SoCal Showdown: Best Shooters

Devin Ugland January 14, 2025 @ 10:59 AM

<p>IRVINE — Gerry Freitas put together his 4th annual SoCal Showdown last weekend at Irvine Valley College. The event featured eight games which matched-up some of the region's top programs. In this piece we break down the best shooters from the event.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956521' first='Elijah' last='Smith'] | 2026 | Damien</h4>   <p>Smith was taking full advantage of the open shots he was getting within the Damien offense and knocked down all four of his attempts from three-point range. The 5-foot-9 junior was shot ready at all times and stepped into drive-and-kick passes with confidence. Smith finished with 20 points in Damien's win over San Juan Hills.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2291210' first='Fabian' last='Ruiz'] | 2027 | Temecula Valley</h4>   <p>Ruiz has the ultimate green light from his head coach and he made the most of that in a loss to Crean Lutheran. The 6-foot sophomore shooting guard went 8-for-19 from distance and finished tied for game-high honors with 26 points. Ruiz has unlimited range and a quick trigger on his three-point shot.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Gio Tubbs | 2026 | Rolling Hills Prep</h4>   <p>Tubbs looked the part of a highly-confident off-catch shooter and his floor stretching ability came in handy as the Huskies took a six-point win over Village Christian in a back and forth battle. Tubbs knocked down three of his four attempts from distance with two of them coming in crucial points late in the game. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2435386' first='Hunter' last='Caplan'] | 2027 | Crean Lutheran</h4>   <p>Caplan was super efficient from both three-point and two-point range in Crean's win over Temecula Valley. The 6-foot-3 combo guard finished with 26 points on 9-for-16 from the field and 6-for-9 from three-point range. Caplan has the ability to fill it up from deep both off the catch and when creating space off the bounce.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630629' first='Isaac' last='Williamson'] | 2025 | Eastvale Roosevelt</h4>   <p>The 6-foot-2 combo guard scored a game-high 24 points in the Mustangs' overwhelming win over Etiwanda and in that process he surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career. Williamson is recognized as one of the most lethal three-point shooters out west and finished 5-for-11 from distance on Saturday.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2622314' first='Tyler' last='Vuille'] | 2026 | Alemany</h4>   <p>Vuille is one of the more under-the-radar 2026 players in SoCal but if he continues to hit perimeter jumpers the way he has this season he won't be a sleeper much longer. The 6-foot-1 shooting guard possesses great balance and fundamental mechanics on both his off-catch and off-bounce jumper which he can get off with little time or space needed. Vuille hit three triples and finished with 15 points in Alemany's win over Fairmont Prep.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Staf Yilmazturk | 2025 | Anaheim Canyon</h4>   <p>Yilmazturk is a tough, hard-nosed point guard whose ability to get hot from three-point range makes Canyon a dangerous team for any opponent. The 6-foot-1 senior connected on five of his six three-point shots and scored 29 points in the Comanches' win over previously undefeated Mira Costa. Yilmazturk is a fearless shot-maker who can pour in perimeter jumpers both off the catch and off the dribble.</p>

IRVINE — Gerry Freitas put together his 4th annual SoCal Showdown last weekend at Irvine Valley College. The event featured eight games which matched-up some of the region's top programs. In this piece we break down the best shooters from the event.