Elite Hoops Spring Challenge Saturday I
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PH NorCal was in Oakland CA, April 6-7 for the Elite Hoops Spring Challenged hosted by NBBA, and a host of other grassroots programs in NorCal. For PH NorCal this kicks off our Spring of hoops. Open Gym Premiere in…
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Continue ReadingPH NorCal was in Oakland CA, April 6-7 for the Elite Hoops Spring Challenged hosted by NBBA, and a host of other grassroots programs in NorCal. For PH NorCal this kicks off our Spring of hoops. Open Gym Premiere in Oakland with four courts, and games being played at the same is where we spent the weekend watching the 16’s, and 17’s. We were there for only half the day on Saturday. Here’s some of Saturday’s standouts from the games we saw.
Mason Adimora
Mason
Adimora
6'5" | SF
Rodriguez | 2026
State
CA-N
6’3 2026 G/W, Rodriguez: 707, 16
He’s a square shouldered guard with decent handles to finish drives at the basket through contact sometimes using that inside hand. He was good in transition finishing with dunks and other moves around the rim. He defended well out on the perimeter.
Jake Williams
Jake
Williams
6'4" | PF
Del Oro | 2024
State
CA-N
6’6 2024 Forward Del Oro: NorCal Ducks, 17
He’s a physical type of player that moves well around the court. He’ll get most of his work done in the post using his body to get points, and rebound. He works from the high post with a paint jumper, good passing, and setting solid picks before rolling inside. He gives good effort defending in the post area.
Tayden Collins
Tayden
Collins
6'4" | SF
Ben Holt | 2024
CA-N
6’5 2024 Forward, Ben Holt: WCE GXL
He has an improving inside out game. He plays on balance not rushed. He used ball fakes, body, and a good first step to get from perimeter to the post area for finishes at around rim, and paint jumpers, he was strong going up off two. He’s a solid rebounder and a good passer.
Paul Antoine
Paul
Antoine
5'11" | CG
Washington | 2025
State
CA-N
6’0 2025 Guard, Washington SF: WHPH 17
He was one of the quick guards we saw on Saturday, with lots of speed in the open court. He’s wiry, showed his toughness, and quickness by repeatedly breaking down defenders with quick crossover dribbles getting into the paint, hitting paint jumpers, and scoring through contact. He has good intensity on both sides of the ball.
Brenden Hawkins
Brenden
Hawkins
6'1" | PG
Del Oro | 2027
State
CA-N
6’1 2027 Guard, Del Oro: Sac Renegades
He’s a point guard but had his combo guard skills on display the game we saw on Saturday proving he can create, get into the paint, hit mid-range jump shots with consistency from the sides, and off the dribble. He’s a playmaker with good ball handling, passing, and vision to see the court.
Ben Sandy
Ben
Sandy
5'11" | PG
Franklin | 2026
State
CA-N
6’0 2026 Guard, Franklin Sacramento, Rose City
A quality guard with a solid body and good skill set for the guard position. He can run point guard with his handles, pass first, and good vision. He has good movement to create his own shot opportunities. Balance, stop and go, change of direction, and he turns the corner to get his points in the paint.
Carson Keplinger 5’10 2026, Guard, Pleasant Grove: Rose City
He’s a hard playing guard in constant motion. He has a good set of handles to take it strong to the basket in transition and along the perimeter. He’s a good ball handler up top with good passing around the perimeter. He sets his feet quick, and can knock down open 3’s.
Romyn Waugh
Romyn
Waugh
6'5" | SF
Pinole Valley | 2026
State
CA-N
6’4 2026, F/W, Pinole Valley: Lillard 16
Make no mistake Lillard 16 is loaded, but Waugh caught our attention first because of his good start. He showed no hesitation knocking down 3’s early in the game. He was active in the paint on both ends, he defends on the perimeter with his length and he runs the court. His stocks going up.
Aiden Rollins
Aiden
Rollins
6'2" | SG
Franklin | 2026
State
CA-N
6’3 2026 Guard, Franklin, Sacramento: Lillard 16
He’s a versatile guard with plenty of ways to help this team. He’s long, wiry, and quick on the attack, he’ll finish around the rim with dunks and other ways. He’s good in transition. He’s got decent handles, and moves to create, not a lot of wasted dribbles. He’s lengthy with foot speed to defend.
Finnian McDonald
Finnian
McDonald
6'0" | CG
Lick-Wilmerding | 2026
State
CA-N
6’0 2026 Guard, Lick-Wilmerding: Bay City 16
He’s a hard playing guard with a good skill set. He handles ball pressure bringing the ball up court, finds the open man on the long pass up. He handles and set the offense up top, yet can be aggressive in transition and off the ball finishing around the rim in different ways. He can knock down open 3’s if left unattended.
Jonah Rucker
Jonah
Rucker
6'4" | SF
Lick-Wilmerding | 2026
State
CA-N
6’4 2026 W/F, Lick-Wilmerding: Bay City 16
He’s an undersized player for the post, but is effective at the 16U level. He’s long, wiry, and active, not limited to the post area. He’s a good rebounder on both ends, he runs the court. He gives good effort defending bigger players. He’s a slasher, with good hands and finishes around the rim.