Five Takeaways: Maranatha Summer Block Party
Pasadena, Ca. — The 6th annual Maranatha Summer Block Party kicked of Monday afternoon, featuring eight games with some of the best teams in SoCal separated into four separate regional brackets.
Monday Results
View Park 49, Compton 45
Fairfax 45, Crescenta Valley 32
Executive Prep 48, Calabasas 42
Rolling Hills Prep 53, Cantwell-Sacred Heart 42
St. Anthony 54, Crossroads 44
Damien 57, St. Francis 39
Loyola 48, La Cañada 32
Maranatha 44, Burbank 35
Here are Five Takeaways from Monday’s action:
Colby Brooks is a nice piece for Loyola
Much of the ink centered around Loyola’s squad is rightfully written on 2019 PG Neil Owens and 2019 F James Keefe, but if the Cubs are going to get back to playing deep into the playoffs, rising junior forward Colby Brooks will have a lot to do with it. Brooks, at 6-feet-5 and 195 pounds, has a hard-hat approach to both ends of the floor, plays with good energy, does all the dirty work and can mix it up in the paint.
St. Anthony F Frank Staine is adding to his perimeter skill set
Frank Staine has been known as a 15-feet and in face-up type of player with a consistent elbow jump shot, but the 6-foot-6 forward displayed some more bounce game Monday. Staine, who is heading into his senior year, has improved touch to the 3-point line, can attack straight-line drive lanes and finish around the basket and continues to be one of the more active offensive rebounders in SoCal.
Rolling Hills Prep G Benny Gealer has a ton of game
Of all the rising freshmen with huge reputations from the middle school circuit, 2022 prospect Benny Gealer isn’t getting his due. The 5-foot-9 guard is as crafty and fearless as they come. He has the basketball on a string with his handle, uses it to get into a mid-range or 3-point pull-up and can spread the floor consistently off the catch from deep.
Fairfax F Daylen Williams had has improvements on display Monday at the Maranatha Summer Block Party.Fairfax F Daylen Williams is one of the most improved players in SoCal
This time last year, you wouldn’t have known Daylen Williams was part of the Fairfax basketball program, but he put everybody on notice with his performance Monday. The 6-foot-7 lefty has an impressive frame complete with size and length and was hitting 3-pointers and free throws with consistency.
Damien G RJ Smith has a bright future
It’s rare to see a rising freshman do all the little things right, but Damien’s RJ Smith is drawing rave reviews from his coaches for doing just that. The 6-foot-2 guard understands help-side defense and team defensive concepts, is willing to step over and take a charge and sits down in a defensive stance and slides his feet when checking his man. Offensively, Smith can knock down the open 3-point shot, doesn’t dribble the air out of the basketball and makes the extra pass.