2015 Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic Recap:
Chino Hills Repeats as Champ
By Dinos Trigonis
(September 24, 2015)

The 2^nd version of the Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic brought the best of Southern California HS basketball together last weekend along with the premier HS power in Nevada (Bishop Gorman) to honor the coaching legacy of the late Ron Massey and give fans and hoop pundits a preview of what may be a fantastic upcoming 2015-16 season.

Chino Hills – behind the 3 Ball attack of Lonzo, Gelo and Melo outlasted the field again to capture their 2^nd straight Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic - blasting Long Beach Poly 85-55 in the title game.  Lonzo Ball led the way with 14 points, 10 boards, 8 dimes and 5 steals in the Finale.

Chino Hills’s road to the championship game included wins over Redondo Union (90-75) and Sierra Canyon (79-76) while Poly defeated Mater Dei (63-60) and Bishop Gorman (67-61) to reach the Final.

This event also had a slate of “showcase” games on Saturday September 19th that served as the appetizers to the main 8 team bracket that tipped off on Saturday night.  Lynwood beat Long Beach Jordan 49-38, Orange Lutheran defeated Rancho Christian 57-50, Corona Roosevelt handled Compton 53-39, Cantwell knocked off Harvard Westlake 55-50 and Cathedral beat Crespi 57-44.

Listed below are my top players/prospects for both the event’s elite 8 team play-off as well as the standouts in the “showcase” division of the event.
 

 2015 Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic 
8 Team Play-off Top 25 Players
(in alphabetical order)

Ike Anigbogu                                               6’10”  2016   Centennial (Corona CA)
UCLA-bound rim terror finishes everything that he gets his big paws on around the cup. Physical and imposing defender and shot-blocker has very improved touch extending to 10-12 feet.

Li’Angelo Ball                                  6’5”     2017   Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA) (co-MVP)
The 2^nd of the 3 Ball brothers doesn’t always get the respect he fairly deserves.  While he often shoots a low percentage from the field, don’t take this kid lightly as he has great confidence (and quick release) in his perimeter shot and has the ice veins necessary to make big shots (as his game-winning dagger “3” vs. Sierra Canyon clearly demonstrates).  He will join brother Lonzo at UCLA come Fall of 2017.

Lonzo Ball                                        6’6”     2016   Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA) (co-MVP)
Ball is one of the most unique and versatile players of the past decade in Southern California and has ability to affect the game in so many ways which presents problems for opposing defenses to counter.  Just when Chino Hills’ semi-final game vs. Sierra Canyon seemed to be slipping away from them, Lonzo stepped up and carried his squad by making 2 huge NBA “3”s that kept CH close and set up the final heroics of his brother Gelo who nailed the game winning 3-point shot . This UCLA commit has made a strong case for Top 10 national 2017 status and is a terrific student and young man.

Melo Ball                                           5’10”  2019   Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA)
Youngest kid to make my Top 25 might be the most competitive.  Love his confidence and ability to make shots from long-range and from mid-range off the glass.

Jamal Bey                                        6’6”     2018   Gorman (Centennial CA)
Rapidly improving young WF is athletic and played a key role in Gorman’s big win over Corona Centennial here.

Isom Butler                                      6’2”     2017   Centennial (Corona CA)
Quick, slithering PG is shifty off the bounce and has the kind of long arms necessary to be a terrific defender.  One to track in 2017

John Duff                                         6’8”     2017   Poly (Long Beach CA)
Super SoCal sleeper is long, agile and has nice mechanics/potential on his perimeter shot.  Now is a good time to buy stock in the Venice (Los Angeles CA) transfer.

 Zach Collins                                                7’0”     2016   Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Collins has finally emerged from the shadows of former Gorman teammates Stephen Zimmerman (UNLV) and Chase Jeter (Duke) and proven that he is a quality HM “Big” in his own right.  Extremely physical (and at times nasty) post player patrols the paint like a watch-dog and always seems to be around every rebound.  Very underrated interior scorer is headed to Gonzaga in Fall 2016 and is poised to be a major factor for future coach Mark Few.

Spencer Freedman                        6’1”     2018   Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Sharpshooting lefty PG with plenty of basketball IQ is a threal to make plays for teammates as well as bury long-range shots.  Santa Monica transfer is a very good student (4.0 GPA).

Jordan Griffin                                  6’3”     2016   Centennial (Corona CA)
Outstanding shooter has improved his ball skills.  Committed to Long Beach State just after event ended.

Jalen Hill                                           6’8”     2017   Centennial (Corona CA)
Already committed to UCLA, this member of the 2015 USA U16 FIBA Amercas championship squad is very agile and can finish in transition with the best of them.  Showed a more physical side of his personality here which bodes well for future success in the Pac-12. 

Ira Lee                                               6’8”     2017   Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth CA)
To say that Lee was a factor for Sierra Canyon in this event is a gross understatement!  Lee was in “beast-mode” all weekend and his activity on the boards and above the rim as well as accuracy from the perimeter were examples of his underrated versatility as an “inside/out” forward.  Pac-12 priority recruit!

Remy Martin                                    6’0”     2017   Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth CA)
Talented but often erratic playmaker played well here – making several key buckets for Ty Nichols’ squad.  Martin has excellent ball speed but as his decision-making improves (as it did here) his value to D-I programs will as well.

Morgan Means                                6’3”     2016   Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
Means appears to be another late-blooming lead guard being groomed by coach Reggie Morris who has had a great history of this - Russell Westbrook, Dorrell Wright and Delon Wright come  to mind   Means appears to have grown substantially over the past year and his ball skills have immensely improved.  Every bit the player (and then some) that Delon Wright was at the same stage of his HS career.

