The NCAA Summer recruiting period is officially over, and this past weekend, Open Gym Premier hosted The Stage: Encore, one of the last NCAA Live Viewing events of 2024. Encore brought teams from California, Utah, and Arizona, electrifying the Southern California youth basketball scene with the energy and excitement of high level youth and high school basketball. From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, the courts were alive and filled with college coaches, especially once Compton Magic’s 3SSB squads arrived Saturday afternoon.
Along with the constant coverage provided by The Stage media team, Scope Scouting was also in attendance, delivering comprehensive evaluations on top individual players and teams throughout the event. Scope Scouting provided in-depth assessments of players’ performances on the court, offering specific and detailed praise for their work ethic and providing constructive feedback on areas for improvement. These evaluations are invaluable for players aiming to make an impact not only in high school but also at the next level.
Additionally, The Passport did an exceptional job of collecting rosters, which enabled them to target and spotlight daily top stat performers. Stats were meticulously tracked during each contest, ensuring that standout performances did not go unnoticed.
8U/9U
JSK Blue
JSK Blue showed why they were the team to beat this past weekend. Winning by an average margin of 23.5 points with their biggest coming by 31. This squad was led in scoring by Aaron Lavi with a game high of 28 points against AVAC Hawk Hoops 8u Orange. JSK Blue also finished with the top two scorers in the division, Aaron Lavi and Mason Zhe.
10U
AVAC/Hawk Hoops Black
AVAC/Hawk Hoops Black stumbled out of the gates losing to a very talented OC Heat team 53-41. They immediately bounced back with a big time win over OGP Yorba Linda 10u, and truly did it on the defensive end, only giving up 10 points. AVAC/Hawk Hoops Black never looked back, winning their final two games, including a championship game by an average margin of 30.5 points! 10u Tournament MVP Nathan Graham led the way for AVAC/Hawk Hoops Black, pacing his squad with 16.5 ppg along with adding 4.7 rpg.
11U
DNC Basketball Academy
DNC Basketball Academy, had to beat a familiar foe in AVAC/Hawk Hoops Select. The first battle between these two heavyweights in the 11u division came down to the wire, with DNC Basketball Academy coming out with a one point win 47-46. The second game however did not have the same back and forth, DNC Basketball Academy proved the better team this weekend and pulled out a 64-48 win. DNC was led by Graham Woidneck who poured in 16.5 ppg over the weekend, along with 4.3 rpg. Graham rightfully walked away with the honor of being named Tournament MVP.
12U
Creators Elect
Creators Elect, from the jump, showed every team in the 12u division what they were trying to accomplish this weekend at The Stage: Encore event. This powerhouse 12u team came out of the gates winning their first two games by nearly 50 points a piece. They kept up their standard of excellence by winning their next 2 games with a combined point differential of 71 points. Mason Lao was absolutely cooking EVERYONE this weekend, walking away from the weekend averaging 25 ppg and earning Tournament MVP to cap off an incredible weekend for him and his team.
14U
Alley-Oop
The name Encore perfectly described what we needed to see from this 14u division this weekend. It gave viewers two powerhouses going against each other, not once, but twice! Cali Rebels Black 13u took the challenge head on and wanted to be in the 14u division. A very well coached team, who executed their full court trap it seems like at varsity level, got the win over their weekend foe, Alley-Oop 56-44. That led to a heated championship game between the two which provided us with all the makings of a game of the weekend. Alley-Oop executed to perfection and were ready for that Cali Rebel trap, and even put a half-court trap of their own out there. It was a battle of juggernauts, but Alley-Oop showed that they wanted their time in the spotlight and came away with the 10 point win, 52-42.
15U
Sacramento Renegades
Sacramento Renegades were ready to play this weekend from the tip, and just continued to improve throughout the tournament. Lead guard for the Renegades, Marcus Cephus poured in 19 ppg and led this 15u squad to numerous 25+ point wins. Dupri Stevenson for IE Rain was the points per game leader, the class of 2027 guard out of Glendora, CA led the 15u division with 20.3 ppg. JSERRA’s incoming Freshman Andres Montoya put himself on the map this weekend while playing with a very talented DNC Basketball Academy Squad. Montoya put together a solid performance averaging 17.5 ppg.
16U
Compton Magic Elite & All Storm Elite 16U
The mood in the gym shifted once Compton Magic Elite walked in. College coaches packed court C1 at Open Gym Premier to watch this Compton Magic Elite team, loaded with players who hold multiple mid to high major offers, led by Bruce Branch who holds offers from LSU, Texas, and Nevada. Lead guard Justice Griffith, who recently transferred from Corona Centennial to Saint Monica Prep continued his stellar summer by showing off his shot making abilities from that position. All Storm Elite 16u put up a fight and had Compton Magic on the ropes for a majority of their game Sunday morning. Point/Forward Luke Lowell showed out in front of the 20+ college coaches that were in attendance, leading All Storm Elite with 14 points and 4 rebounds. Lowell was a consistent presence all weekend averaging 10.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 3.3 apg.
17U
Compton Magic Elite & DNC Basketball Academy 17u
The 17u Division this weekend was LOADED with college prospects, and you knew that with the heavy college coach presence that was circulating around the gym. Compton Magic Elite, loaded with high major prospects had two of them show why they belong on every recruiting list in the country. 4 star Dillan Shaw who currently holds offers from Cal, Fresno St., Utah St., Nevada, and San Diego, showed all of his tools going for 19 and 6 against DNC, and then following it up with 15 and 5 in a blow out win against Studio City. Lead guard Issac Williamson, a 3 star out of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, who currently holds offers from UCSD, Nevada, and Pepperdine, put the tournament on notice, scoring double figures in 3 of his 4 games over the weekend. DNC Basketball Academy had their own dynamic duo, with JSERRA incoming Freshman Ryan Doane and JSERRA sophomore Godschoice Eboigbodin. Although their time on the court was cut this weekend due to Godschoice turning an ankle on a LeBron type of chase down block, you saw what JSERRA Head Coach Kieth Wilkinson has cooking down in South Orange County.