Long Beach, CA – This past weekend, Dinos Trigonis hosted the Nothing But Net/Pangos Memorial Day Showdown, which was held at McBride High School and surrounding gyms. The showcase featured 3 divisions (17u, 16u, and 15u) of which I was in person for the 17u division games. The games from the event can be replayed on BallerTV using the link below:
https://www.ballertv.com/events/memorial-day-showdown
Sunday featured some quality games and some talented up-and-coming prospects, as well as some rising upperclassmen. The game between Players Play 17s and Paul George Elite EYBL 16s was a nail-bighter. Players Play got out to a double-digit lead behind the stellar play of rising junior Drew Hall, as he would score 17 points and hit big shots in the first half. PGE got it going in the 2nd half behind the play of Owen Verna, Anto Balian, and Preston Ezewiro to tie the game up. Despite the valiant effort, Slim Rogers of Players Play heated up in the 2nd half as well, scoring 18 of his game high 26 points after the break, and was as good as advertised.
A few hours later Belmont Shore and Team Build Up would square off in a game that went down to the wire. Build Up had a double-digit lead in the 1st half behind the stellar play of Dominik Contreras, but the talent and skill of Kaiden Bailey, Jacob Bayla, Kenyon DeMuynck, and Kendyl Sanders proved to be a bit to much, as Belmont pulled out the 78-76 win.
The remainder of this article provides a look at some of the top performers from the event. The list of players below is not organized in any particular ranked order or alphabetical order, but instead is the overall group of players that performed well at the showcase. The following information is provided for the players below: a brief evaluation of each player’s skill set and strengths of their games, how they performed in the event, as well as all relevant player information. We begin this article with Isaiah Rogers, a player that is making noise on the national stage.
2026 6’3 Isaiah “Slim” Rogers (Centennial/Corona CA)
Rogers is an electric combo guard that impacts the game playing on and off the ball with next-level range from beyond the arc. Rogers had a solid outing against Team Build Up, but would have a huge showing in Players Play’s 2nd game in a win over Paul George Elite’s 16u squad, as he would score a game-high 26 points connecting on 4 threes. Rogers has elite and fluid handles to keep the ball on a string, dynamic moves with change of pace to keep his defender off balance, is capable of scoring the ball at 3-levels, and his off the dribble 3-ball is hard to defend. Rogers has good court vision, makes quality passes in tight windows when on the attack, gets downhill with a nice burst of speed with creativity on finishes around the cup. Rogers ability to knockdown tough perimeter shots off the dribble is impressive, but his off-ball movement and understanding of getting to the open spot for catch-and-shoot opportunities is just as lethal. His offensive versatility makes him a special talent and player to keep an eye on moving forward.
2026 6’3 Kaiden Bailey (Crean Lutheran/Irvine CA)
Bailey is a combo guard that can score in a plethora of ways with the court vision to be a high-level playmaker when attacking off the perimeter. Bailey dropped 27 points with 4 threes in his first game, and followed that up with 16 points for Belmont Shore in a comeback win over Team Build Up. Bailey has a strong handle on the ball, the shifty moves, and use of the hesitation to keep his opponent guessing, and has quick lift and release on his perimeter shot, where he is accurate from the mid-range to the 3-point line. Bailey moves well off the ball, gets to his shot spots, has nice touch on the floater in the paint, and the strength to finish through contact at the basket. Bailey displayed solid court vision, whips the ball to the open man, and makes quality reads when getting into the teeth of the defense. Bailey is a volume scorer that puts up big numbers regardless of the stage.
2024 6’8 Josh Goodall (Canyon/Anaheim CA)
Goodall is a point-forward that has the court vision and size to make plays and the skill set to create his own offense with range from deep. Goodall had a game-high 21 points in OC Pride’s 2nd game of the day and showcased his diverse offensive skill set. Goodall has good handles, the moves to create off the perimeter, the physical build to finish through contact around the basket, and controls the boards, which allows him to push the pace in the open court. Goodall is a 3-level scorer that is accurate from the perimeter with range on the 3-ball off the dribble, and good touch in the paint. Goodall has the court vision of a lead guard, makes great reads from the high post, as well as facilitating when on the attack. His ability to see the court, make plays, and create his own shots make Goodall a tough assignment and allows him to play various positions on the court.
