Chino Hills repeats as Ron Massey Memorial champions

LONG BEACH, Calif — If we learned two things at the second annual Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic over the weekend it’s that the 2015-16 edition of the Chino Hills high school basketball team is going to be difficult to beat and that senior, UCLA-bound point guard Lonzo Ball is the Maestro of Maestro’s in Southern California hoops. Lonzo directed his supporting cast of UCLA-bound brothers LiAngelo and LaMelo, cousin Andre and the relentless-rebounding Eli Scott, like the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Huskies repeated as Ron Massey champions with an 85-55 win over a short-handed Long Beach Poly Sunday night at Long Beach Jordan High.

The Chino Hills high school basketball team with the Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic Banner. Photo Credit: Devin Ugland

Lonzo paced Chino Hills’ dominant championship performance with 14 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and five steals, but the Huskies didn’t breeze through the loaded tournament field by any means. Sierra Canyon gave Chino Hills all it could handle in a Sunday morning semifinal that needed 3-point heroics from Gelo Ball in order for the Huskies to advance to the title game. The Trailblazers, led by six potential Division I players in 2016 Devearl Ramsey and the class of 2017 quintet of Remy Martin, Ira Lee, Cody Riley, Terrance McBride and Adam Seiko, had a 54-45 lead over Chino Hills with nine minutes to play after a rim-rattling two-handed jam from Lee, only to see that advantage dissipate in a Lonzo-esque performance for the ages. The eldest Ball nailed a 3-pointer from Atlantic Avenue, then fed middle brother Gelo for three 3-pointers to cut Sierra Canyon’s lead to four, 72-68 with 3:16 to play. Moments later, Lonzo found youngest Ball brother, Melo, for a 3-ball, cutting Sierra Canyon’s lead to one, 72-71, with 2:16 to play. Riley then sunk two clutch free throws for Sierra Canyon, but Lonzo found Melo for three more to tie the score at 74 with 1:24 to play. A bucket from Lee with 34 seconds to go made it a two-point Sierra Canyon advantage, but Lonzo struck back quickly with a leaner in the lane to tie it at 76 with under 30 seconds to play. The Trailblazers went to Riley on its next possession, but the burly 6-foot-7 power forward couldn’t finish over the defense of Lonzo with Chino Hills corralling the rebound with 18 seconds to play. After a foul by Ramsey (Sierra Canyon had yet to reach the 10 foul threshold that would’ve given Chino Hills free throws), the Huskies inbounded the ball from half court opposite media row and team benches with 15 seconds left. The ball was inbounded to Lonzo who was defended by Ramsey, Gelo, guarded by Riley, then flared to the left-wing and the slightest of hesitations from Riley to stay with Gelo instead of doubling Lonzo allowed Zo to throw a quick pass to his brother who nailed a deep 3-pointer, giving Chino Hills a 79-76 lead with two seconds remaining. Sierra Canyon failed to get off a shot as the clock expired, allowing the Huskies to advance to the title game, which they won, Sunday night.

Lonzo (left), Melo (center) and Gelo (right) led the Huskies to the Ron Massey title. Photo Credit: Devin Ugland

Lonzo finished with 20 points (18 of which came in the second half), 13 assists, 10 rebounds and six steals, while Martin led Sierra Canyon with 23 points and Ira Lee finished with a double-double scoring 18 points while pulling down 12 rebounds. Other scores and observations from Sunday: Championship semifinal: LB Poly 67, Bishop Gorman 61 The Jackrabbits were without two starters - Drew Buggs (recruiting visit to Hawaii) and center Myles Johnson (knee injury0 - but 2017 forward Zafir Williams, 2016 guard Harrison Bonner and 2018 point guard Darryl Polk led Poly into the title game.