Charles O’Bannon Jr.                   6’5”     2017   Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Athletic wing with sharpshooting range to match will contend with Troy Brown and Markus Howard for top 2017 prospect status in Las Vegas.  Dad Charles Sr. played at UCLA and in NBA.

Chris Popoola Jr.                           6’3”     2017   Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Strong and confident lead guard has the craftiness and strength to get to the basket and finish as well as drain jumpers from deep.  Member of Team Africa at last August’s Adidas Nations Finale.

Devearl Ramsey                             5’10”  2016   Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth CA)
Ultra-quick PG is a blur off the bounce and is an intense, tough defender.

Cody Riley                                       6’7”     2017   Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth CA)
Larry Johnson-type PF is athletic around cup and this lefty has very underrated perimeter range.  UCLA is reported to lead for his services.

Jordan Schakel                              6’6”     2017   Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Skilled wing with size has legitimate scoring ability.  Very good student has real 3-point range as well (hit 5 “threes” vs Corona Centennial).

Eli Scott                                            6’4”     2017   Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA)
While the Balls attract the lion share of attention when CH plays, Scott might be the key player to their 2016 CIF title success.  Strong, slashing wing with quick baseline to baseline speed  attacks the basket with energy.  Terrific defensive potential as well.

David Singleton                              6’4”     2018   Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Singleton is emerging as potentially the next great guard out of Los Angeles.  Strong, savvy and very confident in his abilities, David (a 4.0 student) backs down from nobody and has the HM  talent/skill level to make big plays at both ends.  Athletic enough to finish above the rim, David is also dangerous behind the arc (had 27 points including 6 “threes” vs. Corona Centennial).  UCLA, Stanford, Oregon State and Cal have visited him at BM recently and Arizona, USC and Vanderbilt are also showing interest.

Ethan Thompson                           6’4”     2017   Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
One of the most smoothest 2017 operators in the nation, Ethan played with a new sense of passion and “alpha-dog” mentality here.  Led BM to wins in 2 of its 3 games (only loss was a 1 point decision to Sierra Canyon after leading most of game) - averaging 22.3 points per game including a 27 point performance vs. Redondo.  Ethan (a 4.0 student) may not be the lock for Oregon State (dad is an assistant for the Beavers) that most believe and appears open to being recruited by top programs coast-to-coast.  Thompson has the pin-point jump shot, natural offensive instincts and great character to be recruited at the highest level of Division I.  Time for some major outlets like ESPN to stop sleeping on this potential Top 25-30 national 2017 prospect.

Michael Wang                                  6’9”     2018   Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Foreign-exchange student from China has the size and shooting touch to be a very effective face-up “4” at next level.

Ryse Williams                                  6’3”     2017   Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
Hardworking wing with accurate 3-point shot deserves to start being mentioned with the top wings in California’s 2017 class.

Zafir Williams                                   6’5”     2017   Poly (Long Beach CA)
Strong but undersized combo-forward was the catalyst to Poly’s run to title game here.  Williams
is an underrated perimeter shooter, rebounds well and is an intense interior defender.

Top 15 Showcase Division Players
(in alphabetical order)

Jemarl Baker                                   6’3”     2017   Roosevelt (Corona CA)
Smooth shooting SG with ability to handle rock as well is one to keep an eye on in 2017.

Jacob Davidson                             6’3”     2016   Cantwell (Montebello CA)
Bouncy wing with very nice perimeter range recently got his first official offer from Eastern Washington. 

Daron Henson                                6’7”     2016   Cathedral (Los Angeles CA)
Big wing with length has the shooting skill to extend defenses.  Alemany transfer.

Javonntie Jackson                                    6’6”     2016   Compton (Compton CA)
Below the radar 2016 wing sleeper has elite athleticism as well as a very underappreciated perimeter jump shot.  JJ projects as a valuable MM+ or higher spring signee.

Oscar Lopez                                    6’2”     2019   Lynwood (Lynwood CA)
Impressive freshman WG has a jump shot that must be respected.

Matt Mitchell                         6’6”     2017   Roosevelt (Corona CA)
Undersized but hardworking hybrid-forward makes plays and gives maximum effort.

Elijah Mobley                                   6’8”     2019   Rancho Christian (Temecula CA)
Very promising freshman forward has a nice inside/outside skill package that projects long-term success.  Mobley reminds me of a young Jared Jeffries.

Kavaughn Scott                             6’7”     2016   Orange Lutheran (Orange CA)
Active and athletic PF finishes with authority around rim.  Very good student has officially visited Yale, Brown and Boston University this Fall.

Raysean Scott                                6’6”     2016   Compton (Compton CA)
Long and athletic wing with smooth outside stroke.

Lucas Siewert                                 6’10”  2016   Cathedral (Los Angeles CA)
Skilled center has good hands and an accurate perimeter range that extends opposing defenses.  Brazilian import was at one time committed to Arizona State (prior to coaching change last spring) but now back on market.

Cassius Stanley                             6’5”     2019   Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
Arguably, Southern California’s most athletic wing  prospect since DeMar DeRozan (USC/Toronto Raptors) is my early pick as California’s #1 player in 2019.  With off-the-charts bounce to go along with a smooth stroke, sky’s the limit for Cassius.

Sudan Thoms                                 6’5”     2018   Jordan (Long Beach CA)
Promising soph swingman is still rather raw but has the agility and athleticism that warrants monitoring.

Brandon Williams                           6’2”     2018   Crespi (Encino CA)
Young, skilled combo-guard with excellent basketball instincts.

Chris Williams                                 6’2”     2017   Orange Lutheran (Orange CA)
Talented PG has real 3-point range.

Denzell Williams                             6’0”     2017   Lynwood (Lynwood CA)
Strong lead guard pushes rock well in transition and can finish through contact.

 ** Photos by Nick Koza (SportsAmp.com)