Hoopsource President’s Day Showcase: Top Performers (Monday)

<p>The HoopSource President’s Day Showcase in the Phoenix area wrapped up on Monday and we had the opportunity to catch several more of the top Oregon-based squads in action. Out of all the teams, it was Active PCH Leaders that advanced the furthest, getting to the title game of the 18U/17U Western division before losing out in the final seconds of the game.</p> <p>Here are some of the top performers we spotted on the event’s final day.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="746290" first="Brandon" last="Hopson"], Active PCH Leaders (2021 Jefferson)</strong></p> <p>Hopson was arguably the top performer of the day that we saw. While Active PCH wasn’t able to get the win in the title game, it was the 6-foot guard’s play that got them in position to win it. Hopson really heated up offensively in the second half, getting to the basket at will and also draining long range jumpers, including converting a four-point play on essentially what seemed like a heat check. For the event, he played capably both with and without the basketball alongside Jaden Stanley.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="855940" first="Jude" last="Ashpole"], Deep III (2021 Gladstone)</strong></p> <p>Ashpole had perhaps the most all-around performance on Monday in Deep III’s consolation bracket victory. The 6-foot-5 lefty used his strength and guile to finish around the hoop, but also knocked down some open mid-range jumpers. But what really impresses us about Ashpole is his court vision. He dished out at least six assists, finding guys cutting to the hoop or open on the perimeter for three.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964544" first="Bryce" last="Dyer"], A-Train Oregon (2022 North Medford)</strong></p> <p>We’ve gotten used to Dyer’s nose for the basketball and all event long he was dominant on the boards. But what the 6-foot-5 forward showed us on Monday was his continued development as a basketball player. He spotted up and knocked down three catch-and-shoot threes, but also created a bit off the dribble and finished around the hoop.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964556" first="Colby" last="Wood"], A-Train Oregon (2022 Butte Falls)</strong></p> <p>Wood got his stroke going from the outside and knocked down four threes in A-Train’s win over Eduprize. With his sub-six-foot size and lithe frame, the lefty needs some space to get off his shot but he accommodates for his lack of size with extremely deep range - one of his threes was just a few feet within the half-court stripe.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="857345" first="Donatello" last="Tupper"], Active PCH Leaders (2022 Roosevelt)</strong></p> <p>Tupper is one of the best finishers around the basket in the Class of 2022 and that was on display on Monday. The 6-foot-4 lefty knows how to use his body to shield off the defender in the lane and then use his length to finish both below and above the rim. Tupper, who really excels in transition, used his athleticism to be a factor on the boards and on defense too.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1079535" first="Chaz" last="Storm"], All-Around Players (2022 Santiam)</strong></p> <p>Storm remains one of the most under-the-radar players in the state. At 6-foot-6, he’s got the height to rebound and help out defensively as you would expect, but the truth is on offense his calling card is his smooth shooting stroke. Storm hit catch-and-shoot threes but also used fakes and a couple of dribbles to get open for other scores as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1079530" first="Marshall" last="Allen"], Elite 24 Volt (2022 Tillamook)</strong></p> <p>Allen didn’t put up the biggest numbers for Elite 24 Volt in their loss on Monday, but what impressed us the most about the 6-foot-4 swingman was his effort level. He was constantly crashing the boards and was rewarded with some garbage baskets, and his effort on both ends led to him winning multiple 50/50 loose ball battles.</p>