Section 7: Friday’s Best Players (Pt. 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GLENDALE — Hundreds of teams from across the country descended on State Farm Stadium in Arizona for another installment of the highly-anticipated Section 7 high school basketball event. Friday was the opening day of bracket play and we were in the gym from 10:45 am to 9:00 pm watching as many players and games as we possibly could. We weren't able to get our eyes on every team but here are the best players we saw on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630620' first='Elzie' last='Harrington'], St. John Bosco</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrington did what he does best on Friday as a high IQ and posed playmaker but also mixed in some much-needed scoring punch to go along with that. The 6-foot-5 rising junior showed improved confidence in his perimeter jump shot which will be important as he continues to trend toward being a high major recruit. Harrington possesses great size for the position, next-level feel and is beginning to grow into an offensive skill-set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1502773' first='Eric' last='Freeny'], Corona Centennial</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeny is and was the glue for Centennial during his first three seasons and now, on the verge of his high major commitment, he has taken on a bigger role offensively for the Huskies, but more importantly, a bigger role as a leader. The all-around skill-set Freeny has developed - physical driver and finisher, versatile defender and grab and go defensive rebounder - makes him a guy who can keep Centennial near the top of the state's best programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='994680' first='Jai' last='Anthoni Bearden'], Sunnyslope (AZ)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bearden's athleticism is the first thing that pops when you watch him play. The wiry and bouncy 6-foot-6 wing already has a next-level skill in his ability to fill wide on the break and slash his way to the rim for athletic and acrobatic finishes. Another trait that will be attractive to college coaches is his high motor and willingness to crash the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1301713' first='Jamier' last='Jones'], Oak Ridge (FL)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones was one of the more prolific scoring wings in the first round of bracket play. The 6-foot-6, 190-pound plus rising junior has a unique combination of power, finesse and skill that he uses to score at multiple levels of the floor. Jones' versatility stands out immediately as he's a dribble, pass, shoot wing who can also put the ball on the deck and create for himself and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1129193' first='Koa' last='Peat'], Perry (AZ)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peat was a dominant inside force for Perry which makes sense for one of the highest-rated recruits in the 2025 class. At 6-feet-8 with ball skills, a high basketball IQ, and great feet both on the perimeter and inside. Peat can rebound the defensive glass, push the ball up the floor and make smart decisions in a point-forward type of role. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->