The preseason basketball craze has officially swept the nation. While it’s at another level in places such as Vegas, Texas, 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 Jazelle “GG” Banks, as the South Carolina Gamecocks commit made her come coming and electrified the crowd more than any player on the boys side.
Overall, the three-game slate on the opening night brought no shortage of D1 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.
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#SouthCarolina #GameCocks bound GG Banks (@BanksJezelle)of @TheStJames /@TeamDurantGirls put on for her city in Wilmington,captivating crowd with her remarkable court vision,confidence,and two way ability at @CheckRock_ Harvest Invitational. https://t.co/CY9eV5N6oL
— Rodger Bohn (@rodgerbohn) October 24, 2026
Here’s a deeper look at six of the top performers from the opening night of the CheckRock Harvest Invitational Fall Finale:
EJ Stanton, 6’0, PG, Neumann-Goretti (PA), 2028 scholars
The MVP of the night’s marquee matchup, EJ Stanton showed why he will be carrying on the legacy of tough guards out of NG. Playing with great pace, Stanton showed great burst getting to the rack, was a three-point threat, and made some great reads coming out of ball screens. Running with the NJ Scholars last year on the AAU circuit, Stanton already holds a half dozen offers and has a buzz as one of the best guards in Philly regardless of class.
Mason Collins, 6’6, SG/SF, Tatnall School (DE), 2028
Having just watched Mason Collins in Colorado Springs at USA Basketball, we now see him in a vastly different role with his high school squad. The top five junior was the focal point of an exceptionally gritty Tatnall School squad defensively, seeing virtually about every defensive coverage imaginable in the book. Though the Delaware power fell in a fall ball game, you could see what has made Collins a consensus top five player in the class. The jumbo guard was a true three-level scorer, showed that he could facilitate for others when honed on by defenders, and was willing to post smaller defenders. Mason’s resume with CP3 and USA Basketball speaks for itself nationally, so a loss in October isn’t going to diminish his reputation as a five-star prospect.
London Collins, 6’2, PG, Neumann-Goretti (PA), 2027
A player who I saw years ago when he was living in Los Angeles, London Collins has made some serious noise since making the move to Goretti, as seen at the Harvest Invitational. With Marquis Newsom (who thrived in the New Balance P32 with Max Levels) and Ahmir Brown (an intriguing sophomore) out with injuries, he stepped up and led the way in their win against defending state champ Tatnall. The nephew of Philly/Syracuse legend Scoop Jardine is quickly carving out his own legacy as a two-way point guard who can really defend is is going to bring it every time he laces them up.
Sabir Lyn, 6’10, C, Roman Catholic (PA), 2027 Pride
The biggest player that the opening night of the event, Sabir Lyn showed all the tools that you hope for out of a developing big man. The lefty carved out a deep position, finished at the rim with both hands, and has physical tools that you can definitely work with. Having ran with Philly Pride on the AAU circuit, Lyn appears destined to make a jump at Roman Catholic under former NBA lead guard Brad Wanamaker.
BJ Wanamaker, 6’5, SF, Roman Catholic (PA), 2028
A player I hadn’t seen before the event, there wasn’t a better slashing wing than BJ Wanamaker on the opening night of the Harvest invitational. The smooth lefty was a constant presence attacking the rim, showed his IQ on timely cuts, and played through contact despite a his slim frame. The son of NBA veteran and current Roman Catholic coach Brad Wanamaker is still a bit under the radar, but that shouldn’t last for long if he continues developing at this rate.
Kai Abplanalp, 6’5, SF/PF, Salesianum HS (DE), 2028
While others may have had more stars next to their names, Kai Abplanalp may have had the best night statistically at the Harvest Invitational Fall Finale. The power wing got it done from either forward spot, is built like a football player, and was near unstoppable once he got moving with his shoulders downhill. Playing with Battle Tested on the New Balance P32, Kai is definitely going to be one to watch in NB.
Editor’s Pick
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