WCE Summer Siege: Top Performers

Summer Siege

Over the weekend we had a stellar tournament, with some solid teams and terrific games to show for at the West Coast Elite Summer Siege. There were 37 teams from 10U all the way to 17U who were competing at Cerritos College. Below you will find every team that competed this weekend and a standout player for each team.

17U Varsity

Castaic Lakeboyz (CA)

They are very hard to stop because they have a variety of playmakers that all contribute to winning. Also important is how they play every possession which is with intensity. Don’t allow them to get to their spots because they are lethal from the three-point arc and on the offensive glass.

Gio Valentin – Lefty combo guard that thrives as a decision maker and scorer / Undersized but has no problem bodying up bigger guards.

NAZ Soldiers (AZ)

Everyone on the roster plays very similarly which leads to their success as a team. They are all constantly moving and have no issue moving the ball and getting their teammates involved. At least one of their guys will be the first one down the court on both ends as they will continue to outwork their opposition.

Noah Brown – Lengthy combo guard that is money as a shooter from beyond the arc and in the mid-range / Uses his quickness as a defender and has a solid basketball IQ.

La Mirada ACR (CA)

A team that moves the ball well and loves to get the ball inside. They hustle for loose balls and draw a lot of contact, which leads to easy points at the free throw line. Look for them to never give up on plays and work harder in every way than their opposition until the final buzzer.

Rene Zamorano – Lightning quick combo guard that does a great job of creating off the dribble for his teammates / Excels without the ball and as a playmaker.

Beach Buckets (CA)

A run-and-gun team that is in transition almost every single time down the court. They have no reason to slow it down because they have quickness at all five positions which allows them to play at a fast pace. The ability to drive is their greatest strength which creates a lot of drives and dumps to make for quality shots around the rim.

Kylil Lewis – Creative combo guard that thrives when driving to the basket / Has a high

basketball IQ and uses that to pick apart the defense as a ball handler.

Build Up (CA)

Lengthy team that plays as a collective unit, who loves to make the extra pass for better shots. The roster is filled with athletic players that play hard, talk on defense, and crash the glass on both ends. Where they excel the most is making strong decisions and individually getting the most out of each other.

Jackson Knowles – Tall wing that can play anywhere on the floor as he is able to space

the floor / Great passer to open shooters and cutters on the block and the elbows

16U JV

Eastside Basketball Club (HI)

Effort is something that you can’t teach, and that is exactly what they bring to the table. The variety of different play styles that they have on their roster is awesome to watch and is the biggest reason for their separation from their competition. Great energy that they bring on the defensive end, leading to easy transition buckets.

Mystique Akina-Watson – Combo guard that thrives when finishing through contact / His willingness to work harder than everyone on the court helps get him in good positions to score and rebound well on both ends.

Heaven on Hardwood (CA)

A zone defense is where they can get things going. Following missed shots and loose balls is another way they beat the opposition. Watch for them to play hard until the final buzzer and do damage from the inside and in the open space.

David Hard – Combo guard with a mid-range sniper / Handles pressure well with the ability to finish around the rim in congestion.

PV Breakers 16U (CA)

Watch these guys distribute the ball and work harder on the defensive end to win games. They do a great job of moving the ball and spreading the wealth. Their defensive identity is also something that makes a great impact on the game.

Justice Hunter – Athletic shooter that guards up in position / High energy forward who loves to drive through the defense.

Kai’s Ballers (CA)

This team loves to push in transition and get up shots from the outside. They do a good job of talking on defense when they switch everything with their sizeable roster. Their pace is a bit slow, but it tends to work to their advantage.

Zen Bhayani – Slasher that can go both ways consistently / Has a decent shot from

outside and will lock up both guards and forwards.

15U Frosh

Heaven on Hardwood 15U (CA)

This is a team that does a job of finishing in transition but really likes to slow it down. They take quality shots, run a lot of pick and rolls and do the dirty work. All the players know their roles and do a great job of not forcing anything, which shows a lot of

discipline for a young team.

Ryan Harada – Point guard who is a facilitator that does a good job of putting himself

and his teammates in positions to score / Always talking on defense and in the right spots to succeed.

Team Elevate (AZ)

The roster is filled with hustlers that can all dribble, shoot and pass. What sets them apart is their willingness to make the extra pass and help their teammates succeed. Their unselfishness is contagious on offense, and on the defensive end you will watch them sprint to their spots and not give up any easy buckets.

Andy Roberts – Excellent rebounder and touch around the rim / Has the skillset to play as both a wing and a big.

