Loyola experience wins out against Sierra Canyon
A semifinal battle between Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola and Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon offered a look at two very talented, but different teams. Led by UCLA bound seven-footer Thomas Welsh and Arizona bound point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, the Loyola team is experienced and savvy, while the Sierra Canyon team, led by sophomore guard Devearl Ramsey and freshman forward Cody Riley, is young and inexperienced.
Not surprisingly, the experience of Loyola won out. But, the two teams combined to play a very entertaining game where the stars stood out.
For Loyola, we will start with Welsh. Currently ranked No. 52 in the class of
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Thomas Welsh continued to impress this week. |
Running the show was Jackson-Cartwright. The 5-foot-9 point guard seems to be practically all arms and legs, and on Saturday night he was all control. When Sierra Canyon went to a zone he carved it up with dribble penetration and skip passing. In man, he got into the lane and used his length to finish from awkward angles. Most of all he played in attack mode and never allowed Sierra Canyon to rest as he put up a sparkling line of 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Watching Loyola again, our thought that they are a top-25, if not a top-15 type team, nationally was confirmed. Junior guard Max Hazzard again made plays and senior guard Khalil Bedart-Ghani is a freakishly athletic finisher at the rim. Currently committed to Yale, Bedart-Ghani is likely going to be opening things back up and he can help a team with his slashing and active play. Finally, keep an eye out for Welsh's younger brother. Henry Welsh is a sophomore center who probably isn't quite as tall as his listed 6-foot-10, but he's an awful lot like his big brother at the same age and has some skill and edge to his game.
As for Sierra Canyon's Ramsey and Riley, they were both outstanding again. Ramsey is as physically tough and is as fast a point guard as there is in the class of 2016. Riley is a potential stud in 2017. Neither gave an inch to the older Loyola players and both look like natural leaders and outstanding teammates.
Simon shows why his stock is soaring
Probably the single hottest class of 2015 name on the West Coast over the last few months has been Justin Simon. A 6-foot-4 combo guard from Temecula (Calif.) Valley who already ranks No. 80
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Justin Simon continues to show why he is a fast-riser in 2015. |
In transition, Simon can handle without losing speed and he makes great decisions about when to pass or force his way to the rim. In the half court, he is outstanding along either baseline and his size makes him a factor as an offensive rebounder. His jump shot does need work, though, and when he's at the top of a zone defenders sag off of him and dare him to shoot over them.
During a win, Simon was good for 21 points (8-12 FG, 5-9 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and three steals to just two turnovers. It was a performance that suggests he could push for the national top 50 and one worthy of the kind of attention he has been getting.
After his game, Simon said that Oregon is his latest offer. The Ducks offer comes on the heels of a recent Arizona offer (Sean Miller watched him in San Diego on Friday) and San Diego State had their entire staff there to watch him, while USC dispatched two assistants after Andy Enfield watched Friday. Other offers for Simon include Colorado, New Mexico (head coach Noodles Neal watched on Saturday), Washington, Penn State, Boston College and Arizona State. UCLA hasn't yet offered but is turning up the heat and was watching as well.
More Saturday notes


Another intriguing player for Fairfax was senior wing Sage Woodruff. At 6-foot-5, he can handle the ball a bit and looks comfortable with his jumper. He wasn't exactly hot, but he made things look pretty easy on the perimeter and he could be an intriguing spring option for low to mid majors on the West Coast.

Eric Bossi is the national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.