Hoop Group Teams Close Strong First Half
On April 11th, Next Play Basketball made a major leap forward, debuting in its first-ever event as an official member of the Hoop Group HGAL Circuit. Since then, our program has been tested and proven—competing across the East Coast in elite events held in Pittsburgh, Virginia Beach, Lancaster, Atlantic City, Oaks, and Boston.
Facing top competition from national circuits like 3SSB (Adidas), UAA (Under Armour), MHC (Made Hoops), ZGXL (Zero Gravity), NXTPRO (Puma), and HGAL/HGSL (Hoop Group), our teams have risen to the challenge. Despite this being our first season on the circuit, expectations were high—and our players have delivered.
17U HGAL: Battle-Tested & Climbing the Ranks
Our 17U squad enters the Scholastic Live Period Break with a 12-7 record, currently ranked 8th in a highly competitive 36-team Hoop Group League. A statement showing at Spring Jam Fest (3-1 overall) included three high-level wins that vaulted the team into the league’s top ten.
SCH Academy wing Alex Ormond has emerged as the team’s most consistent contributor, drawing interest from several high-academic college programs as his recruitment begins to heat up. Backcourt standouts Jules Sanders and Chris Kingkiner have also made major strides. Kingkiner, a recent transfer to The Phelps School, capped the first half with a strong performance: 15 points and 6 assists in a key win over PTT HGSL.
16U HGAL: Building a Contender
At 13-4, our 16U team is proving to be one of the top teams on the circuit. A signature event win in Atlantic City and a deep Elite 8 run during the May Live Period have positioned this group as a serious title threat heading into July.
Mack O’Neill (6’7”, La Salle) has leveled up his game in his second season with the program, dominating on both ends of the floor. Henry Belcher (5’10”, Harriton) continues to lead the team in both points and assists, serving as the offensive engine. With college decisions on the horizon for many of these players, this group is expected to make serious noise in July—and beyond, when they move up to the 17U level next season.
15U HGAL: Philly Grit & Future Stars
Our 15U team showcases what Philadelphia basketball is all about: toughness, skill, and unselfish play. The dynamic backcourt of Nas Howard (SCH) and Andrew Hall (AFS) has proven nearly impossible to contain. Both guards have highly versatile games and project as scholarship-level players.
Currently 14-4 and ranked 9th in the Hoop Group League, this squad is poised to make noise in July.
Looking Ahead
This debut HGAL season has been a resounding success. From standout individual performances to strong team showings across all levels, Next Play has shown it belongs among the best on the circuit. Still, the journey is just beginning. With July on the horizon, our teams are locked in—ready to grow, compete, and chase championships.
