10 Best: Ridgewood Shootout
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The basketball continued on Sunday at the Ridgewood Shootout! It was a double header of games from Ridgewood High School of Taft vs Ridgewood followed by Metea Valley vs St. Patrick. Here we dive into the prospects from the event…
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Continue ReadingThe basketball continued on Sunday at the Ridgewood Shootout! It was a double header of games from Ridgewood High School of Taft vs Ridgewood followed by Metea Valley vs St. Patrick. Here we dive into the prospects from the event in 10 Best: Ridgewood Shootout!
Lucas Melendez (Ridgewood – 2025)
Coach Mroz told me Melendez was flying under the radar. Man was he right! The 5’11” point guard went off in Ridgewood’s victory on Sunday against Taft dropping 37 points! Very crisp pull up game from the mid-range and shot it well from three working off movement. Also has a really nice floater game and displayed crisp ball handling off the bounce. Very good feel for the game playing with patience and was a sound passer as well. Quality football prospect as well. For hoops he would be a dynamite small college scoring lead guard.
Frank Paszkowski Frank Paszkowski 6'3" | SF Taft | 2024 IL (Taft – 2024)
Taft 6’3” senior is a broad shouldered wing that can really knock down shots. Touch and a clean release on his shot. Good frame and long arms. At the small college level he can even play some small ball four as a stretch guy. Went for 14 points.
Nathan Serrano (Taft – 2026)
Liked the feel this sophomore point guard showed. Not super tall but has a long and lean frame which means he will probably continue to grow. Slick ball handler that flashed some passing instincts. He had 12 points. Definitely worth keeping tabs on.
Neveah Hawkins (St. Patrick – 2025)
St. Patrick won big over Metea Valley. Hawkins played the best we have seen him. The 6’6” rangy combo forward didn’t start the game, but came off the bench with purpose as he was a pogo stick on the offensive glass for multiple put backs including several and-1s. Slipped to the rim for a couple dunks and finished dump off passes with slams. Wiry and athletic forward that when he plays like this is super impactful especially on the defensive end with his anticipation getting in passing lanes. He had 17 points.
EJ Breland EJ Breland 6'0" | PG St. Patrick | 2025 State IL (St. Patrick – 2025)
Breland is the top prospect on St. Patrick. The lead guard plays with good pace and under control. Shot it well from deep in this one hitting a trio from distance including one from beyond NBA range. Creative ball handler and acrobatic finisher had 11 points.
AJ Thomas AJ Thomas 6'3" | SG St. Patrick | 2024 State IL (St. Patrick – 2024)
The more I see Thomas the more I like what he brings to the table. Senior point guard is a plus perimeter defender that gets in his man’s grill creating turnovers and putting constant pressure on the ball. Offensively he handles it well and was outstanding as a passer on slip passes and finding shooters. As a scorer himself he scored from all three levels racking up 11 points.
RJ Mcpartlin (St. Patrick – 2026)
Emerging prospect that caught our attention in this game. Started out the game well blocking several shots, getting on the glass for a put back, and finishing a dump off for 4 points.
Will Ashford Will Ashford 6'5" | SF Metea Valley | 2024 State IL (Metea Valley – 2024)
Continue to not understand what I am missing as to why Ashford doesn’t have D2 schools banging down his door. He is a combo forward with strength and size that brings a great deal of versatility to the table. He moves laterally on defense and has greatly improved on that end. Offensively he is a plus shooter from two and more than capable as a spot up guy from deep. Can also post up getting deep position for scores in the paint. Had 14 points.
James Parker (Metea Valley – 2024)
Unfortunately Parker who burst on our radar a earlier this season left this one with an injury. Before he left he managed 8 points showing his shiftiness off the bounce and hit a three for 8 points. Small college guard.
Jake Nosek Jake Nosek 6'8" | C Metea Valley | 2025 State #377 Nation IL (Metea Valley – 2026)
Nosek is a long and lanky five that can stretch with his shooting. Similar to the last game we saw him knock in a pair of triples off the catch, rim for a dunk, and block several shots. Very intriguing with his tools and shooting. He had 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 blocks.