Border League: AZ Senior standouts

October 23-25 I attended the Border League at various gyms in Gilbert, AZ. The event had 80 top West Coast programs of prep schools and high schools plus some top out of area talent.   Here are some of the seniors I viewed that shined: [player_tooltip player_id="930930" first="Mike" last="Foster"] Hillcrest Prep -One of the top players on the West Coast is very tough to match-up with. He leaps up so quickly to rebound as he explodes up with power. He has great hands to catch passes in traffic and he is a great passer. His passing skills may be one of his best attributes. He can hit the catch-3 and has the Dirk step-back move off of one foot from the elbow. He handles the ball well and scores through contact plus creates his own offense. [player_tooltip player_id="703792" first="Tyrone" last="Washington"] AZ Compass Prep (Pictured) -A PG who always seems to rise up in big games. He changes speeds so well and shoots it with NBA range. His feel for the game is so high and is tough, fearless and wants all the challenges. He adjusted quickly vs longer and taller guards with his IQ and savvy and came out looking like flying colors. He avg almost 20 vs the two top teams in the event and hit big shot after big shot. His passing ability to make his teammates better, while still scoring, sets him apart from most in the country at his position. [player_tooltip player_id="775540" first="Alden" last="Applewhite"] AZ Compass Prep -He avg 16 ppg in the two big games played (Hillcrest Prep and Dream City Christian) and was a perfect compliment next to Ty Ty Washington. He hit multiple clutch shots including a deep 3 to give them a chance to come back and eventually win it in OT. His shooting has really impressed me and he already has good size and length to defend multiple positions plus he is a very good passer. His catch-3 has become a weapon. [player_tooltip player_id="1012733" first="Brandon" last="Weston"] Hillcrest Prep -The Seton Hall commit is a versatile forward who has many talents to like. He is a great offensive rebounder with a good body and has a nice shooting stroke from mid-range. He has quick bounce to throw down and is very crafty in traffic. He is a powerful dunker in the lane and seems to be money from mid and in. [player_tooltip player_id="811095" first="Jayden" last="Nunn"] Dream City Christian -The Flint, MI PG was outstanding all weekend long. He is a thicker pure PG who is a really good defender and is an incredible passer. The ball get out of his hand so effortlessly. He makes pinpoint passes and he is extremely athletic. He has the floater game, scores it in traffic amidst the post players and hits from mid to the 3. [player_tooltip player_id="590836" first="Justus" last="Jackson"] Eduprize -A deep 3pt shooter has a very tight handle and is a good passer with the left or right hand. He is good athlete for his position and can make acrobatic layups in traffic. He can pull-up off the dribble and rises high from mid to the 3pt line. His pull-up off the bounce is very hard to stop and that will be his weapon in college. He is quick on the ball defensively and he will be leaned on this year for the Eagles. [player_tooltip player_id="703811" first="Jason" last="Kimbrough Jr"] Mountain Pointe -A fast guard who defends up the length of the court. He has a polished floater game and his deep ball was working in the games I viewed. He plays so hard on both sides of the court and has become a real leader. He will look to lead the Pride back to the 6A state Chip. [player_tooltip player_id="809681" first="Keiren" last="Brown"] St Mary’s -KP is a physical scoring lead guard that is tough, strong and he score it from inside and out. He has a nice pull-up game from mid-range and he physically can punish opposing defenders inside and get fouled or score it. He has a nice floater game and is a better passer than he gets credited for since he scores it so well. He uses his stronger frame/build and speed to defend. [player_tooltip player_id="703810" first="Bailon" last="Black"] Ironwood -In the game I viewed vs a tough Gilbert team, the Northern Colorado commit made every key play down the stretch to either score it or facilitate it for a score. He uses his height to see over the top of defenders and he gets into the lane with changing speeds and keeping the defense off balance. He is obviously known for his shooting, but his play-making ability can help lead them back to the 5A Chip this year. [player_tooltip player_id="703835" first="JJ" last="White"] Ironwood -Black’s partner in crime is tough and defends every top opposing player. He makes shots from deep and he has multiple schools reaching out to him. He was playing sparingly in the game I viewed with a slight injury but he almost avg 20 ppg over the weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="932153" first="Chianti" last="Clay Jr"] Hillcrest Prep -A scoring PG is a deep shooter. He is best off the catch from the 3 but he can create a little for himself as well. He is very shifty and he throws incredible lob passes. He is one of the guards that can get hot very quickly and is a good teammate as well. He is smaller but fights hard on the ball defensively. [player_tooltip player_id="942125" first="Desi" last="Burrage"] Brophy Prep -A study framed guard is that 3 and D type of player. He has a consistent stroke and he plays hard on every position. He is smart, skilled and he can pull-up from mid-range and hit the catch-3.   One player I didn’t view but was the MVP of the Utah division: [player_tooltip player_id="703839" first="Elijah" last="Thomas"] Valley Vista -A long wing keeps improving his skill. He is extremely athletic and carried Valley Vista in stretches. His 3-ball is money and his ability to handle the ball in traffic is progressing. He defends inside and out and blocks shots plus plays above the rim. Here is video of their championship win. https://twitter.com/Factorybball/status/1321137596085334018