Ron Massey Fall Hoops Classic: Top 2020/2021 Playmakers
The Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic was a strong kick-off to the high school basketball fall league circuit.
With CIF Southern Section Open Division playoff contenders like Bishop Montgomery, Mater Dei, Alemany, Damien, Santa Margarita and Rancho Christian among the field, it gave scouts, fans and media the opportunity to see many of Southern California’s top players and its future stars.
This piece takes a deep dive into the top playmakers of the classes of 2020 and 2021.
Top Playmakers
Devin Askew, 2021, Mater Dei
Askew has long been considered among the best prospects in his class and for good reason. The class of 2021 combo guard has an advanced feel for the game, both on and off the ball, which makes him a perfect fit at Mater Dei high school. The 6-foot-2 freshman is of the scoring point guard mold at this point in his development and is most effective in transition where he can knife his way through the paint and get to the basket and finish. Askew may be more of a scorer now, but he has definitely shown flashes of high-level vision and is learning from one of the best point guards in the state in Harvard-bound senior Spencer Freedman.
Dominick Harris, 2020, Pacifica Christian
Harris is another talented scoring point guard who can fill it up from all three levels. The 6-foot-2 sophomore averaged better than 25 points per game as a freshman last season, while shooting 34 percent from 3-point range. One of the best aspects of Harris’ game is his ability to rebound at the guard position. He has the timing, length and vertical leaping ability to outwork both guards and big men on the defensive glass. Harris showed improved burst in transition and blow-by speed in the half-court over the weekend.
Jordan Montgomery, 2020, Rancho Christian
Montgomery was a starter, and major contributor, for Rancho Christian last season as a freshman, putting up averages of 9.4 points, 4.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. The sophomore has been well-known for his ability to put pressure on the defense on the break due to combination of speed and strength in transition settings. Montgomery showed this weekend that he’s taken a big step forward with his court vision and tempo. The 6-foot-2 point guard has learned when to use his speed to his advantage and when it’s necessary to back the basketball out and run offense.
Brandon Whitney, 2020, Alemany
For those who don’t follow the underclass scene, Whitney was one of the more unknown commodities heading into last weekend, but that’s all changed now. The 5-foot-11 point guard strikes a good balance between scoring and distributing and is one of the more under-control players you’ll find at that age level. Whitney might not have “the look” as far as size and athleticism go, but his basketball IQ, fundamental skill set and lack of mistakes made with the basketball in his hands are what sets him apart among other sophomore point guards.