Bruce’s Best: Top 5 Dream Matchups
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In the ever-changing world of Prep Basketball this year, A ton of players have transferred and several programs are on pause. However, I can’t help but think about what if? In this article, PH takes a look at the top…
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Continue ReadingIn the ever-changing world of Prep Basketball this year, A ton of players have transferred and several programs are on pause. However, I can’t help but think about what if? In this article, PH takes a look at the top 5 dream matchups of the 2020 – 21 season.
- Milos Uzan Milos Uzan 6'4" | PG Dream City Christian | 2022 State #60 Nation AZ vs Tavionte Jackson Tavionte Jackson 6'1" | PG Las Vegas | 2022 NV – Yes, I realize I have had two years of these guys playing against each other twice a year, but I love watching them compete. What made this matchup more intriguing for me was the fact that Jackson’s stock has risen immensely throughout the summer, making this a hypothetical matchup of local D1 guard prospects. With Uzan recently transferring to Prolific Prep, last January’s meeting was probably their last.
- John Board John Board 6'1" | SG Basic | 2021 State NV and Jaylen Berry Jaylen Berry 6'2" | PG Basic | 2021 State NV vs Jaydn Dalton and Frank Bartley Frank Bartley 6'0" | PG Spring Valley | 2021 State NV – Look up the word tough in the dictionary and all these guys’ pictures will come up. Board and Bartley don’t back down to anyone and the tough shot-making ability of Dalton and Berry is impressive. With the new realigned division this could have been a state championship game preview.
- Galena Big 4 Against Bishop Manogues big 3 – One of the personal disappointments for me is that I’m going to miss out on Reno basketball this year. I was fortunate to see Galena a little during the summer. They have a quartet of players capable of impacting the game. Isaiah Duve Isaiah Duve 6'1" | CG Galena | 2021 State NV is a lighting quick combo guard with a wicked floor game. Porter Rasmusen has bounce, Isaiah Wood is a crafty playmaker and Jackson Cherry Jackson Cherry 6'4" | SG Galena | 2021 State NV is one of the most underrated scorers in the state. Seeing them take on a Bishop Monague squad that added sophomore Jordan Morency Jordan Morency 6'4" | PG Bishop Manogue | 2023 State NV , to pair with rising c/o 2023 wing Logan Howren Logan Howren 6'4" | SG Bishop Manogue | 2023 State NV and reigning Sierra League MVP Cort Ballinger Cort Ballinger 5'10" | PG Bishop Manogue | 2021 State NV makes for one of the most intriguing rivalries in the state.
- Ethan Speaker Ethan Speaker 6'6" | SF Boulder City | 2021 State NV vs Michael Klekas Michael Klekas 6'3" | SF Elko | 2022 State NV – There’s a lot going on here, but most importantly this game might have been for the state title. Speaker and Klekas are two of the most talented players regardless of class, and seeing two star players from their Home Town competing for state championships brings back a ton of high school basketball nostalgia. When you throw in the fact that one just signed a D1 letter of intent, and the other is fighting for their opportunity too, this game would have been a must-see.
- Durango vs Faith Lutheran – Both of these teams reached the state tournament last season, however, it was the Trailblazer’s that won the trip to Reno as a result of their 1st round victory over Faith. One of the reasons why this matchup is a must-see is because of the talent in this game. As many as 6 D1 players could have been taking the floor. For Faith, Coleman Lemke Coleman Lemke 6'7" | PF Faith Lutheran | 2021 State NV , has signed with Eastern Washington and Azavier Johnson Azavier Johnson 6'4" | CG Faith Lutheran | 2021 State NV signed with UTSA. Durango features a ton of young talented prospects with D1 potential, including Taj DeGourville Taj DeGourville 6'4" | SF Red Rock Academy | 2024 State #203 Nation NV , Sebastian Mack Sebastian Mack 6'4" | CG Coronado | 2023 State #58 Nation NV , Tommy Brascia Tommy Brascia 6'8" | PF Durango | 2023 State NV , and Shane Thomas Shane Thomas 6'3" | SG Durango | 2022 State NV . Outside of Gorman V Coronado, you rarely see this kind of in-state talent all on the floor at one time.