Take Flight Challenge: What we already knew
The 5th annual Take Flight Challenge presented by Jordan Brand and Reggie Morris, Jr., and his crew at Culver City High was a resounding success.
The two-day, 12-team event at Cerritos College featured plenty of marquee teams, players and match-ups, headlined by a short-handed Bishop Montgomery win over Sierra Canyon Friday night.
Prep Hoops So-Cal was in attendance for every game Friday and Saturday. Here’s are a few storylines that emerged that came as no surprise to us.
Jake Kyman continues to expand his game
A lot of people who watch the Santa Margarita junior play for one or two games here and there come away thinking he’s just a very good shooter. Those who watch the 6-foot-7 wing on a consistent basis have seen his game evolve from a spot-up shooter into a spot-up shooter who can attack off the bounce, then a spot-up shooter with a mid-range scoring package, and now a spot-up shooter who can board the defensive glass and serve as a point-forward playmaker due to improved ball handling skills, especially with his off-hand. Kyman spends a ton of time in the gym and has identified his biggest weaknesses and focused the workouts to improve upon those.
Terren Frank is a high-level long term prospect
We touched on the Trailblazers’ struggles at Take Flight in our “What We Learned” piece yesterday, but Terren Frank was one of the bright spots for Sierra Canyon. The 6-foot-7 sophomore netted a career high 33 points in a win over Mayfair Saturday and scored 10 and grabbed nine rebounds in a loss to Bishop Montgomery Friday. Frank is a legitimate inside-out scoring threat with touch around the basket with both hands, some back-to-the-basket feel and the ability to step out and knock down mid-range and 3-point set shots.
Senior forward Cyrus Johnson was impressive for Culver City in a win over Loyola Saturday at the Take Flight Challenge.Cyrus Johnson should be on the Division I radar
Glue-guys don’t get enough publicity on any scale whether it be local, regional or national, and Cyrus Johnson falls into that category. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder is difficult to stop when he establishes deep post position as he has a soft set of hands, good footwork, explosive leaping ability and uses his strong frame to absorb and finish through contact. One of the senior’s best attributes is his rebounding ability on both the offensive and defensive end. Johnson is fundamental in him finding a body and blocking out before pursuing a missed shot and has the strength, athleticism and motor to outwork opposing bigs on the offensive glass. Johnson finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Loyola Saturday.
Jamie Jaquez, Jr. is all about production
The 6-foot-6 Camarillo small forward beat Windward and UCLA-bound wing Jules Bernard in a battle of high-level producers. Jaquez scored 35 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to Bernard’s 18 and 17 rebounds in the Scorpions 66-60 win. The junior does it all for Camarillo — he plays the point guard spot, scores in transition, posts up, drives and scores in the paint and can knock down jumpers from the mid and 3-point levels. Jaquez is also a high IQ passer, especially out of the high post, where he draws double and triple teams and finds open shooters and cutters for good looks.
Mayfair’s Michael Ofoegbu is an intriguing prospect
The Christopher brothers — Josh and Caleb — get most of the attention when it comes to the Monsoons roster, but Ofoegbu has been turning some heads this season. The rangy and bouncy 6-foot-6 junior is improving at a rapid pace and makes an impact on both ends of the floor. Ofoegbu uses his super quick leaping ability to snatch rebounds at their peak, he’s always rim-running in transition and getting to the strong-side block where he gets wide and gives his entry passer a good target. What he does best, though, is track down teammates misses and give his team second-chance opportunities.