Core Prep Academy Fall Classic: Top Performers (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NORTH HILLS — Todd Wilson of Core Prep Academy and the Heritage Christian basketball program hosted a six-game showcase Saturday featuring some of the top programs from the valley and beyond. We were in attendance for each game and below is a breakdown of some of the top performers we saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1502803' first='Aaron' last='Powell'], 2024, Campbell Hall</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powell has become one of the more explosive scorers in Southern California over the last couple of seasons and Saturday was no different. The Cal Poly SLO-commit scored 22 points, including a barrage of three-point shots off the catch as the Vikings came away with a commanding 90-62 win over Birmingham. Powell scores in bunches and once he sees one fall through the net, the opponent is in for a long game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956465' first='Alijah' last='Arenas'], 2026, Chatsworth</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arenas is one of the more gifted scorers in SoCal regardless of class and his 41-point effort in a win over 74-60 win over Viewpoint. The 6-foot-6 scoring guard has every shot in the book in his arsenal and his effortless ability to get to his comfort zones is one of the more impressive parts of his game. Arenas fits the three-level scorer mold with his deep shooting range, smooth mid-range pull-up and craftiness when finishing around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1502815' first='Aliaun' last='Iscandari'], 2024, Campbell Hall</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iscandari isn't one of the first names that will come to mind when discussing Campbell Hall but the senior put his name front and center with his performance Saturday. The athletic lefty was knocking down catch and shoot threes with consistency, getting downhill and to the rim for finishes through contact and was an impactful on-ball defender with his speed and active hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Andy Porcayo, 2025, Village Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porcayo was a new name to pop onto my radar as his 17 points were crucial to Village Christian in its five-point win over St. Francis. The 6-foot guard showed a craftiness in breaking down defenders and getting to the basket for paint touches and buckets. Porcayo also displayed a relentless motor on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Deion Lewis, 2027, Village Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis' approach to the game was that of a savvy veteran with a ton of confidence which is why myself and fellow media types at the event were surprised to learn that Lewis was just a freshman. The 5-foot-6 point guard was fearless when attacking the paint and used his quick first step to get by defenders and into the lane where he hit open shooters or scored himself with a crafty floater or pull-up jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->