Hoop Talk: More Size for Hillcrest, Shavers Travels

Seen and Heard…

Loud rumblings over the last 24 hours that Hillcrest Academy is close to adding DeAndre Ayton(2017) from Balboa Prep in San Diego. The 6″10 sophomore
would join former Corona Del Sol center Marvin Bagley on the Hillcrest front line. Ayton is looking closely at Findley Prep as well.

December will be a “hoop-a-holics” dream in our state. Four high school basketball tournemants will roll through the Valley and the list of national powers and story lines is more than impressive. Mater Dei Catholic(CA.), Regis Jesuit(WA.), Garfield(WA.), Rainier Beach(WA.), St. Anthonys(NJ.) (coached by Bobby Hurleys dad) Simeon(IL.) are all coming to Arizona to play. Sean Miller and Bobby Hurley will only have to use gas money out of their travel budgets. What’s even better for local basketball fans is the best of the best teams from Arizona high schools will be competing in the same events. Corona Del Sol, Gilbert Christian, Chaparral, Basha, Shadow Mountain, Mountain View, Pinnacle and Higley will all take the court against national powers. I voiced my displeasure back in the Spring about some of our best high school players leaving for Arizona for prep schools and “greener pastures”. It doesn’t always work out the way you might think. Take guard Marcus Shaver as example A1.  From my view Shaver had a good thing going at St. Marys. He was playing against good competition, on college radars, and at a school that is respected. Shaver left the Knights last March and is now on his 4th high school in 6 months. The road started at St. Marys, with a stop at Prime Prep in Texas(closed) Prestonwood Christian TX. and now Shaver is at Trinity International in Las Vegas. That’s alot of luggage tags for a high school kid.