Classic at Damien: All-Gold Division W/F/C

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LA VERNE — With the holiday high school basketball tournaments all but wrapped up, we wanted to put together a list of the top players we saw by position. In this piece we recognize the top wings, forwards and centers on teams we were able to watch in the Gold Division at The Classic at Damien.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630650' first='Brandon' last='Benjamin'] | 2025 | Anaheim Canyon</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As one of the most skilled, savvy and high IQ scorers and passers in Southern California, it wasn't surprising to see Benjamin lead his team to the championship game of the Gold Division. The 6-foot-5 forward is the primary creator and scorer for the Comanches and his combination of touch and footwork around the rim and ability to handle and attack from the top of the key make him one of the more effective 5-out type forwards in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1703091' first='Cameron' last='Anderson'] | 2026 | Dublin</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is a physical, athletic and high motor four-man whose combination of strength and a hard-hat style approach to the game made him a consistent double-double threat during this tournament. The 6-foot-6 forward is a burly downhill driver who uses his strength to absorb and finish through contact and control the offensive and defensive boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Nick Welch, Jr. | 2027 | Rolling Hills Prep</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welch continues to round his game into a versatile, inside-out scoring type of big man. The 6-foot-9 sophomore knocked down face-up perimeter jumpers with consistency but also possesses advanced back to the basket feel and soft touch with either hand around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1225568' first='Parker' last='Jefferson'] | 2025 | Inglewood</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jefferson is the "power" complement to Crowe's smooth perimeter attack and his willingness to be a inside physical presence on both ends of the floor provides a much-needed balance for Inglewood's team. The University of Minnesota-commit made his impact as a low-block scorer and offensive rebounder as his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame was difficult for some opposing bigs to deal with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630640' first='Peyton' last='White'] | 2025 | Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White led a dominant effort and earned MVP honors as Crespi won the Gold Division over Anaheim Canyon. Simply put, the 6-foot-6 forward is just a winning basketball player who can do a little bit of everything on the floor. Offensively, White can stretch the floor to the three-point line, get to his right hand off the bounce and finish through or above contact and he runs the floor with purpose in transition for slashing finishes at the rim. White guards multiple positions defensively and controls the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1336442' first='Zane' last='Gaul'] | 2025 | Prescott (AZ)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaul is a highly effective high school big man whose skill-set should be intriguing for Division I programs. The 6-foot-10 center has great hands, feet and is a mobile rim-runner in transition. The senior can stretch the floor to the three-point line, score with a jump hook in the lane or use a drop step to power through the chest of defenders and score at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->