Nike Extravaganza: Top Saturday Performers
The 23rd annual Nike Extravaganza is one of the premier showcase atmosphere’s in all of high school basketball.
The 2018 edition delivered the same results, for the most part, bringing together many of Southern California’s top programs, along with two out of state programs, for the two-day, 14-game event.
Prep Hoops So-Cal was in attendance for all three sessions of Nike Extravaganza and this piece dives in to the top five performers from Saturday’s set of games.
Top Saturday Performers
K.J. Martin, Sierra Canyon
Martin turned in perhaps the most impressive performance of the weekend, scoring 29 points and pulling down 20 rebounds in a win over Long Beach Poly. The 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward overpowered the Jackrabbits smaller roster, having his way in the paint and on the offensive glass with little resistance. The junior had numerous dunks and countless power finishes in the paint.
Sierra Canyon forward KJ Martin had a 29-point, 20-rebound performance in a win over Long Beach Poly.Riley Battin, Oak Park
Battin was the other play to corral a 20-20 game, scoring 25 points and pulling down 21 rebounds in the Eagles 71-48 victory over Colony. Much like the above-mentioned Martin, the Utah-bound forward dominated in the painted area against an undersized team not ready to handle the combination of power and skill. Battin had his full offensive repertoire on display — he hit fadeaway mid-post shots, scored on traditional back-to-the-basket post moves, lost defenders and scored on up-and-unders, and stepped out and hit perimeter jumpers.
Harrison Butler, Mater Dei
The Southern Utah-signee led the Monarchs with 21 points in Saturday’s nightcap victory over Chino Hills. While Butler was efficient with his slashing and finishing in transition, one of the things that stood out most about his performance was his perimeter defense both on Ofure Ujadughele and Andre Ball. Butler is known for his ability to guard multiple positions at the high school level and that was on full display.
Max Agbonkpolo, Santa Margarita
Santa Margarita needed Agbonkpolo to step up after Jake Kyman went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter and the 6-foot-8 junior did. He scored 15 of his game-high 26 points in a third quarter that saw the Eagles blow the game open. Agbonkpolo was his smooth scoring self from all three levels and continues to progress as a 3-point shooter, especially from the short corners.
Jordan Brinson, Westchester
Brinson was the defensive catalyst for Westchester in its narrow 64-62 win over Capsitrano Valley, making life difficult for Cougars stud guard Dawson Baker. In addition to his defensive work, the 6-foot-2 junior scored 22 points on 7 of 15 shooting and knocked down a clutch right wing 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter after missing his first five triples of the game.
Dawson Baker, Capistrano Valley
Baker struggled in the first half, scoring just three points on 1-for-4 shooting through the first 16 minutes of play. The 6-foot-3 senior came out of the second half on fire, finishing with 19 points for the game while leading Capo in taking Westchester down to the wire. Baker gave preliminary answers one of the biggest question marks surrounding his game: Can he finish over length and athleticism? He did that just fine against the Comets.