SoCal Clash: Third Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Downey's Apollo Park was the site of Alex Carmon's (aka Beach City Hoops) latest installment of the So-Cal Clash, an event that pits many of the top 2024 and 2023 players against each other for a battle for class supremacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And for the first time in the event's history, the junior group claimed the crown, defeating a heavy-legged senior group 61-46 in a target-score finale that saw Narbonne junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='994905' first='Marcus' last='Adams']<br>dominate down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams won MVP for the event, and his LA City Section counterpart, senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1310858' first='Zyier' last='Beverly']<br>, was the most oustanding player for the senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These were my next five performers from the event, regardless of class (Note* these might differ from the All-Tournament team awards that will be announced on social media)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1592174,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/image1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/image1-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1592174"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='994907' first='Mikah' last='Ballew'], 6-6 2023 F, Valencia </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballew, a stocky and strong 6-6 hybrid forward, impacted the game with his scoring (really soft perimeter touch and showcased some dexterity on a couple of tough reverse layups) and his physicality on defense and the boards. He's a solid college prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1592175,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/image6.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/image6-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1592175"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1502800' first='Ryan' last='Enos'], 6-8 2024 F, Cathedral Catholic </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-8+ Enos (yes, he's grown again), did what he's done in several recent showcases: took - and made - shots from the perimeter and shown solid rim protection. Where I thought he showed growth in this setting was being much more aggressive on the boards and looking to attack closeouts and finish baskets through contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1502809' first='Aidan' last='Fowler'], 5-11 2024 PG, JSerra Catholic </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fowler jumped out the gate with a pair of deep threes and a strong driving layup off of a pretty nifty crossover. He's a wiry yet strong and savvy point guard who's shooting from the perimeter doubles well with his toughness and ability to get into the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1592176,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/image4.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/image4-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1592176"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Marcos Korch, 6-2 2024 G, Mission Bay</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Korch, a late addition to the event, was among it's biggest surprises. He knocked down four threes and looked very fluid on all of them, and showed a blend of power and balance finishing in the paint. A big-bodied guard, Korch played under more control than we've seen him in earlier viewings. This was a positive step forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Trey Jones, 5-11 2023 PG, Narbonne</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones, a transfer from Windward, quietly had his imprints on the game for the seniors with his passing, scoring off the drive and streaky shooting from three. He scored 9 points in his team's championship loss, but showed poise and played hard on both ends. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->