CORONA, CA – The first-ever venture into Southern California by Joe Davis’ North-Carolina-based Scoutsfocus.com Saturday drew a turnout of some of the better prep prospects in the region – especially from the Class of 2015.
The gathering of approximately 200 players – each of which played three times in the vent that ran from 9 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. – also attracted a scattering of players from Nevada, Arizona and Northern California.
Who played extremely well – regardless of class – on Saturday?
I’d opt for (alphabetically): Sedrick Barefield, Julio Guity, Victor Joseph, Kendall Small and Stephen Thompson Jr.
Here are 20 players that I thought played well and/or showed considerable potential during the nearly eight hours worth of play in the Players Edge facility, located near the intersection of the 91 and 15 freeways, by class and alphabetically:
2013
Dantley Brown (6-1/Culver City)
Frank Says: Based upon what I saw Saturday, he should have a productive senior season and isn’t going to be one of Southern California’s “most underrated guards” for long.
Spencer Cramer (6-6/Santa Monica)
Frank Says: He’ll provide a solid post presence for a club that is led by one of the region’s best perimeter players (highly recruited Jordan Mathews).
Niksah Federico (6-5/San Diego Cathedral Catholic
Frank Says: He was one of the event’s best “scorers”, working mostly from the perimeter via jump shots and quick drives to the rim.
Matthew Grant (6-2/L.A. Westchester)
Frank Says: The left hander could prove to be the leading scorer for one of Southern California’s deepest squads.
Julio Guity (6-6/San Diego Morse)
Frank Says: After scoring just 24 points over 15 games as a junior, there is little question that he has to be among the region’s most improved players. He was the dominant post player in action Saturday.
Elijah Kirkland-Cuffee (6-1/L.A. Windward)
Frank Says: Little-used (21 points in 20 games) on a very good team as a junior, he should among the most productive players on another very good Windward squad as a senior.
Jehmel Taylor (6-2/L.A. Pacific Hills)
Frank Says: The best senior prospect at the event said he plans to enroll at his new school this week. He was at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, CA, for the past two seasons after playing at Sherman Oaks, CA, Notre Dame as a freshman.
Nandi Udengwu (6-4/Pomona Diamond Ranch)
Frank Says: Along with Julio Guity, he was one of the two-best rebounders on display Saturday. Real long arms and loads of determination help him play a lot “taller” than he is.
2014
Victor Joseph (5-11/Rancho Cucamonga)
Frank Says: His jumper – from deep and mid range – was falling Saturday and so were his teammates’ layups that were set up by his precise penetration passes.
Mike Nwabuzor (5-11/Lakewood, CA, Mayfair)
Frank Says: He was one of the most explosive (vertically and quickness-wise) guards on display Saturday. He’s a reason the loss of Brian Wright (to Long Beach Saint Anthony) might not be quite as painful as it could have been otherwise.
2015
Sedrick Barefield (6-2/Corona Centennial)
Frank Says: He’s rated (regionally and nationally) as one of the better PG prospects in this class and he demonstrated succinctly why so on Saturday.
Nick Blair (6-4/Las Vegas Bishop Gorman)
Frank Says: The most vertically active of the frontcourt players. Once his perimeter skills get into the mix . . . look out!
Bolsa Dragovich (6-9/Montebello, CA, Cantwell-Sacred Heart)
Frank Says: He’s still a bit more than a jump shooter instead of a forceful low-post scorer. It’s not a leap of faith to think that it will come around eventually, though.
Cameron High (5-11/Redondo Beach, CA, Redondo)
Frank Says: His jumper wasn’t falling with much consistency. Not that it mattered, much, though. He got into the lane and at the rim repeatedly, with either hand.
Kevin Olsen (6-1/Villa Park, CA, Villa Park)
Frank Says: The left hander is a clever ball handler and precise passer and belongs in any conversation about the best SoCal playmakers in this class.
Kendall Small (5-11/Huntington Beach, CA, Ocean View)
Frank Says: Ditto the Barefield comments, with “he’ll be in the best PG in Orange this season” added for good measure.
Stephen Thompson Jr. (6-3/Torrance, CA, Bishop Montgomery)
Frank Says: Who was the best “long-term” prospect on display Saturday? Hmmmm . . . this might have been the fellow.
2016
Brandon Cyrus (6-3/San Diego Torrey Pines)
Frank Says: The recent move-in from Canada had the day’s most spectacular play (snagging a lob with his right hand and dunking all in one motion).
Leland Green (6-2/Redondo Beach, CA, Redondo)
Frank Says: He was in attack mode all day, at both ends of the floor. He’s a terrific passer, too.
Dikymbe Martin (6-0/Riverside, CA, JW North)
Frank Says: This point guard has a chance to be the best prospect in Mike Bartee’s program in a long while.
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