California Live Friday: Devin’s Irvine HS Notebook 

<!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Campbell Hall off to a strong start under new leadership</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings played their first game under new coach David Grace and came out of the gates running with an uptempo and fast-paced brand of basketball. Rising senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1502803' first='Aaron' last='Powell'] put together an impressive offensive and defensive performance while [player_tooltip player_id='1643024' first='Tanner' last='Jones'] made a number of impressive physical and athletic plays in transition. Jones, a 6-foot-2 scoring guard, has elite athleticism off of two feet and is a consistent shot-maker from three-point and mid-range levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Montgomery primed for an Open Division run in San Diego</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Aztecs return their core group of players from their impressive 25-win season in 2022-23. [player_tooltip player_id='1630657' first='JJ' last='Sanchez'] is one of the best all-around players in the San Diego area and his versatility was one full display in Montgomery's win on Friday. The 2025 forward is an elite passer out of the post and a crafty scorer in the lane. When you add JJ's twin brother Alek - also a good playmaker - shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1630674' first='Xair' last='Mendez'], athletic and improved wing [player_tooltip player_id='1896215' first='Devin' last='Hamilton'] and sharpshooter David Soto, Montgomery is a formidable team down south.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Rancho Christian's dynamic wing trio</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's one thing that coach Ray Barefield always has, it's talent and depth within his program, and he's got plenty of that again this year despite losing a handful of Division 1 players from last year's team. 2024 Brian Amuneke will take a bigger role this season and his ability to get out in transition and score at the rim is a catalyst for their uptempo style. [player_tooltip player_id='1062311' first='Kallai' last='Patton'], Jayden Smoot and Jaiden Agbo will all be big contributors for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1256538' first='Gavin' last='Ripp'] flashes versatility for Archbishop Mitty</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking for a do-it-all forward with a high GPA, look no further than Mitt's 6-foot-7 rising senior. In Mitty's opening game at Cali Live, Ripp was all over the court using his dribble, pass and shoot ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. Ripp can stretch the floor to the three-point line, face up and drive by defenders and has very good feel as a passer out of the post. I can see Ripp progressing as a highly-sought after four man this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->