Take Flight Challenge: Underclass Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>REDONDO BEACH — The 2025 Jordan Brand Take Flight Challenge opened up Friday with three games at Redondo Union high school. SeaHawks' coach Reggie Morris, Jr. and his staff consistently put on strong events and this year's TFC is shaping up to be another great event. Below we take a closer look at the underclass guards - freshmen and sophomores - who performed well in the 11 games on Friday and Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*These are players not mentioned in other stories from the event.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1546987' first='Adan' last='Diggs'] | 2028 | Millennium (AZ)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diggs is one of the country's most gifted shooting guards and she showed plenty of flashes of why he earned that recognition. The 6-foot-5 sophomore plays with high level feel and pace, has a true jump shot with balance, elevation and a high release, but while Diggs can take over a game as a scorer at any time, the most impressive part of his game is how he allows it to come to him and doesn't force action. Diggs is a willing passer, playmaker and impacts the game as an on-ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Darrelreon "Reece" Morris | 2029 | St. Pius X-St. Matthias</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morris is a talented and hard-nosed combo guard who competes at a high level on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot freshman strikes a good balance of aggressive scoring and smart playmaking which allows him to play both on or off the ball. Morris is an advanced on-ball defender for his class who brings a combination of physicality, fundamental defensive instincts and the ability to pressure and contain with his lateral speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dashuan Harris | 2028 | Democracy Prep (NV)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris was best in transition and was the catalyst for Democracy Prep's transition attack. The 5-foot-11 point guard used is strong frame to get his shoulder into the body of defenders and score or create through contact. While the sophomore thrived mostly in open court settings, he also knocked down a handful of perimeter jumpers and made some smart plays out of ball screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2948304' first='Juliayn' last='Patterson'] | 2028 | St. Monica</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patterson is shouldering a heavy burden while St. Monica awaits the additions of its transfer sit out period players and the 5-foot-11 sophomore has answered the call. Patterson defends at a high level, is a willing creator for teammates and has shown that he can be a primary scoring option when needed. Once Patterson gets a skilled 6-foot-7 reinforcement eligible, he can go back to being the true point guard and playmaker that he is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Marquis Blue | 2029 | Rolling Hills Prep</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rolling Hills Prep head coach Harvey Kitani had a glowing review for Blue, saying "we brought him up from the JV team and now I don't want to take him off the floor." The reason Kitani wants the 6-foot guard on the floor is because of his high basketball IQ, defensive instincts and ability to knock down the open catch-and-shoot three when it comes his way. Blue has been a seamless fit within the Huskies' starting lineup and his ability to allow the game to come to him, not force things offensively and compete on the defensive end makes us think he has a chance to be a high level player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Peyton Washington | 2028 | Millennium (AZ)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington is a young, rotational piece for the top team in Arizona, and while he doesn't get a ton of minutes, you can see he has value now and is a prospect to track moving forward. The 6-foot-1 sophomore is a steady ball handler who made simple plays to set up opportunities for his teammates. Washington has a strong frame and fundamental point guard skill-set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Phoenix Smith | 2028 | Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a reliable scoring and distributing point guard who is an instant spark of energy off the bench. The 5-foot-7 lefty is always looking to push the pace in transition, earns paint touches and is a willing and accurate passer to teammates. Smith is also a capable perimeter shooter who has shown the confidence to take and make big shots in big moments of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->