The 2nd Annual Lyn Basa-Merza Basketball Classic At Valley Christian High School In San Jose CA. Part II.

The 2nd Annual Lyn Basa-Merza Basketball Classic up on the hill at Valley Christian in San Jose CA. There were teams from 14 different leagues and good prospect from around NorCal to compete in this event. There were 8 games played. Prep Hoops NorCal was in the gym for 5 of 8 contests. St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda CA) 60, Vanden 58 (Fairfield CA) This game was close throughout, both teams played well and competed. St Joseph has a solid group of underclassmen led by rising Soph Jaylen Thompson a 6'6 wing prospect who continues to develop his skill set playing on the perimeter. He's still adding muscle to his frame, and he handles the attention. He has good movement without the ball and he can take you off the dribble. His rebounding is steady. He'll have to get stronger to handle the physical play. 11 points 7 rebound. High Major! Ashton Korth another 6'5 2022 prospect has improved his body since summer, he's absorbing and finishing drives on the contact, his long extended arms allowed him to finish high off the glass. 16 points. Cheikh Gueye 6'7 2020 post player is stronger and more aggressive in the paint. He's an improved prospect. 9 rebounds. The leader of this team Jayelen Jones 5'10 2020 point guard went coast to coast with 5 seconds left to win the game at the buzzer. He's a solid guard who can balance the offense, make good decisions and create off the dribble. 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Vanden's Teiano Hardee 6'5 2020 shooting guard/wing (Sacramento State) was clearly the best prospect in this game. He plays like he's been playing this game for while. He's calm and doesn't get rattled. He scored 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks in the game. He consistently knocked down open shots, midrange and 3's. He shot 11/18, with 5 three pointers. I'saac Montgomery 5'10, 2021 point guard has a motor. He has a thick muscular body and he knows how to use it. He repeatedly attacks looking for contact, he's a decent passer, he has good lift on his mid range jumper. A physical player on defense. 14 points. Takai Emerson-Hardy 6'6 2022 A top NorCal prospect didn't have his best game because of foul trouble. He did have 7 rebounds, his improvement on the perimeter is noted. Top prospect. Branson (Ross CA) 45 defeats Weston Ranch (Stockton CA) 44 My first look at Branson's Miles Keeffe 6'4 2021 guard prospect this season. He displayed an overall good skill set, and a good understanding of how the game is played. His long wingspan takes up the passing lanes. He needs more muscle on his frame to deal with the physical contact. 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals. This event had a number 5'7 point guards who played key roles for their teams. Payton Mullarkey a 5'7 2020 point guard, good handles, never stops moving, attacks and kicks it out. 14 points, 3 assists. Joaquim Arauz Moore, a 6'0 2022 guard contributed good play off the bench. He made the extra pass, set good screens, he knocked down a 3, and hit a key basket down the stretch. 7 points, 5 rebounds in reserve. Weston Ranch got a good performance from Mi'Son Coilton 6'2 2021 guard, who has made some adjustments to his game and it shows. He playing with more control and making better decision with the ball in his hands. He had 12 points, 4 rebounds. Donjae' Lindsey 6'1 2021 prospect has been playing solid basketball for most of the non-league. His on ball defense and ability to stay with his man is noticeable. 11 points, 6 rebounds. Jordahn Johnson 6'5 2020 saddled with fouls trouble almost had a triple double in 16 minutes. 8 points, 11 rebounds, he was assertive late in the game. Palo Alto defeated Valley Christian (San Jose CA) 64-48 The Vikings jumped on the host early. They played with energy and passion that kept the Warriors off balance for most of the game. The fast pace never slowed. Matthew Marzano 6'2 2020, led the vikings with 21 points. 8-13 shooting. He connected on 2 long 3's. He has good movement and plays with lots of energy. Jamir Shepard 2020 6'3 scored 14 points on mostly strong drives from the wings, and Ryan Purper 6'6 2020 added 12 points and 5 rebounds with aggressive inside play most of the game. Valley's top player in this game was Kainoa Mayo a 6'2 2021 prospect who contributed 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Sam Rousch 6'5 2022 prospect was making his first start of the season worked well inside with a couple strong rebounds and put backs for 2. Jaiden Paran 5'9 2023 for Valley. The Freshman didn't have his best game, but he's a solid ball handler, he did a decent job controlling the ball at the top. Crespi jv defeated Valley Christian jv 62-41 Salesian (Richmond CA) defeated Crespi (Encino CA) 57-42 Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco CA) defeated Modesto Christian (Modesto CA) 55-41

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