I was on-hand for the start of the 2nd day of the 2019 Take Flight Challenge at Redondo Union HS (Redondo Beach CA) and transitioned to the night session (final 3 games) of the Real Run Winter Classic being held conveniently 2 miles away at Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA).
In my last article, I highlighted excellent Friday night Take Flight Challenge performances from the likes of Josh Christopher, Isaiah Johnson, Dior Johnson, Peyton Watson and Reece Dixon-Waters: https://nbnmagazine.com/take-flight-challenge-christophers-hot-hand-leads-mayfair/
All those guys minus RD-W were on display Saturday night at the Real Run and again performed with distinction.
Arguably the most exciting game of the evening on Saturday was a Real Run OT thriller between Mayfair/Lakewood CA and Poly (Long Beach CA). 6-2 2022 Dior Johnson (32) and 6-5 2020 Josh Christopher (29) combined for 61 points in the Monsoons’ 78-73 win with Kevin Durant looking on. 6-7 2021 Peyton Watson led Poly with 30 points.
Here are several other players that I saw at both events on Saturday that also impressed me.
Evan Mobley 7’0” 2020 Rancho Christian (Temecula CA)
We’re running out of superlatives for the nation’s #1 high school player in 2020. Mobley reminded us how special he is in Rancho Christian’s 82-69 victory over Santa Clarita Christian at the Real Run Winter Classic, scoring 22 points (10/13 FG) to go along with 9 boards, 8 assists, 5 blocks and 4 steals. Well known as a quick jumper, formidable rim-protector and efficient scorer in the paint, Evan does not get enough credit for his exceptional ball-handling skills in the open floor, perimeter range on his jump shot and unselfish play. Will team-up again with older brother Isaiah Mobley next season at USC which should make the Trojans serious national contenders in 2020-21.
Jaylen Clark 6’5” 2020 Etiwanda (CA)
Active and confident wing scorer had 17 of his game-high 23 points in the second half in a big 75-43 win over Birmingham (Lake Balboa CA) at the Take Flight Challenge despite coming off the bench for Etiwanda coach Dave Kleckner. Clark just became eligible on December 30th and has wasted no time reminding us that he is, along with Jalen Green, Josh Christopher and Ziaire Williams, among the top 4 unsigned seniors out West.
Skyy Clark 6’3” 2022 Heritage Christian (Northridge CA)
One of America’s top soph lead guards is a deluxe scorer with more than ample athleticism to finish at the rim. 2019 Pangos All-American Camp invitee had 25 points and 3 assists in Heritage’s Real Run win over Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA). Clark has early offers from Arizona, UCLA and Auburn.
Josh O’Garro 6’5” 2021 Santa Clarita Christian (Santa Clarita CA)
One of America’s most underrated juniors, this lefty swingman is athletic in transition, competes on every play and defends with the intensity coaches love. Josh had a game-high 19 points versus Rancho Christian. USC, Michigan, Stanford and San Diego State are among the growing number of schools becoming aware of his talents.
Ty Harper 6’3” 2020 Santa Clarita Christian (Santa Clarita CA)
Bouncy WG plays with energy on both ends. Athletic enough to finish with authority at the rim, Ty has also improved 3-point range. Harper scored 17 points in a hard-fought loss to Rancho Christian. Georgia native received a recent offer from Virginia Tech to go with a previous one from Detroit.
Amound Anderson 6’3” 2020 Leuzinger (Lawndale CA)
Unsigned senior sleeper keeps getting better and better. Lead guard with excellent ball skills, passing ability and downtown perimeter stroke, Anderson had 33 of Leuzinger’s 55 points in a 6 point loss to Loyola (Los Angeles CA) at Take Flight. Emerging as one of SoCal’s top 2020 prospects still on the board.
Ramel Lloyd Jr. 6’5” 2022 Taft (Woodland Hills CA)
Ramel’s sophomore HS season has been a break-out year as he is rapidly developing into the high-major prospect I thought he would be coming out of middle school. Lloyd was cooking against Colony/Ontario CA at the Take Flight Challenge, pouring in a game-high 31 points. Strong and physical wing can finish on drives to the hoop as well as stroke the perimeter jump shot. Son of Rock Lloyd (NY native that played at Syracuse and Long Beach State) has been offered by Arizona State, Dayton, DePaul and Fresno State.
Max Allen 6’8” 2022 Heritage Christian (Northridge CA)
Although Max still needs to get in better physical condition, the Bishop Gorman/Las Vegas NV transfer is a skilled PF that takes up massive space in the paint and has a soft scoring touch that extends to the 3-point arc. Excellent rebounder too. Max had 12 boards in HC’s win over Bishop Montgomery.
Brase Dottin 6’5” 2020 Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
One of the emerging unsigned seniors of the 2019-20 season is Dottin, a strong and athletic WF with shot-making ability and very good academic marks (3.4 GPA) at an extremely rigorous academic high school.
Lorenzo Marsh 6’4” 2021 St. Anthony (Long Beach CA)
Junior sharp-shooter led a 2nd half Saints comeback with a game-high 21 points to nip Harvard-Westlake 58-57 in OT at Take Flight. Marsh’s 3-pointer forced the game into the overtime period and his 3 in OT gave St. Anthony the winning margin.
Kylan Boswell 6’0” 2023 Colony (Ontario CA)
Skilled and savvy young point guard with a smooth as silk jump shot is arguably SoCal’s top freshman lead guard. Boswell (who moved to Southern California this past summer from Illinois) had 20 points in Colony’s 58-48 win over Taft (Woodland Hills CA) at the Take Flight Challenge.
Christian Watson 6’2” 2022 Poly (Long Beach CA)
Only a growth spurt away from being a sought-after D1 recruit, Christian is starting to emerge from his older brother’s shadow (highly regarded 6-7 2021 Peyton Watson) and primed to make a name of his own. Christian was a key factor in keeping Poly in contention versus Mayfair as he produced 18 points on 7/12 FG, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Xavier Edmonds 6’7” 2023 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Rugged young PF can finish on the block as well as board despite plenty of contact.
Denim Dawson 6’4” 2021 Colony (Ontario CA)
Swift wing with athleticism had 20 points in Colony’s Take Flight Challenge win over Taft.
Kaleb Lowery 6’7” 2020 Santa Clarita Christian (Santa Clarita CA)
Versatile forward made several tough shots against and over Rancho Christian and star center Evan Mobley. Kaleb signed with NAIA power Masters College (CA) in December.
