Rose City Showcase - Top Performers (I)

The Rose City Showcase took place this past weekend as nine of the state's best teams came to the Cascade Campus of Portland Community College to battle it out for supremacy. We had the opportunity to drop by and catch a few games in the Gentlemen High School Varsity Elite division and here are some of the top performers that we saw (note: we did not get a chance to see Central Catholic, Cleveland, or Gresham).    We're starting to get the feeling that there may be no more talented offensive player than Gates in all of 5A - if not the state. The rising senior guard was simply unstoppable, especially in the second half in an opening night game against Grant, as he poured in bucket after bucket. He was especially devastating in the open floor as he raced down the floor and finished at the hoop in a variety of ways. The jumper was pure, he was perfect from the free throw line, and when it was all said and done, Gates finished with a game-high 30 points and an intense win.     If there were any doubts how Smith might mesh with his new squad at Parkrose, if the game we watched against Grant was any indication you can silence all those voices as the fit was just like a glove. The rising sophomore played within the system that helped win the Broncos the 5A title last year but when given the opportunity, he shined. His three-point shot was on, particularly from the corners - he dropped five from deep - and he also converted or drew contact from some athletic forays to the hoop. He finished with 23 points.     The Grant player we saw in Saturday's night that may have elevated his game the most since this past season was Sanders. The rising junior was playing with a purpose as his aggressiveness and passion on the floor was off the charts on both ends. Sanders attacked the hoop in both the halfcourt and in transition, using his length and athleticism to finish above the rim and be a menace on the defensive end, both creating turnovers off the steal and blocking shots. It almost seemed like he was taking things personal as he channeled that energy into positive plays on the court. 24 points on the night.     Great balance at the point guard spot from Hudson in a Sunday win over Nelson. The rising senior really attacked with the basketball in his hands, absorbing all sorts of contact on drives and converting at the free throw line (7-for-8). He set up teammates early and often and always a dog on defense, he helped create turnovers with his on-the-ball pressure. Also helping out on the boards at game's end, the statsheet read 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.     If there was one guy who truly did it all in the Sunday action we watched, it was Hill. The rising sophomore guard not only ran the point, he scored the ball, hit the boards (in a huge way), and perhaps most importantly led the Roughriders to victory. The lefty had his shooting stroke on from deep early, which set up some strong drives to the basket when the defense adjusted. Team highs with 29 points, 14 (!!) rebounds, and four assists.

The Rose City Showcase took place this past weekend as nine of the state's best teams came to the Cascade Campus of Portland Community College to battle it out for supremacy. We had the opportunity to drop by and catch a few games in the Gentlemen High School Varsity Elite division and here are some of the top performers that we saw (note: we did not get a chance to see Central Catholic, Cleveland, or Gresham).