The LEAGUE Week 3: Under the Radar
Orange, Ca. — Sunday’s edition of “The LEAGUE” was by far the most competitive fall hoops affair I’ve seen this year.
The scrappiness at Orange Lutheran High began with the opening game between Harvard-Westlake and Los Altos, featuring two club teammates, 2019 shooting guard Jarod Lucas and 2020 small forward Johnny Juzang, going shot-for-shot in a heated win for the Conquerors.
Next up was a chippy game between the host Lancers and Lakewood Mayfair, featuring five-star, class of 2020 recruit Josh Christopher. The Lancers depth, leadership and execution down the stretch, led by Trey Anderson, Isaiah Pope, Josh Griffin and Cade Potter, was crucial in their 58-46 triumph.
Finally, the game of the day was another Compton Magic-centric battle between Rancho Christian and Corona Centennial. Isaiah and Evan Mobley faced off against club-mate Jaylen Clark and the brotherly duo, helped by a last-second offensive rebound put-back from Isaiah Knox, took the 51-49 victory.
As far as top under-the-radar players go, there were a handful of players who placed themselves in that category.
Top Under-the-Radar Prospects
Josh Griffin, 2019, Orange Lutheran
Griffin was out with an injury for much of last season, but he didn’t lose any of his game while he was away. The 6-foot-1 scoring guard is one of the best mid-range shooters in Orange County with his ability to sync his release point with his immense lift. Griffin scores in bunches and is very difficult to stop when he gets it rolling.
Bryant Howing, 2018, Los Altos
There are guys who look the part, but don’t play the part, and then there are guys like Howing who don’t look it, but come out and single-handedly take a team’s confidence with a couple timely 3-pointers. The 6-foot-2 senior can beat you off the dribble, too, as he’s adept at using his minimalistic shot fake and getting into the paint to create.
Spencer Hubbard, 2020, Harvard-Westlake
Hubbard is the next floor general/game manager type of point guard who has the chance to be pretty good for coach David Rebibo and the Wolverines. The 5-foot-10 sophomore is efficient with the basketball on the break and in half-court situations as he doesn’t over-handle the basketball and moves it to the next open guy to keep the offense moving.
Diamond Ranch point guard Coree Joseph (left) showed his knack for distribution Sunday at The LEAGUE.Coree Joseph, 2019, Diamond Ranch
If it isn’t already, Joseph’s nickname should “paint touch” due to how often he’s getting by perimeter defenders and into the key where he can put his elite passing on display. The 6-foot junior has every pass in the book at his disposal and he understands which pass to make in every situation.
Isaiah Knox, 2018, Rancho Christian
Knox might look like a football player on the basketball court, but his game is beginning to resemble the type of wing he has a chance to be. Knox is physical and strong at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds and uses his body to his advantage on the defensive end and on the offensive and defensive glass. Knox has a funky release on his jump shot, but it’s beginning to fall more from deep.