. A big reason for that is the arrival of 6-7, 220-pound forward Tyrell Sturdivant (Stony Brook) and 6-2 guard Mahir Johnson from Glasgow (Del.) Conrad Chambers, a lead guard, is the top holdover.

7. Haverford School 17-9

Led by 6-3 point guard Levan "Shawn" Alston and 6-7 swingman Eric Anderson (Yale), the Fords are an imposing bunch. Also in the rotation are a trio of wing players: 6-4 Derek Mountain, 6-7 Lamar Stevens, a transfer from Abington Friends, and 6-6 Lukas Rosenbahm.

8. Lower Merion 30-3

The reigning PIAA Class AAAA state titlists are spurred by 6-4 wing Justin McFadden (Binghamton), point guard JaQuan Johnson, and 6-5 forward Jule Brown. They also have guards Corey Sherman, a long-range sniper, and Nick Jones, who came over from Archbishop Carroll.

9. Great Valley 28-4

Back for the Patriots are 6-7 standout Mikal Bridges, point guard Cyree Ames, 6-3 wing Nate Cohen, and 6-5 bruiser Ryan Buchholz. They added two senior transfers from West Chester Rustin: guard Ricky McQuay and 6-5, 230-pound center Blake McGlond.

10. Pennsbury 15-8

The Falcons have a skilled trio of juniors: 6-1 combo guard Cameron Jones, 5-10 combo guard Mekhi Bryant, who has a scholarship offer from Holy Family, and 6-8 forward Derrick Woods. Help in the backcourt comes from Steve Ciotti, Lewis Troh, and Walter Allen.

11. Constitution 18-10

12. Westtown 15-13

13. Penn Wood 16-9

14. St. Joseph's Prep 24-6

15. Martin Luther King 24-5

16. Archbishop Wood 14-10

17. Coatesville 25-8

18. Phelps 20-10

19. Philadelphia Electrical 16-12

20. Germantown Academy 23-6

21. Norristown 24-5

22. Wissahickon 13-10

23. Perkiomen Valley 17-8

24. Abington 22-6

25. Conestoga 10-12

Under consideration, listed alphabeticaly: Bartram (13-14), Council Rock North (17-6), Holy Ghost Prep (17-8), La Salle (15-8), Penncrest (17-9), Plymouth Whitemarsh (11-12).