What: 1^st Annual adidas Double Pump Hoop Challenge
Nine games: First game 9:00 a.m.; last game starts 9:00 p.m.
When: Saturday January 16, 1998, MLK, Jr. Holiday Weekend
Where: Cal State Dominguez Hills, Carson California
Who:

The adidas Double Pump event will showcase nine separate games, featuring the top teams and best players from virtually every Division of CIF. There will be more than 100 of the region’s top college prospects in attendance, one defending State Champion, six CIF division finalists, four Southern Section defending champions, one LA City Section Champion, and more than a few of this year’s State Championship contenders in Divisions I, II, III and IV. In short, this is a "must-see" event if you’re a fan, player, college scout or coach.

The adidas Double Pump Hoop Challenge will feature one of the best teams in Southern California this year, the Artesia Pioneers, ranked as high as No. 3 by USA Today in the "Super 25." The 1997-98 CIF Southern Section Division I-AA and State Semifinalists are this year’s favorite to represent SoCal in the State Tournament, and they are led by perhaps the best unsigned college prospect on the West Coast, Jason Kapono (6'-8" Sr. PG/SG/SF/PF), who could just be the best "pure" basketball player in any class this season. He can score from inside or outside all the way to three-point range, bring the ball up like a point, slash to the hole like a wing player, rebound like a power forward, or post up like a center. Jason will sign this spring with one of several top college programs, and the finalists include Utah, UNLV, Missouri, Syracuse, Rhode Island and possibly Cal. Artesia also features two of the best sophomores in California, Apolinar Fernandez (6'-9" So. PF) and Jack Martinez (6'-8" So. PF/SF), and Aaron Hamilton (6'-5" Sr. SG/SF) is probably one of the best defensive players anywhere. Point guard Andre Hazel (5'-11" Jr. PG) is a great play maker and defender. Artesia will match up in a Suburban League contest against their always-strong rival Mayfair, which features one of the top sophomore duos in SoCal, Edwin Draughan (6'-5" So. PG) and Josh Childress (6'-6" So. SG/SF), along with Jesus Miranda (6'-2" Sr. SG) a prolific scorer and good defender, Jeff Bonds (6'-5" Jr. SF/PF) a strong wing player, and Matt McCraw (5'-10" Fr. PG/SG), one of the better freshman prospects this season. Mayfair will also try to counterbalance the great height advantage of Artesia with Brandon Morgan (6'-7" Sr. C) and with speed and shooting from players like Lee Emanual (5'-9" Sr. PG), Chris Pittman (6'-3" Jr. SG/SF), Ty Bapp (6'-1" Sr. SG) and DeAndre Williams (6'-3" So. SG/SF).

The Artesia-Mayfair game will be at 6:00 p.m.

The first game of the day, a 9:00 a.m. contest, will feature Ocean View, the defending D-IIIAA Southern Section Champions, taking on D-IIAA quarter finalist Canyon of Anaheim. Ocean View features top senior Division-I college prospect Tony Dow (6'-1" Sr. PG), a great shooter who will sign in the spring, while Canyon features powerful inside postman Ryan Romberg (6'-8" Sr. C). Other top players for Canyon include the prolific Neil Hammad (6'-3" Sr. SG), and the always-tough junior Roger Hogan (6'-0" Jr. PG/SG). Ocean View features Rashaw McAfee (6'-3" Sr. SF/PF) an excellent defender, Jason Silletto (6'-4" Sr. C) a tough inside player, Ryan Westbrook (6'-2" Jr. PG.SG) a solid scoring threat, and one of the top sophomore players on the West Coast, Torin Beeler (6'-5" So. SG/SF). Ocean View also features the fine shooting of Casey Lawson (6'-3" Sr. SG), Mike Antonon (6'-1" Sr. SG), Wes Bacchus (5'-11" Sr. SG/PG). Jorge Guerrero (5'-10" Sr. SG/SF) and Dean Parra (5'-6" Sr. G) will also add depth off the bench, while Jeremiah Bell (6'-3" Jr. C), Neal Smith (6'-6" So. C), Joe Balice (5'-9" Sr. SF), Matt Carpenter (6'-0" Sr. F), and Michael Cavinder (6'-6" Sr. C) all provide backup for the starters in the frontcourt. They will match up against Canyon’s other top shooters like Donn Yu (5'-8" Sr. PG) a truly talented point, Brian Solomon (6'-2" Sr. G/F), Jamal Taylor (6'-0" Jr. G), Tom Burke (6'-3" Jr. SF/SG) and Travis Klein (6'-0" Jr. SG). Up front, Canyon has a wealth of talent to call upon from the bench, including players like Aaron Willis (6'-5" Sr. PF), Omid Eftekhari (6'-6" Sr. PF), Karl Sherman (6'-0" Sr. PF) and Jeff Minhas (6'-6" Sr. C)

