LAS VEGAS – “Defense” might have been an abstract concept but the Vegas Elite EYBL clash with the Southern California-based ICAN All-Stars Friday afternoon in the 17s division of the Pangos Easter Classic at Bishop Gorman was chalk full of hoops entertainment value.
The Las Vegas-based team, which begins Nike/EYBL spring action next week in Georgia, led by double figure-margins most of the way but then held off a furious ICAN rally to prevail, 101-98.
The EYBL is led by high-profile members of the Class of 2020 in Josh Christopher (Lakewood Mayfair), Julian Strawther (Henderson Liberty) and Noah Taitz (Bishop Gorman), as well as one of the five-best prospects in the Class of 2021 in Jaden Hardy (Henderson Coronado).
It was a hailstorm of baseline-to-baseline action, with more deep-shooting, slick-driving and rim-distorting highlights than seemingly could have been jammed into 32 minutes of play.
And, especially over the final eight minutes or so, the ICAN squad answered every Vegas Elite volley in kind.
The 6-foot-5 Hardy’s off-the-dribble-and-deep jumpers were falling pretty much throughout as he finished with a game-high 34 points while Christopher, although his jumper wasn’t clicking, added 17 points with a couple of whopper slams and terrific dishes also in the mix.
Strawther – who committed to Gonzaga on Thursday, his 17th birthday – wasn’t knocking in his jumpers at his usual pace but added 11 points while Bishop Gorman teammates Taitz (14) and Zaon Collins (a 2021 point guard-deluxe) combined for 22 points.
Another Bishop Gorman player and (for now) a bit of a “sleeper” among recruiters, Mwani Wilkinson, had a couple of buckets for Vegas Elite.
Six-four L.A. Viewpark sophomore Cory Curtis Jr. (who played as a freshman at Coronado) led ICAN with 22 points while a current Coronado junior, 6-4 Tyrelle “Fat Daddy” Hunt, added 16.
Junior guard Justin Williams (JSerra in San Juan Capistrano in Southern California) chipped in with 15 points for ICAN and 6-6 senior Daylen Williams – the son of all-time L.A. City great John Williams and an all-L.A. City selection for Fairfax this past season – had 11 points including three 3s.
Vegas Elite opens eight-team bracket playoff action in the division at 9:10 Saturday morning when it takes on the Utah Basketball Club Elite 17 squad.
The championship game is set for 3 o’clock.
The 16s division has what could be a spectacular championship game set for 1:50, with the Vegas Elite EYBL squad – led by Coronado freshman guard Richard “Pop Pop” Isaacs – takes on a loaded “Strive for Greatness” team that will be making its EYBL debut next week in Atlanta on the 15s level.
Among the SFG standouts is guard Skyy Clark (pictured),who was an all-CIF Southern Section choice this past season at a freshman at Heritage Christian in Northridge.
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