Fairfax Summer Classic Day 2: Under-the-radar prospects
Los Angeles, Ca. — After a day-long cancellation, the 32nd annual Fairfax Summer Classic resumed Tuesday with seven games featuring many of Southern California’s top high school programs. Here are the under-the-radar prospects who emerged over the course of the day:
Josh Assiff, Valencia
Assiff brought a more aggressive and assertive approach to the game compared to what we saw at Maranatha last week. The 6-foot-7 senior swingman has a very nice feel for the game, plays with good pace and can knock down the open 3-point shot. The uptick in decisiveness Wednesday brought out the playmaking aspects of his game.
Valencia forward Josh Assiff has an intriguing mix of size and length to go along with his smooth, perimeter-oriented game.Junior Camacho, Maranatha
Camacho arrived at Maranatha by way of Canyon Country and brought with him some toughness and grittiness that coach Tim Tucker’s squad is benefitting from. The 6-foot-2 junior guard is a jack-of-all-trades type of player who can initiate offense if needed or play off of the ball, knocking in open 3-pointers or getting to the cup and finishing through contact.
Ronald Mitchell, Fairfax
Mitchell provided a big boost for Fairfax in the absence of Ethan Anderson, and while his efforts didn’t result in helping the Lions get a win, the rising senior got to show off his two-way abilities. Mitchell, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, connected on a handful of corner 3-point shots in which he got impressive lift. What stood out most about his game, though, was his ball-hawking defensive effort.
Neil Owens, Loyola
Owens is one of the more under-appreciated point guards in all of Southern California. While he won’t wow the crowd with acrobatic or explosive athleticism, he does all the little things that help a team win. The 5-foot-11 senior is always composed with the ball in his hands, he moves the ball ahead in transition, rewards big men for running the floor and can knock down the open 3-point shot to spread the floor and keep defenses honest.
Ben Ramirez, Beverly Hills
Ramirez was out-dueled by Rolling Hills Prep freshman Benny Gealer, but his 31-point effort was impressive nonetheless. The 6-foot junior scored in bunches and scored from all over the floor. He was canning mid-range jumpers, hitting rhythm 3-pointers and attacking the basket with a confidence and furor we had yet to see.