Damien Classic: 2025 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 26-28th I headed to the prestigious <strong>Classic at Damien</strong> located in la Verne, CA at Damien HS. A beautiful campus of two courts plus down the road a middle school that is literally one of the biggest and nicer ones you will see. I checked out the five local teams who challenged themselves for the long weekend and here were the standouts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We start off with the senior standouts </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2280476' first='Josiah' last='Peoples'] Prescott (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior lefty two-way player had it going on versus Rancho Cucamonga with six 3's made. He has a nice stroke when his feet are set with space and time and he thought the basket was as big as an ocean. He also has the task of defending every top opposing player including some NBA prospects this week. He will block shots at the rim and rebounds well for his size with his toughness and football mentality.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336442' first='Zane' last='Gaul'] Prescott&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top unsigned big in the AIA was very steady all week versus some top teams. He blocked shots and rebounded at a high rate. He scores every way with post up spin moves, dunks, threes off the catch, drop step move in heavy traffic, hook shots and contact takes with right hand. He probably averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds throughout the week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336443' first='Uriah' last='Tenette'] Prescott&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most dynamic scoring lead guards put on a show for the week at the Classic. He scored efficiently with threes from parking lot range, nasty mid-range pull-ups elevating over defenders, floaters, high flying dunks off of two feet and threaded the needle multiple times for assists. He is also a terror on the ball defensively leading to scores on the other end. He had the 3rd highest single game record ever with 54 points. The impressive thing with that is his percentage. He went 20 out of 28 from the field with four 3's made and he made 10 out of 11 free throws.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1354953' first='I'yar' last='Shadowvine'] Ironwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The heart and soul of the Eagles is clearly I'yar. He is quick on quick on defense to collect steals and he is a pure point guard who directs the 5A team. He scores with reverse layups or straight line drives with a quick jet to the hole, mid-range pull-ups, deep threes off the catch or pull and he will find teammates in stride. He may be undersized but his strength and toughness stands out every game.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2475896' first='Landon' last='Brownstein'] Ironwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough scoring guard is a lefty sniper. He will catch and shoot from the three point line. He is crafty to get to the basket and uses the floater game well. He will score layups in transition and can make some tough shots at the end of the shot clock. His senior leadership is felt each game.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2711816' first='Cooper' last='Magnett'] Prescott</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior guard made some big shots. He is newcomer for me and impressed during stretches. He shoots it well off the catch and will score with driving layups in transition and he is a sneaky good rebounder to score on put backs. His corner three keeps him on the court, which is clearly his sweet spot. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333492' first='Michael' last='Simcoe'] Sandra Day O'Connor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>Santa Barbara</strong> commit showed out in every game played. He is a true facilitating face-up four-man. He controlled the glass on both sides of the court and he also blocked a ton of shots. He scores it efficiently from deep off the catch with real range past the three point line. He will also score on fall aways, dunks and is one of the best passing forwards in the West.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364929' first='Jackson' last='Hunter'] Liberty&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good sized wing is easily one of the top off the catch from the three point line and has a polished floater game. He smartly plays off of two feet and he has a nasty pull-up off the dribble. Once that first one goes down, he will rattle off jumpers. He elevates high making it difficult to defend.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2279895' first='Stephan' last='Miller'] Liberty&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-way guard is tough and physical with some size. He gets downhill with euro steps in the lane with great body control. He scores with contact traffic takes, he can post up, hit the catch three and he is a tough rebounder out of his area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2628981' first='Mark' last='Duguid'] Liberty&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong framed power forward holds his ground in the paint well and will defend taller players. He scores it most effectively around the basket and score on put backs and layups.&nbsp;On a team of talented wings and guards, he is a perfect compliment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->