Trevor Ariza Tip-Off Classic: Day 2 Ten Best
LOS ANGELES — The 2019 edition of the Trevor Ariza Tip-Off Classic at Westchester high school featured some of Southern California’s best teams and most highly-regarded prospects. The second day of the event consisted of first round match-ups on the bottom…
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Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES — The 2019 edition of the Trevor Ariza Tip-Off Classic at Westchester high school featured some of Southern California’s best teams and most highly-regarded prospects. The second day of the event consisted of first round match-ups on the bottom side of the bracket. Below are the Ten Best performers from Tuesday’s action.
Best All-Around Performance: Koat Keat, Renaissance Academy
Keat is the main reason why Renaissance has burst onto the SoCal high school basketball scene with so many upset victories. The 6-foot-8 forward has athleticism and ball skills to create for himself off the dribble and can score on the block with touch with either hand. The sophomore scored 30 points with 13 rebounds in a comeback win over Long Beach Poly.
Best Rebounder: Ethan Berks, Santa Monica
Berks has two jobs on this year’s Vikings’ squad, the first being the team’s best low-post defender and second being the guy who gobbles up all the defensive boards. The 6-foot-8 power forward is as fundamental as they come when finding a man, blocking out and pursuing missed shots, leading to his 12-rebound effort in the win over Gardena.
Best Passer: Michael Frankling, Gardena
Frankling dished out a game-high six assists against Santa Monica, and while that number might not be head-turning, the senior point guard had plenty of “hockey assists” to go along with his basketball assists. The 6-footer has a throwback feel to his game where it’s more efficient than flashy and makes the simple, but smart pass more often than not.
Gardena point guard Michael Frankling is the ultimate table-setter for the Panthers.Best Supporting Player: Damion McDowell, St. Bernard
McDowell led the Vikings with 21 points, and while he’s not the most highly-touted player on a loaded St. Bernard roster, his role on the team might be the most important. The 6-foot-6 forward is responsible for cleaning up things in the paint on both sides of the floor and really does a nice job on the offensive glass. McDowell has shown improvement with his hands and touch near the basket to go along with his fluid and bouncy athleticism.
Best Under-the-Radar Performance: Daniel Michelini-Jackson, Santa Monica
We didn’t know a whole lot about Michelini-Jackson as his role on the varsity level has increased this season, but he proved to be an important piece for the Vikings. The 6-foot-2 guard first stood out because of his controlled pace and high IQ decision-making and furthered his strong effort by knocking in a handful of second half 3-pointers and finishing with 16 points in a win over Gardena.
Best Team Defensive Effort: Renaissance Academy
The Wildcats used their seemingly endless length and athleticism to stifle Long Beach Poly. Renaissance trailed the Jackrabbits, 41-35, heading into the fourth quarter, then held Poly to nine points in the fourth to pull out a 52-50 victory. The Wildcats only allowed one Poly player to score in double-figures (Ben Jones had 14 points) and held five-star wing Peyton Watson to just seven points.
Best Finisher: Chris Page, Gardena
Page was one of the most effortless athletes in the gym. Coach Ernie Carr runs a good amount of backdoor lob p;ays for his 6-foot-4 junior guard based simply on the fact that Page can get up quick and high and throw them down with authority. Page is an intriguing long-term prospect not only because of his athletic ability, but because of the way he uses those gifts during the natural course of the game.
Best Freshman: Brady Dunlap, Hart
The Indians fell to eventual-champion St. Bernard, but class of 2023 Brady Dunlap was impressive in his minutes off the bench. The 6-foot-6 wing had a team high 15 points and scored in a variety of ways. He has a smooth perimeter shooting stroke and the ability to get to the basket off the dribble and finish with touch with either hand.
Best Freshman Duo: Darius Carr and Tyler Rolison, St. Bernard
It’s always good to see the younger generation of players get varsity playing time and make the most of it. The Vikings have two impressive freshmen prospects and both are in the starting lineup in Carr and Rolison. The backcourt duo combined for 24 points in St. Bernard’s win over Hart while showing a ton of confidence and high basketball IQ’s.
Best Team Effort: Westchester
The Comets weren’t really tested in the first round agains Horace Mann as they jumped out to a 28-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. Westchester closed out coach Ed Azzam’s 900th career win with a 73-20 decision and just about everyone got in on the action.