Rolling Hills Prep Fall Classic: Next Five
Wilmington, Ca. — The Rolling Hills Prep Fall Classic was an eight-game event featuring many of the top programs that Southern California has to offer.
The marquee matchup was a showdown of two teams, Rancho Christian and Bishop Montgomery, which are sure to be competing for CIF Southern Section and State championships come February and March.
Rancho Christian came away with a hard-fought 55-52 victory behind Isaiah Mobley, Evan Mobley and Dominick Harris. One of the bigger upsets of the day came by way of a Riverside Notre Dame victory over perennial power Santa Ana Mater Dei. Anton Mozga paced the Titans with balanced contributions from Pierce Sterling, Dondre Bausley and Anthony Holland.
Here are the “Next Five” performers from Saturday’s action:
Ryan Engs, G, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
Engs sometimes doesn’t get his fair shake playing alongside the talent that Notre Dame has down its roster, but the Knights wouldn’t have edged Long Beach Poly by four if it weren’t for the 6-foot-2 guard. Engs did a nice job of managing the ultra-fast tempo as best he could, making it a half-court game when needed, but taking advantage of fast break opportunities when they were there. He also added 20 points, many of them coming by way of a crafty layup.
Brandon Wilson, G, Taft
Wilson scored 14 points as Taft held off a late rally by Santa Monica to take a 56-50 victory. The Toreadors will go as the 6-foot-4, 190-pound wing goes. He stretches the floor to the 3-point line, but also has a strong first step which allows him to blow-by sloppy closeouts and get to the rim where he finishes with power.
Pierce Sterling, G, Riverside Notre Dame
Sterling came through in a big way for Riverside Notre Dame in its upset of Mater Dei. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard scored 13 points with a handful of timely 3-pointers to stop runs made by the Monarchs to help the Titans secure a strong fall victory.
Luke Turner, F, Rancho Christian
Turner scored in double figures and hit two clutch free throws in a one-plus-one situation with 11 seconds left to give Rancho Christian a three point advantage and the eventual winning score. Turner took advantage of the open looks he was given from the corner, knocking down three 3-pointers on the game.
Mason Hooks, C, Harvard-Westlake
Any time you have a 6-foot-10, 250-pound center who is fairly skilled and mobile, you’re going to get some kind of contribution out of him. That’s exactly what Hooks does for the Wolverines with his presence. The junior made a couple of impressive post moves with swinging hook shots across the lane and off-hand finishes.