Championship Saturday DI DII DIII Top Prospects
The CCS Championships in Divisions I, II, III, were played on Saturday.Two games at Sequoia HS, and one at Palo Alto High. The first game was the DIII title game, St. Ignatius versus Sacred Heart Cathedral. Two teams who have…
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Continue ReadingThe CCS Championships in Divisions I, II, III, were played on Saturday.Two games at Sequoia HS, and one at Palo Alto High. The first game was the DIII title game, St. Ignatius versus Sacred Heart Cathedral. Two teams who have already met twice during the season in WCAL league play. Division II, Hillsdale taking on Christopher, and the nightcap was Palo Alto taking on Sequoia at home in the Division I title game. Here’s a list of standout prospects on Championship Saturday who I thought stood out.
DIVISION III CHAMPIONS: St. Ignatius Defeats Sacred Heart Cathedral 70-66
The best prospect in this game was 6’0 2023 Pg King Wilhite, St. Ignatius. He scored 27 points to lead his team to a title. He put on a dazzling display at the point guard position. He’s a confident player who scored at will from all angles. He’s a top Freshman in NorCal.
Giancarlo Toledo 6’0 2022 shooting guard was on fire. He hit four 3’s in a row to start the 3rd quarter to give his team the lead which they never gave up. He finished with 13 points 4/5 from 3.
Cory McCoy 6’0 unsigned Sr for Sacred Heart Cathedral put on a strong performance in his own right. He knocked down seven 3’s. The quick guard scored multiple times on the drive and was a solid playmaker throughout the game. He finished with 26 points.
Ray – John Spears 6’1 combo guard Sacred Heart Cathedral. He’s a football player who plays basketball because he’s a good athlete. He has the potential to play either sport in college depending on his progression. He’s a top 2022 NorCal guard in basketball right now. He’s got great lift on his mid-range jumper. He uses quickness and strength to get to the basket. He’s a tough minded prospect who can get buckets, and be a lockdown defender. He finished the game with a double double, 19 points, 10 rebs.
DIVISION II CHAMPIONS: Hillsdale Defeated Christopher 59-40
Hillsdales top play was 6’0 unsigned Sr, Shawn Junior Cotton. He made it a point to get his shooters involved at the beginning. After that he took over the game. The quick guard has a burst of speed when he heads to the rim. He made sure to let whoever was guarding him, he was going either way left or right to finish. His mid-range jumper and 3’s were falling. He scored 22 points, and 7 rebs.
Calvin Mader – Clark 6’5 2022 Shooting guard is a player to keep an eye on. He plays like he’s been doing this for a while. He had a purpose with the ball in his hands. He was most effective working the baseline. He spotted up for corner 3’s ( made 4). He used a nice jab step, and pump fake to either pull up for a mid-range or take it strong to the rim, he had a nice reverse move along the baseline. He contributed 16 points, 9 rebs, and 2 assists.
Christophers top player was Duncan Ellis 6’3 2021 guard who never quit even though it was an uphill battle. He battled on both ends of the court for rebounds. He was the top rebounding prospect for the day with 11. He has a nice jumper from the elbow and attacks well from that area. 9 points.
DIVISION I CHAMPIONS: Palo Alto, Defeats Sequoia 47-36
The final game of the day was a short drive to Palo Alto High School, where the Division I Championship game was being played. It was a home game for #1 seed Palo Alto.
The top player in this game for Paly was Jamir Shepard a 6’3 unsigned Sr who happens to be a football player. I’ve never seen him play football, but i’m wondering if basketball might be his best sport. He set the tone that sent Paly on a 2nd qtr run that lasted until the middle of the 3rd quarter. He’s a physical player that sent more players to the bench than the coach. Not dirty just physical play. He’s a solid body that can score inside against big guys, he goes hard on the drive, and he battled for rebounds against a team with good size. 13 points, 7 rebounds.
Ryan Purpur 6’7 unsigned Sr Forward surprised me with his play in this game. He showed more energy than in the past, his footwork and turnaround jumper in the paint was going in. He had a solid post game, throwing down a dunk. 11 points, 3 rebs. He too was a physical presence on the defensive end.
Sequoia’s top player Kiahn Nice a 6’6 wing has the potential to be a NorCal top 2021 prospect if he plays the way he’s been playing the last 2 games I’ve watched him. In the semifinal game Thursday he went off for 26 points, 7 rebounds, he made (four, 3’s). He started this game off in the same dominating way. At halftime he had 13 pts, with three, 3’s. Paly’s physical style took over in the second half, he left the game for a short time in the third, but returned. Nice has the tools in the box. He can shoot 3’s, he can handle in the open court, his mid-range game is consistent, and he can rebound and lead the transition break making good decisions with the ball. He can score on the post if need be. In this low scoring game he finished with 15 pts (3, 3’s) 3 rebs, a block.