Uncategorized

LONG BEACH, CA – There was a lot of “pop” to the first night of the 10^th annual Pangos All-American Camp Friday at Cabrillo High on the west side of the ol’ LBC.

A quick rundown on some of the better performances I watched during the first session of games, held on three courts, that I watched last night (note: I focused on the two games I saw that were played on Court 1):

*Cliff Alexander (6-foot-8/class of 2014/Chicago Currie): It was my first viewing of him since the adidas Nations event in Los Angeles last August and I was duly impressed.

[Click to continue reading]

LONG BEACH, CA – The 10^th annual Pangos All-American Camp, put together by Dinos Pangos, will serve as the tip-off of sorts to the start of  the 2012 summer camp and tournament trail this weekend.

Cabrillo High on the west side of Long Beach (2001 Santa Fe Avenue) plays host to the event, which is scheduled to feature 110 or so of the better high school hoopsters across the country.

Each player is expected to play at least seven “camp” games, with the game schedule set to tip off at 8:30 Friday evening.

[Click to continue reading]

HAYWARD, CA – The fourth and final session of Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League opened last Friday night with Jabari Parker of Chicago heavily touted as the top player in the class of 2013.

It wrapped up on Monday afternoon with Parker suddenly having some challengers for that unofficial crown.

  The Simeon High and Mac Irvin performer drew his share of oohs, aahs and nods of appreciation from the crowds during his six games.

But so did Julius Randle and James Young.

Randle (Plano, Texas) and Young (Troy, Michigan) impressed me enough that I think that all three should be considered on the same tier as “leading contenders for national senior of the year” this coming season.

[Click to continue reading]

By JAMES KERTI

GARDEN GROVE, CA — While all eyes were on Oakland, teams gathered on the other side of the state for the Magic Memorial Festival in Garden Grove from May 26-28.

The event featured several Magic teams, as well as other west coast standout squads such as Dream Vision and Belmont Shore.

In the 17U Elite division, the Compton Magic Elite and The Magic both won their semifinal games before declining to play each other in a championship game.

In earlier action, 5-7 guard Derrick Randolph (Whitney Young/Chicago, IL) led Paul George Elite to an upset win over Dream Vision 17U.

[Click to continue reading]

HAYWARD, CA – Three wonderful matchups between teams during the Sunday afternoon/evening sessions of games at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League were hoops fans’ bargains to watch at the $10 admission charged.

Are you ready for some recaps?

Here we go:

*Indy Spiece Heat 67, Bluff City (Team Penny/Memphis) 64: This game had the most chill-inducing final few minutes of any during the first three days of the last of the four EYBL weekend sessions (the first three of which were in Minneapolis; Hampton, VA; and Dallas).

[Click to continue reading]