LAGUNA NIGUEL – Here’s 13 of the “next best” of the senior class of boys’ basketball players in Southern California.
They may not have made the BurlisonOnBasketball Top 13 (including Player of the Year) cut but each member of the next group had a strong senior season and helped his team enjoy considerable success.
For want of a snappier (or more original) tag, I’m calling this the “Under-the-Radar” team – in large part because none of the players is of yet committed to a college for the 2022-23 basketball and academic year.
Heading this group is a player who was on the best and most “watched” team of the season, Corona Centennial, which went 33-1 and picked up its 30th consecutive win in the State Open Championship victory over Modesto Christian on March 12.
But it wasn’t until late in the season that Ramsey Huff started being “noticed” by those who finally joined the bandwagon that his coaches and teammates were already firmly planted on.
That’s because the 6-foot-1 Huff played in the same backcourt with SoCal’s Senior of the Year, Donovan Dent, as well as one of the most well-known juniors in the country in Jared McCain, who committed to Duke last week.
But Huff (pictured) was a critical component in Coach Josh Giles’ team dominant season-long performance, offensively, defensively and as an on- and off-the-court leader.
Over the course of the season, he was usually the primary defender against some of the most skilled offensive players his team faced – not only in California but against high-profile teams from Arizona and Texas, too.
And those opponents who “doubted” his jump shot did so at their own risk – as Sierra Canyon found out in the Southern Regional Open final on March 8, when he scored 18 points (hitting his first four attempts from 3) to go with four assists, three rebounds and three steals in the 83-59 victory.
He’s going to be a heck of a player for any college program fortunate enough to land him, as will all of these other guys, too.
Top Under-the-Radar Senior for 2021-22
Ramsey Huff 6-1 Corona Centennial
Next Under-the-Radar 12 Seniors
Cruz Billings 5-10 Santa Ana Foothill
Was the lynchpin in the Knights’ run to Sacramento and a State D-II runner-up.
Khemanni Davis 6-3 Moreno Valley Rancho Verde
Three-year standout, team narrowly missed CIF 3AA crown.
Jeremy Dent-Smith 6-0 Gardena Serra
Four-year standout with 4.0+ GPA and all-CIF SS D-1.
Buckley DeJardin 6-5 La Canada St. Francis
All-CIF SS D-1 selection for Sweet 16 team from Del Rey.
Rob Diaz 6-2 SJC JSerra
The left-hander scored 71 points in regional games at Fairfax and Damien
Christian Estrada 6-8 Bellflower St. John Bosco
One of the Trinity League’s – and SoCal’s – best rebounders for three seasons.
Barrington Hargress 6-1 Northridge Heritage Christian
Picks up another all-CIF SS honor after two seasons’ worth at Ribet Academy.
Kaden Minter 6-6 Santa Ana Mater Dei
Few players have made as much “four-season” progress under Gary McKnight.
Elijah Price 6-8 Long Beach St. Anthony
Major impact at both ends of floor for three seasons for Saints.
Chance Stephens 6-3 Riverside Poly
Superb jump shooter for the 26-3, top D-1 seed Bears; recent de-commit from Rhode Island.
Spivey Word 6-2 La Verne Damien
The best perimeter defender and a quality jump shooter for a 32-4 team.
Jalen Vazquez 6-2 Torrance Bishop Montgomery
The Del Rey League MVP; team was 3-2 in SS and Regional Open play.
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