Ryse Williams Pac Shores: Top Performers (pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>REDONDO BEACH — With Reggie Morris, Jr. back at the helm of the Redondo Union basketball program, the Ryse Williams Pac Shores event was back to its usual high-level self Tuesday night. There were a handful of prime-time matchups with ranked players and teams going head to head, three of which required overtime to decide. Below we break down some of the top performers from the opening matchups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2119936' first='Jayden' last='Xu'] | 2025 | Santa Monica</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xu isn't as highly-touted as some other shooting guards in the region but his ability to stretch the floor with off-the-catch three's should not be understated. The wiry 6-foot-5 junior has fundamental shooting mechanics, great shot prep and a quick release from the time the ball is delivered to when he releases it. Xu also has an effective shot fake and one or two dribble pull-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630683' first='Julien' last='Gomez'] | 2025 | La Mirada</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gomez has become well-known for his craftiness at the scoring guard position and on Tuesday night he was able to showcase them on a big stage in a primetime matchup with defending state Open Division champions Harvard-Westlake. The 6-foot-3 lefty didn't disappoint as he created shots for himself in isolation, got to the paint and used his two foot finishing ability to nullify rim protectors and had a handful of moves and scores that left defenders questioning how he got the shot off despite the good defense being played. Gomez finished with 38 points in a loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1502783' first='Kendyl' last='Sanders'] | 2024 | St. Bernard</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanders stepped up when his team needed him most. The 6-foot-7 forward made key baskets and free throws in the fourth quarter and two overtimes in St. Bernard's win over Beverly Hills. Sanders used his mobility, ball skills, size and strength to finish off downhill drives through contact in clutch moments of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Lior Baradarian | 2024 | Beverly Hills</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baradarian was the driving force behind Beverly Hills forcing a double overtime thriller with St. Bernard. The 6-foot-1 guard took on all defensive challengers and was able to put points on the board from all three levels of the floor. His creativity with the ball and use of footwork and angles allowed him to get into the lane where he created for himself or dished to teammates for open shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630660' first='Myles' last='Walker'] | 2025 | Roosevelt</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While he might be a quiet player vocally, Walker's impact on the game is never understated because it is easy to see on both ends. His basketball IQ, savvy and toughness on defense permeates throughout the team and his ability to be a defensive-stopper is what makes him such a valuable high school player. Walker also scored 17 points in Roosevelt's double overtime loss to JSerra.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->