Sophomore PG Darryl Polk helped lead Long Beach Poly into the Ron Massey title game. Photo Credit: Devin Ugland Third place game: Las Vegas Bishop Gorman 60, Sierra Canyon 57 Sin City’s top 2017 guard prospect, Chuck O’Bannon, paced the Gaels - who were without Gonzaga-commit Zach Collins for part of the tournament - with 19 points. Fifth place game: Bishop Montgomery 80, Corona Centennial 70 Sophomore David Singleton led the way for the Knights, scoring 27 points. The 2017 Bishop Monty duo of Ethan Thompson and Jordan Schakel was impressive all weekend long. 2019 point guard Gianni Hunt is another to watch from Bishop Montgomery. UCLA-bound center Ike Anigbogu had a solid weekend for Centennial on both sides of the ball, while sharpshooting 2016 guard Jordan Griffin got his shot going on Sunday. 2017 point guard Isom Butler showed that he continues to make positive strides in his game and decision-making. Seventh place game: Mater Dei 59, Redondo Union 52 Sophomore’s Spencer Freedman, Harrison Butler and Michael Wang led the way for the Monarchs over the two-day event and 2017 SF Justice Sueing played well for Mater Dei, as well. 2017 shooting guard Ryse Williams (14 points) showed why he’s one of the better long-range shooters in SoCal, but displayed some pull-up and slashing game. Morgan Means (15 points) continued to prove the assertion of some that he’s one of the more underrated guards in the area. Saturday “Showcase” game scores and observations: Lynwood 49, Long Beach Jordan 38 Lynwood has an impressive group of underclassmen led by point guard Denzel Williams. 2018 guard Keith Carlton and 2019 guard Oscar Lopez are a couple more talented prospects on that team. LB Jordan’s Sudan Thoms is a rangy 6-foot-5 wing player who has a ton of potential. Orange Lutheran 57, Temecula Rancho Christian 50 2017 shooting guard Chris Williams and 2017 point guard Joe Riley were firing from deep, while the 2016 inside duo of KaVaughn Scott and Zac Jervis are a load to deal with in the paint. 2016 point guard Trace Redfield and 2016 wing Greg Walters each performed well for Rancho Christian. Isaiah Mobley, widely regarded as one of the top freshmen in the country, was a standout for RC, as well. Eastvale Roosevelt 53, Compton 39 Junior’s Jemarl Baker and Matt Mitchell led Roosevelt, which should be considered one of the most formidable defensive units in Southern California. Baker was especially good, knocking down a number of 3-pointers. Javonntie Jackson showcased why he’s another underrated guard in the 2016 class. Jackson was knocking down perimeter shots from all over and his athleticism and length lend to his defensive prowess. Cantwell-Sacred Heart 55, Harvard-Westlake 50 The under-recruited Jacob Davison and Luka Radovic each had stellar performances for Cantwell. Another player out of Montebello to keep an eye on is 2018 Avery Martinez. The backcourt duo of Wolfgang Novogratz and Cassius Stanley could be dangerous come February, but HW is still finding its identity under new coach David Rebibo. Cathedral 57, Crespi 44 Cathedral was without Washington State commit Milan Acquaah, but 2016 forwards Daron Henson and Lucas Siewert were too much for Crespi to deal with. Recent USC-commit De’Anthony Melton did not suit up for the Celts, but Brandon Williams, a 2018 guard, made it clear with his offensive performance that he’s one of the best guards in the state in that class.

Crespi sophomore Brandon Williams used Saturday's showcase game to solidify his standing as one of the state's top prospects. Photo Credit: Devin Ugland

My 2015 “all-Massey Memorial” picks: Most Outstanding Player: Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills First Team G: Ethan Thompson, Junior, Bishop Montgomery G: LiAngelo Ball, Junior, Chino Hills G: Jordan Schakel, Junior, Bishop Montgomery F: Ira Lee, Junior, Sierra Canyon F: Zafir Williams, Junior, Long Beach Poly Second Team G: Remy Martin, Junior, Sierra Canyon G: Chuck O’Bannon, Junior, Bishop Gorman G: David Singleton, Sophomore, Bishop Montgomery F: Eli Scott, Junior, Chino Hills C: Ike Anigbogu, Senior, Corona Centennial Third Team G: Darryl Polk, Sophomore, Long Beach Poly G: Devearl Ramsey, Senior, Sierra Canyon G: Harrison Bonner, Senior, Long Beach Poly G: Ryse Williams, Junior, Redondo Union F: Cody Riley, Junior, Sierra Canyon Honorable Mention: Morgan Means, Senior, Redondo Union; John Duff, Junior, Long Beach Poly; LaMelo Ball, Freshman, Chino Hills; Spencer Freedman, Sophomore, Mater Dei.