At 10:30 a.m., D-IAA contender Los Alamitos will challenge D-III Southern Section Champions Chaminade. Los Alamitos features Swedish national and European National team player Andrew Pleick (6'-4" Sr. SG), who is averaging more than 20 ppg this season, who has signed to play at Bradley University next fall. Los Al also features the strong inside play of Jeff Grgas (6'-8" Sr. PF/C) and the fine shooting of Ron Prettyman (6'-2" Jr. SG/SF) and Keenen Howry (5'-10" Sr. SG). Bringing up the ball for Los Al will be Ryan Keller (5'-10" Jr. PG) and Jeff Smith (5'-11" Jr. G) while forwards Joel Jelinowicz (6'-3" Sr. F), Ken Carter (6'-7" Jr. F) and Brian Rakusin (6'-6" So. F) exhibit great inside-outside play. Off the bench, Eddie Courtemarche (6'-0" So. G), Mike Lindemann (6'-1" Sr. SG), Mike Sandi (6'-4" Sr. C) and Matthew Vernes (6'-2" Sr. F) provide depth. Chaminade will counter Grgas with the twin towers of UCSB signee J.J. Todd (6'-10" Sr. C) and sophomore post player Scott Borchardt (6'-9" So. PF). In the backcourt matching up against Pleick, Prettyman and Howry, Chaminade has the exciting point play of Cayce Cook (5'-10" Sr. PG), who helped lead the Eagles to a recent tournament win in the Chaminade Holiday Classic two weeks ago. Chaminade also features Robby Tanouye (5'-10" Sr. PG), one of the quickest point guards around, and fine shooting from Nick Lawson (5'-10" Sr. SG/PG), Chris Canoles (6'-2" Sr. SG) and Clarence Mitchell (6'-5" Jr. SG/SF). Varsity newcomers and top prospects include Darren Tarlow (6'-3" Sr. SF), a powerful inside banger and slasher who was a West Coast All-Star standout this past summer along with J.J. Todd, Ryan Arceo (6'-0" So. SG) an outside scoring threat, Erik Johnson (6'-0" So. SG). Jim Lefebvre (6'-4" Jr. SF/PF), Jeff Dye (6'-4" Jr. SF/PF), Art D'Egidio (6'-1" Jr. SG/SF) and Mike Santogrossi (6'-0" Sr. SG/SF)

At 12:00 noon, CIF Southern Section D-IAA contender Fontana will square off against LA City Section 4A power Fairfax. These two teams feature some of the finest college prospects in all of SoCal: The Steelers feature the senior trio of Gary Holmes (6'-7" Sr. F) (Eastern Washington), a great leaper and tremendous inside-outside player, the fine point play of Baron Baker (5'-10" Sr. PG) and the high scoring of top unsigned prospect Joseth Dawson (6'-2" Sr. SG). Fairfax features one of the best wing players in SoCal, super forward Joe Shipp (6'-6" Sr. SG/SF), who is currently looking at Villanova, Pepperdine and several other top programs. Fairfax also features top junior shooting guard prospect Jason Morrissette (6'-2" Jr. SG), an extremely gifted athlete and LMU-signee Stanley Thorne, Jr. (5'-10" Sr. PG), one of the quickest points in all of California. Fontana features fine forward prospects Scott Anderson (6'-5" Sr. F), Daniel Dukes (6'-2" Jr. SF), Jordan Walker (6'-6" Jr. PF/C), Ray Hopes (6'-3" Sr. F), Eli Machado (6'-1" Sr. SF) and Corey McJimson (6'-2" Fr. SG/SF) and Fairfax will match up with Ismael Torres (6'-2" Jr. SG/SF), Marqui Jones (6'-4" Jr. SG/SF), Evan Burns (6'-5" Fr. F) and Craig Smith (6'-6" So. C). At the wings look for Fairfax’s Fowzi Abdelsamad (6'-1" Jr. SG) and Lovester Adams (6'-1" Jr. SG) while Fontana will feature additional backcourt help from Michael Stephenson (5'-9" Jr. PG), Aaron Gipson (5'-8" Fr. PG) and Mark Mancha (6'-1" So. SG).

