Halloween Hoopfest: Emergences

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>REDONDO BEACH — Redondo Union head coach Reggie Morris, Jr. and Southern California Academy head coach Julius von Hanzlik co-hosted the Halloween Hoopfest event which featured matchups between high school and prep school programs throughout the Southland. In this piece we take a closer look at players who jumped onto our radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jaxon Hampton, 2024, Rancho Verde</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton returns to the Mustangs roster after moving out of state for his sophomore and junior seasons and will provide a spark of offense and defense to a back-court that includes talented San Jose State-commit [player_tooltip player_id='1502782' first='Jermaine' last='Washington, Jr.'] The 6-foot senior has dynamic speed in the open court and showed the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jeremiah Wilson, 2024, Gardena Serra</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson is a "late bloomer" candidate whose length, fluid athleticism and ability to shoot the three-ball off the catch makes me think his best basketball is ahead of him. Wilson is 6-feet-5, doesn't have to dominate the ball to be impactful and has great awareness on defense and when spacing the floor on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2131798' first='Jonas' last='Oware'], 2026, Long Beach Poly</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oware is still very much a work in progress but he's shown major improvements compared to this time last season. The 6-foot-8 center is a mobile big man with good hands and touch around the basket. His most intriguing attribute is his instincts as a ball-screen defender and rim protector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Liam Smith, 2024, Redondo Union</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith will be an important piece to any success that Redondo has this season because he provides size, versatility and energy on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-9 senior is a coordinated stretch-five type of player who can stretch the floor off the catch, play in pick and pop action and has the ball skills to attack closeouts and get to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1896222' first='Logan' last='Stewart'], 2025, Pacifica Christian/OC</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart belongs in the conversation of best glue guys in SoCal. The 6-foot-5 wing is a big time energy and hustle player who is willing to put his body on the line to help his team win whether it's in the form of diving on the floor for a loose ball or stepping in to take a charge. Stewart is also a pretty skilled player on the offensive end who can knock down open catch and shoot three's and attack the basket where he can absorb and finish through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2131799' first='Nana' last='Ofoegbu'], 2026, Long Beach Poly</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ofoegbu impressed with his feel for the game and command of the point guard position. The 5-foot-9 sophomore had the ball on a string, used changes of speed to get to his spots on the floor and showed crafty finishing ability around the basket. The sophomore, who played junior varsity last season, has great potential to be another talented guard in the strong lineage at Poly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->