SoCal Fall Prep Classic: Top Forwards and Centers

ORANGE, Calif. — Gerry Freitas hosted his annual SoCal Fall Prep Classic at Santiago Canyon College over the weekend with a strong mix of high school and prep school programs from Southern California, Northern California, Arizona, Washington and New Mexico. We were in the gym for all 10 games Saturday and below we break down the best forwards and centers we watched.    JSerra needed to add size and skill to its front-line after its best returning big man departed for Trinity League rival Mater Dei and they got just that in Catalay. The Turkish center is a definition of a stretch-five prospect with his smooth high release and consistent touch well-beyond the three-point line. The senior looks to be every bit of 7-feet tall with great feel for spacing, soft hands and the ability to knock down perimeter shots in pick-and-pop action.     Bernardez will be a key factor for Orange Lutheran - especially when the Lancers' Trinity League slate begins. The high energy, athletic and physical 6-foot-6 forward was active on the offensive glass, defended the opposing teams big men and was an effective interior finisher. Orange Lutheran's offense will run through its talented guards but the junior's skill-set can cover up offensive and defensive holes on the front line.     Morrow-Brown is one of the most game-ready big men in SoCal's 2030 class. The freshman center has the frame, length and athleticism to compete down low against the more mature competition he will see throughout the season and an offensive skill-set that will be important for this youth-laden Crean Lutheran squad. Morrow-Brown was active as a rim-runner and finisher on Saturday, competed on the offensive and defensive glass and has natural rim protecting instincts.     Ford is a bit of an under-the-radar big man in SoCal's 2027 class and should have a bigger role for one of the region's best teams. The 6-foot-8 senior is more of a traditional center in his offensive skill-set but has great hands when catching on the elbows and going to hand-off actions and understands screening and slipping to the rim for easy baskets. Ford also stood out with his high energy and physicality as an interior defender and rebounder on both ends of the floor.     Parker impacted the game on both ends of the floor with his long, wiry 6-foot-10 frame and transition mobility. The NorCal-based junior kept the ball high on his interior touches, scored around the rim with soft touch, got ahead of the break when running the floor and used his length to get on the offensive glass. Defensively, while he still needs to add weight to his frame, he showed flashes of rim protecting presence with timing and verticality when contesting shots at the rim.     Felix is among the most skilled big men in the state regardless of class. He used his wide-bodied 6-foot-8 frame to seal deep post position where he flashed back-to-the-basket feel and touch with either hand. Felix was out on the perimeter more in this viewing we had of him and looked confident stretching the floor to the three-point line off the catch.

ORANGE, Calif. — Gerry Freitas hosted his annual SoCal Fall Prep Classic at Santiago Canyon College over the weekend with a strong mix of high school and prep school programs from Southern California, Northern California, Arizona, Washington and New Mexico. We were in the gym for all 10 games Saturday and below we break down the best forwards and centers we watched.