IE Fusion (CA)

They have a good mix of guards that do different things on the court that make them a complete team. Staying down on defense is something that they do well without letting the offense break them down. Don’t let them push in transition because that is where they get dangerous.

Ben Hyde – His inside and mid-range game is where he will excel the most / Does a good job of not forcing shots and waiting for his game to come.

Creators Bball 15U Grey (CA)

Runs a trapping 2-3 zone that is hard to get through. They lack in three-point shooting but do a decent job of making up for it through their effort on drives and cutting to the basket. Most of their points will come in the paint as they are quick to the basket.

Kevin Hart – Solid finisher with both hands and a wicked crossover / Has no problem no who is guarding him abut also does a good job of finding guys up the court.

14U

WCE LA Boys 14U (CA)

A team that always runs a great motion offense with moving parts. They are filled with players that do the right thing. Letting up is not something that they do but competing on both ends of the floor is something that they do well.

Alex Ioannou – Combo guard/forward that excels when slashing through the defense / Causes a lot of pressure as an on-ball defender.

S.F. Lions 14U (CA)

This team loves to put pressure in the paint. Their culture is very team oriented and that is shown on both ends of the floor. Watch out for them to mentally drain you by playing smart basketball collectively as a group.

Hunter Devine – Lefty forward that finishes with both hands at the rim / Runs the floor and rebounds at a high level.

Mana Basketball (CA)

A physical team that is willing to put their bodies on the line for the success of the team. You can tell that they have been playing together for a while as they always know where each other will be on the court. Limiting teams to one shot is a strength even though they are undersized.

James Kwan – Knows how to move the ball well but also when to get his own shot /

Solid on-ball defender that will limit the other team’s best guard.

SkillHouse (CA)

With similar play styles, the team plays with a will to make good decisions. No one tries to be a star because they all fight on every possession. They do a great job of talking on defense and limiting teams to one play on offense.

Elijah Seed – Wing that can play in the post and on the perimeter / Surprisingly strongwith the ability to make quality post moves and has a decent jumper.

PV Breakers 14U (CA)

With great size and playmakers, they are a hard team to slow down. They have shooters all around the court to surround their playmaking guards. They play just as hard on defense as they do with their talented offensive games.

James Hillstrom – His skill combined with his size allows him to dominate the paint on both sides of the court / Excellent touch around the rim as a big man.

13U

Watts Skills Academy (CA)

This team loves to get downhill and finish in traffic. Their fundamentals are on point, and they always play the right way. They have decent size and almost all their points come within the paint through hard work.

Dontay Biddle – Innovative point guard that has no problems getting to the hole / Draws a lot of attention and can drive both ways and finish.

WCE LA Boys The Only Way (CA)

A well diverse team full of playmakers, slashers, and defenders. They give it their all every game and would never have a reason to believe they aren’t in the game. Has a good mix of go-to scorers and shooters that fill the roster.

DJ Moses – Bigger forward that does it all as a defender and scorer on the inside / No one can stop him on his way to the basket with a tight handle and ability to overpower his competition.

Team Elevate 13U (AZ)

Slow and steady play with guys that don’t let up on either end. Their heart and hustle are exciting to watch whether they are up 20 or down 20. They play winning basketball and continue to do the little things that bring a great culture to the players.

Kayson Iten-Pauley – Lights out shooter from way beyond the arc / Undersized but has no problem getting into traffic and setting up his teammates.

State 38 2028 Boys Black (CO)

The size of the team is impressive, but they are also very skilled at going along with that. Big damage is done through blocking shots and rebounding. Their players are all versatile and able to make the defense look silly when they play together.

Pike Maddox – Shifty combo guard that cuts through the open gaps to set up his guys / Willing to go up against the trees with both hands.

PV Breakers 13U (CA)

Up-tempo offense that strives to always find the best looks. All five guys do a great job of collectively playing defense. They also run a solid compact zone that forces their opponent into tough shots on the perimeter.

Eli Orpeza – Energizer point guard that is willing to sacrifice his body in traffic and as a defender / Hands on defense and loves to compete.

WCE LA Boys 13U Is Through (CA)

A decent size on this team that also allows them to play different styles of basketball. They can play on the perimeter and go inside when the matchups are in their favor. They also have a solid defense, especially when jumping in the passing lanes.

Orion Copeland – Undersized point guard who doesn’t shy away from the bigger players / Able to get his way on the perimeter to create good looks from beyond the arc and in the mid-range.

12U

S.F. Lions 12U (CA)

For such a small team, they thrive on the offensive boards. That leads to a lot of open paint touches and layups. They have a good defensive identity and that helps them when they aren’t hitting shots.

