Ron Massey Fall Classic: The 2018 point guards
LAKEWOOD, Ca. – Point-guard play was top notch at the fourth Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic at Artesia High last weekend (Sept. 9&10).
And that was in large part because of the presence of these gentlemen from the Class of 2018 (listed alphabetically):
Darius Brown II (Pasadena)
He was exceptional in July with the L.A. Rockfish travel program’s top team. And his play over the Bulldogs’ three games (vs. Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, RSM Santa Margarita and Temecula Rancho Christian). With Bryce Hamilton (who only played against Bishop Gorman on Saturday night), Brown will give Coach Tony Brooks one of the elite starting backcourts in California.
Spencer Freedman (Santa Ana Mater Dei)
The left-handed, two-time all-CIF Southern Section Open Division and Harvard-bound Freedman is the most polished and best – period – point guard in California’s senior class and he’s the key reason the Monarchs will go into the season ranked No. 1 in the state. His in-the-lane jumper with two seconds to go gave his team its 55-53 win over Torrance Bishop Montgomery in the Sunday afternoon title game in the Elite 8 bracket.
Alex Garcia (San Pedro Rolling Hills Prep)
Garcia and his buddies won the state’s Division V championships in Season I of the Harvey Kitani Era at RHP. Garcia, equally comfortable on or off the ball, was an all-Southern Section choice as a junior. He scored 11 points Saturday night in his team’s 56-34 victory over Pasadena Maranatha.
Cameron Shelton (La Verne Damien)
Shelton was near-flawless in his decision making and execution of his team’s transition and half-court offensive attack during the Spartans’ beat down of L.A. Cathedral in one of the four Showcase contests played Saturday night along with the four Elite 8 first-rounders. There isn’t a better either-hand finisher (he’s a lefty), at his size (6-2ish) in all of Southern California. His presence is one of the reasons Damien could go into the season as the No. 3-ranked club in the CIF Southern Section.
Daniel Zahabian (Beverly Hills)
Here is Southern California’s most underrated (for the time being) point guard in this class. He rarely makes a bad decision and his passing is always on-target and on-time, if short of flashy. His jump shot is making good progress as well.