Men’s Basketball Recruiting: Nike Extravaganza Recap

Southern California is the home of year-round summer weather, all-day traffic, and some of the country’s finest high school basketball. This past weekend, the famous Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana hosted their prestigious event: the Nike Extravaganza. This tournament showcases the best talent in the area and the premier programs across the country.

This year, Oak Hill Academy played their last game in California. Per CIF rules, prep schools who do not play within their state tournament will not be allowed to play against California schools anymore. Oak Hill is a famous prep school in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Their program attracts top level talent like Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony, who both played there for a season before going off to college. Southern Section familiars Harvard-Westlake and Mater Dei were also in attendance, as well as San Diego teams Foothills Christian and St. Augustine. Bishop Gorman from Las Vegas also appeared as an out-of-state power this year.

Oregon State Beavers recruits Jarod Lucas and Julien Franklin played in the event, with Lucas netting a weekend-high 41 points. Here is a recap of Saturday’s games of the chaotic event.

Los Altos vs Los Alamitos

Los Altos commit and OSU signee Jarod Lucas continued his season-long scoring spree with 41 points off of 25 field goals and 16/19 free throws. He also added a game-high 16 rebounds and five assists. Jarod is a physical guard with a knack for getting to the basket and getting to the free throw line. Combine that with his shooting prowess and you get the complete player. Lucas is also very vocal and a team oriented player. Watching him it was clear why Coach Tinkle and company recruited him for his services in Corvallis. Jarod currently sits at number three all time in the CIF Southern Section, trailing former Mater Dei legend Taylor King and former UCLA legend Tracy Murray. He needs 100 more points to claim the number one spot. With two more league games plus the playoffs, that achievement is surely within reach.

Los Altos 87, Los Alamitos 53

Bishop Gorman vs Chino Hills

The Bishop Gorman Gaels (ranked in Fab 50 BallIsLife poll) traveled from Las Vegas to take on the one and only Chino Hills Huskies. Notable names on the Gaels were 6’9” big man Isaiah Cotterell, nifty guard Will McClendon, and ultra smooth sophomore point guard Zaon Collins. Chino Hills had the skills of throwback post man and USC signee Onyeka Okongwu. Bishop Gorman came out trying to find an answer for Okongwu, who paced the Huskies with 14 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Bishop Gorman freshman Max Allen surprised everyone with 10 points in the first half, as Cotterell and Max Allen played quite a bit of high low action. In the second half, Zaon Collins put on a show, handling and distributing the ball like a wizard. Collins finished with 12 points and 10 assists. Isaiah Cotterell finished with 22 points, battling Okongwu well and not backing down. Okongwu finished with 21 points, 11 boards, and three steals for Chino and Anthony Bell. Chino Hills just couldn’t keep up with Bishop Gorman, however, and Gorman looked like the most complete team of the tournament.

Bishop Gorman 82, Chino Hills 57

St. Augustine vs JSerra

St. Augustine traveled up the I-5 to take on JSerra, who have DJ Rodman, son of Dennis Rodman. St. Augustine is an all boys academy in San Diego, known for their tough play year in, year out, despite their roster. They are led by legendary San Diego Coach Mike Haupt, who is known for getting the most out of his players. This season, they are led by Chibuzo Agbo, who is the complete package, able to stroke shots from outside as well as fill it up inside the paint. The junior is currently entertaining several Mid-Major offers, but the offers will surely come pouring in after he completes in the 17-U Nike EYBL. The Saints were up big on the Lions 22-11 by the end of one as Agbo and McWilliams led the assault.

The second half was a different story as JSerra outscored the Saints 31-23 as DJ Rodman and Justin Williams got going. The Saints’ tandem of Tyson McWilliams and Chibuzo Agbo just wasn’t enough. The Saints had chances to win and tie it on the last possession, however, Tyson William’s three pointer wouldn’t go in and Luke Haupt’s last second floater just missed. Ian Martinez, who began the game with a hammer on the Saints and caught an alley-oop later on had 18 points and nine rebounds and served as a nuisance all game to St. Augustine. Justin Williams had 11 points and was the floor general for JSerra, dishing out six assists. Chibuzo Agbo of St Augustine finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds and made his case for why he should be on the radar of more college scouts.

JSerra 59, St Augustine 57

Mater Dei vs Harvard-Westlake

Harvard-Westlake were led by ESPN 60 recruit Johnny Juzang, who is getting recruited by several high majors including the Oregon Ducks. Mater Dei were lead by the dynamic sophomore duo of Devin Askew and Wilhelm Breidenbrach, who are near the top of the ESPN 25. Askew is a showy, but effective point guard who commands attention with his slick ball handling skills. He can drive it in for an easy lay in, pull up from three, but loves dishing it to an open team mate. Wilhelm is a capable defender, gets put backs, and has decent range at the three-point line.

Johnny Juzang sliced through the MD defense, taking it strong to the cup and led the game with 17 points in the first half. Big man for Harvard-Westlake Mason Hooks had seven points and five rebounds, establishing a post presence for the Wolverines. MD led 43-39 at halftime. As for the second half, Juzang and Hooks continued to play well for Havard-Westlake in the third.

Mid fourth quarter, Devin Askew really put them on their back, finding open Monarchs for three’s. Aidan Prokup and Ryan Evans finished with 12 and 15 points respectively. Breidenrbach finished with 18 points and eight rebounds and Devin Askew showed why he is one of the nation’s top point guards with 19 points and 10 assists as he played a completely different second half. Juzang finished with a double-double of 23 and 10, Mason Hooks with 20 and eight, as the Mater Dei Monarchs slipped away in the last five minutes.

Mater Dei 87, Harvard-Westlake 72

Oak Hill Academy vs Modesto Christian

A majority of the crowd left before the Oak Hill show, but those in attendance saw an impressive display of talent. Oak Hill Academy is a private boarding school that traditionally hosts the premier high school players in the program, as it is not unusual for players to transfer there to spend a year before going on to college. Oak Hill is led by Cole Anthony, son of former NBA veteran Greg Anthony. Anthony is the most complete player in the 2019 class, dominating his peers with his ball handling, playing making abilities, high-flying acrobatics, and shooting skills. He currently is entertaining offers from Oregon, Duke, and North Carolina. Anthony began the first quarter hot, scoring 13 quick points and had 17 by half time. He put a ensemble Saturday, weaving in and out between defenders for smooth range or simply pulling up from NBA range. Modesto Christian led after one quarter, 24-22, initiated by Michael Pearson’s 13 first half points. However, Oak Hill showed the world why they are the premier program in the country as they ran away with it. The Warriors out scored Modesto Christian by 22 to put on one final show in California. Dylan Caldwell came off of the bench to put on a show and Illinois signee Kofi Cockburn destroyed the Crusaders with an ensemble of nasty dunks. Coach Steve Smith and The Oak Hill Warriors showed SoCal why they’re the number 7 team in the country and will most likely advance to the Geico Nationals in April.

Oak Hill Academy 97, Modesto Christian 72