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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).

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  IRVINE – The West Coast-based adidas-fronted boys’ grassroots programs made their 2019 debut on the athletic apparel company’s “Gauntlet” spring and summer circuit over the weekend at the Momentous Center.

   And The Usual Suspects were outstanding, notably Evan Mobley (Rancho Christian), Jaylen Clark (Corona Centennial), Dalen Terry (Phoenix Hillcrest) from the Compton Magic 17s, Kyree Walker (Phoenix Hillcrest), Dominick Harris (Rancho Christian) and Makur Maker (the senior 7-footer from Orange Lutheran who just joined the program) from Dream Vision’s 17s.

   The second session of the Gauntlet Series will be held in Dallas (April 18-20), where the Compton Magic, Dream Vision and San Diego-based Game Point programs will be joined by other western-based “adidas” squads such as Team Lillard (Bay Area), Exum Elite (Utah), Billups (Colorado), Team Lavine (Washington) and the new, Portland-based Maurice Lucas 20 Enforcer program.

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  ANAHEIM – Its 17s squad – the runner-up for the Nike-sponsored Peach Jam title last July – didn’t come to Orange County for the fourth Southern California Spring Tip-Off this past Saturday and Sunday at the American Sports Center.

   But, just beginning Year II of its existence, the Russell Westbrook-fronted “Why Not?” Elite Youth Basketball League program continues to look to be on a firm foundation.

   That was apparent, based upon the performances of the program’s 16s and 15s squads at the American Sports Center.

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  LAGUNA NIGUEL – By the end of its season, the Santa Ana Mater Dei High basketball team was – arguably – the second- best team in California.

  And that was in large due to a Monarchs’ sophomore class that was the best in Southern California.

   Two of those members of the Class of 2021, point guard Devin Askew and forward Wilhelm Breidenbach, are among the BurlisonOnBasketball first-team choices for the All-Southern California Sophomore squad for the 2018-19 season.

   And the 6-foot-4 Askew is my choice as the “Most Outstanding Sophomore” after demonstrating so well why he’s already rated one of the very best point guard prospects in the national class of 2021.

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  LAGUNA NIGUEL – It was a strong 2018-19 season for Southern California freshmen basketball players.

  But, when sorting out all of the performances, it’s apparent that no one had more of an impact on his team’s success than did Kijani Wright of Los Angeles Windward.

  The 6-foot-8 Wright (pictured), and classmate Dylan Andrews (who suffered a season-ending injury late in the regular season), helped Coach Colin Pfaff’s Wildcats to a 25-7 record, which included CIF Southern Section Division I upset victories over Long Beach Poly and L.A.

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