Pangos Best of SoCal Spring Showcase: 2021/2022 Standouts
Long Beach, Ca. — Pangos founder Dinos Trigonis held his annual Best of SoCal Spring Showcase Saturday, bringing together some of the area’s top talent for a head-to-head feature game atmosphere at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.
The participants ranged from the classes of 2019 to 2022 with four showcase games played on the afternoon, below are the standouts from the classes of 2021 and 2022.
Devin Askew, Mater Dei
Askew had his combination of skill, power and high motor on display in the first game of the afternoon. The 6-foot-3 combo guard got to the basket at-will both in transition and half-court settings, using his strength to finish through contact. It was good to see Askew make it a point to work on his drive-and-kick passing at this event, as he will be doing plenty of that next season for the Monarchs.
Chris Howell, San Marcos
Howell’s passing is contagious. The 6-foot-5 San Marcos High and Coastal Elite point guard has a presence and approach about him that makes others want to share the basketball in an atmosphere that doesn’t always promote that style of play. Howell’s vision, timing and placement are all of the “precision passer” mold.
Jahmai Mashack, Etiwanda
Mashack played in three games on the day coming of the back-to-back-to-back variety. It says something about a kid when he does that, plays all three with a high motor, and hardly breaks a sweat over the course of 120-odd minutes played. Mashack showed that he’s a high level athlete and big time perimeter defender who can finish above the rim in transition and knock down an open catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.
Brandon Perez, 2022
Perez displayed a nice all-around feel for the game, but where he thrives most is getting to the basket in transition, drawing contact, and finishing through it or getting to the free throw line. The 6-foot-2 guard has good downhill speed, straight-line drive ability and the strength to power through contact. Perez is slated to attend Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
Damien and West Coast Elite guard Malik Thomas scored efficiently Saturday at the Pangos Best of SoCal Spring Showcase. Photo Credit: Devin UglandMalik Thomas, Damien
Thomas is a nightmare in a one-on-one setting. He’s both powerful and strong in his frame and athleticism, while also being quite nimble and shifty with his footwork in space. The 6-foot-3 Damien High scoring guard is tough to stop when he gets a full head of steam and seeks out contact in the paint. Thomas is improving as a pull-up mid-range shooter, but could open even more of his game by being a catch-and-shoot threat from distance.
Luke Turner, Rancho Christian
Turner is tagged with the “shooter” tag far too often and his two games Saturday showed he’s definitely a shooter, but has plenty more game to him. The 6-foot-5 Compton Magic wing has a knack for the basketball on the offensive end. He moves well without the ball, cutting to open spots of the floor for high percentage buckets and is an underrated offensive rebounder.
Jeremiah Windham, 2022
Windham is slated to enroll at Cleveland High in the fall and the Cavaliers will be getting one heck of a 3-point shooter. Windham is rare in the fact that he’s a young prospect who is a consistent shooter from deep off-the-catch. The 6-foot off-guard has a quick, repeatable release and is balanced when elevating.