Section 7 Team Camp: Non SD Standouts, Saturday Edition

<p>The Section 7 Team Camp is in the books, and the impressive event left a big impression on me as a scout. It’s the most unique HS basketball experience and an equalizer for a lot of prospects who don’t play on sneaker circuit travel teams.</p> <p>While my focus this weekend was on the San Diego teams, I had a chance to watch other games and teams. Here’s my first report on the non-SD prospects that stood out.</p> <h3>Jordan Ross, 6-3 2023 PG, Pleasant Grove</h3> <p>Ross had BYU, San Diego State, Utah State and several other programs at his AM game against Torrey Pines, and for good reason. The lefty point guard is a smooth scorer, ball handler and passer who makes high level reads in the half court and doesn’t force the issue in transition. </p> <h3>Mason Bendinger, 6-4 2023 W, Woods Cross</h3> <p>A big physical "basketball player" Bendinger doesn’t have a defined position on the floor, but he makes an impact on the game with his productivity. He is a strong slasher who finishes through contact, an aggressive rebounder and a physical on-ball defender who can guard on the perimeter and in the paint. North Dakota had an assistant on hand for his morning game.  </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3097.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495424" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3097-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <h3>CJ Shaw, 6-3 2025 G, Mojave</h3> <p>The best way to describe the sinewy combo guard is "slithery." Shaw re-entered a game against Desert Mountain with his team down 14 points deep in the second half and willed his team to a win with crafty scoring off the bounce in halfcourt and transition. He’s a blur in the open court and has elite change of speed and direction to get into the paint (finishes predominantly with his right hand). He’s a streaky shooter from the perimter, but gets hot in a hurry. Think poor man’s Jamal Crawford. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="1434424" first="Jacob" last="McFarland"], 6-11 2023 C, Rancho Verde</h3> <p>Of all the prospects I watched Saturday morning, McFarland was the one who I felt had the highest ceiling. His interior defense stymied St. Joseph in a big quarterfinal win. A long, willowy prospect who is an elite rim protector and rim runner and has nice touch in the paint with his dominant hand, McFarland is a young prospect with a mountain of upside. After the game, offers started rolling in, and for good reason. </p> <h3>Jermaine Washington Jr., 6-1 2024 G, Rancho Verde</h3> <p>An underrated point guard prospect in his 2024 class, Washington commanded the offense in Rancho Verde’s big win over St. Joseph. He’s a gifted shot maker off the dribble who can his floaters and runners off of one or two feet, and makes solid decisions when he gets into the paint. While he has a flat release on his shot from three, he makes enough to keep the defense honest. On the defensive side of the ball, Washington has the makings of an elite perimeter defender. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="998476" first="Jasyre" last="Robinson"], 6-7 2023 F, Rancho Verde</h3> <p>Robinson impacts the game with his motor, athleticism and length. He challenges and blocks shot from the weak side of the paint, pursues rebounds in and out of his area and finishes above the rim in transition. As the other pieces of his game come together, Robinson has a chance to be a special late-bloomer prospect. </p> <h3>Vince Parise, 6-0 2023 G, Desert Mountain</h3> <p>While his teammates the House twins got a lot of attention, Parise’s shot making (especially from three) made him one of the more intriguing shot makers in his bracket. A sharpshooter from deep, Parise can attack closeouts and knock down shots from midrange to boot. In transition he’s also a nifty passer with good court vision. </p> <h3>Carter Gittens, 6-5 2023 F, Sunrise Mountain</h3> <p>An undersized post option with a lot of athleticism and length, Gittens gets it done with his motor and effort. He rebounds and scores in the paint at a rate much bigger than his height. Defensively, he’s excellent in pick and roll coverage, and is agile enough to switch on to guards. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="950889" first="Varick" last="Lewis"],6-3 2023 G,  Monterey Trail</h3> <p>Lewis is a guard who came into the event with a big reputation and a host of coaches on hand for his games. A volume scorer with solid burst and athleticism, he is capable of scoring runs that can change a game. The areas that will help him continue to keep traction with his high major suitors are his intangibles, including being a more vocal presence on the floor and playing with more consistent energy and urgency. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="1142769" first="Cameron" last="Mercadel"], 5-11 2024 PG, Santa Margarita</h3> <p>A seasoned floor general with solid burst and feel, Mercadel scored it from every level and had some tough finishes through contact in his Saturday games. Attacking off of pick and roll, Mercadel does an excellent job probing and changing speeds to get into the paint and either hit the roller or find his shooters on the perimeter, on either side. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3183.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1495426" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3183-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <h3>Cameron McNamee, 6-4 2024 SG, Santa Margarita</h3> <p>The second half of the "Cam court," McNamee is a dead eye shooter with budding athleticism and scoring ability off the bounce. He’s grown about five inches in the past year, and all of his point guard skills have stayed with him, including his feathery and quick release. He was one of the best shooters on hand in any division. </p>