Inland’s Finest displays exactly that on Saturday

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RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Ca. – The first “Inland’s Finest Spring Showcase” was touted as providing some of the best high school players in and around the Inland Empire of Southern California an opportunity to demonstrate their hoops skills against one another.

And about six or so of hours of action in the Chaffey Community College gymnasium Saturday proved that it was definitely a case of “truth in advertising”.

The event, put together in fine fashion by Keith Howard and Julius Patterson of the Inland Empire Basketball Program, brought together quality high school players with definite futures as college players, as well.

Here’s my perspective on what transpired, starting with the “freshmen” game first  . . .

The team wearing the white jerseys provided over its dark-jersey counterparts, 73-48.

But, of course, in events like this it’s not so much about “winning and losing” the games as it is demonstrating ones’ basketball skills, feel for the game and attitude.

Among those earning checks in all or some of those respective categories for the “white” club were 6-foot-8 Darren Jones (Upland), 6-6 Jhaun Westbrook (Victorville Victor Valley), 6-2 Shane Hunter (Diamond Ranch) and 6-2 Jarred Hyder (Cajon).

Jones was a standout wide receiver for his school’s varsity football team as a freshman, as well as a productive post player in the winter and spring.

He said that he likes both sports “equally”. I’ve never seen him on turf wearing pads but his basketball future is quite bright, especially if he can improve on his play-to-play focus which wasn’t consistent Saturday.

But he’s an exceptional athlete who can do a lot of things most guys his size and age can only aspire to.

Westbrook – who played quite well at the Julius V Pangos “Stud 26” event at Valley Christian is Cerritos the week before – was active and aggressive Saturday and hit a few mid-range jump shots, as well.

There wasn’t a more aggressive player on display Saturday than Hunter, who also hit a couple of 3s and made one particularly nice open-court pass for an assist.

And, to the best of my recollection, Hyder hit at least three 3s.

Showing glimpses of fine prep futures for the “black” club were 6-2 Sedric Altman (Ontario Colony), 6-10 Abriel Ghak (Hesperia Christian), 6-4 Darius Mason-Robinson and 6-3 Hunter Dobyns (Hesperia Christian).

Altman has point guard skills; Ghak is raw – skills-wise – but played hard and is a nice athlete; Mason-Robinson was explosive in the open court; and Dobyns was one of the better jump shooters on display Saturday.

The best individual matchup of the day took place in the “sophomores” contest that was won by the black jersey-squad, 130-100.

And, since 6-5 Matt Bradley (San Bernardino) was wearing one of those black jerseys, I guess I will have to give him the nod over 6-6 Jeremiah Martin (Cajon).

The left-handed Bradley went for 36 points, seven rebounds and seven assists – and a bushel of dunks, 3s and blocked shots.

Martin racked up 34 points and 10 rebounds.

Those are two names to follow very closely going into their junior seasons.

A couple of guards who impressed in the game were 6-2 Cameron Shelton (part of the Chino Hills 35-0, No. 1 in the country-run but planning to transfer to La Verne Damien), for the black, and 6-1 Elijah Harkless (Etiwanda) for the white jerseys.

In the “juniors game”, those in the black jerseys prevailed, 76-70, behind strong efforts from 6-2 Isom Butler (Corona Centennial), 6-6 Justin Hemsley (Damien) and 6-3 Jordan Campbell (Adelanto).

The left-handed Campbell was as impressive a vertical athlete as was on display at the event while going for 26 points and 12 rebounds.

Among those playing well for the white jersey crew were 6-2 Miles Oliver (Etiwanda), probably the best passer at the event; 6-6 Matt Mitchell (Eastvale Roosevelt), who showed off more shooting range than anyone else there; 6-1 Khristion Courseult (he’ll have a breakout senior season at L.A. Loyola); and 6-7 Kim Aiken (Redlands East Valley), who went for 14 points and 12 rebounds.

There were quite a few community college coaching staffs represented at the event and with good reason.

The “seniors” game was won by the white jerseys, 92-76.

That squad had some very good “uncommitted” prospects in guards Alize Travis and Ryan Sells (each from Eastvale Roosevelt) and forwards Christian Gray (Riverside JW North) and Reggie Varner (Moreno Valley Rancho Verde).

Any college program – NCAA, NAIA or community college – in need of a quality jump shooter should acquire some video of the 6-5 Varner immediately.

And the black crew had two skinny – but promising – prospects in 6-10 Jacob Tryon (Temecula Great Oak) and 6-6 Keveion Beamon (Pomona Garey).