2024 6’7 Jaden Goodall (Canyon/Anaheim CA)
Goodall is a rangy and lengthy guard/wing that can light it up from beyond the arc, as well as facilitate with accuracy when on the attack. Goodall chipped in 17 points for OC Pride, as he would connect on 3 threes and display his pure stroke from the perimeter. Goodall makes good use of his length with the long crossover to create separation from his defender, gets good lift on his off the dribble pull-up jumper with the height to shoot over most defenders, the moves to blow by bigger opponents and nice touch on the floater in the paint. Goodall has good court vision, finds the open man when attacking off the wing, and uses the hesitation to keep his defender back peddling, which creates open looks. Goodall uses his long wingspan and active hands to create turnovers, alter shots, and is assertive on the boards.
2024 6’5 Jacob Bayla (Valley Christian/Cerritos CA)
Bayla is a wing/guard that controls the pace of play at the point, moves well off the ball for spot-up looks, and can score with his back to the basket on smaller defenders. Bayla had two impressive showings for Belmont Shore, as he would finish with 15 points and 16 points respectively and showed he can score in a variety of ways or make plays as a facilitator. Bayla has nice handles, the moves to shake his defender, the strength to finish through contact at the basket, and can space the floor efficiently from the perimeter. Bayla has the post moves and touch around the basket to back down smaller players, the court vision to make plays from the low post or at the top of the key, and does a solid job on the glass to push the ball up the court. Defensively, Bayla has the length and height to defend bigger players, as well as the wingspan and lateral quickness to stay in front of perimeter players. Nice skill set and high IQ plays with the ball in hand.
2024 6’6 Kendyl Sanders (St. Bernard/Playa del Rey CA)
Sanders is a wing/forward that can create his own offense, does a solid job on the glass, and is improving as a ball handler in the open court. Sanders had games of 15 points and 16 points respectively, and was a key contributor in Belmont Shore’s two wins on Sunday. Sanders controls the glass, has the handle to push the ball up the court, and can take it coast to coast. Sanders has enough handle, the moves to create off the perimeter, and is accurate with the 3-ball to space the floor. Sanders has a solid build, good footwork, and a soft touch on his shot to score the ball in the post. Sanders is able to defend the 2 through 4 positions effectively, and has been allowed to play on the ball more throughout the Spring, which will open up his game.
2024 6’8 Kenyon DeMuynck (San Leandro/CA)
DeMuynck is a rangy and lengthy forward that can space the floor with the 3-ball and is an elite shot blocker with a massive wingspan. DeMuynck had games of 14 points and a team-high 18 points in his Belmont Shore debut, and had some dazzling blocks in the process. DeMuynck has a massive 7’2” wingspan that he uses to batter and block shots around the basket, dominates the boards, and showed he has enough handle to push the ball off the glass. DeMuynck has moves to create off the wing, connected on multiple threes off the dribble, has great touch around the basket, and anything close is a potential dunk. DeMuynck is an intriguing prospect that has tremendous upside with an already solid skill set on both ends.
2025 6’3 Owen Verna (Mater Dei/Santa Ana CA)
Verna is a physical lead guard that impacts the game in a variety of ways and creates his own offense. Verna had an impressive showing in one of the best games of Day 2, as he would score 18 points, to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a tough loss to Players Play 17s. Verna has a strong handle on the ball, the moves to create off the bounce, gets into the teeth of the defense where he has the vision to find open teammates, and has the physical build to bully through contact at the basket. Verna moves well off the ball, gets open for catch-and-shoot opportunities, and has a smooth stroke from the perimeter. Verna attacks downhill draws fouls with accuracy from the line, and is efficient from the 3-point line. Defensively, he has good lateral footspeed, strong hands to rip the ball from opposing ball handlers, and had some impressive transition dimes. Tough, skilled, and makes good decisions with the ball.
2025 6’3 Anto Balian (Pilibos/Los Angeles CA)
Balian is an athletic and strong combo guard that impacts both ends of the court and has a knack for scoring the ball from various spots. Balian had 18 points and a huge 2nd half for PGE 16s, despite falling short to Players Play 17s. Balian has a solid handle, good moves to create space from his defender, is accurate with the 3-ball off the dribble or the catch and shoot, rebounds well for his size, and attacks downhill and gets to the foul line. Balian has good court vision, looks to push the pace of play, and finds open teammates in tight windows when on the attack. Great feel for the game and the physical build to finish through contact around the basket.
2023 6’7 Bobacar Pouye (Cate/Carpinteria CA)
Pouye is a forward/center that dominates the post with the ability to stretch the defense with the 3-ball. Pouye had games of 23 points and 14 points in Team Build Up’s two games on Sunday and added at least 10 rebounds in each game. Pouye controls the boards, has solid footwork and post moves with nice touch to score in the paint. Pouye has enough of a handle to push the ball off the glass, able to pull his defender away from the basket, and is effective with the 3-ball off the dribble. Pouye makes good passes from the high post, finds openings in the short porch for shots or lay-ups and dunks off the slip pass from driving guards, and could be a solid stretch-four with continued work on his perimeter game.
