So Cal – LV Showdown Recap: Top Performers
The 1st annual Southern California Las Vegas Showdown was a huge success. Hosted by recruiting legend, Gerry Freitas, the event brought together some of the top teams from Southern California to face off against some of the top teams from…
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Continue ReadingThe 1st annual Southern California Las Vegas Showdown was a huge success. Hosted by recruiting legend, Gerry Freitas, the event brought together some of the top teams from Southern California to face off against some of the top teams from the Las Vegas area. In this article, PH takes a look at some of the standout performers of the event.
Mason Hooks 6’10 C Harvard Westlake 2020 (#14PHSC 2020) – Hooks was the most impactful player on the floor. It wasn’t just the 23 points and 6 rebounds, Hooks dominance forced Durango to double him, which led to wide open opportunities for their outside shooters.
Keshon Gilbert 6’2 PG Durango 2021 (#7PHN 2021) – At times Gilbert was the best player on the floor. Gilbert kept the Trailblazers in the game with his ability to consistently get paint touches and finish over size. He finished with 25 4 and 3.
Tyler Powell 6’5 SF Ribet 2021 – Powell was dominant from the start. He showed great patience and shot selection and was unguardable all game. He led all scorers with 26 and was named the game MVP as Ribet cruised to an easy victory.
Marcus Green 6’3 SG Etiwanda 2021 – It was a career game for Green. It wasn’t fancy, but it was efficient. Green went 7-8 from the field and 4-4 from the line, en route to leading all scorers with 19 points and 17 rebounds.
Paris Dawson 6’1 PG Corona Centennial 2020 (#25PHSC 2020) – The Portland St recruit displayed the toughness that Corona Centennial has come to be known for. “We compete everyday, and you have to play hard” Says Dawson. He finished with 25 including going 9-10 from the line down the stretch.
Boubacar Coulibaly 6’10 PF San Gabriel Academy 2020 – Coulibaly did everything he could to keep SGA in the game. He rebounded, scored down low and protected the rim. He was actually at his best, when he got a head of steam and attacked downhill. He finished with an impressive double-double of 18 points 19 rebounds.
Zaon Collins 6’1 PG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#2PHN 2021) – Collins was his normal efficient self. He controlled the tempo of the game and set up his teammates for easy baskets. Collins finished with 16 4 and 3 and was named the player of the game.
Johnny Braggs 6’3 SG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#13PHN 2021) – Braggs was one of the best two-way players on the day. He finished with 6 steals and quickly turned defense into offense. Braggs finished with 16 points to go along with those 6 steals. He was the catalyst of the Gaels pressure defense as they finished the game with 18 steals in total.
Dominick Harris 6’4 SG Rancho Christian 2020 (#16PHSC 2020) – Harris was outstanding all game. He consistently got to the lane and finished at the rim. A high energy guy that provided huge buckets whenever Liberty made a run, Harris finished with 19 on the day.
Evan Mobley 7’0 PF Rancho Christian 2020 (#1PHSC 2020) (featured image) – The nation’s #1 player did not disappoint. Despite not playing the fourth quarter because of an ankle injury, Mobley finished with a double-double. and 5 blocks. Perhaps the most amazing thing about him is that at his size, his best skill is his ability to put the ball on the ground and make a play for his teammates. He is an elite rebounder and shot-blocker, however, his passing skills do not get nearly as much attention as it should.
Julian Strawther 6’6 SF Liberty 2020 (#2PHN 2020) – I have run out of superlatives to describe Julian Strawther. Yesterday was not his best game, in fact, he shot 1-9 from beyond the arc. However, he finished with 44 and single-handedly kept the Patriots in the game. The game was a great look at his competitive nature as, despite his struggles, he continued to attack, scoring from the lane, off runners, and in post-up situations. Strawther is currently averaging over 40 per game this season and it dawned on me during the game, that it may be a long time before we witness a high school scorer that is this prolific.