Classic at Damien: Stock Raisers
With so many high level teams participating across the four division at the Classic at Damien, there were plenty of players with huge reputations competing last week.
Most of those big name players drew the eyes of the college coaches in attendance throughout the week, but there were a few players that some fans, media and college coaches may not have known much about before last week who raised their stock.
Stock Raisers
Jamaal Barnes, Bonita
The 6-foot-2 senior led the Bearcats to the Silver Division championship game where they fell to Muir, 72-63. Barnes has one of the better jump shots in all of Southern California. He gets great lift, fundamental mechanics, and releases at the peak of his elevation. Barnes has the potential to break out late and land at the high Division II level. If Barnes chooses the junior college route, he could evolve into a low Division I prospect.
Nick Bowden, Jr., St. Bernard
Most people think of the names Mook Harris or Romelle Mansel, but Bowden made sure to leave a lasting impression on everyone. The 5-foot-9 shooting guard plays with a huge chip on his shoulder and with a fearlessness not many high school players have. Bowden, a sophomore, is a dead-eye 3-point shooter with a quick trigger and deep range. One of the best aspects of his game is his competitive fire.
Jaishon Forte, Rancho Verde
Forte is a long and wiry 6-foot-5 forward who knows his way around the paint. The senior knows how to carve out space on the block or in the short corner and is quick off the floor when rising up for finishes around the basket. Forte plays with a high motor and changes ends of the floor quickly which makes him a tough cover for traditional big men.
Elijah Harkless, Etiwanda
Harkless was the biggest of the Stock Raisers at Damien last week. The 6-foot-3 senior led Etiwanda to the Platinum Division championship, earning the Most Outstanding Player award in the process. Harkless is an explosive guard who can play both on and off the ball. He attacks the basket with purpose both in transition and half-court settings and is a high level passer and on-ball defender.
Amani “Mook” Harris, St. Bernard
Harris is a guy who already has plenty of recruiting interest, but the reason why he’s on this list is because he’s added a lot of nice pieces to his game. The 6-foot-2 guard has been known as a good scorer throughout his first two years of high school action, but showed a heightened ability to create for others and read defenses off of pick and roll action. Harris still scored it plenty and it was at a much more efficient clip.
Muir’s Hunter Woods displayed an improved 3-point shot last week at The Classic.Isaiah Knox, Rancho Christian
People always say Knox looks like a football guy playing basketball, and while his 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame backs up that statement, the senior is beginning to round into hoop form. Knox is a vastly improved jump shooter, especially from 3-point range and has also tightened up his ball skills which has helped him create for others.
Jared Williams, Eastvale Roosevelt
The 6-foot-5 senior forward has done a nice job of extending his range from being a guy who can get you a basket in the paint to a guy who can knock down a short-corner or mid-range shot. Williams is a quick-twitch athlete with a high motor and good rebounding instincts. Williams rim runs with purpose, knows how to establish deep post position and can finish with either hand.
Hunter Woods, Muir
Woods was named the MVP of the Silver Division and the reason why had a lot to do with his versatility. The 6-foot-5, left-handed wing has improved as a perimeter shooter and knows how to use his combination of size, length and athleticism to get to the cup and finish through contact.