2025 6’5 Tariq Bridges (St. Pius-St. Matthias/Downey CA)
Bridges is a combo guard that makes quality decisions with the ball in hand and can create his own offense. Bridges had 11 points connecting on 3 threes to go along with 5 assists in PGE 16’s tough loss to Players Play 17s. Bridges has quality handles, shifty moves to create space off the dribble, is a sniper from beyond the arc, has nice touch on the floater in the paint, and looks to attack the defense, where he made some great reads to open teammates. Bridges moves well off the ball, gets to his shot spots, and has a quick release on his perimeter shot.
2025 6’5 Louis Bond (Windward/Los Angeles CA)
Bond is a lengthy and athletic wing/forward that has a knack for scoring around the basket and does a solid job on the glass. Bond had 11 points for PGE 16s on Sunday and showed he can be a player that impacts the game in a variety of ways on both ends. Bond has good footwork and moves well laterally to defend the 1 through 3 positions effectively, as well as the length to defend bigger players on switch-offs. Bond cleans up the boards, has enough of a handle to push the tempo, and has nice touch on finish around the cup. Interesting prospect that could jump up the list of 2025s in California if he develops a stronger perimeter game.
2024 6’2 Max Zylicz (Torrey Pines/San Diego CA)
Zylicz is a shooting guard that is knockdown from the perimeter on and off the ball. Zylicz scored 20 points connecting on 4 threes to lead Players Play in a tough loss to Team Build Up. Zylicz has good handles, shifty moves to create space from his defender, accurate stop-and-pop mid-range shot off the dribble, fluid movement off the ball to get open for catch-and-shoot opportunities, and has a great shooting form.
2025 6’3 Jenovie Kabeya (San Gabriel Academy/CA)
Kabeya is a physical and athletic combo guard that gets downhill with authority and can space the floor with the 3-ball. Kabeya had 17 points for Train To Go 17s in their win over OC Pride. Kabeya has tight handles, the moves to create off the dribble, gets into the teeth of the defense, and is a creative finisher around the basket. Kabeya is efficient with the 3-ball off the catch and shoot, does a solid job on the boards, and looks to get out and run, as he has a great burst of speed off the dribble.
2025 6’2 Andrew Hall (Cascade Christian/Medford OR)
Hall is a physical and skilled shooting guard that can create his own buckets or make plays for others when on the attack. Hall had a huge 1st half for Players Play in their win over PGE 16s, as he would score 12 of his 17 before intermission. Hall has a solid handle on the ball, the moves to create off the dribble, scores it at 3 levels with accuracy, has the strength to finish through contact when attacking the basket, and can stop on a dime for the mid-range jumper. Hall has good court vision to find open teammates when attacking the defense, rebounds well for his size, which allows him to get out in the open court and make plays. He is capable of making tough shots off the dribble, but is just as effective on catch-and-shoot opportunities moving off the ball.
2025 6’4 Gerald Perry Jr. (San Joaquin Memorial/Fresno CA)
Perry is a long and athletic lead guard that is a lock-up perimeter defender, has the court vision to make reads in tight windows, and can space the floor with the 3-ball. Perry controls the boards, pushes the tempo in the open court, has good touch on finishes around the basket, and can switch off on screens to temporarily defend bigger players. Perry is coming off a big high school season, as one of the top defenders for the D2 State Champs!
2023 6’5 Dominik Contreras (Oxnard/CA)
Contreras is a wing/guard that can score the ball in various ways and has improved as a playmaker and facilitator. Contreras had a big game against Belmont Shore, as he would lead all scorers with 22 points in a tough loss. Contreras showed he can knock down the 3-ball with frequency, connecting on 4 threes, has the handles and moves to create off the bounce, can score it at 3-levels, and rebounds well to push the ball up the court. Conteras has solid court vision, can operate and make plays from the top of the key, and has the post moves and size to back down smaller defenders. Poised and controlled player that will be interesting to track over the next few years.
2025 6’7 Preston Ezewiro (Mira Costa/Manhattan Beach CA)
Ezewiro is a physical and athletic forward that can score in the post and space the floor with the 3-ball. Ezewiro had 11 points and 5 rebounds in PGE 16s first game on Sunday, all coming in the 2nd half. Ezewiro has nice touch around the basket, controls the glass, alters shots, and hits the mid-range shot routinely. Ezewrio has enough handle to put the ball on the deck, is capable of hitting from beyond the arc, and is a versatile defender.
