Trigonis Tidbits: Jennings' Homecoming A Victorious One
By FullCtPress.net, February 6, 2007
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson VA) returned to Southern California for another appearance at the Nike Extravaganza that was being held for the first time at Mater Dei's new 3200 seat gymnasium last weekend. Oak Hill's return also marked the homecoming of its point guard and Southern California native 6'1" junior Brandon Jennings. In Oak Hill's two victories here, Jennings exhibited the kind of playmaking skills that have earned him the status of the nation's top Class of 2008 PG. In Oak Hill's lopsided 92-62 win over Orange Lutheran (Orange CA), Jennings had a game high 25 points (5/9 on three point attempts) and 6 assists. Brandon followed that effort with a solid 12 points/8 assists in a 70-54 win over Fairfax (Los Angeles CA). Jennings (who committed to USC earlier in the season) will continue to get even better as he gets stronger and puts on weight. 6'7" senior forward and UCLA signee Chase Stanback scored 24 points and 6'2" junior guard Chris Solomon continued his solid play with a 13 point effort for Fairfax. In the event's most anticipated game, 6'9" senior Kevin Love (Lake Oswego/Lake Oswego OR) demonstrated that his name should always be discussed when the topic is "who is the #1 player in the nation" as he was an unstoppable force in the Lakers' 61-52 upset of host Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA). K-Love had 36 points/15 boards/4 blocks as well as several Wes Unseld-type outlet passes that electrified the crowd. Not a bad effort for the future UCLA Bruin and Ben Howland's most heralded recruit since he arrived in Westwood.......
Other players performing at the Nike Extravaganza that are having successful seasons so far and deserve some ink include 6'6" senior Julyan Stone (Dos Pueblos/Goleta CA), 6'1" frosh Avery Johnson (Ocean View/Huntington Beach CA), 6'7" junior Michael Bostic (Colony/Ontario CA), 6'2" junior Jason Pancoe (Santa Margarita/Rancho Santa Margarita CA), 6'7" sophomore Andy Brown (Mater Dei/Santa Ana CA) and 6'1" senior Robert Ford (Campbell Hall/North Hollywood CA). Stone (14 points/9 assists here) is one of the West Coast's top unsigned seniors and among the region's most versatile players. Skilled playmaker with great size, Stone can defend all three perimeter positions and is a terrific passer. Stone has the potential to be a Brian Shaw-type lead guard at the next level. Johnson is just a young pup, but is a talented prospect oozing with potential. Avery is a long, athletic and energetic wing that makes things happen and has plenty of time to grow into those big feet (brother Wynton played at Ocean View and is 6'5"). Bostic is an active (although inconsistent) forward with nice athleticism and an emerging skill set. In a class lacking much size, Bostic (18 points/14 boards here versus San Diego Hoover) is a mid-major prospect worth tracking. Playing with three other talented junior teammates (6'5" Klay Thompson, 6'8" Jaime Serna and 6'4" Zack Zaragosa), Pancoe is currently flying under the radar, but is a savvy combo-guard with nice bounce in his step and a lethal perimeter stroke. Brown too has played in the shadows of heralded Duke signee Taylor King and sophomore teammates (Wear twins), but this excellent student has worked himself into Mater Dei's starting line-up (replacing Arizona signee Alex Jacobsen) and has shown a knack for scoring in traffic as well as running the floor with speed and finishing with consistency. Ford also is playing along side acclaimed teammates (Holiday brothers), but Campbell Hall (now nationally ranked by USA Today) needs this sharp-shooting guard to continue to stroke it from downtown if the Vikings want to reclaim CIF and state titles.......
6'7" junior Renaldo Woolridge (Harvard-Westlake/North Hollywood CA) scored a career high 34 points to lead the Wolverines to a 94-89 OT win over Mission League rival Loyola (Los Angeles CA) last Friday. Woolridge wasn't the only H-W player having a big scoring day as 6'1" senior guard Jabari Trotter poured in 32 points as well. For Loyola, it was 6'5" junior Vernon Davis having a career day, pumping in 30 points while promising 6'7" soph Hollis Thompson added 19 points for the Cubs.......
One of top 2008 post sleepers in the West is 6'9" junior Kelly Jackson (Hogan/Vallejo CA). Jackson is a true low-post player with much upside....... 5'11" junior Nick Becker (Huntington Beach/Huntington Beach CA) is having a terrific junior season. Becker is averaging 20.7 points and 3.2 assists with scoring outbursts of 31 points versus Estancia (Costa Mesa CA) and 30 points against Northwood (Irvine CA).......
6'3" soph Xavier Thames (Pleasant Grove/Sacramento CA) is having an excellent season - averaging 24 points per game. This athletic wing is attracting interest from the likes of Arizona (visited unofficially), Illinois, Washington, UCLA, USC, Kansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Arizona State and Gonzaga.......
6'2" soph Justin Hawkins scored 22 points and 6'1" junior Bryce Smith added 20 points to lead Taft (Woodland Hills CA) to an 85-52 win over Granada Hills last week. Hawkins is one of the West Coast's top soph combo-guards while Taylor has proven that he can shoot the rock with most junior wings in the West.......
Once thought to be committed to UC-Irvine last month, 6'1" senior point guard DJ Gay (Poly/Sun Valley CA) has changed his mind and now has declared his intent to sign a letter-of-intent with San Diego State in April. This high scoring guard is averaging around 30 points per game and maybe the best player that LA Poly has suited up since Gail Goodrich (former UCLA and Los Angeles Lakers guard)
6'7" senior Pierce Brooks (Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks CA) is having a fine senior year. Brooks scored 21 points (including 3 "threes") and had 9 boards against Crespi (Encino CA) on Monday and has really improved his perimeter shot.......
5'10" point guard Lucas Weavil (Villanova Prep/Ojai CA) is having an impressive freshman season averaging 11 points per game (including a 21 point effort against Channel Islands (Oxnard CA) and is leading the team in "three point" field goals made as well as sparking the Wildcats to a 13-7 mark. Besides having a terrific outside shot, Weavil is an excellent "on-ball" defender.