Twann Rucker – Always has his head on a swivel to find open cutters / Picks up full- court and is dangerous as a lefty slasher.

PV Breakers 12U (CA)

Fundamentals are the key to this team’s success. One thing they do very well is get the ball inside and take control of the paint on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor. There are no selfish players as they love to share the ball and get each other involved.

Ayaka Yiu – Unselfish point guard who loves to push the ball / Has a decent outside shot, handles for days and good as an on-ball and help defender.

WCE LA Boys 12U I Will (CA)

A team full of talented scorers and defenders that love to bring intensity on both ends. They will space the floor well which opens the driving lanes. They excel in the paint, on the boards and by running in transition because they have so many guys who can finish at the rim.

Miles Johnson - Doesn’t get phased when the best defender is on him / Causes a lot of pressure as an on-ball defender.

WCE LA Boys 12U Protect (CA)

Stacked team full of young and athletic players. Their biggest strength is their mix of guards and bigs. They play the right way and do a fantastic job of getting the ball inside and getting open shots with three-point shooters and cutters to the basket once they get the ball on the block or elbow.

Keaton Taubman – A pogo stick rebounder that sprints back on defense every possession / Plays the right way, talks on defense, and always makes the extra pass.

Creators Bball 12U Grey (CA)

The ball movement that this team has at such a young age is something that you don’t see too often. Another thing that is impressive is they compete until the final buzzer without regard for the score. They play their heart out on defense and love to shoot the three.

Mason Durham – A wing scorer as a shooter and by breaking down his defender / Active on defense who will get up in your face and cause problems.

11U

WCE LA Boys Black (CA)

A group of players you can tell cares about winning when they hustle the entire game no matter what the score is. They never stop jumping the passing lanes and pushing it in transition. With that they do a great job of staying patient and swinging the ball until they get quality shots even though they have multiple go-to scorers on their roster.

Joah Bohlinger – Small lefty guard who is lightning quick with the ball / Consistent shooter from three but likes to drive and create for teammates.

WCE LA Boys White (CA)

This is a team full of youngsters that plays quality team basketball. They have multiple guards that can score both inside and outside. What they do best though is staying in front of their man and all boxing out to limit teams to one possession.

Mos Boatright – A lefty point guard that can pick apart his first defender like he isn’t even there / His touch around the basket with both hands is impressive.

SoCal Fierce (CA)

They will full-court pressure you the entire game and force you to take tough shots. On the offensive end they like to get cutters to the basket and drive inside. Their hustle never wavers and a continued effort to put pressure on defense is what sets them apart.

Jonah Gluckstein – Guards full court and is a pick pocket defender / Shooter that has a tight handle and mixes it up as a scorer and feeding the ball inside.

10U

WCE LA (CA)

They are an extremely skilled group of players that can all dribble, shoot and create for their other players. Their best attribute is their willingness to share the ball. Expect everyone to get opportunities with this team and prove that they were taught how to play intelligent basketball.

Kaui Yip – She is a young point guard that has handles for days and able to break an entire press by herself / Always has her eyes up in transition and ready to make the right play for her teammates.

North Starz Basketball (OR)

This out of state team is impressive as a defensive squad that is relentless in transition. What stands out is that they are all able to play different styles, whether they are pushing the ball or slowing down the pace. On the defensive end they always get back and run a great trap that leads to many steals and good shots on the other end.

Jah’Leel Smith – Active in the right spots on both ends of the floor / Outstanding defender that will rack up steals and create a one-man fastbreak.

S.F. Lions 10U (CA)

Very physical players that don’t let up on either end. Follow their energy as a group and their ability to fight for every possession. They love to get inside, draw contact, and use their speed to put themselves in position to succeed.

Malachi Allen – Shifty point guard who is the ultimate assist man, especially in transition / Active defender that doesn’t let the man in front of him score.

94 Feet of Game (CA)

Unreal pace for a team full of youngsters. They pressure the entire game no matter what they see on the scoreboard. They are easily the most talented young team I’ve ever witnessed and every single one of them is skilled and has the talent to push each other as well.

Evan Gee – The handle on this point guard is unmatched at this level / He can score at will but loves to set up his teammates at the same time.

PV Breakers 10U (CA)

Despite always having the smallest players in the gym, they continue to show up every game. You love to see their constant movement and willingness to box out despite their size. Their biggest strengths are their speed and shot making ability.

Ryder Gani – Talented ball handler for his age / Can bring the ball up the court under pressure, shoot from the outside and helps space the floor