MLK Dream Classic 2024-25 Standouts

On Monday Jan 15th I attended the 4th annual MLK Dream Classic powered by Monarch Sports at Corona del Sol HS.   I took in three games and started it off with the Saguaro Sabercats versus Marcos de Niza Padres where the Sabercats won 67-39.     The second game I viewed was Fairfax Stampede versus McClintock Chargers and the Chargers won 90-40.    The third game I viewed was Willow Canyon Wildcats versus Mountain Pointe Pride and the Wildcats won 55-46.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were some Seniors and Juniors that stood out from the 3 games:</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1425099' first='Kaleel' last='Kelly']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kaleel-kelly/"></a><a></a> Willow Canyon (Pictured left)   The quintessential PG can score or facilitate. He can hit the catch three, post up and score thru contact with his stronger frame and get downhill and crow hop in traffic. He has an elite feel for the game to dime his teammates. He will split defenders effortlessly and bring a lot of attention to him and seems to always make the correct read with pick and rolls, passes up the court on a rope and slips inside to a teammate. He also boxes out bigger players consistency to rebound.   [player_tooltip player_id='2039505' first='Braylon' last='Haman']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/braylon-haman/"></a><a></a> Willow Canyon   A highly skilled scoring guard who keeps improving yearly. He can hit the catch-3, cuts when he should and has a nice floater. He can take contact and is very good in transition to score. He is active on the defensive end and is quick in the passing lanes. His lateral quickness allows him to keep his opponents in front him.    [player_tooltip player_id='1483884' first='Taimari' last='Jones']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taimari-jones/"></a><a></a> McClintock   A versatile power forward will score and defend. He can crab dribble inside and can score with a motor to go up quickly. He is an out of area rebounder and plays hard. He is a sneaky good passer and he means so much for the Chargers success.    [player_tooltip player_id='2108097' first='Kaden' last='Gullhuir']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kaden-gullhuir/"></a><a></a> Mountain Pointe   A natural scoring combo guard. He handles it well and can make plays but he wants to score. He has a nice pull-up from mid-range and the catch three. He can hesitate to the basket and is great in transition. He plays the passing lanes on defense with his length. Once he is rolling from the perimeter, and his mid-range J is falling, he is a tough cover.   [player_tooltip player_id='2134290' first='Mark' last='Wiltshire Jr']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mark-wiltshire-jr/"></a><a></a> Mountain Pointe    A long forward who is very efficient closest to the basket. He is very fluid and gets downhill well. He takes long strides and makes contested off balance shots. It is interesting how he shoots his free throws with his left yet everything is with his right hand as a rare ambidextrous player. His length on defense and energy to rebound will be important to try and make a playoff bid for the Pride.    [player_tooltip player_id='1351130' first='Amous' last='Price']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/amous-price/"></a><a></a> Mountain Pointe   The nephew of Coach Price is their glue guy for the team. He makes extra passes, rebounds, he will defend multiple positions and is very good in transition. He will make open shots from the perimeter or score on put backs.    [player_tooltip player_id='2281909' first='Sterling' last='Knighten']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sterling-knighten/"></a><a></a> Mountain Pointe    A tall post player who rebounds well with his size and length. He will hustle to rebound for loose balls and can score when spoon fed in the post on layups. He will also score on put backs and plays with energy and athleticism.    [player_tooltip player_id='1430733' first='Zayden' last='Canchano']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zayden-canchano/"></a><a></a> Willow Canyon   The junior combo guard can play on or off the ball. He can hit the catch three point shots plus is a smart passer. He will make the extra pass and has natural toughness despite being undersized.     [player_tooltip player_id='1986878' first='Malachi' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/malachi-johnson-4/"></a><a></a> McClintock   A wing forward with a big motor to rebound. He is great thru contact and will consistently rebound in and out of his area. He is a glue guy for the team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1196395' first='Elijah' last='Pablos']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/elijah-pablos/"></a><a></a> Fairfax    A combo guard who can play on or off the ball. He can shoot the three or get to the basket but his pull-up from mid-range seems to be his sweet spot. The senior will be leaned on the rest of the season with one of the youngest teams in the state.    [player_tooltip player_id='1580567' first='Oshea' last='Bonner']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/oshea-bonner/"></a><a></a> Saguaro    A physical defensive pure point has a tough first step to handle. He is hard keeping him out of the lane. He will often grab the rebound and take it coast to coast. He defends, makes plays and will score.   [player_tooltip player_id='2298916' first='Quynnton' last='Weatherspoon']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quynnton-weatherspoon/"></a><a></a> Saguaro   A natural leaper to defend and board. He will grab offensive rebounds and score on put backs. He jumps up off the floor like he is on a trampoline and runs the floor well. He is a perfect glue player who doesn't need the ball to affect the game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1430449' first='James' last='Steward']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-steward/"></a><a></a> Marcos de Niza   An athletic power forward is the star of the team. He jumps off the floor easily and scores it with a polished jump hook shot. He has good hands and feet and will score it with either hand. He often scores on tip-ins as he gains position with his strength and motor. He passes well out of a double team and can also step out and shoot it.

On Monday Jan 15th I attended the 4th annual MLK Dream Classic powered by Monarch Sports at Corona del Sol HS.