At 1:30 p.m. D-IAA’s Simi Valley Pioneers, semifinalists last year in Southern Section playoffs, will match up against the defending LA City Section 3A Champions, the Sylmar Spartans. These two neighboring Valley rivals, feature two of the most potent offensive arsenals anywhere. Simi made it to the finals of the prestigious Nike San Diego Holiday Prep Classic, where they defeated defending D-III State Champion USDHS, beat San Diego’s Rancho Buena Vista, and ultimately lost in the championship game to St. Anthony’s. Simi also made it to the title game of the Great Florida Shootout. Sylmar finished 12^th out of 54 teams at the prestigious national tournament, the Reebok Las Vegas Holiday Prep Classic, and also finished 3^rd in the Fresno Buchanan Tournament after defeating several top ranked teams. Simi is led by University of New Mexico signee Rafael Berumen (6'-8" Sr. PF), one of the best power forwards in the region and two of the regions top junior prospects Branduin Fullove (6'-5" Jr. SG), and Brett Michel (6'-6" Jr. SF/SG), and sophomore sensation Shaun Michel (6'-2" So. PG). Simi also features Ben Williams (6'-0" Sr. SG) always an outside threat off the bench, Calvin Bell (6'-1" Jr. SG), Anish Sharda (6'-1" Jr. SG), Tony Ward (6'-1" Sr. SG/SF) and newcomer and heir apparent to Berumen, Dustin Villepigue (6'-8" So. PF/C). Sylmar features adidas ABCD standout Jeremiah Turner (6'-7" Sr. SF/PF), the powerful inside play of Joey Youmans (6'-8" Sr. C/F) and top D-I football-basketball combo player George Wrighster (6'-4" Sr. SG/PF). Other top players for the Spartans to watch for are T.K. Reed (6'-0" Sr. PG), Jerry Calzada (6'-2" Sr. SG), Brandon Jacobs (5'-10" Sr. PG) and Dallas Townsend (6'-4" Sr. C/F), all prolific scorers.

In the 3:00 p.m. game, D-IV California State Champions Verbum Dei will take on CIF Central Section D-III defending Champions Fresno Washington Union. Verbum Dei is coached by UCLA-and-NBA-great David Greenwood, who was also a standout player at Verbum Dei himself. Washington Union is coached by Vonn Webb, and the Panthers arguably have the top junior prospect in the entire country in Deshawn Stevenson (6'-5" Jr. SG/SF) whose leaping and scoring ability this past summer at ABCD camp and at the Las Vegas Big Time Tournament became legendary. Deshawn is in good company with other top players like Shammell Stallworth (6'-5" Sr. F) who has signed with USF, Coupe Taylor (6'-0" Sr. G) and exciting scorer and good defender, Deshawn Anderson (6'-2" Jr. G) another top junior prospect, and Carvell Wafer (6'-6" Sr. F/C) a player who not only has a great name, he’s got a great game. Verbum Dei is led by UNLV-signee Dalron Johnson (6'-8" Sr. PF) and Marlon Parmer (6'-1" Sr. PG/SG), one of the best unsigned point guards on the west coast, a quick left-handed point with great one-one-one skills. Verb also features Ricardo Suazo (6'-4" Sr. SF) a slender wing man, Larry Davenport (6'-4" Sr. PF) Howard University-signee Nick Dodson, a slender post player, and Washum Dashiell (6'-2" Sr. SG/SF), a great inside scorer.

At 4:30 p.m. look for the exciting D-IIAA Inglewood Sentinels to take on D-IIA’s Redondo Union. Inglewood has had tremendous success already this year, finishing 9^th out of 54 teams in the Reebok Las Vegas Holiday Prep Classic by defeating Arizona State Champion Mesa Mountain View, and then winning the Championship of the American Division of the prestigious Torrey Pines Nike Holiday Prep Classic in San Diego two weeks ago, by defeating St. Augustine, Capistrano Valley, and D-IAA power Rialto Eisenhower. This year Inglewood features two of the top unsigned senior big-men, Osa Skip Esene (6'-7" Sr. SF/PF) and Noel Felix (6'-8" Sr. F/C), both great jumpers and shot blockers and they also feature fine guard play from a wealth of talent in Marvin Issac (6'-3" Sr. SG), Brian Taylor (6'-0" Jr. PG), Marcus Calko (6'-1" So. SG), Sandy Fletcher (6'-2" Sr. SG), Lenny Brown (6'-3" Sr. SG), Terry Davis (6'-2" Sr. SG/SF) and some great inside and wing play from Gerrod Jenkins (6'-6" Sr. F), Ricky Freeman (6'-0" Sr. SG/SF) and Edward McKinney (6'-3" Jr. SG). Inglewood also features Paul Steward (6'-10" Sr. C) who could be a top prospect before the season is over. Redondo Beach has one of the top junior prospect in the country in Andrew Zahn (6'-9' Jr. C/F). Walter White (6'-5" Jr. F) and Titus Hunt (6'-3" Sr. F) provide more power inside and on the wing, while Dijon Thompson (6'-5" So. PG) has been playing very well at point. Look for other Redondo players like Dylan Mathis (6'-5" Jr. SG), Keith Ellison (5'-9" Fr. PG), Joe Buck (6'-5" Sr. C), Randy Evans (6'-0" Sr. G), Sam Chance (5'-10" Jr. G), Andrew Morris (5'-10" Jr. G) and Andre Jones (6'-3" Jr. F) to all make a huge impact in this game of D-II powers.

