Creme of the County: 2026 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SAN DIEGO — The 2022 Creme of the County showcase operated by fellow Prep Hoops scout and Full-Time Hoops owner Aaron Burgin brought together many of San Diego's top basketball prospects in a class-by-class showcase game format. In this piece we go in-depth on the standout performers from the class of 2026 "Crème" game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CJ Aldrich</strong>, Rancho Buena Vista - Aldrich has very impressive feel for the game for a young point guard prospect. The 5-foot-10 freshman is a smooth ball-handler whose quick first step and craftiness with the ball in his hands allows him to get by defenders and into the paint at-will. Aldrich has an advanced finishing package around the basket, can score with either hand, and makes difficult layups look easy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clayton Grebing</strong>, Mission Bay - The 6-foot-4 forward has a lot of tools that make him an intriguing low-block prospect to watch. Grebing is an active participant on the offensive and defensive boards, runs the floor in transition, and has really good hands and touch around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Abeles</strong>, Torrey Pines - Abeles is a "wired-to-score" type of guard who can fill up the scoring column in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-2 freshman knocked down catch-and-shoot threes, pull-up jumpers off the bounce and used his length and athleticism on straight-line drive finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Blakemore</strong>, El Camino - It seemed like every time Blakemore entered the game he immediately made a positive impact. The wiry 6-foot-2 guard played with impressive energy on both ends of the floor. His ball-hawking defense created turnovers that led to easy baskets on the other end and his willingness to play without the ball in his hands, and move and cut to open spots, made the game much easier for his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaden Bailes</strong>, St. Augustine - Bailes has a big reputation as one of San Diego's best incoming freshman guards and it was easy to see why that is. The 6-foot-1 combo guard has a mature and well-rounded game complete with three-level scoring ability and poise and patience when playmaking for teammates. Bailes' true calling card in this game, however, was his ability to guard multiple positions and willingness to play hard on that end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Julian Lebel</strong>, Foothills Christian - The key term that popped into my head when watching Lebel was "versatility." The 6-foot-2 guard/wing used his size, wiry length and fluid athleticism to finish off transition buckets or drive by defenders in the half-court setting and get to the rim where he finished through and above contact. Lebel played with great effort on the defensive end and on the offensive and defensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Max Meza</strong>, Cathedral Catholic - Meza flashed intriguing feel as a combo guard. The 5-foot-11 freshman used his strength and footwork to create space in the mid-range for pull-up jumpers and thrived when hitting baseline driving lanes, drawing the extra defender, and dishing to an open teammate. One thing that jumped off the court about Meza's game was his physicality on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tevaris Green</strong>, Torrey Pines - Green is a skilled and kind of positionless player even this early in his development. The 6-foot-3 freshman can play inside and out on the offensive end with his interior touch and feel combined with his ability to handle the ball, play out of ball-screen action, and score in a variety of ways. There were a handful of times where Green rebounded the defensive glass, pushed the break and made a high IQ decision with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ty Ingram</strong>, San Ysidro - Ingram is another big name freshman in San Diego who will be thrust onto the national stage this season playing alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1069091' first='Mikey' last='Williams']. The 6-foot-3 wing/guard showed his scoring versatility with his ability to break down defenders in isolation and get into the paint where he can score at the rim or hit a stop and pop floater. Ingram also flashed some intriguing playmaking ability both on offense and an instinctual defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->