Block Party Team at the NorCal Tip-Off

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NorCal Tip-Off was loaded with talent, but the rim protectors stole the show. These forwards and bigs turned the paint into a no-shot-zone, altering shots, blocking everything, and setting the tone defensively for their squads. Here's a look at the standout shot-blockers from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2226776"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6939ee81193a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2398419' first='James' last='Perry'] | 6'7 W | 2027 | Cornerstone Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2398419' first='James' last='Perry'] was one of the most explosive leapers in the gym. His shot-blocking ability came primarily from the help side, where his long arms and quick second jump allowed him to clean up defensive breakdowns. Perry's timing stands out, and his ability to contest, recover, and elevate again makes him a real problem around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2630498"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6939ee8119503"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2630498' first='Alex' last='Moore'] | 6'9 F | 2028 | St. Ignatius</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2630498' first='Alex' last='Moore'] completely owned the paint. He blocked several shots and altered even more—so many that players eventually came to a jump stop and kicked it out instead of challenging him. Moore's presence alone changed offensive game plans. His size, timing, and discipline make him one of the more intimidating young interior defenders in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2436298"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6939ee811955e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Mahamedau Diop 6'10 | C | 2029 | San Gabriel Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mahamedau Diop was blocking everything that came near him. He makes himself available on both ends of the floor and shows flashes that point to tremendous long-term upside. Still developing the finer details—like defensive positioning and anticipating guard drop-off passes when they penetrate. Diop already impacts games with length, timing, and effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2853469"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6939ee81195b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2853469' first='JP' last='Pihtovs'] | 6'9 F | 2026 | Riordan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2853469' first='JP' last='Pihtovs'] put together one of the most dominant stat lines of the event: <strong>23 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks</strong>, with <strong>13 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks</strong> by the five-minute mark of the second quarter. Bouncy, relentless, and active on the offensive glass even while being boxed out, Pihtovs was able to get offensive rebounds, while going straight up showing his leaping ability. Pihtovs plays inside-out and has a unique ability to block shots to himself or start fast breaks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2484296"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6939ee8119602"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2484296' first='Brendan' last='Williams'] | 6'10 F | Moreau Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2484296' first='Brendan' last='Williams'] delivered a strong interior performance with <strong>15 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 9 points</strong>. He looks stronger and more filled out than last season, which helped him control the glass and protect the rim. One area of improvement is keeping the ball higher after rebounds, as defenders swiped low when he brought it down. Still, his presence was felt all night defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3149607"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3197548,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6939ee8119653"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3149607' first='Somto' last='Patrick'] | 6'8 F | 2029 | Modesto Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3149607' first='Somto' last='Patrick'] put together one of the most impressive defensive performances of the event. The 6'8 freshman blocked shots from the help side position and even erased attempts from his own man, showcasing his timing and footwork. What really separates him from the average shot blocker is his ability to block jump shots which is rare for a freshmen to do on this varsity level. Patrick dominated the paint with 4 blocks and altered several more. His length, instincts, and discipline make him one of the best rim protectors in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->