Core Prep Academy Fall Classic: Top Performers (Pt. 2)

<!-- 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='1630628' first='Dillan' last='Shaw'], 2025, Heritage Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-7 wing/forward continues to impress with his floor stretching ability on catch and shoot threes. When his feet are set, and he has time and space, Shaw is as consistent as they come from behind the arc. The junior showed flashes of improved ball skills and more confidence attacking the rim and making plays for teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1896210' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'], 2025, Campbell Hall</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What always stands out about Johnson is his high basketball IQ and ability to command the game from the point guard position. The 5-foot-11 lefty is a guy who seems to always make the right play, controls pace and tempo and is a guy who has his teammates trust to be a primary ball handler and creator. Johnson also showed a bit of scoring punch and defensive instincts, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">JJ Harris, 2025, Windward</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is a prospect who seems to get better each time we see him play. The 6-foot-5 wing is a high level athlete whose offensive game used to rely on slashing and finishing at the rim in transition and half-court settings but the junior continues to extend that range to behind the three-point line. Harris' combination of length, quick-twitch reaction time and lateral speed makes him a versatile defensive player at the high school level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956504' first='Joe' last='Sterling'], 2026, Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sterling had a strong showing after missing a handful of fall games due to minor bumps and bruises. The 6-foot-4 point guard scored an easy 14 points in limited minutes as he mixed in deep three-point shots and his advanced mid-range pull-up jumper off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Josiah Nance, 2027, Heritage Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nance is one of the more impressive class of 2027 prospects that we've seen this fall. The 6-foot-5 guard has great burst and change of speed and direction when driving by defenders in half-court or transition offense. Nance has great feel when he gets in the paint, plays off of two feet, and is an unselfish playmaker who looks to kick to open shooters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->