The preseason basketball craze has officially swept the nation. While it’s at another level in places such as Las Vegas, Texas, and California, you’re slowly starting to see it trickle farther north and east. Many states simply will not allow the aforementioned play to go on, but Pennsylvania and Delaware both do.
Mar Mason of CheckRock brought the best of both together with the Harvest Invitational Fall Finale powered by TVT Sports.
Held at St. Elizabeth High School in the heart of Wilmington, DE, the Harvest Invitational Fall Finale pegged some marquee matchups that crossed state lines on the boys side. The event also served as a homecoming for top-5 2027 Jezelle “GG” Banks, as the South Carolina Gamecocks commit electrified the crowd more than any player on the boys side.
2026 @FCPPangos All-East Frosh/Soph Camp Images: Top 25 Game co-MVPs: 6-7+ 2029 Will Erickson (Gardner/MA) & 6-8 2029 Shayne Jackson (Roman Catholic/Philadelphia PA)
@NBNMagazine @Spalding @checkball @BallerTV
@VanJohnsonJrBHS @_proinsight https://t.co/tAFgwxDAYi— Dinos Trigonis (@trigonis30) October 26, 2026
Overall, the three-game slate on the opening night brought no shortage of DI talent with a main event of Pennsylvania 2025 State champ Neumann-Goretti against reigning Delaware power Tatnall School. Games were live streamed and powered by TVT Sports, the atmosphere was hyped, and Pure Fuel energy drink served as the title sponsor of a near-sold-out house for a Friday night in October.
We already looked at five-star 2028 Mason Collins, the Neumann-Goretti backcourt of London Collins and EJ Stanton, and more in our initial piece. Here’s a deeper look at some of the underclassmen who caught our eye from the 2026 CheckRock Harvest Invitational Fall Finale:
Shayne Jackson, 6’8″, PF/C, Roman Catholic (Penn.), 2029
There weren’t many players in the Philly area who had a better weekend than Shayne Jackson. The son of former All-NBA Rookie Team member Marc Jackson (Warriors) is carrying on his father’s legacy as a big man at Roman Catholic. The younger Jackson had insane footwork on the low block, showed that he could step out and shoot 3-pointers with Roman Catholic, and was an elite finisher with either hand.
Shayne will have to continue to improve on the defensive end in today’s game of pace and space, but the offensive skill and lineage is certainly there.
Richard Werigbelha, 6’9″, PF/C, Tatnall (Del.), 2028
An intriguing developing big man, Richard Werigbelha showed many tools that college coaches desire. The junior was outstanding running the floor, provided a rebounding presence on both ends of the hardwood, and played with a motor.
Toss in the fact that he was able to contain in space defensively and you see why Werigbelha has established himself as one to watch in Delaware’s 2028 class playing alongside top-5 Mason Collins.
Zion Rockwell, 6’5″, SF, Salesianum HS (Del.), 2029
Another player who we got a glimpse at in multiple settings of CheckRock and Pangos, Zion Rockwell offers a bit as an inside/out forward. The long-armed sophomore proved that he can shoot the ball with his feet set, isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint, and has a great frame.
It is still quite early, but Zion showed what he could do at both of these events as well as running with the NJ Scholars this past year in the EYBL.
Jalen Littlejohn, 6’5″, SF/PF, Tatnall (Del.), 2029
A glue guy for a Tatnall squad that has state title aspirations, Jalen Littlejohn will be an essential piece. The angular forward was tough attacking in transition, provided a presence on the glass, and was willing to defend virtually every position for stretches of time. As his perimeter shot gains more consistency, he should see his recruitment take off.
Brae Sosa, 6’1″, PG, Salesianum HS (Del.), 2029
Considered by some to be the top sophomore in Delaware, you could see the talent that Brae Sosa has as a scorer at both Pangos and CheckRock. The bouncy guard was extremely confident with the ball in his hands, made plays above the rim despite being just 6-foot-1, and put pressure on defenders any time that he had the rock. Having run with Team Final in the EYBL, Sosa looks to lock up that spot atop Delaware’s sophomore class.
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