Jordan heads all-area team

The Inquirer's all-Southeastern Pennsylvania player of the year is a savvy playmaker, stellar ball handler, solid penetrator, and clutch scorer. In 30 appearances this season, Jordan, an intense competitor, averaged 24.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.3 steals. He drilled 53 three-pointers.

"He just works so hard," said Andre Noble, coach of Public League Division A rival Imhotep Charter. "He works out all the time. He's super serious about being a great basketball player."

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior point guard directed Vaux, which is set to close in June, to a 24-8 record and the PIAA Class A state championship. In the final at Hershey's Giant Center, he posted 32 points, 6, rebounds, and 4 assists in an 83-63 win over District 6's Johnsonburg.

Against Imhotep in the Public League title game, he produced 45 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals in a 67-66 setback at Temple. He shot 10 for 21 from the field (4 for 8 from beyond the arc) and 21 for 23 from the line.

For his career, Jordan totaled 1,817 points. With his college list narrowed to Temple, St. John's, and UCLA, he said he will announce his choice April 15. A five-star recruit, he is ranked No. 22 in the country in the Class of 2013 by ESPN.

In sparking the Panthers to a 28-5 record and their fourth state championship in five seasons, the 6-foot-7 senior guard averaged 17 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Austin, a terrific penetrator and solid one-on-one defender, closed his career with 1,141 points. In a 54-45 win over Archbishop Carroll in the Class AAA state final, he shot 9 for 15 from the field and 6 for 6 from the line en route to 25 points. He is ticketed for Providence.

In helping the Aces to a 30-3 record and their first Class AAAA state title since 2006, the 6-foot-7 senior wing guard averaged 16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds. Johnson, a 1,241-point career scorer who is headed to Syracuse, hit 50 three-pointers. Against Chester in the state final, he registered 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals in a 63-47 victory. He shot 6 for 9 from the field (2 for 3 on threes) and 8 for 11 from the line.

The 6-foot-5 senior guard averaged 20.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 steals while guiding the Hawks to a 24-6 record and the Class AAAA state semifinals. He shot 49.6 percent from the field (38.3 percent from beyond the arc) and 88.1 percent from the line. The Notre Dame recruit, twice selected as the Catholic League's most valuable player, ended his career with 1,764 points. He shot 89.2 percent (378 for 424) from the line.

A high-flying swingman who was a handful for foes in transition, Jefferson led the Clippers to within a win of their third straight Class AAAA state title. The 6-foot-7 senior averaged 15.5 points, 11 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.8 steals, and 2.4 blocks. His career totals: 1,056 points, a school-record 780 rebounds, 320 assists, and 127 blocks. An Arizona signee, he was tabbed to play in the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic.