Newcomers and Eyecatchers: Battle of the Trail

PH NorCal spent Saturday at the 2nd Annual Battle of the Trail at Monterey Trail High School in Elk Grove, close to Sacramento. We saw 7 games 14 teams. There's always quality prospects from the Sacramento Area. At this event we spotted unsigned Seniors, prospects returning from a 30 day sit, newcomers who put themselves on our radar, and some who raised their status going forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='2770815' first='Jeston' last='Barnett']: The unsigned Senior with a solid body is listed as a 6'7 forward, he's showing steady improvement, adding pieces. He played with energy around the basket on both ends. He boxed out working the boards, he's goes up strong for offensive rebounds, put backs, and points in the paint. He blocked a couple of shots, made the effort to run the court. He scored multiple times on hard cuts to finish around the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id='2963489' first='Isaiah' last='Price']: He caught our eye as he turned in one of the days top performances knocking down 7-3's, some in transition, others spotting up around the perimeter without hesitation on the catch. He's a ball handler, can create his own shots to get a bucket. He runs the point at times, sees the court, will make the long pass up court. At 5'10 he helps rebound, pushes fast up court.   [player_tooltip player_id='2367830' first='Manno' last='Jenkins']: Unsigned Senior, he's one of the better guards in the Sacramento Area when he's locked in. We've seen him go off for 30pts or more in all the ways a guard can score. He dropped 30pts at this event. He has the handles, speed, change of direction that makes it hard for defenders to stay in front of him. He's shown he can run point, facilitate with good passing. He has speed, and ability to be a good defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='2882141' first='Mark' last='Franklin']: He's a good size point guard with excellent court vision, he found his big in the paint on the low block, and cuts to the basket. He has body control maneuvering, and weaving his way into the paint for floaters, paint jumpers, and assists. He's a newcomer we'll put on the Watch List.   [player_tooltip player_id='2352722' first='Johnathon' last='Rossiter']: He's been a catch and shoot 3 guy from the days we first saw him as an incoming Freshman. He looks a bit stronger, and is finding ways to contribute off the bench. He knocked down multiple 3's on the catchfrom the corners, he's passing the ball to others with a better shot. He's starting to defend with energy, he took two charges.   [player_tooltip player_id='2440989' first='Barack' last='Volsan']: He's grown a few inches standing around 6'3. He's contributing on the defensive side of the ball, lateral movement up top, helping on traps, using length to deflect, and make passing difficult. He spots up in the corners for catch and shoot 3's he hit 3 in this game. He got rebounds on both ends. He's an improving prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='2415912' first='Noah' last='Hargrave']: He missed time for transferring. He's conditioned, and determined to help this team. He was player of the Game. His stat line: 20pts, 8rebs, 4a, 4s. He used his speed, and quick handles throughout the game. He's an excellent passer with vision, can run point, but excelled off ball, using dribbles to turn the corner on defenders, aggressively finishing, pulling up for mid range jumpers, knocking down 3's in transition, and along the perimeter. He's an unsigned Senior.   [player_tooltip player_id='3135647' first='Jordan' last='Boyce']: We saw Boyce in the early season. Starting or coming off the bench he's generating buckets effecting the game, using speed to get by defenders, run up court for transition layups. He's a confident guard, that can pull up on the dime for mid-range jumpers, knock down long 3's. He has speed and determination to disrupt on the defensive side. He's a starter on most teams. Unsigned, scored 15pts off the bench.   [player_tooltip player_id='2446932' first='Adrian' last='Galloway']: He's a newcomer that impacts the game without scoring much. He has ways to get a bucket, cutting to the basket, offensive rebounds for putback points, (cleans up the garbage). He runs for transition buckets, might dunk on you. He had balance on the dribble drive spin move to finish in front of the rim. The 6'6 Junior has good movement, and size to defend multiple positions, from perimeter to the post. Lateral movement, length and strength, he rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='3341601' first='Kimani' last='Dokes']: The newcomer works hard when he enters the game. He's got some tools to produce buckets, though most his success comes from playing the game hard on both ends. Standing somewhere around 6'4, he defends, goes after rebounds, he'll score on putbacks. He's a court runner. He had strong drives along the baseline for short corner jumpers, or finishing at the basket playing through contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='2873106' first='Hezekiah' last='Sires']: He's a rising prospect in the Class of 2028. Standing 6'6 and growing, there's some rawness to his game, the talent is there as he continues to develop his overall skill set. His effort is there, has good movement, he can defend from perimeter to post. He's an active rebounder, has shown he can handle up top and in transition at times, had some drives into the paint for points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1806732' first='Cole' last='Martin']: The unsigned Senior had to sit for 30 days, he looks strong, and conditioned. Standing around 6'3 he's a versatile prospect, has foot speed, defends bigger players, guards on the perimeter. He rebounds, passes, seems to have improved ball handling, and shooting off the dribble. He had good lift on the paint, and mid-range jump shot. He used body and balance to finish strong drives to the basket, playing through contact. He dropped a couple of 3's.

PH NorCal spent Saturday at the 2nd Annual Battle of the Trail at Monterey Trail High School in Elk Grove, close to Sacramento. We saw 7 games 14 teams. There's always quality prospects from the Sacramento Area. At this event we spotted unsigned Seniors, prospects returning from a 30 day sit, newcomers who put themselves on our radar, and some who raised their status going forward.