Ron Massey Fall Hoops Classic: Next Five
Norwalk, Calif. — The 2018 edition of the Ron Massey Fall Hoops Classic further cemented the event as the must-attend fall basketball tournament in Southern California.
The Dinos Trigonis-led event drew many of the Southland’s top high school programs, along with two of the best teams in the state of Nevada, for a two-day event at Cerritos College featuring an eight-team Challenge of Champions tournament along with showcase games with plenty more high-level teams and players.
Bishop Gorman out of Las Vegas defeated Torrance Bishop Montgomery, 59-57, in Sunday’s tightly contested championship game. Gaels junior shooting guard Noah Taitz scored 18 of his game-high 21 points in the first half and earned tournament MVP honors in the process.
Here is the “Next Five” lineup from the weekend:
Richard Isaacs, PG, Coronado (NV)
The young point guard also known as “Pop Pop” has been a student of the game for a very long time and it certainly shows now that he’s on the high school stage. Isaacs has impressive feel and knowledge which makes him the ideal pilot for the Coronado side. The 6-foot-1 freshman advances the ball in transition, attacks the paint with limited dribbles and continuously sets up teammates in their best position to score. Isaacs has a dependable jumper from 3-point and mid-range.
Jaden Hardy, SG, Coronado (NV)
Hardy is a pure and bona fide scorer. The 6-foot-4 rising sophomore is wired to put the ball through the net and can do so in a variety of ways. Hardy scored on transition and half-court drives, pull-up 3-pointers and in isolation against any and all defenders. Hardy is undoubtedly a talented scorer, but does have some work to do when it comes to shot selection and moving without the ball.
Corona Centennial SG DJ Davis has game-changing 3-point shooting ability.DJ Davis, CG, Corona Centennial
Few players can match Davis’ ability to change the game with the 3-point shot. He has one of the quickest shooting motions in the state and can knock down shots at any angle, at any balance point and from just about any range on the floor. If there is any semblance of time and space available, Davis will let one fly from deep.
Jake Kyman, SF, Santa Margarita
Santa Margarita didn’t have the best weekend as a team, but it wasn’t for a lack of scoring from UCLA-bound wing Jake Kyman. The Eagles went 1-2 on the event, beating Harvard-Westlake to take 7th place in the Challenge of Champions bracket, and Kyman was efficient from 3-point and mid-range levels through his three games played.
Wilhelm Breidenbach, PF, Mater Dei
Even when it doesn’t seem like Breidenbach is having his best performance, the stat sheets say otherwise. The 6-foot-8 sophomore makes things happen on both ends of the floor with his effort and energy. He can score with his back-to-the-basket or stretch the floor to the 3-point line, but he’s a game changer on the defensive end and on the offensive and defensive glass.