Tarkanian Classic Wrap Up: Orleans Arena Standouts

<p>The Tarkanian Classic kicked off Tuesday. The event, honoring legendary UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, brings together hundreds of the top Prep programs in the nation. Event organizer Dinos Trigonis, a legend in his own right does a tremendous job of putting together fan-friendly matchups. The event features 8 different divisions spread out over several courts throughout the city. Friday is always one of the best days of the event, as the winner brackets move inside the Orleans arena. Starting at 10 AM you get a 12 hour run of some of the best basketball the West Coast has to offer. In this article, PH takes a look at the top Standouts from the Orleans Arena action. </p> <p><strong>Brent Davis 6'3 SG Miramar 2020 (#92PHF 2020)</strong> - The CItadel commit was great when it counted. The athletic slasher continuously got into the lane and put pressure on the defense. He finished with 19 including knocking down several key free throws late, to help Miramar advance to the finals of the Orleans bracket.</p> <p><strong>Alex Vertus 6'2 SG FT Lauderdale 2020</strong> - Vertus saved his best work for last. He hit several clutch mid-range jumpers late to help Ft Lauderdale fend off a good Farmington team from Utah. They face another Utah team in the finals, when they go against a solid 10-1 Timpview squad.</p> <p><strong>Anthony Hunter 5'11 PG Durango 2020 (#7PHN 2020)</strong> - Anthony Hunter hit his zone on Friday and never left. The 5'11 PG showed why he is one of the top two way players in the state. He played the role of thief, picking several ballhandlers clean, and made clutch basket after basket late. Behind the play of Hunter, the Trailblazers pulled off one of the more impressive victories of the day advancing to the Finals of the Orleans bracket.</p> <p><strong>Jalen Smith 6'3 SG Oak Ridge 2021 (#18PHF 2020)</strong> - Smith was unguardable. The athletic wing was a beast when playing downhill and in transition. One of the best run and jump athletes on the day, Smith is part of a trio of 2021 studs for Oak Ridge. Currently, he holds offers from Liberty, USF, and SMU.</p> <p><strong>Jashawne Joseph 6'6 SF North Flordia Educational Institute 2021</strong> - Someone is going to have to explain to me why Joseph has no interest from schools. The 6'6 wing is a long bouncy run and jump athlete. Despite the loss, he was able to impose his will for most of the game. Joseph who credits stretching the floor as his weakness knocked down 4 threes on the day.</p> <p><strong>Paris Dawson 6'1 PG Corona Centennial 2020 (#25PHN 2020)</strong> - The chatter at the media table was who does Dawson remind you off. Trey Burke was thrown out there along with a few other 6'0 high-quality PG's. For my money, the player he most reminds me of is former Rocket Aaron Brooks, a cerebral PG with elite winning skills. Dawson made plays in the clutch, and it's pointless to foul him late in the game because he simply does not miss from the line. In a game featuring Kentucky commit Devin Askew, the Portland St Commit was the best player on the floor, helping CC advance to the finals of the Platinum bracket.</p> <p><strong>Mike James 6'6 SF Oak Ridge 2021 (#14PHO 2021)</strong> - Mike James Go. His first step and physicality are already a problem, today he added a 3 point jumper. The gifted wing showed exactly why he is one of the top juniors in the sunshine state.</p> <p><strong>Will McClendon 6'4 SG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#3PHN 2021) <em>(featured image)</em></strong> - Will McClendon is a winner. I'll go into the foxhole with him any day. Today was perhaps his most impressive performance of the season, as Gorman spent most of the day on the ropes against an undefeated Sheldon squad. That was until McClendon put on his superman cape. The junior simply refused to allow Gorman to lose. He continuously put pressure on defenders, with drives to the bucket. His defense and shot-making were elite and he erased any doubt that he is an impact, high major player. Gorman will take on a scrappy Corona Centennial squad for the title if they win it will be easy to make the case that McClendon has been the best overall player in the Tarkanian Classic.</p>