BattleZONE: Top Performers (Pt. 2)
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CORONA – Corona Centennial high school played host to the annual BattleZONE Showcase which featured many of SoCal’s top programs and top prospects. There were 11 games in total – three on Friday and eight on Saturday – and we…
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CORONA – Corona Centennial high school played host to the annual BattleZONE Showcase which featured many of SoCal’s top programs and top prospects. There were 11 games in total – three on Friday and eight on Saturday – and we were in attendance for every game of the Saturday slate. Below we break down the top overall performers.
Jovani Ruff Jovani Ruff 6'5" | SG Long Beach Poly | 2025 State #117 Nation CA-S , Long Beach Poly
Ruff got off to a slow start as the Rancho Cucamonga defense was keyed in on stopping him, but he wasn’t held down for long. The 6-foot-5 sophomore guard scored 15 of his 26 points to lead a second-half surge from the Jackrabbits who eventually fell, 74-64, to a very good Rancho Cucamonga team. Ruff did what he’s known for as he scored from all three levels of the floor, including his uncanny ability to make tough contested jumpers off the dribble.
Kevin Patton, Jr., Rancho Christian
Patton, Jr. is another talented unsigned senior wing in SoCal whose skill-set and versatility at 6-feet-8 makes him a player who won’t be on the market too much longer. Patton, Jr. scored 17 points for the Eagles in a close loss to St. Bernard, including a number of key late-game three-pointers that helped Rancho Christian stay in the game until the final possession. Patton, Jr. is a smooth shooting wing who can guard multiple positions while also possessing the skills to be a point-forward type of player at the next level.
Marcus Adams, Jr. Marcus Adams, Jr. 6'8" | PF Narbonne | 2023 State CA-S , Jr., Narbonne
Adams, Jr. was sidelined with foul trouble for most of the first half, but that didn’t stop him from putting his stamp on the game. The talented 6-foot-8 wing scored 11 second half points to help Narbonne keep pace with Etiwanda in a low-scoring, defensive matchup that ended in a 45-42 loss for Narbonne. Adams, Jr. showed why he is one of the most gifted offensive players on the west coast with his shot-making ability from distance and creativity off the dribble when creating space from a defender for an open look. He also showed his passing chops, as well, with the defense overloaded to him, Adams made good reads and timely passes to open teammates on numerous occasions.
Maximo Adams, Narbonne
The younger brother of the above-mentioned Marcus Adams, Jr. Marcus Adams, Jr. 6'8" | PF Narbonne | 2023 State CA-S , Jr., put together a performance that showed why he is one of the top 2026 prospects in the state. The 6-foot-6 wing has all the size, length and athleticism you look for in a young prospect, but it’s his body control, basketball IQ and other natural basketball tools that sets him apart from others in the class. Maximo finished with a team-high 13 points, including three 3-pointers in Narbonne’s three-point loss to Etiwanda.
Mike Price Mike Price 6'2" | PG Corona Centennial | 2023 State #162 Nation CA-S , Corona Centennial
To us, Price is the x-factor for Corona Centennial this season. The Huskies needed a replacement for Donovan Dent at the point guard position and Price showed Saturday that he could be the perfect guy for that job. The 6-foot-2 senior scored 16 points in the Huskies win and flashed an improved jump shot – both with his form and his consistency from three. Price did his usual thing of creating transition opportunities with his speed and athleticism on the defensive end, but his biggest area of growth before the season started looks like it is being addressed.