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on hand included North Carolina, UCLA, USC, Arizona, Washington, UNLV, San Diego, UTEP, San Francisco, UC-Irvine and many others. The level of talent on display again reaffirmed this event as one of the top tourneys not just in the West but in the entire nation.
Below are several players that stood out on the event’s opening night.
Shabazz Muhammad 6’5” 2012 Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
One of the nation’s elite sophomores started off with a bang – attacking the basket with authority as well as making plays on both ends of the floor (scored 9 points) before a pulled leg muscle in the 1st half sidelined him for the rest of Gorman’s 87-51 blow-out 1st round win over Cathedral Prep (Erie PA).
CJ Cooper 5’11” 2011 La Verne Lutheran (La Verne CA)
While names like Josiah Turner, Cezar Guerrero and Gelaun Wheelwright quickly come to mind when discussing the top lead guards in California’s Class of 2011, Cooper is quickly earning the right to be considered with that top-tier group. Coming right off an impressive performance at the Rose City Classic (Pasadena CA) where he earned all-tourney honors, CJ was on fire from long-range early – scoring a team-high 19 points and sparking the Trojans to a surprisingly easy 72-32 win over traditional Colorado powerhouse Thunder Ridge (Gonzaga’s Matt Bouldin’s alma mater). Very good student.
Grant Jerrett 6’8” 2012 La Verne Lutheran (La Verne CA)
The West Coast’s top 2012 C/PF prospect was outstanding on Day 1 – scoring 16 points on a wide-variety of moves inside the paint as well as on jump shots from the perimeter. Schools like Arizona, UCLA, USC, Washington and North Carolina watched with more than passing interest during the Trojans’ decisive win over Thunder Ridge.
Angelo Chol 6’8” 2011 Hoover (San Diego CA)
Athletic shotblocker runs floor well and is an excellent defender. Top 50-75 national prospect has room for improvement on the offensive end, but his jump shot showed signs of life in Hoover’s 1st round 68-60 win on Day 1.
Rosco Allen 6’7” 2012 Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Skilled combo-forward played JV last year as a frosh, but his rapid development has major programs like UNLV taking serious notice.
Justin Raffington 6’9” 2010 Urspring (Schelklingen/Germany)
San Francisco signee is a very agile post forward with explosiveness in the paint. Future Don has excellent long-term upside. Scored 16 points in a losing effort.
Anson Winder 6’3” 2010 Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
BYU signee was outstanding in Gorman’s 1st round rout over Cathedral Prep – picking up the slack after Muhammad went down with an injury by scoring a game-high 24 points and lifting Grant Rice’s squad to a 87-51 win over Cathedral Prep.
Evan Rocquemore 6’3” 2010 Foothill (Henderson NV)
Unsigned sleeper lead guard with excellent over-all game (15 points/9 boards/7 assists in Falcon’s 1st round win).
Kevin Bailey 6’4” 2011 Clovis East (Fresno CA)
Athletic slashing scorer had 21 points in a winning effort.
Jonathan Lloyd 5’9” 2010 Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Speedy PG dished out 10 dimes in the Gaels’ win over Cathedral Prep.
Eric Cooper 6’2” 2013 La Verne Lutheran (La Verne CA)
Young but very poised combo-guard is already a prospect of high-major interest.
Darren Hechanova 6’2” 2010 North (Torrance CA)
Strong and savvy off-guard has an accurate perimeter stroke. Scored 25 points in North’s 103-101 win over Melbourne, Australia.
Bruce English 6’1” 2011 La Verne Lutheran (La Verne CA)
High-octane scoring combo can explode to the cup. Terrific student.
Greg Cox 5’10” 2012 Foothill (Henderson NV)
Scrappy point with a deep perimeter stroke (6/8 from the 3-point line) pumped in a team-high 20 points for the victorious Falcons.
Kevin Payne 6’2” 2011 La Verne Lutheran (La Verne CA)
Lefty had his perimeter stroke working often (14 points) in the Trojans’ 1st round win.
Taylor Spencer 6’2” 2010 Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Athletic off-guard is a harassing defender.
****Photos courtesy of Nick Koza (SportsAmp.com)
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