2016 Pangos Best of SoCalFall Showcase Report
By Dinos Trigonis
(September 22, 2016)

The 2016 Pangos Best of SoCal Fall Showcase was held on Sunday September 18th at Pius X/St. Matthias Academy (Downey CA) and as was the case with previous Fullcourt Press/Pangos events, there was plenty of talent present.  Five classes (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021) were represented and they gave us plenty of evidence of both the present and future of Southern California HS hoops.  Media/scouts on hand included myself, Ronnie Flore (Grassrootshoops.net & BallisLife) and Ladell Hill (MidMajorHoopsReport.com) as well as Arek Kissoyan (BallisLife.com).  My Own Sports (MOSLive.com) was also present and videotaped all games in their entirety.  In this report, I will focus on several players that took stood out.


** 2017 Players

Zafir Williams                       6’5’      2017   Poly (Long Beach CA)
Strong and dependable scorer with deceptive range on his perimeter shot.  There are many in this 2017 class that are taller and/more athletic but very few that consistently produce every game out like Zafir.  Loyola Marymount-bound Williams has the potential to have the same impact for Mike Dunlap’s Lions as Stacey Davis recently did for Pepperdine.

Ryse Williams                      6’3”     2017   Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
Ryse is another 2017 Loyola Marymount-bound prospect that will help upgrade the talent in Mike Dunlap’s program. Strong wing has very nice accuracy on his jump shot as well as the knack for hitting big shots.  2017 Pangos All-American Camp invitee also had his moments in the Nike EYBL playing for Cal Supreme.

JJ Watson                            6’3”     2017   St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Confident playmaker with a hot touch from beyond the 3-point arc, JJ is one of California’s top available senior prospects.  Watson is deceptively athletic and will be one of the top scorers in California HS hoops this season.

Terrence McBride              6’3”     2017   Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth CA)
Sharp-shooting WG is a very underrated piece of a currently loaded Sierra Canyon squad.  McBride’s perimeter accuracy could be the “X” Factor for the Trailblazers’ CIF title fortunes this upcoming season.

Isom Butler                          6’1”     2017   Centennial (Corona CA)|Athletic and sleek point has a very quick 1^st step and the  potential to be a lock-down defender on the next level.

Jamal Bogan                       6’3”     2017   Lynwood (Lynwood CA)
Strong and explosive WG appears headed to JC after he first graduates from HS in June 2017 but let’s be clear, this active athlete makes big plays on both ends and it would be no surprise if he gets recruited at the mid-high DI level in two years.

John Duff                             6’9”     2017   Poly (Long Beach CA)
Improving hybrid-forward with very nice length and upside is one to keep a long-term eye on in this SoCal 2017 class.  As Duff adds strength to go along with his solid skill level, he could be an attractive spring recruit for low-mid major programs.

Miles Oliver                          6’2”     2017   Etiwanda (Etiwanda CA)
Smooth point guard has ability to elude defenders in transition and can knock down opportunity jump shots.

Michael Mensah                  6’4”     2017   Cathedral (Los Angeles CA)
Very underrated and late-blooming wing has plenty of talent and athleticism. I expect this Ribet Academy transfer to blossom as a senior playing for Cathedral coach William Middlebrooks.

Aaron Williams                    6’4”     2017   San Ysidro (San Ysidro CA)
Athletic slashing scorer and pesky defender.

Myles Jones                                    6’4”     2017   Cypress (Cypress CA)
Very underrated wing with nice size can put points on the board.

Grant Johnson                    6’1”     2017   Stockdale (Bakersfield CA)
Very active WG makes plays on both ends.

Austyn Contreras               5’9”     2017   West (Bakersfield CA)
Scoring lead guard with lethal 3-point stroke.

Jonah Felix                          6’1”     2017   Cypress (CA)
Crafty off-guard that has range on his jump shot.

Dion Troupe                                    5’9”     2017   Highland (Lancaster CA) 
Stocky point guard handles defensive pressure well.

Joshua Benjamin               5’9”     2017   St. Anthony (Long Beach CA)
Cerebral PG is a nice passer.

 ** 2018 Players

Josh Phillips                        6’7+”  2018   Edison (Huntington Beach CA)
Fast-improving PF is very active on the defensive end as a rebounder and shot-contester and is athletic in transition.  Still just 16 years (won’t turn 17 until next June), this good student is a big time sleeper in the West Coast class of 2018.

Wayne Arnold                     6’3”     2018   Dominguez (Compton CA)
Silky jump-shooter with bounce has very nice long-term potential with increased strength and continued hard-work.

Taj Regans                          5’8”     2018   Crespi (Encino CA) 
Small in stature but big in heart and ability to put points on the board.

Cameron Shelton               6’2”     2018   Damien (La Verne CA)
Polished combo-guard has a very nice mid-range jump shot.  Look for this Chino Hills transfer to have a break-out year playing for well-respected coach Mike LeDuc.

Darryl Polk                           5’8”     2018   Poly (Long Beach CA)
Quick lefty PG with ability to connect on 3-point daggers.