In the 7:30 p.m. game, look for two D-I AA teams who will challenge Artesia, Fontana and Simi Valley this year for the Southern Section D-IAA title as Long Beach Poly and Long Beach Jordan match up in an exciting Moore League contest which will pit one of the best point guards on the West Coast, Poly’s Wesley Stokes (5'-10" Jr. PG), against the great guard duo of Jordan’s Craig Calloway (6'-0" Sr. PG/SG) (Cal State Northridge) and Darren Peterson (6'-4" Sr. PG/SG) who is averaging more than 18 ppg this season. Both teams feature big post players inside, so look for Jordan’s Travon Bryant (6'-8" Jr. PF/C) who will be one of the most sought after players next season by several top Pac-10 powers, matching up against Poly’s top junior post man, Joe Travis (6'-8" Jr. PF) as well as Poly’s top senior stars Shea Anderson (6'-7" Sr. SF), Keyon Cooley (6'-8" Sr. SF/C) and Jim Kresl (6'-8" Jr. C). In addition to Stokes, Poly also features some of the best guard play in the state, with players like Tim Thomas (5'-10" Jr. PG) a quick defender, Kenny Wright (6'-2" Sr. SG) a pure outside shooter, Marques Sargent (6'-3" Sr. SG) a great shooter and defender, Gahr-transfer Rahman Shotwell (5'-10" Sr. G) who has a great handle and quick first step, LB Jordan-transfer David Word (5'-10" Sr. G), Adrian Martin (5'-9" So. G) and Lonnel Penman (6'-3" Jr. G/F) a quick slasher. For Jordan out on the wings, look for a plethora of weapons with speed, good defense and great shooting from players like Deryon Dale (6'-4" Sr. SF-PF) who will provide depth along with Greg Grant (6'-4" Sr. F) and Wilfred Lucas (6'-5" Jr. PF) both quick and intensive defensive players who can also rebound and get inside. Jordan’s guard play is also complemented by guys like Nick Tamarao (5'-11" Jr. PG), Ronald Banks (6'-2" So. SG), Anthony Rucker (6'-0" Sr. SG), Eric Gathrite (5'-10" Sr. PG/SG) Shomari Glasco (5'-9" Sr. PG/SG) Terrance Floyd (6'-2" Sr. G) and James Lundon (5'-9" Sr. G) who all round out a wealth of talent for the Panthers.

Finally in the 9:00 p.m. game, look for D-IIIA finalist Bishop Montgomery squaring off against D-IVA Southern Section finalist Gardena Serra. Bishop Montgomery, a remarkably deep team, made it to the 5^th place semifinal of the 39^th Annual Best in the West tournament by beating Compton, and Bakersfield, but losing to USA Today’s No. 3 team, Artesia and Jason Kapono. Bishop Montgomery features the sophomore sensations, twins Errick Craven (6'-2" So. SG/PG) and Derrick Craven (6'-2" So. PG/SG), two great shooters with great handles who can drive and penetrate. They’ll match up against Serra’s Ryan Odums (6'-1" Sr. PG/SG), Sean Weston (6'-2" Sr. PG) and Doyle Cole (6'-6" Jr. PG/SG/SF/PF), one of the most versatile players in any division this year. Serra also has Palmer Brown (6'-4" Sr. SG/SF), a great frontcourt and wing player, great point play from D.J. Wyatt (5'-9" Jr. PG) and strong and athletic mid-range shooting power from Robert Lewis (6'-3" Sr. SG/SF/PF), a football player and Earl Lewis (6'-5" Sr. SF/PF) one of the best mid-range shooters in the senior class. Bishop Montgomery will attempt to counter with Marvin Perez (6'-4" Sr. SG/SF), Garrett Lee (6'-4" Sr. SG/SF)DeVaughn Peace (6'-1" So. PG/SG) and Leland Dodd (6'-2" So. SG/SF), all fine outside shooters. Inside it will be a battle of the slender-giants as Bishop Montgomery’s Gabriel Hughes (6'-10" Sr. C) matches up against Serra’s top junior center prospect Aerick Sanders (6'-8" Jr. C). Also inside for Bishop Montgomery will be Eric Torres (6'-7" Sr. PF) matching up with Serra’s Lee Davis (6'-7" Sr. PF/C). In the battle of the points, look for Bishop’s Kenny D'Oyen (5'-7" So. PG), David Colbert (5'-10" So. PG) and Quincy Kelly (5'-10" Sr. PG/SG) to match up against Serra’s D.J. Wyatt who will also get some Jermaine Foster (6'-1" Jr. PG) and Warren Rogers (5'-11" Jr. PG). Unfortunately for Bishop Montgomery, both Tony Booker (6'-5" Sr. SG/SF) and Brian Pruitt (6'-6" Jr. F) will miss most of the season with injuries.