Ryan Turrell                        6’6”     2018   Valley Torah (CA)
Under-the-radar SoCal 2017 wing has a nice skill package and will only get better playing for Valley Torah head coach Lior Schwartzberg (former on staff at Cal-State Northridge).

Toby Okwuokei                  6’0”     2018   Rancho Cucamonga (CA)
Fast lead guard can beat defensive pressure off the bounce and has a potent jump shot that must be respected.

JoJo Bush                           6’6”     2018   St. John Bosco (Bellfower CA)
Undersized but strong and active power-forward rebounds well and can score on the block.

Levelle Zeigler                     6’2”     2018   Ridgeview (Bakersfield CA)
Zeigler was a pleasant surprise of this event.  Rangy guard has a nice wingspan and feel for the game.  Impressed on defensive end too.

Caleb Christopher             6’0”     2018   Mayfair (Carson CA)
Quick and athletic combo-guard is hard to contain off the bounce.  Brother of former Cal star/NBA guard Patrick Christopher.

Zekiah “Bumpy” LoVett   6’0”     2018   Home School (Pasadena CA)
Younger brother of St. John’s PG Marcus LoVett is a dependable ballhandler.

Damani Lewis                     6’2”     2018   Serra (Gardena CA)
Strong wing plays hard every possession.

** 2019 Players

Carl Lewis                            6’9”     2019   Lynwood (Lynwood CA)
One of the hottest names in the 2019 class that is rapidly acquiring national respect, Lewis (a Compton HS/CA transfer) is a very physical and active post-forward force that also has a surprisingly accurate touch from 3-point range. Older brother Javonntie Jackson played at Compton HS and is now a 6-6 freshman wing at Long Beach State.

Elijah Scranton                   6’6”     2019   Village Christian (Sun Valley CA)
Athletic swingman can finish in transition and has an accurate perimeter jump-shot in his arsenal as well.   HM prospect.

Gianni Hunt                          6’2”     2019   Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Dazzling PG has an excellent handle and underrated scoring touch.  Cut from same basketball-style mold as a Brandon Jennings and Kenny Anderson.

Makani Whiteside               6’2”     2019   St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Big time scoring lead guard with emerging athleticism, I expect Whiteside (an excellent student) to continue to improve under 2^nd year SJB coach Matt Dunn (who directed Damien HS to a CIF State title in 2015).

Oscar Lopez                        6’2”     2019   Lynwood (Lynwood CA)
Strong off-guard with excellent basketball instincts, Lopez is a real player to track in this SoCal class of 2019.

Cade Potter                          6’8”     2019   Orange Lutheran (Orange CA)
Hybrid-forward with nice perimeter face-up game.   Good student.

Finnley O’Rourke               6’6”     2019   Brentwood (Los Angeles CA)
Very improved perimeter forward can score off the bounce and also has range on outside shot.

Jonathan Daniels               5’11”  2019   Heritage Christian (CA)
Steady PG makes wise decisions.

Graham Cook                      6’3”     2019   La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad CA)
Sharp-shooting off-guard has nice dribble pull-up jump shot.

Jayden Shackelford           6’1”     2019   Oak Hills (Hesperia CA)
Pass-first lead guard has nice court vision.

Dylan Aiono                       6’5”     2019   Roosevelt (Eastvale CA) 
Big wing has nice package of offensive skills.

Joseph Octave                  6’3”     2019   Mary Star (San Pedro CA)
High scoring wing guard has 3-point range

Max Cheylov                     6’3”      2019     Faith Baptist (Canoga Park CA)
Excellent 3-point shooter!

** 2020 Players

Brase Dottin                       6’6”     2020   Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA
Talented young wing forward with agility has nice skill package.  Really like his potential.

Dillon DePina                      6’4”     2020   Heritage Christian (CA)
Strong scoring guard plays hard and is impressive finishing at the cup.

Josh Christopher               6’2”     2020   Mayfair (Carson CA)
Very athletic lead guard is hard to contain in transition and is the youngest brother of former Cal star/NBA guard Patrick Christopher.

Jordan Montrose                6’6”     2020   Orange Lutheran (Orange CA)
Hardworking PF is a physical presence in the paint.

Keith Dinwiddie                  5’11”  2020   Verbum Dei (Los Angeles CA)
Solid floor general always plays with poise.

Demetrius Calip Jr.            5’11”  2020   Taft (Woodland Hills CA)
Savvy scoring guard is the son of former Michigan Wolverine Demetrius Calip Sr.

Noah Laurie                         5’9”     2020   Alemany (Mission Hills CA)
Young PG has a nice handle and plays with confidence.  Dad Rico Laurie played at Crenshaw HS (Los Angeles) and Fresno State.

Justin Wilson                      6’0”     2020   St. Pius X/St. Matthias (Downey CA)
Scrappy combo-guard is quick off the dribble.

Xan Wesley                          6’3”     2020   Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
Good looking young wing with ability to slash and score.
 

2021 Players

Malik Thomas                      6’3”     2021   Rancho Cucamonga CA
Great looking 8^thgrader is an active wing with strength that makes plays consistently on both ends of the floor.  Love his motor and basketball IQ.

Tyler Powell                         6’3”     2021   Inglewood CA
Powell is a terrific young power wing that can score in a variety of ways.